Well, I mean anyone prefers to work smarter not harder. Do you really know many housewives or mothers that could really be described as not hard workers or truly submissive? I'm skeptical.
Well, as an Asian guy myself, I can tell you who was the real life Shang Tsung. Han Gaozu, the emperor of Han, was the exact image of Shang Tsung. And his name was Liu Bang, by the way. But to say he is "Feminine", is not really correct. You see, in Asian culture, there are a couple of differences when it comes to define "Masculinity". In the West, it seems like Masculinity is about taking the hard work, and build the society and stuff, right? But, that's not how it works in the East. In the East, how it works is, you need to know how combine the forces of others, so that they will work for you. I mean, even in Japanese movies show this. In the case of Shang Tsung, and for this guy only, he just enjoys using people. He still retains his masculine traits, but he's sorcerer, after all. And sorcerers don't use their force(even though they clearly have it), they use tricks, schemes and other things to get their things. That's why Shang Tsung is more dangerous than Goro. Because Goro is pure brute force(And I found out that the Shokan is weak against magic), and Shang Tsung can use magic to have that, and he can scheme against Shao Kahn
The idea of Liu Kang purposely making Shang gay when creating him just to pull a childish prank on him as a revenge for all the years of rivalry is honestly really funny.
Mk11 Shang is masculine in a way still, he’s always in control of himself, mk1 he’s just kind of, going through being controlled by others, thinking it’s all him
Your videos are so professionally described, so well-made, its narrative and escenographic elements so well-chosen... The mark of true talent. You are an extreme case of clarity of perspective and understanding of the world. Shame on Ed Boon for not immediately begin actively supporting your content
@@CynicalWarlock I'd have expected talent and thoughtfulness such as yours would at the veeeeery least be acknowledged in the form of some easter egg or twitter reference. As much as it can be considered enjoyable hyperenthusiastic straightforward implicit propaganda, such as that made by other youtubers, it is content like yours which truly honors the thinking processes and creative background of multimedia projects, and thus deserves such degree of promotion and praise.
With your point I feel Shang has more of his human flaws and view points because he is human. Quan is originally a demon is he not who rose to higher status through his mastery of dark are and magic.
He has definitely gotten progressively more "sassy" throughout the years lol...he was peak drama queen in the new MK1. It was weird at first, but I actually grew to like this new "queer" Shang Tsung...it suits him somehow
One more thing to think about is that Shang Tsung's ability to shapeshift kinda reflects femininity, as traditionally shapeshifting magic associates with femininity (Loki and Odin, Chinese and Japanese animal shapeshifters and so on
Good point. Also applies to comics, with characters like Mystique, from the X-Men comics. And even socially, women more adept 'shapeshifters', on average, molding themselves to the conversation and other viewpoints, whereas men tend to be more rigid and stand their ground, conversationally. And again, disclaimer, none of this means that if you're a shapeshifter or an impressionist, you're gay.
Interesting video the way I see Shang Tsung is androgynous thats not outwardly androgynous. He has the mystery seduction and I would even say cunning of the dark feminine, but ofc he using things from the masculine side thats also dark. I usually see wizards sorcerers etc as androgynous because their mannerisms are usually fluid. Theyll still have the masculinity theyre born with but would exude feminine traits, but I think this goes back to how certain occultic groups break the gender norms.
On the topic of the portrayal Shang tsung, I noticed since mk deception he's had a snake motif due with is fire snake in the opening of deception and mk11 in cutscenes, how his voice sounds raspy with some emphasis on the S's snake details on his costumes, and how raiden asks "how do you know we can trust this SSSNAKE?" found it interesting.
Hell yeah, the snake motifs are abundant with this one. Good point to make in a future video - there's a lot of symbolism behind that, like the snake's association with wisdom in many mythologies, and even in Christianity, despite the negative connotations, the snake is still the one who opens the humans up to knowledge. That definitely fits with Shang's insatiable thirst for knowledge and power.
I remember I mentioned Shang Tsung as an example of toxic masculinity a while back, so I was surprised seeing that thumbnail. But yeah, I can agree he's perhaps not the best example especially in contrast to other MK characters like Shao Khan or Quan Chi, who are both good examples of the Ubermensch. Also his powers are also not very masculine either lol. Also Mortal Kombat Conquest is so underrated, I love when you mention it in the videos
I love that show to death. Yeah, wanted to get this idea off my chest for a while. You can obviously interpret him as regular toxic masculinity, but thinking of him and Liu Kang together instantly made me see him as a feminine, spiteful Liu.
I've always liked Shang Tsung, as he's been one my favorite villains of all time. He perfectly contrasts Liu Kang in every way from their personalities and fighting styles, to their motifs and clothing with Liu Kang wearing simple monk attire and Shang Tsung wearing extravagant robes with fine detail (and let's not forget the claws he wears in MK11 💅💅).
That's why the mk11 Sindel retcon was so bad. Sindel couldn't be Shao Kahn's willing dark feminine queen because that was Shang Tsung the whole time. Shang Tsung as literally sacrificed after failing twice in mk9 to give Sindel the 2x feminine girlboss power to oneshot ever Earthrealm hero.
To be fair, I would like, that Quan Chi slowly replacing all the achievements of Shang Tsung to be true to the world of mk too. It would make their alliance/rivalry be more to the point of their trickster characteristics. Good artist copies, the best steals.
@CynicalWarlock 😂 I got u, fam! 💵4️⃣💉💊🧫 meet me by that one IHOP off the highway. On a side note, since they're doing superhero characters now, is it fine for Snowflame, the cocaine powered supervillain to come back?? He's just as relevant to MK as Peacemaker, and I would argue could be a lot more fun.
@CynicalWarlock 😂🤣 Gotta have a short term damage buff mechanic (like DrunkenMaster Bo) where he sniffs and not only gains armor on moves but a damage buff and incoming damage nerf. While the duration of The snort move goes down every use, thus mimicking the diminishing returns of actual drug use.
