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One thing we Black Dragon know, there's no fun in a fair fight.
 

 

—Kano to past Sonya in Mortal Kombat 11

Kano (Japanese: 加納)[2] is a character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. The leader of the Black Dragon clan, he is a ruthless scoundrel and archnemesis to Sonya Blade and the Special Forces.

Kano made his debut as one of the few original characters in the first Mortal Kombat arcade game. He is the first Black Dragon clan member featured in the series and has been a recurring antagonist to the franchise since his debut. He serves as a major antagonist towards Sonya Blade and her family.

About Kano

As a mercenary and leader of the international crime cartel known as the Black Dragon, Kano rises beyond mere brutality and aggression by also being sly and cunning. Originally from Australia, Kano is highly opportunistic and incredibly selfish, willing to betray his own realm and even his own allies for money or personal gain. As a result, he quickly became part of Shao Kahn's inner circle, and eventually the general of Outworld's armies (in the original timeline). One of his more notable features is his facetious and twisted sense of humor, almost always making light of dire circumstances. His vulgarity is an additional outlier among other characters, most evident by his penchant for callously spitting, drinking and urinating wherever he pleases. His assortment of dirty fighting tactics also compliments his unpleasant personality. He combines features of a cowardly minion, a lone survivor, a crazed madman, and a ruthless commander. He is despised by the majority of other characters in the series for his selfish, untrustworthy nature, complete lack of morals, and overall crudeness. However, he seems to enjoy the fact that he is hated, even viewing it as a source of pride. He is the archenemy of Sonya Blade, who is obsessed with finding and bringing Kano to justice.

A portion of Kano's face is covered with a metal plate, the result of a disfiguring injury he sustained at the hands of Jax prior to the events of the series, with the plated eye being a glowing red orb capable of emitting laser beams.

Since Deadly Alliance, he speaks with an Australian accent and makes regular use of Aussie idioms and slang.

Appearance

In his debut, Kano is depicted as a white male with a black buzzcut, sporting a white Gi accessorized with a brown bandolier strapped around his chest & shoulders and knives holstered on his ankles. He also has a cybernetic Eye Shield prosthetic over his right eye, which has become part of his signature look.

As with most returning characters in MK3, Kano's look underwent a dramatic overhaul. Instead of a white karate Gi, Kano now wears a sleeveless red and black tunic, a pair of shiny black tights with red seams, and black sneakers. He is also completely bald in this appearance. However, a bandolier is still strapped around his body, and he continues to wear an eye shield over his right eye. His knives, strapped to his shins, are now laser-edged.

Across Deadly Alliance, Deception, and Armageddon, his primary look once again underwent a dramatic change. He now sported slicked back hair and has a new variation of his Eye Shield, covering slightly more of the right side of his face. He wears a black vest, arm bands, gloves and a necklace made up of a lock of Sonya Blade's hair that he ripped off of her. He wears khaki colored pants with knee pads and knives holster to his boot.

In the reboot, Kano once again sports his MK3 attire, albeit more loose-fitting. It also comes with slightly more advanced cybernetics. He sports a head full of hair and a full beard. Having tattoos of Dragons on both arms and chest. His Eye Shield and Cybernetic Heart are once again updated and his gauntlets seem to have some sort of enhancements as well.

His alternate outfit has another variation of his Eye Shield & Cybernetic Heart. He wears an open tan vest, black leather gloves and gray pants with leg guards and knives strapped to his shins, as well as a tooth necklace around his neck.

In Mortal Kombat X, Kano's overall appearance changes. Looking older, with a low messy haircut, a scruffy beard. His Eye Shield is upgraded and take up a huge portion of the right side of his face and is connected to wire which appear to enter into his body from the back. He is shirtless, sporting a muscular but not as toned of a body and can see multiple scars across his body. He has two dragon tattoos that are on both arms and chest. His bandolier is slightly different, it straps around both shoulders and across his stomach. They all connect to his Cybernetic Heart which serves as a power supply for his Cybernetics and can power up his moves. He wears camouflaged cargo pants with combat boots. Depending on the variation chosen, his knives are either placed on his back or at his hips. Gauntlets on both forearms as well as armbands. Kano also has a couple of grenades or some type of explosive charges connected to his belt. Two versions of Kano appear in Mortal Kombat 11, being his present and past self, both sporting different attires and overall appearances.