@@MetaSynForYourSoul That last part is genius. Another downside would be him having random shaky-jittery animations that leave him vulnerable for a second, if he doesn't snort for a long time, cause he's a true crackhead.
Before I watch this video I can already tell I agree. In some instances Shang subverts the overly machismo that would expect from a sorcerer of his caliber. That is expressed through Shao khan or general shao for some. He has his serpentine like aura about him. His cunning is shown through his actions when to strike and when not to. When to speak and not to.
That's a good way of viewing it. It's not that he's gay, or effeminate, but he possesses certain yin/feminine qualities that make him all the more dangerous, really.
@@CynicalWarlock but you can say he does have effeminate ways about home. I would argue that. Look how he tries to woo Sonya blade in the first movie. Shang without a doubt is the type of dude to use his girlfriend’s shampoo and conditioner for himself. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Quan is an illusionist but however it is Shang who I find more deceitful in his looks as he becomes younger by sucking souls. Without a doubt Quan is the devil that many of these characters are fooled into making a deal with but he more so I feel does it with his lies and words. I feel Shang is the fallen angel. A once great champion of earth realm now picking and choosing his victims sometimes from the shadows and sometimes out in the open. Quan most of the time stays hidden.
well feminine doesn’t mean gay so duh. men can be feminine, women can be masculine, and even if he was gay your using it like it’s an insult, when it’s notZ
@@taraa_.z .... do you know what a joke is? Also, you're the one who understood that I was insulting him by saying that The fact that you felt that I was insulting him by saying that he was gay shows more the type of person you are than the type of person I am
Very funny video What would be havik (mostly OG havik)? He inflicts chaos upon others(toxic masculine), He also offers chaos (good masculine), he offered to shujinko he is controlled by his feelings in a way like he does whatever he feels at the moment , and that is very unpredictable (chaotic feelings + feminine) He is able to not care about his feelings and beliefs to spread chaos . As you said method to the madnes in his video. What even is he? He is both and or neither?
Very interesting topic. Jordan Peterson sees chaos as feminine, and I tend to agree. Men's role is to bring order and structure to the world - they build, they discover patterns, science, they bring order. Chaos, entropy, indulgence, the untamed, all these things are feminine. You brought up that he does whatever he wants whenever he wants - that's very feminine. Men are characterized by structure and discipline. I guess his openness to pain might be masculine. But yeah, lots to consider.
@@CynicalWarlock he doesn't feel pain, in his biology instead of pain he feels pleasure. Like pleasure receptors. Chaosrealmers don't reproduce like others too. So their biology is completely different to apply such concepts as masculine vs feminine. But if his soul were to be on a human's body he would be very feminine.
But we can we say what he does is based on what he feels? What if he feels something orderly but yet he could go against his feelings . He apologized to shujinko for not harming him enough. Premise of chaos goes beyond do whatever you feel . It's causing confusion. Og havik is calm when in chaos and is clearly offended over order , order seems uncomfortable to him. So I guess based on that we can say he acts upon his feelings over logic. Due to his biology he doesn't face any consequences for it. He is very disagreeable, like that's a very masculine trait. Women with that trait are considered too masculine and unattractive. At the end of day he has some strong masculine traits but he has mostly strong feminine traits.
@@rymreaper Very well spotted. Yes, disagreeableness is very masculine. I tell you what though (and you hinted at this), Havik unwillingly created a paradox for himself: choosing to always cause/serve chaos is a principle you have to respect without fail or exception and is thus an expression of order. And yes, that's masculine. The feminine mindset wouldn't think about this so deeply.. or at all, really.
Honestly, why didn't MK1 reuse Kharacter Kustomization? They already blew up the internet with the multiverse in the story mode ending; and with the level of customization brought by Cyberpunk 2077, your proposed gender studies theory would be brought full circle.
@@CynicalWarlock Well, Cyberpunk 2077 does allow the player to customize even the private parts and voice of their character, as well as the face and otherwise.
@@maddenboseroy4074 And origin, and has some of the most distinct, well-thought-out endings.. But I guess that wasn't enough for people. Maybe they wanted to customize the npc's genitals too, I dunno..
"If cocaine contained soul energy, Shang Tsung would've snorted his nose off by now." Snowflame. He's Snowflame. WE SOLVED IT, NOW SNOWFLAME CAN BE IN MK1 RIGHT? RIGHT? (I am very serious, I want Snowflame from DC comics in MK because he's fucking ridiculous. If you don't know who he is, I recommend Huggbees' video on it. By the way, fantastic video as per the norm.)
probably the greatest description to my favorite characer ever. I'm surprised not a single sensitive soul has accused you of being sexist because of this video...yet
Ok I’m going to be your hype man for the next few moments. But I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this video so much. I saw the title and laughed and was like “oh I gotta see this” and was pleasantly surprised at this perspective of one of the best MK villains. Meant to comment on the last vid on how much cooler your take on the Chameleons were then other MK UA-camrs. Like it could totally just be personal taste but I can see all your ideas for these characters in the universe itself and help enrich it this frustratingly awesome universe that constantly has its potential squandered by poor writing decisions. Now I’m done being your hype man. Lol.
@@CynicalWarlock Agreed. Even though I’m not the biggest fan of Tekken’s lore, more there for its fighting mechanics, I appreciate that they’re willing to build up the lore and at least some of the characters even if some of it is very goofy. But I respect it. Now when it comes to MK I can’t help but feel the lore is watered down due to this new timeline. Not saying everything in the new timeline is bad per se but I’m not exactly looking forward to what this new timeline brings either. So your videos are a great way to cope with the sad reality of Liu Kang’s timeline. Which him being seen as the actually creator now bothers me to no end but that’s a different conversation for a different day. But thanks for the great entertainment as always.
I love all your analyses man. I like to do creative writing and your content helps me develop ideas better in the way you frame and explore things. Keep it up! 🙏
So you're telling me he's trans? Woke much? You're definition of masculine and feminine is definitely not one I hear often. Its an interesting one and one I think is fairly positive.
@@CynicalWarlock I am joking. Obviously playing off on the idea that most people would assume a dude being feminine would mean they are trans. But obviously that seems a bit dumb. Dudes can be feminine without being trans. That's just a thing that can happen.
Good and fun video, as always good, sir mr warlock. I myself may not be the most committed, hyped, or overly die-hard shang tsung fan. However, I can appreciate it when the snake themed sorcerer gets his chance to shine and when the writing about him is done justly and FLAWLESSLY. A good and entertaining video, as always, mr cynical warlock, keep up the good work as always mr cynical, and may positivity be with you mr warlock 😊.
Shang Tsung is my favorite MK character and part of it is because he plays his role so well. He’s scheming, conniving, totally untrustworthy and he knows he’s not the strongest and most powerful. I actually think he’s a lot like Sauron from LOTR when he’s compared to his predecessor Morgoth, it’s almost like a Shao Kahn and Shang Tsung dynamic
"my army consists of an undead Ninja hellspawn a four armed half dragon half man hybrid a reptilian with acid spit a spectral ninja with the ability to manipulate shadows ....and a femboy who drains souls to stop Twink death"
This isn't what I expected when you said you would do Shang vs Quan chi video but I still enjoyed it basically I thought it would be more focused on their powers, how they are different power vise (or who knows may be my inner Shang Stung's insatiable hunger power system videos is taking over) 😓😓🤤🤤😜😜
Love how you distinguish between Quan and Shang. I've always held the opinion that the former was the superior sorcerer in many ways, in part to his more stoic and disciplined manner with which he handles himself. Love 'em both anyway. Shang was actually the first ever character I played, way back in MK Trilogy - fun (useless) fact lol.
First character one ever played is always special, so I'm glad I touched on ol' Shang. Quan does seem more competent, while Shang seems more flashy/powerful. You can see that in the Deception intro, where Raiden has a tougher time with Quan than with Shang, but then Shang strikes the final blow and summons the big bad fire snake. Quan then defeats Shang, and also realizes what Raiden is doing, right before he explodes and flees, in the last second, while Shang seems to be none the wiser.
Huh I think Shang was just overly flamboyant in both MK 11 and especially in MK 1. All he needs a glittering ✨ disco ball 🪩 singing (Your Souls are mine! 🎵)
Great video!👍 On a different; yet similar topic however, I know MOST people dismiss MK:The Journey Begins;and yes I get it, it sucks, but I do enjoy the background orgins for the characters and in particular like Shang Tsung. It FIRST references he's from Earthrealm BEFORE MK:Conquest by Raiden explaining that;despite his great power, Shang is still MORTAL. Than it flashes back to Shang Tsung in a temple fighting one of his former masters, or fellow monks, and it's the first time he uses the soul steal to dishonor the great legacy of the tournament. Than in the MK 1 comic, I think, or some book it states there were three grandmasters who oversaw the ceremonies of MK. One of them was Shang Tsung and when two of the grandmasters died under "mysterious circumstances" Shang Tsung took over as the head grandmaster chosen to host MK tournaments. Than he brought Goro over, made him the champion, and Goro secured easy nine straight victories for Outworld in order to take over Earthrealm. But I like to think the Conquest stuff happened first and than later he killed his fellow master and the two grandmasters in order to seize total control of the tournament. I think BOTH events are likely, but most people don't follow him killing his master lore just because it appears in a kinda bad presentation form. Oh side note MK:The Journey Begins is a guilty pleasure of mine because I saw it at like 10; when the animation than was relatively new and revolutionary at the time and it DOES get a lot of the lore right over OTHER forms of media presenting Mortal Kombat.
I've seen bits and pieces of The Journey Begins; didn't know it covered Shang's backstory - thanks for setting that straight. Honestly, janky or not, things from that era prioritized story and worldbuilding way more than the stuff they put out today.
@@CynicalWarlock They at least attempted to make great lore; even if it didn't age well. MK: Defenders of the Realm borrowed heavy from the movies' lore, so since Shang Tsung died in the first movie they had an episode where Shao Kahn had Shadow Priests resurrect Shang Tsung for a "special mission." Side note we never really learn what the mission in question was. However he DOES come back from the dead...but looks like the Shang Tsung 3 version, so that's kinda cool still.
Oh and; I don't know why, but I've never really liked Shang Tsung's MK3 look. I know everyone hates his MK 2 look and I do agree it wasn't the best, I still dislike 3 a bit more. Maybe keep the long ponytail and face paint from MK 3, but the look and build from MK 2 and he'd be a bit better. Oh and lose the stupid hat. Other than MKDA I really enjoyed his MK vs DC look until MK11 when they just did his movie look and it was perfect. MK1(newest version) is pretty cool too and I think Bruce Locke doesn't get enough credit for his portrayal as Shang Tsung. Oh and one other thing. In MK: The Journey Begins Shang is voiced by none other than Jim Cummings, so at least they got a REALLY cool dude to voice Shang Tsung. Perhaps that's why it's so low budget. All the money was spent on hiring Jim Cummings and so the rest if the feature sucked. 😅 At least that's what I tell myself to cope.😉
@@Nick-up5wv Nah they got Jennifer Hale in there too, although granted, maybe she wasn't as big, back then. Might give TJB a shot; doesn't look that bad to me. I think I know why you hate MK3 Shang: because of the yellow tights. Which look like.. well, tights. The kind you wear to bed. *And* they're yellow. That's the first thing that stuck out sorely to me, at least, but I also rolled with it, almost instantly, cause Shang is this cool, but slimey, sleezy dude, so it kinda fits him. He's evil Liu Kang, who's part of a gang and tryna sell you fake Apple watches, while twirling a knife behind his back, to backstab you.
@@CynicalWarlock True. He looks to roided out though too. John Turk, also Sub-Zero, played him. The yellow was the wrong yellow. It needed to be the MK 2 version and less of it. Also the face paint is meh.
@@CynicalWarlock Understandable, but I suppose it depends on the game as well. Like I wouldn't call Deception Shang Tsung pretty, but MK11 and ESPECIALLY MK1? Absolutely gorgeous
Shang Tsung likes being submissive but also hates having to work really hard. Yes, he is very feminine
Facts.