  • Present Day Kano: He sports a little more hair on his head with the right side shaved to accommodate for his Eye Shields. His facial hair consists of a chevron mustache with long sideburns that do not connect with the mustache, he also has some scruff on his lower lip that resembles a soul patch. The bionic eye is much sleeker now, with an angular design and no external attachments. His bandolier holds his Cybernetic Heart with 3 straps around his chest. His body is muscular and lean, slightly scarred with bushy chest hair and has a single dragon tattoo on his left arm and another dragon on his right forearm. He has fingerless gloves on both hands and a grey bracer on his left forearm. He is sporting olive green cargo pants with leg guards and his signature knives strapped to his shins and leather boots with blades hidden in them.
  • Past Kano: He is bald and has no facial hair and wears a new version of his MK3 attire, consisting of a red and black gi with a black undershirt, a smaller eye shield that only covers an area around the eye socket and a bandolier holding his cybernetic heart going around his torso, metal bracers on his forearms, a large utility belt with several pouches, black leather pants with leg guards and knives strapped to his shins and leather boots with blades hidden in them.

Character Development

In an early sketch of Kano by John Tobias, he had an eye patch instead of a metal face plate with a bionic eye, and 2 katanas. Another design of Kano had a large helmet with two red eyes. This concept was also dropped later on to be replaced by a metal plate over his right eye. In Kano's Deception Bio Card, Ed Boon mentions how Kano's bionic eye in the first MK (involving digitized actors) was created by cutting out a piece of a plastic mask and painting it a silver color, then gluing it to Richard Divizio's head.

In an episode of Icons/Gamemakers, hosted by G4, Ed Boon stated that the eye implant was directly based on ''Terminator 2: Judgment Day'' in which the T-800's right side of his face begins to peel off from damage, revealing his mechanical visage.[3]

In an interview with Ed Boon, he states that Kano's cybernetic heart is based on Marvel's Iron Man's arc reactor.

Kano was initially written as being born in Japan and adopted by an American.[4][5] Later, his nationality was retconned to Australian after Trevor Goddard's film performance was positively received.

Game Information

Kano was left out of the Sega Game Gear and Sega Master System version of MK due to memory constraints.

In Deadly Alliance, Kano had a move with his Butterfly Knives called "ear to ear". This was based on a line in the first Mortal Kombat movie, where Kano mockingly claimed that he used his knife to slit the throat of Sonya's partner, from "ear to ear". He also had a fast tag combo in MK 2011 as well as a combo in MKX that share the same name.

Combat Characteristics

Powers and Abilities

Kano isn't the most disciplined fighter but has proven himself to be a formidable hand-to-hand combatant, having received extensive training in Street Fighting, Military Combat and has trained under the Martial Arts of Xing Yi, Aikido, but tends to resort to more of a Street Brawler style of fighting. He is not above utilizing underhanded tactics to get the upper hand in a fight. Kano is an opportunistic fighter and tends to engage in fights when it best suits him, but if challenged directly he will not shy away from the challenge. What he lacks in discipline (finesse & footwork), he makes up for it by being extremely adept in combat and has proven to be a challenge for even the more skilled fighters. What differentiates Kano from his opponents, however, is his dependence on Weapons/Technology rather than Special Powers. He is highly proficient at using knives in combat and often carries multiple bladed weapons on him at once. He has a signature pair of knives he uses in combat, whether they are thrown at the opponent or uses them in hand-to-hand combat. In addition to his fighting skills, Kano has been outfitted with cybernetic enhancements throughout his body, most notably his Cybernetic Eye which can emit a laser beam. His other enhancements help boost his power in combat.

Although Kano depends mostly on Weapons/Technology rather than special moves, he does have a Special Ability to tuck himself into a "Cannonball" and propel himself toward his opponents knocking them down. This has been a signature move of his since the first game. Also, several of his finishers involve him ripping vital organs (or sometimes entire skeletons) out of the opponent's body. Along with the elder Sub-Zero's Spine Rip Fatality, Kano's Heart Rip helped Mortal Kombat garner significant controversy over its violence factor.