This video is stupid, he is evil and satanic. What else is he supposed to be as a evil boss.
Well, I mean anyone prefers to work smarter not harder. Do you really know many housewives or mothers that could really be described as not hard workers or truly submissive? I'm skeptical.
@@MLBlue30 As they say, she wears the pants.
Well, as an Asian guy myself, I can tell you who was the real life Shang Tsung.
Han Gaozu, the emperor of Han, was the exact image of Shang Tsung. And his name was Liu Bang, by the way.
But to say he is "Feminine", is not really correct.
You see, in Asian culture, there are a couple of differences when it comes to define "Masculinity".
In the West, it seems like Masculinity is about taking the hard work, and build the society and stuff, right?
But, that's not how it works in the East.
In the East, how it works is, you need to know how combine the forces of others, so that they will work for you. I mean, even in Japanese movies show this.
In the case of Shang Tsung, and for this guy only, he just enjoys using people. He still retains his masculine traits, but he's sorcerer, after all. And sorcerers don't use their force(even though they clearly have it), they use tricks, schemes and other things to get their things. That's why Shang Tsung is more dangerous than Goro. Because Goro is pure brute force(And I found out that the Shokan is weak against magic), and Shang Tsung can use magic to have that, and he can scheme against Shao Kahn
I haven’t laughed that hard at a video title in a while
You're welcome.
What if Shang Tsung was called Freak Tsung and he sucked toes instead of souls
You know what? You only live once.
Make it happen, NRS.
@@CynicalWarlock in some reality of the multiverse of Kombat, this IS happening.
Your sole is mine!
😂
The idea of Liu Kang purposely making Shang gay when creating him just to pull a childish prank on him as a revenge for all the years of rivalry is honestly really funny.
Would do the same, honestly.
I would do way worse
I’d like to imagine it was the first thing he did when he was creating the new timeline, just to get it out of the way lol.
@@ItsLelingTime First things first, atomic wedgie for Shang.
I like to think he was always gay, Liu Kang wanted to be a bro and let him be comfortable about it
They made him so zesty i love it
Shao Kahn is the masculinity that lures Shang Tsung to be his powerful femboy in command.
Best description of that dysfunctional relationship.
*"You see big balls, small pp"*
So Shang's a tanuki? That explains the shapeshifting.
Damn, that's a good one..
Hol up hes on to something
for some reason, shang tsung having feminine traits makes me like his character even more than i already did.
Right? Makes him all the more dangerous and complex.
Shang is by far the sexiest of the MK villains, espcially MK11 and MK1!
MK 11 Shang is peak Shang fight me!
@@kylawave92I don’t think anyone’s going to fight you on that.
M1K version is cool, but he has an excessive smirk that annoys me, for some reason.
@@CynicalWarlockI think thats the point😂
Mk11 Shang is masculine in a way still, he’s always in control of himself, mk1 he’s just kind of, going through being controlled by others, thinking it’s all him
Shang Tsung be Shang Serving that Shang Snatch like his life depends on it.
Which it frequently does.
He's a great character.
I don't know what you just wrote, but I like it.
Basically two words that perfectly describe Shang Tsung are *feminine* and *lazy*
"He's about as kind as a horny dog to a leg" that killed me 🤣
Well he is. :D
Feminine yes, lazy no
@@Skinner0527 Yeah more opulent/self-indulgent than lazy
His most feminine moment was when he transformed into Kitana and wanted to kiss Kung Lao in the Malibu Comics. Interesting video!
That sounds too good to be true.
Shang's Eobard Thawne *'IT WAS ME, BARRY!'* moment. I needed it referenced in an intro dialogue yesterday.
@@CynicalWarlockIt actually is. I have the comics.😅
@@Nick-up5wv Protect them at all costs.
@@LOWBORN-the-LOATHSOME "It was me, Liu! I nutted you using sorcery so you wouldn't have anything left for Kitana!!"
Shang Tsung is the negative androgynous, instead of the negative masculine or negative feminine
Damn, you took it a step even further.
Your videos are so professionally described, so well-made, its narrative and escenographic elements so well-chosen... The mark of true talent. You are an extreme case of clarity of perspective and understanding of the world. Shame on Ed Boon for not immediately begin actively supporting your content
Yes, how dare he not be aware of my existence?
For real though, appreciate it. I am definitely obscenographic and all that.
I agree with you, if I were Ed Boon I would at least give the title of Cynical Warlock to one of the elder gods just as a tribute
@@CynicalWarlock I'd have expected talent and thoughtfulness such as yours would at the veeeeery least be acknowledged in the form of some easter egg or twitter reference. As much as it can be considered enjoyable hyperenthusiastic straightforward implicit propaganda, such as that made by other youtubers, it is content like yours which truly honors the thinking processes and creative background of multimedia projects, and thus deserves such degree of promotion and praise.
Shang is so unapologetically beta that he became alpha
Quite the paradox, this Shang.
Leave it to Shang Tsung to make rigged loopholes in the system of things
People saying Shang's gay because he is not traditionally masculine in 3, 2, 1...
Cue "Why aa iu gay?" meme.
I've never ever felt that
I mean, my homie partnered with Quan chi in like 3 timelines including his most evil incarnation, so...
@@MsMvscAnd guys having best friends is gay?
Shang Tsung does transform into female characters.
His onlyfans account would be legendary.
Who needs OnlyFans when you got Shang switching lmao
"And the victim with a bad case of dead" 😭
He literally has painted nails in Mk11, he also is always on Shao and Liu Kang. He definitely is zesty
"Your zest is MINE"
[Shang to a gay person]
With your point I feel Shang has more of his human flaws and view points because he is human. Quan is originally a demon is he not who rose to higher status through his mastery of dark are and magic.
Precisely. That's one of the key differences between them, and there are advantages and disadvantages to both.
He has definitely gotten progressively more "sassy" throughout the years lol...he was peak drama queen in the new MK1. It was weird at first, but I actually grew to like this new "queer" Shang Tsung...it suits him somehow
The seeds were always there.
Shang Tsung slays 💅💅💅
Yaas, sorcerer queen.
One more thing to think about is that Shang Tsung's ability to shapeshift kinda reflects femininity, as traditionally shapeshifting magic associates with femininity (Loki and Odin, Chinese and Japanese animal shapeshifters and so on
Good point. Also applies to comics, with characters like Mystique, from the X-Men comics.
And even socially, women more adept 'shapeshifters', on average, molding themselves to the conversation and other viewpoints, whereas men tend to be more rigid and stand their ground, conversationally.
And again, disclaimer, none of this means that if you're a shapeshifter or an impressionist, you're gay.
Shang Tsung is basically a mortal Loki
Pretty similar, yeah.
Femboy shangtsung is my new headcannon
FemTsung.
Interesting video the way I see Shang Tsung is androgynous thats not outwardly androgynous. He has the mystery seduction and I would even say cunning of the dark feminine, but ofc he using things from the masculine side thats also dark.
I usually see wizards sorcerers etc as androgynous because their mannerisms are usually fluid. Theyll still have the masculinity theyre born with but would exude feminine traits, but I think this goes back to how certain occultic groups break the gender norms.
Good point about the occult. And yeah, it's the combo of dark masculine + some feminine that makes him so dangerous.
Shang Tsung is my favorite rule34 page.
😢
On the topic of the portrayal Shang tsung, I noticed since mk deception he's had a snake motif due with is fire snake in the opening of deception and mk11 in cutscenes, how his voice sounds raspy with some emphasis on the S's snake details on his costumes, and how raiden asks "how do you know we can trust this SSSNAKE?" found it interesting.
Hell yeah, the snake motifs are abundant with this one. Good point to make in a future video - there's a lot of symbolism behind that, like the snake's association with wisdom in many mythologies, and even in Christianity, despite the negative connotations, the snake is still the one who opens the humans up to knowledge. That definitely fits with Shang's insatiable thirst for knowledge and power.
Shangs facial expressions solos Liu Kangs timeline
Mile-long smirk.
Shang Tsung sounds like Drake 😂
Facts.
Shake Tsung is the type of guy to moan while sucking souls
I remember I mentioned Shang Tsung as an example of toxic masculinity a while back, so I was surprised seeing that thumbnail. But yeah, I can agree he's perhaps not the best example especially in contrast to other MK characters like Shao Khan or Quan Chi, who are both good examples of the Ubermensch. Also his powers are also not very masculine either lol. Also Mortal Kombat Conquest is so underrated, I love when you mention it in the videos
I love that show to death. Yeah, wanted to get this idea off my chest for a while. You can obviously interpret him as regular toxic masculinity, but thinking of him and Liu Kang together instantly made me see him as a feminine, spiteful Liu.
Lie cheat steal…. Los guerreros have entered the chat
Damn, should've made that reference.
Damn this aint defeating the allegations of me liking feminine men
Nothin wrong with that.
I've always liked Shang Tsung, as he's been one my favorite villains of all time. He perfectly contrasts Liu Kang in every way from their personalities and fighting styles, to their motifs and clothing with Liu Kang wearing simple monk attire and Shang Tsung wearing extravagant robes with fine detail (and let's not forget the claws he wears in MK11 💅💅).
@@roam980 Exactly why he's so beloved - he's the perfect antithesis of the hero.
That's why the mk11 Sindel retcon was so bad. Sindel couldn't be Shao Kahn's willing dark feminine queen because that was Shang Tsung the whole time. Shang Tsung as literally sacrificed after failing twice in mk9 to give Sindel the 2x feminine girlboss power to oneshot ever Earthrealm hero.
Shang Tsung was an extra layer of makeup for Sindel.
This video has given me much food for thought. He does have an aging glam rocker vibe...
That's another great example of masculine mixing some feminine in.
Chad Thundercock.
To be fair, I would like, that Quan Chi slowly replacing all the achievements of Shang Tsung to be true to the world of mk too. It would make their alliance/rivalry be more to the point of their trickster characteristics. Good artist copies, the best steals.
I love that idea. If you integrate it into the story, it's genius.
I can confirm cocaine does in fact contain soul energy!
...at least, this bag does...
Hook a brother up.
@CynicalWarlock 😂 I got u, fam! 💵4️⃣💉💊🧫 meet me by that one IHOP off the highway.
On a side note, since they're doing superhero characters now, is it fine for Snowflame, the cocaine powered supervillain to come back?? He's just as relevant to MK as Peacemaker, and I would argue could be a lot more fun.
@@MetaSynForYourSoul I'm there.💵
MK is actually the only franchise where you would probably be allowed to introduce Snowflame.
@CynicalWarlock 😂🤣 Gotta have a short term damage buff mechanic (like DrunkenMaster Bo) where he sniffs and not only gains armor on moves but a damage buff and incoming damage nerf. While the duration of The snort move goes down every use, thus mimicking the diminishing returns of actual drug use.
@@MetaSynForYourSoul That last part is genius. Another downside would be him having random shaky-jittery animations that leave him vulnerable for a second, if he doesn't snort for a long time, cause he's a true crackhead.
Do you think some symbology in Shang taking on a female form to trick the new era Shang and Quan chi in MK1?
...... Naaaaaah.
The weird thing is why did he choose Kronika he could’ve been any other person but nah he chose to walk in heels
@@MillieDuu actually. He couldn’t be bothered and swapped the heels for hiking boots
Of course. In modern politics, he is some sort of trans.
@@RayoSombrio78 Definitely genderfluid 🤣
He's definitely a little zesty
Your zest is mine.
Finally! This is Shang's best look in the entire history of MK. I love how smug and zesty he is all the time!
He broke the smirk chart.
I mean... In MK11 he has a skin where his nails are painted black.
Proof!
Before I watch this video I can already tell I agree. In some instances Shang subverts the overly machismo that would expect from a sorcerer of his caliber. That is expressed through Shao khan or general shao for some. He has his serpentine like aura about him. His cunning is shown through his actions when to strike and when not to. When to speak and not to.