As of Mortal Kombat X, Kano's cybernetics have been upgraded and extended through his entire body. This includes a cybernetic "heart" similar to Hsu Hao, which serves as a booster to his cybernetic enhancements. He now uses thermal grenades as part of his already deadly arsenal.

Signature Moves

  • Cannon Ball: Kano curls into a ball and flies at his opponent. In MK 2011 and MK1, this is known simply as Ball. In MKX, this is known as Kano Ball and also hits the opponent twice if they're too close. In MK11, this is called Black Dragon Ball. (MK, MK3, UMK3, MKT, MK:DA, MK:SM, MK:A, MKvsDCU, MK 2011, MKX, MK11, MK1)
    • In MK 2011, the enhanced version is called Kano Ball. Kano will spin in the air momentarily before launching at the opponent, hitting them several times. This can be charged (delayed) and is unblockable if held for the full charge.
    • In MKX, the enhanced version is called Black Dragon Ball and, like the MK 2011 version, can be delayed, but unlike the MK 2011 version, it can be blocked. The enhanced version also deals increased damage. This attack can also be canceled before it knocks the opponent down, briefly stunning them and allowing for combo extensions.
    • In MK11, amplifying the attack has Kano slash the opponent with his knives after striking the opponent, knocking them down and dealing increased damage. Kano can amplify the attack regardless if the opponent blocked the initial hit.
  • Down Ball: Kano performs a Ball from the air to the ground, hitting the opponent if in his way. In MKX, this is known as Air Ball and will also make Kano connect with a low kick as soon as he lands, tripping his opponent. If Kano does not make contact with his opponent, he will only trip his opponent once he lands. In MK11, this is called (Air) Black Dragon Ball and after Kano strikes the opponent, he crouches in a position ready to attack. (MK 2011, MKX, MK11)
    • In MK 2011, the enhanced version is Downward Ball and allows Kano to do his Air Throw before the opponent hits the ground.
    • In MKX, this move can be enhanced as soon as Kano lands, which will make him pounce at the opponent's torso to force them against the ground instead of the low kick. If Kano does not make contact with the opponent, he will just pounce the opponent. Enhancing the attack makes it unblockable. Kano can not enhance the attack if the initial hit is blocked.
    • In MK11, amplifying the attack has Kano perform a front flip, kicking and slashing his opponent with his retractable boot blades, knocking them down and dealing increased damage. Kano can amplify the attack regardless if the opponent blocked the initial hit. Additionally, Kano can amplify the attack if the initial hit misses and delay the moment of amplifying it.
  • Upwards Cannon Ball: Kano aims his Cannon Ball upwards to an aerial opponent. This moves is known simply as Up Ball in MK 2011 and MKX, and in MKX it hits twice if the opponent close to Kano. In MK11, this is called Up Black Dragon Ball and can only be used if the Equip Ability Vege-Mighty is active (See Below). Additionally, in MK11, instead of immediately flying upward, Kano will initially fly forward before moving upwards in a diagonal direction. (UMK3, MKT, MKvsDCU, MK 2011, MKX, MK11)
    • Both in MK 2011 and MKX, the enhanced version is called Uprise Ball. In MK 2011 Kano will do an animation like Up Ball except he will roll downwards after getting to a certain height. In MKX, it has armor and increased damage.
    • In MK11, amplifying the attack has Kano slash the opponent with his knives after striking the opponent, knocking them down and dealing increased damage. Until his other Black Dragon Ball attacks, Kano can not amplify this version if the attack misses but can still amplify it if the opponent blocks the initial hit.
  • Psycho Cannon Ball: This version sees Kano flying all over the screen in random directions. (MKT)
  • Knife Throw: Kano throws a pair of knives at his opponent. In MK 2011 and MKX he only throws one knife, and in MKX, this attack is called Blade Throw. In MK11, the attack is called Blade Toss and lodges into the opponent's chest. (MK, MK3, UMK3, MKT, MKvsDCU, MK 2011, MKX, MK11, MK1)
    • In MK 2011, the enhanced version is called Knife Toss. Kano throws two knives at once.
    • In MKX, the enhanced version is called Blade Toss and has Kano throw two knives in a row for increased damage. The second knife thrown has an increased hitbox and can hit ducking opponents. Kano is much more safe when this version of the attack is blocked by the opponent. The enhanced version of Knife Toss is called Multi Blades, which has Kano throw three knives at different heights that knock the enemy into the air a short distance, opening them for a short juggle.
    • In MK11, amplifying the attack has Kano crouch and send a second blade at the opponent. The second blade has and increased hitbox and can hit ducking opponents.