That's a good way of viewing it. It's not that he's gay, or effeminate, but he possesses certain yin/feminine qualities that make him all the more dangerous, really.
@@CynicalWarlock but you can say he does have effeminate ways about home. I would argue that. Look how he tries to woo Sonya blade in the first movie. Shang without a doubt is the type of dude to use his girlfriend’s shampoo and conditioner for himself. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Quan is an illusionist but however it is Shang who I find more deceitful in his looks as he becomes younger by sucking souls. Without a doubt Quan is the devil that many of these characters are fooled into making a deal with but he more so I feel does it with his lies and words. I feel Shang is the fallen angel. A once great champion of earth realm now picking and choosing his victims sometimes from the shadows and sometimes out in the open. Quan most of the time stays hidden.
Most villans that from this era of TV and games still follow Hays code guidelines so they're all queer af so they can die by the end
Well they definitely don't follow them now.
It took me some time to understand that the title wasn't actually "Shang Tsung is gay" 😂
Smart man.
@@CynicalWarlock great video as always, keep doing a great job friend, maybe one day Ed Boon acknowledge you
well feminine doesn’t mean gay so duh. men can be feminine, women can be masculine, and even if he was gay your using it like it’s an insult, when it’s notZ
@@taraa_.z .... do you know what a joke is? Also, you're the one who understood that I was insulting him by saying that
The fact that you felt that I was insulting him by saying that he was gay shows more the type of person you are than the type of person I am
@@SeiVinRen understanding bandhanded homophobia isnt “showing what type of person i am”… be fr
One of my favourite anime villain trope is the male villain with feminine traits.
It's can be charming or creepy or both depending on the villain.
Exactly. This one gets it.
Very funny video
What would be havik (mostly OG havik)?
He inflicts chaos upon others(toxic masculine),
He also offers chaos (good masculine), he offered to shujinko
he is controlled by his feelings in a way like he does whatever he feels at the moment , and that is very unpredictable (chaotic feelings + feminine)
He is able to not care about his feelings and beliefs to spread chaos . As you said method to the madnes in his video.
What even is he? He is both and or neither?
Very interesting topic. Jordan Peterson sees chaos as feminine, and I tend to agree. Men's role is to bring order and structure to the world - they build, they discover patterns, science, they bring order. Chaos, entropy, indulgence, the untamed, all these things are feminine. You brought up that he does whatever he wants whenever he wants - that's very feminine. Men are characterized by structure and discipline.
I guess his openness to pain might be masculine.
But yeah, lots to consider.
@@CynicalWarlock he doesn't feel pain, in his biology instead of pain he feels pleasure. Like pleasure receptors.
Chaosrealmers don't reproduce like others too. So their biology is completely different to apply such concepts as masculine vs feminine. But if his soul were to be on a human's body he would be very feminine.
He is anti logic and more feelings kind of person , that is a very feminine trait too
But we can we say what he does is based on what he feels? What if he feels something orderly but yet he could go against his feelings . He apologized to shujinko for not harming him enough.
Premise of chaos goes beyond do whatever you feel . It's causing confusion.
Og havik is calm when in chaos and is clearly offended over order , order seems uncomfortable to him.
So I guess based on that we can say he acts upon his feelings over logic. Due to his biology he doesn't face any consequences for it.
He is very disagreeable, like that's a very masculine trait. Women with that trait are considered too masculine and unattractive.
At the end of day he has some strong masculine traits but he has mostly strong feminine traits.
@@rymreaper Very well spotted. Yes, disagreeableness is very masculine.
I tell you what though (and you hinted at this), Havik unwillingly created a paradox for himself: choosing to always cause/serve chaos is a principle you have to respect without fail or exception and is thus an expression of order.
And yes, that's masculine. The feminine mindset wouldn't think about this so deeply.. or at all, really.
Honestly, why didn't MK1 reuse Kharacter Kustomization? They already blew up the internet with the multiverse in the story mode ending; and with the level of customization brought by Cyberpunk 2077, your proposed gender studies theory would be brought full circle.
That escalated fast.
Glad to see some Cyberpunk love.
@@CynicalWarlock Well, Cyberpunk 2077 does allow the player to customize even the private parts and voice of their character, as well as the face and otherwise.
@@maddenboseroy4074 And origin, and has some of the most distinct, well-thought-out endings..
But I guess that wasn't enough for people. Maybe they wanted to customize the npc's genitals too, I dunno..
@@CynicalWarlock 🤣
I imagine he didn't mention MK1 because we all already know about his femininity in that one.
Probably..
3:15 you forgot eat hot cheetos lmao
My mistake.
Man that was a damn good video 😁
And here I thought it would trigger people..
"If cocaine contained soul energy, Shang Tsung would've snorted his nose off by now."
Snowflame. He's Snowflame.
WE SOLVED IT, NOW SNOWFLAME CAN BE IN MK1 RIGHT?
RIGHT?
(I am very serious, I want Snowflame from DC comics in MK because he's fucking ridiculous. If you don't know who he is, I recommend Huggbees' video on it. By the way, fantastic video as per the norm.)
Actually, MK is probably the only game where Snowflame would have a chance to appear in.
@@CynicalWarlock That's what I was thinking lmao. Especially with Peacemaker now, it'd be perfect.
Masculine or feminine hes still the best MK Villain.
In the top tier, for sure.
probably the greatest description to my favorite characer ever.
I'm surprised not a single sensitive soul has accused you of being sexist because of this video...yet
Yet.
I don't quite agree with how he defines femininity and masculinity but I do like how he described Shang Tsung's character as a soul-sucking sorcerer.
Press like before you see the vid, because you just know it is going to be good 😎
Brave man.
My friends think he and Quan got something going on. My defense was that they were destined to be together in every main timeline.
Definitely. All that competition for the title of greatest sorcerer.. passions get inflamed, you see.
SHANG CHI❤💖💞💕💟❣🥰😍☺😚😊🥵🤗
(Shang Tsung x Quan Chi)
He is, i can't unsee it now, hilarious!🤣
You're welcome.