  • Blade Swipe: Kano slashes his opponents with his knife in an upward swing. In MKX, this is known as Blade Slice. (MK3, UMK3, MKT, MKX - Cutthroat Variation)
    • The enhanced version is called Bloody Slice and has Kano stab the opponent's abdomen before pulling the blade up to throw them in the air for a juggle.
  • Blade Spin: Kano spins both of his knives around his body, knocking the opponent up into the air if it connects. Only usable by MK Kano. (MKT)
  • Air Throw: While in the air, Kano uses his legs to push the opponent to the ground. In MK 2011, he chokes his enemy in mid-air to slam them against the ground and roll away after it. (MK3, UMK3, MKT, MK 2011)
  • Chokehold: Kano would grab his opponent and lift them in the air by the throat and proceed to stab them in the chest. In MK 2011 and MKX, this is known as Choke. In MK 2011, Kano simply grabs and throttles the opponent violently, making them kneel helplessly and laughing hysterically as he does so. In MKX he does the same animation, but ends it by knocking the opponent away with a knee to their face. In MK11, this is Kano's Throw (Forward). (MK3, UMK3, MKT, MK 2011, MKX - Commando Variation)
    • In MK 2011, the enhanced version is called Kano Choke. Kano grounds the opponent and constantly smashes their head on the ground whilst laughing. He then quickly rolls over them to the other side.
    • In MKX, the enhanced version is called Strangle and has armor. Instead of bashing his knee into opponent's face at the end, Kano will stab them in the chest with his knife three times, lifting them up with the knife to deliver a punch to their face that knocks them away.
  • Knife Toss: Kano throws a smaller, spinning knife at his opponent. This replaces Blade Throw in the Cybernetic Variation. (MKX - Cybernetic Variation)
    • The enhanced version is called Multi Blades, which has Kano throw three knives at different heights that knock the enemy away. When used in the corner of an arena, this can be used to continue combos in some instances; otherwise, the opponent is knocked away by the blades. The juggle effect is present outside the corner of an arena, however this window is very small. Kano is also much more safe when this version of the attack is blocked by the opponent.
  • Eye Laser: Kano shoots a laser from his eye at the opponent. In MKX, this is known as Eye Burst and will stun the opponent if the attack lands. In MK11, this is called Optic Blast and works as a projectile again. This ability replaces Blade Toss when equipped. In MK1, he moves his partner out of the way and puts his hand on their head to make them duck while he's performing the move. (MK:DA, MK:A, MKvsDCU, MKX - Cybernetic Variation, MK11 - Equip Ability, MK1)
    • The enhanced version is called Eye Blast, which has increased damage and again, stuns the opponent, leaving them open for another attack.
    • In MK11, if this attack is performed on an opponent as a Kounter or Punish, the attack turns into a Krushing Blow, with the laser beam piercing the opponent and going through them, causing blood to splatter and dealing over double the original damage.
  • Upward Laser: Kano shoots his laser upwards to hit a foe in the air. The attack is unblockable once it hits airborne opponents. (MKX - Cybernetic Variation)
    • This move can be enhanced if it hits the enemy, which will make Kano quickly fire a second laser that sends the enemy flying into the air, allowing for a juggle.
  • Inner Rage: Kano concentrates for a short amount of time before covering his hands in red energy. Using this move increases the amount of damage dealt. In MKX, this is known as Power Up, and has Kano pound his cybernetic heart to activate it. It also increases his damage for a period, but this time at the cost of making Kano himself lose health over time until the buff wears off. Once Kano takes damage from an unblocked attack, he will lose the damage buff. (MK:A, MKX - Cutthroat Variation)
    • The enhanced version is called Charge Up which activates much faster.
  • Fist of Power: Kano rapidly lunges forward and strikes the opponent with an energy covered fist. (MK:A)
  • Parry: Kano will counter any physical attack. (MKvsDCU)
  • High Kounter: Kano will counter any high physical attack by knocking the opponent down with a vicious clothesline. In MK11, this attack is called Rack Off, and has Kano perform an "Up Your's" gesture with his arms and has him grab the opponent by the arm, stabs them with one of his knives then shoves them to the ground. (MKX - Commando Variation, MK11 - Equip Ability)
    • The enhanced version is called Survivor's Kounter and deals increased damage.
    • In MK11, amplifying the attack has Kano blast the opponent in the face with his Bionic Eye after driving the knife into their arm, dealing increased damage and knocking the opponent away about half way across the arena.
      • Equipping the Time to Kill Jinsei Augment modifies Rack Off, allowing it to be delayed for up to four seconds. During this time, Kano recovers 2% of his health while delaying Rack Off. (MK11 - Jinsei Augment Bonus)