Shang Tsung is very graceful especially in MK1
A true ballerina.
@@CynicalWarlock he's got very graceful mannerisms
Ok I’m going to be your hype man for the next few moments. But I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this video so much. I saw the title and laughed and was like “oh I gotta see this” and was pleasantly surprised at this perspective of one of the best MK villains. Meant to comment on the last vid on how much cooler your take on the Chameleons were then other MK UA-camrs. Like it could totally just be personal taste but I can see all your ideas for these characters in the universe itself and help enrich it this frustratingly awesome universe that constantly has its potential squandered by poor writing decisions.
Now I’m done being your hype man. Lol.
Was fun while it lasted..
Thanks a bunch, appreciate it. I think NRS mean well, but they underestimate how much fans appreciate deep, complex lore.
@@CynicalWarlock Agreed. Even though I’m not the biggest fan of Tekken’s lore, more there for its fighting mechanics, I appreciate that they’re willing to build up the lore and at least some of the characters even if some of it is very goofy. But I respect it. Now when it comes to MK I can’t help but feel the lore is watered down due to this new timeline. Not saying everything in the new timeline is bad per se but I’m not exactly looking forward to what this new timeline brings either. So your videos are a great way to cope with the sad reality of Liu Kang’s timeline. Which him being seen as the actually creator now bothers me to no end but that’s a different conversation for a different day. But thanks for the great entertainment as always.
Shang Tsung isn't feminine, he's just a JoJo character
Now I *need* to see Shang doing those artsy, over-the-top JoJo poses, every time he speaks.
@@CynicalWarlock
Spongebob: Write that down! Write that down!
That... Make WAY more sense
I love all your analyses man. I like to do creative writing and your content helps me develop ideas better in the way you frame and explore things. Keep it up! 🙏
That's awesome. Glad to get the creative juices goin. Inspiration is the gift that keeps on givin.
@@CynicalWarlock 🙏
9:17 so.. you're saying the Monks trained Liu Kang to be superhuman with Kung Lao as well 🤔
Borderline.
Bro... you are playing a dangerous game with this masculine/feminine stuff. Great video but you're a very brave man. 😂☠️
If you say so
5:58 captions are wilding
Meek, Locke, very gangsta.
So you're telling me he's trans? Woke much?
You're definition of masculine and feminine is definitely not one I hear often. Its an interesting one and one I think is fairly positive.
Absolutely not. Though I expect people to misconstrue the video that way.
@@CynicalWarlock I am joking. Obviously playing off on the idea that most people would assume a dude being feminine would mean they are trans. But obviously that seems a bit dumb. Dudes can be feminine without being trans. That's just a thing that can happen.
Good and fun video, as always good, sir mr warlock. I myself may not be the most committed, hyped, or overly die-hard shang tsung fan. However, I can appreciate it when the snake themed sorcerer gets his chance to shine and when the writing about him is done justly and FLAWLESSLY. A good and entertaining video, as always, mr cynical warlock, keep up the good work as always mr cynical, and may positivity be with you mr warlock 😊.
Thanks, man. This one comment gave me my dose of wholesomeness for the whole week.
Shang Tsung is my favorite MK character and part of it is because he plays his role so well. He’s scheming, conniving, totally untrustworthy and he knows he’s not the strongest and most powerful. I actually think he’s a lot like Sauron from LOTR when he’s compared to his predecessor Morgoth, it’s almost like a Shao Kahn and Shang Tsung dynamic
@@TheMan-je5xq Yeah, Sauron vs Morgoth, with a bit of Grima vs Saruman thrown in.
"my army consists of an undead Ninja hellspawn a four armed half dragon half man hybrid a reptilian with acid spit a spectral ninja with the ability to manipulate shadows ....and a femboy who drains souls to stop Twink death"
Honestly, I didn't really know what to expect from this video.
But it gave me a few good laughs, and made me go "Hmm. 🤔"
Mission accomplished, then.
Let’s get it!!!!!!
Shang Tsung is basically R-Rated Loki
Brings whole new meaning, when he says "kneel".
MK1 Shang was definitely giving gaslight gatekeep girlboss
Love the alliteration.
This isn't what I expected when you said you would do Shang vs Quan chi video but I still enjoyed it basically I thought it would be more focused on their powers, how they are different power vise (or who knows may be my inner Shang Stung's insatiable hunger power system videos is taking over) 😓😓🤤🤤😜😜
That'll be its own video, don't worry.
@@CynicalWarlock yes it's always worth the wait when it comes to the best things😋😋
8:06
I smirked here 😌
And I smirked after reading this comment.
Fans explaining the word "Zesty ahh Sorcerer" to the bunch of MK fandom be like:
First video of yours ive ever seen
I think i like it here
Welcome to the madhouse.
Shang Tsung The Shaolin Hole Stealer!!
Cynical warlock: I SAID SOUL STEALER!!
Sure you did, but honestly that cracked me up, great video man.
Thanks.
Love how you distinguish between Quan and Shang. I've always held the opinion that the former was the superior sorcerer in many ways, in part to his more stoic and disciplined manner with which he handles himself. Love 'em both anyway. Shang was actually the first ever character I played, way back in MK Trilogy - fun (useless) fact lol.
First character one ever played is always special, so I'm glad I touched on ol' Shang.
Quan does seem more competent, while Shang seems more flashy/powerful. You can see that in the Deception intro, where Raiden has a tougher time with Quan than with Shang, but then Shang strikes the final blow and summons the big bad fire snake. Quan then defeats Shang, and also realizes what Raiden is doing, right before he explodes and flees, in the last second, while Shang seems to be none the wiser.
Lol you got a new subscriber.
Welcome. We have cookies.
The fuck, I was against that in the poll comment but now I have to watch a full video about it
Life sucks, sometimes.
Kinda like Shang.
@@CynicalWarlock burn
The thumbnail and title make me think that this is a red pill bro talking about how the woke mob has ruined MK
Arctic.