  • Low Kounter: Kano will counter any low attack by pulling the enemy down to the ground, stabbing their chest with one of his elbow blades and then rolling away. (MKX - Commando Variation)
    • The enhanced version, Dirty Kounter, does more damage.
  • Rib Strike: Kano grabs the opponent to strike their rib cage with his knee twice before knocking them away with a knee to their face. (MKX - Commando Variation)
    • The enhanced version, Rib Breaker, does more damage and has armor on startup. When enhanced, the attack will connect on standing opponents during a combo.
  • Power Slam: Kano grabs his opponent and does a German Suplex, leaping up and lawn darting them into the ground. (MKX - Commando Variation)
    • The enhanced version is called Power Bomb, has armor on startup and deals increased damage. When enhanced, the attack will connect on standing opponents during a combo.
  • Vege-Mighty: Kano pounds on his cybernetic heart, overcharging it with energy. This gives Kano armor and slightly increased damage on his Black Dragon Ball, as well as unlocking his Up Kano Ball. The buff wears off after a Black Dragon Ball or Up Kano Ball or after a short while. Kano can perform a Black Dragon Ball immediately after performing this ability in a combo when timed correctly. Connecting or being struck by a Krushing Blow or Fatal Blow ends this effect prematurely. (MK11 - Equip Ability)
    • Equipping the Tucker Bag Jinsei Augment modifies Vege-Mighty, granting Kano the ability to improve up to four additional Black Dragon Balls. Connecting or being struck by a Krushing Blow or Fatal Blow ends this effect prematurely. (MK11 - Jinsei Augment Bonus)
  • Bio-Magnetic Pull: Kano pulls his opponent towards him using his Cybernetic Heart. This ability conflicts with Bio-Magnetic Trap when equipped, disabling the option to select Bio-Magnetic Trap. (MK11 - Equip Ability)
    • Amplifying the attack has Kano blasts the opponent with his eye laser, which re-stands and stuns the opponent, allowing for combo extensions.
      • This attack can also be cancelled into after Kano does another special move beforehand, which spends a bar of offensive meter as well as allowing for longer combos.
  • Bio-Magnetic Trap: Kano throws his Cybernetic Heart as a trap onto the floor at varied distances to prevent the opponent from jumping. This ability conflicts with Bio-Magnetic Pull when equipped, disabling the option to select Bio-Magnetic Pull. (MK11 - Equip Ability)
    • The enhanced version allows for Kano to throw his knife at the opponent and if they are near the trap, the knife pulls them towards the trap, dealing damage over time.
  • Lumbar Check: Kano grabs his opponent, hoists them above him as he lands on his back and breaks the opponent's spine on his knees. This attack is capable of striking an opponent during a Getup Roll, similar to a standard Throw. (MK11 - Equip Ability)
    • An amplified version does additional damage, as Kano drives the blades hidden in his boots into his opponent's back.
    • If the attack is used as a Kounter or Punish to a Getup Roll, the attack turns into a Krushing Blow when amplified, with the boot blades plunge deep into the opponent's back, dealing increased damage and causing massive damage-over-time.
  • Snake Bite: Kano leaps towards his opponent with his knifes out, slashing and knocking them in the air briefly before stabbing them and knocking them back down to the ground. This ability requires two ability slots when equipped. (MK11 - Equip Ability)
    • Amplifying the attack has Kano pick the opponent up with his knives embedded in their chest and bounce them off the ground, dealing increased damage and allowing for a brief juggle.
  • Molotov Cocktail: Kano throws a bottle of flammable liquid at the ground setting an area on fire. If the opponent is in that area, they receive damage-over-time. The attack can be used at different ranges, called Close/Far Molotov Cocktail, respectively. (MK11 - Equip Ability)
    • Can combine Molotov Cocktail with Bio-Magnetic Trap.
  • Chemical Burn: Kano steps backwards and sprays the opponent with deadly chemicals at a short range, which deals damage-over-time. This attack is considered a projectile. If the opponent if hit with Molotov Cocktail, they receive unblockable damage and will be briefly stunned, allowing Kano to use additional attacks. Connecting or being struck by a Krushing Blow or Fatal Blow ends this effect prematurely. (MK11 - Equip Ability)
    • Amplifying the attack has Kano throw a lighter at the opponent and set them on fire. This does not produce the same effects like with Molotov Cocktail. If the lighter doesn't connect with the opponent, it creates a small burning patch where it lands.
    • Equipping the Sick Killer Jinsei Augment modifies Chemical Burn, doubling the range of the attack and doubling the attack's damage-over-time effect. (MK11 - Jinsei Augment Bonus)

X-Rays/Fatal Blow

  • X-Ray - Just the Tip: Kano plunges a knife into his opponent's right thigh, going through and snapping the femur. Before the opponent can react, Kano proceeds to stab them in the left thigh, resulting in another broken femur. Then he delivers a devastating kick to the front of the skull, causing heavy fracture damage. This attack is unblockable. (MK 2011)
  • X-Ray - Lacerater: Kano slashes his opponent with an elbow spike, turning them around. After that, he stabs his knife into the abdomen of his opponent, and diagonally slices the opponent's ribcage in half, exposing the organs. He then grabs the opponent behind the neck, and thrusts them upwards, breaking their spine. (MKX)
  • Fatal Blow - Not Here to F#ck Spiders: Kano headbutts the foe alongside a burst with his Cybernetic Eye. He then grabs one of his knives to stab the opponent in the stomach three times, he then steps on its handle and on the opponent's face, causing them to fall over with his foot smashing their head as they hit the ground. Kano then kicks the opponent in their ribs, then stomps on his knife still buried in their stomach pressing it in further, and lastly reveals a hidden blade in his boot, which he drives into the opponent's throat, dragging his opponent's body to his front. (MK11)
  • Kameo Fatal Blow: Kano walks to the opponent and stabs their shoulders with his knives, causing them to kneel before using his bionic eye to blast their head. He then hits them with his knees to stand them up, following th player's fatal blow afterwards. (MK1)