2:19 got me good XD
I like this I usually main Shang Tsung when shao isn’t a option
Now you will main him with renewed passion.
I think shang has slept with many of the guy kombatants
@@dionneking8 Well that degenerated fast..
@@CynicalWarlock is that not the essence of Shang tsung?
@@dionneking8 Yes, lots of depraved sex..
I said soul not hole 😂
Huh I think Shang was just overly flamboyant in both MK 11 and especially in MK 1. All he needs a glittering ✨ disco ball 🪩 singing (Your Souls are mine! 🎵)
Discoball sounds like his Friendship. *Is* it his Friendship? It should be his Friendship.
@@CynicalWarlock I dunno just something dumb I thought of just now😅
So Shang is basically Squidward
Great video!👍 On a different; yet similar topic however, I know MOST people dismiss MK:The Journey Begins;and yes I get it, it sucks, but I do enjoy the background orgins for the characters and in particular like Shang Tsung. It FIRST references he's from Earthrealm BEFORE MK:Conquest by Raiden explaining that;despite his great power, Shang is still MORTAL. Than it flashes back to Shang Tsung in a temple fighting one of his former masters, or fellow monks, and it's the first time he uses the soul steal to dishonor the great legacy of the tournament. Than in the MK 1 comic, I think, or some book it states there were three grandmasters who oversaw the ceremonies of MK. One of them was Shang Tsung and when two of the grandmasters died under "mysterious circumstances" Shang Tsung took over as the head grandmaster chosen to host MK tournaments. Than he brought Goro over, made him the champion, and Goro secured easy nine straight victories for Outworld in order to take over Earthrealm. But I like to think the Conquest stuff happened first and than later he killed his fellow master and the two grandmasters in order to seize total control of the tournament. I think BOTH events are likely, but most people don't follow him killing his master lore just because it appears in a kinda bad presentation form. Oh side note MK:The Journey Begins is a guilty pleasure of mine because I saw it at like 10; when the animation than was relatively new and revolutionary at the time and it DOES get a lot of the lore right over OTHER forms of media presenting Mortal Kombat.
I've seen bits and pieces of The Journey Begins; didn't know it covered Shang's backstory - thanks for setting that straight. Honestly, janky or not, things from that era prioritized story and worldbuilding way more than the stuff they put out today.
@@CynicalWarlock They at least attempted to make great lore; even if it didn't age well. MK: Defenders of the Realm borrowed heavy from the movies' lore, so since Shang Tsung died in the first movie they had an episode where Shao Kahn had Shadow Priests resurrect Shang Tsung for a "special mission." Side note we never really learn what the mission in question was. However he DOES come back from the dead...but looks like the Shang Tsung 3 version, so that's kinda cool still.
Oh and; I don't know why, but I've never really liked Shang Tsung's MK3 look. I know everyone hates his MK 2 look and I do agree it wasn't the best, I still dislike 3 a bit more. Maybe keep the long ponytail and face paint from MK 3, but the look and build from MK 2 and he'd be a bit better. Oh and lose the stupid hat. Other than MKDA I really enjoyed his MK vs DC look until MK11 when they just did his movie look and it was perfect. MK1(newest version) is pretty cool too and I think Bruce Locke doesn't get enough credit for his portrayal as Shang Tsung. Oh and one other thing. In MK: The Journey Begins Shang is voiced by none other than Jim Cummings, so at least they got a REALLY cool dude to voice Shang Tsung. Perhaps that's why it's so low budget. All the money was spent on hiring Jim Cummings and so the rest if the feature sucked. 😅 At least that's what I tell myself to cope.😉
@@Nick-up5wv Nah they got Jennifer Hale in there too, although granted, maybe she wasn't as big, back then. Might give TJB a shot; doesn't look that bad to me.
I think I know why you hate MK3 Shang: because of the yellow tights. Which look like.. well, tights. The kind you wear to bed. *And* they're yellow. That's the first thing that stuck out sorely to me, at least, but I also rolled with it, almost instantly, cause Shang is this cool, but slimey, sleezy dude, so it kinda fits him. He's evil Liu Kang, who's part of a gang and tryna sell you fake Apple watches, while twirling a knife behind his back, to backstab you.
@@CynicalWarlock True. He looks to roided out though too. John Turk, also Sub-Zero, played him. The yellow was the wrong yellow. It needed to be the MK 2 version and less of it. Also the face paint is meh.
I always knew shang tsung was hiding something
That prude little wench.
Cool vid bro.🐱
Thanksssss.
Top Cat was da shit, back in the day.
This isn't headcanon. That's an over-accurate analysis on his character.
...Chad Thundercock... oh, I'm gonna use that.
Oh, thank you very much.
"Chad Thundercock" is probably Raiden's stage name.
He painted his nails black in MK11 💅
Proof!
I don't mind Shang being a little zesty 🤪
No should you.
The title is wild🤣🤣🤣
That's an insult to shang tsung
@@darkservantofheaven I'm sure he has a sense of humor.
Shang tsung in mk1 is kinda bad tho ngl
Definitely something annoying about good look, smirk, voice and mannerisms.
Shang Tsung is literally so pretty
Yeah, so feminine.
He is pretty, in that thumbnail. In-game, I kinda don't like him.
@@CynicalWarlock Understandable, but I suppose it depends on the game as well. Like I wouldn't call Deception Shang Tsung pretty, but MK11 and ESPECIALLY MK1? Absolutely gorgeous
@@Thomas_The_Thermonuclear_Bomb Cary Tagawa in MK '95 was probably peak Shang handsomeness - Shangsomeness - for me.
@CynicalWarlock REAL. I would say he was pretty in that one too. Both handsome and pretty. But I really like the pretty :)
Somehow
I needed to hear all of that
I gotchu, bro.
shang has what we in the hood called light skin energy. like prince.
Accurate. Consistent with the 1995 movie version of Shang. Got almost like an androgynous, smug stare.
All you have to do is look at MK1’s Shang to see that this is 100% and he’s definitely the best part of MK1’s story
Zest overload.