Other Moves

  • Free-Fall Super Move: Kano hits his opponent with a charged Kanoball, knocking them to the ground. (MKvsDCU)
  • Throw: Kano slashes his opponent in the stomach twice with a knife, then either headbutts them to the ground (Forward Throw), or stabs them in the gut and throws them over his shoulder (Backwards Throw). (MK 2011)
  • Throw: Kano grabs his opponent and headbutts them twice and on the third strike, he launches the opponent into the air, knocking them away. (MKX)
  • Delinquent: Kano stabs the opponent with his elbow blade then kicks them in the chest. Kano can perform follow-up attacks with this combo depending on the variation selected, with the exception of the Cutthroat Variation. (MKX)
    • Miss Me?: Kano grabs his opponent and slams them in the opposite direction. (MKX - Commando Variation)
      • The combo-ender can be enhanced, which bounces the opponent after slamming them for extended combos.
    • Ear To Ear: Kano grabs the opponent and blasts them with his Laser Eye. This will re-stand the opponent. (MKX - Cybernetic Variation)
    • Stomach Ache: Kano straps a bomb to the opponents stomach, blowing them back. (MKX - Cybernetic Variation)
      • The combo-ender can be enhanced, which has the opponent fall to the ground before exploding into the air for extended combos.
  • Kombat Boots: Kano kicks the opponent this slices them with his elbow blade. (MKX)
    • In every variation except Commando, the combo knocks the opponent away or when used in the corner can otherwise offer a brief juggle. The combo also has a follow-up attack exclusive to the Commando variation;
      • Wood Chipper: Kano grabs the opponent and slams them in the opposite direction. (MKX - Commando Variation)
        • The combo ender can be enhanced, which bounces the opponent after slamming them for extended combos.
  • Treacherous: Kano lunges in, stabbing and kicking the opponent in the stomach. This combo has follow-up attacks. (MKX - Cybernetic Variation)
    • Black Market: Kano grabs his opponent and blasts them with his Laser Eye. This will re-stand the opponent.
    • Gut Blast: Kano straps a bomb to the opponent's stomach, blowing them back.
      • The combo ender can be enhanced, which has the opponent fall to the ground before exploding into the air for extended combos.
  • Snap Boot: Kano kicks his opponent in the chest. This attack has follow-up attacks. (MKX)
    • No Escape: Kano kicks the opponent in the shin to open them up for possible additional attacks.
    • Burner: Kano grabs his opponent and blasts them with his Laser Eye. This will re-stand the opponent. (MKX - Cybernetic Variation)
    • Big Boom: Kano straps a bomb to the opponent's stomach, blowing them back. (MKX - Cybernetic Variation)
      • The combo ender can be enhanced, which has the opponent fall to the ground before exploding in the air for extended combos.
  • Throw (Forward): Kano lifts the opponent up and chokes them, then proceeds to headbutt them away. (MK11)
    • If Kano performs this on an opponent who has failed a Throw Escape during a previous Throw before, the attack turns into a Krushing Blow, where when Kano delivers the headbutt, it crushes the upper half of the opponent's skull inward and dealing over double the original damage. If this is successful, Kano can not perform the Krushing Blow version of his Throw (Backward).
  • Throw (Backward): Kano grabs the opponent by the shoulder, then the groin and proceeds to hoist them over his head and scoop slams them on the ground. He then headbutts the downed opponent. (MK11)
    • If Kano performs this on an opponent who has failed a Throw Escape during a previous Throw before, the attack turns into a Krushing Blow, where when Kano delivers the headbutt to the downed opponent, it crushes the upper half of the opponent's skull inward and dealing over double the original damage. If this is successful, Kano can not perform the Krushing Blow version of his Throw (Forward).
  • Blade Evade: Kano slashes the opponent with one of his knives and backs away in the process to create space between him and his opponent. This attack re-stands the opponent. This attack has armor breaking properties, ignoring the armor granted by specific abilities and Fatal Blows. When breaking the opponent's armor from a Break Away, the attack will deal slightly increased damage. (MK11)
  • Fair Suck Of The Sav: Kano punches the opponent in the face, spits in their face then knocks them to the ground with a headbutt. When Kano spits at the opponent, it is considered a projectile. Kano is safe when this combo is blocked by the opponent. (MK11)
  • Enzuigiri: Kano thrusts his leg forward with a boot blade extended, stabbing the opponent in the stomach before using the opponent to pivot and kick them in the head with the other leg. (MK11)
    • If the attack is used as a Kounter or Punish, the attack turns into a Krushing Blow, where Kano's blade plunges deeper into the opponent's stomach, causing blood to splatter, dealing increased damage and causing massive damage-over-time.
  • Manhandled: Kano gains access to Figjam, Takedown and Penal Colony combos. Kano also gains the ability to perform Snake Bite after using Wheel Kick at the cost of a bar of Offensive Meter. (MK11 - Equip Ability)
    • Figjam: Kano does two quick knife slashes and strikes with an axe kick, using the doubled over opponent as a platform to jump up and slam down with an elbow drop. (MK11)
      • This combo can be amplified, where Kano elbows the downed opponent in the back of the head and stabs them in the back with one of his knives after delivering the elbow drop, dealing increased damage.
    • Takedown: Kano slashes the opponent with his knife, kicks his opponent in the shin and stabs them in the stomach, where he picks them up overhead and slams them down in the opposite direction. (MK11)
      • Spit the Dummy: The combo can be amplified, where Kano bounces the opponent off the ground for a juggle instead of slamming them on the ground. Amplifying the combo causes it to deal slightly less damage at the expense of juggling the opponent.
    • Penal Colony: Kano performs a wheel kick, bringing the opponent down, gets up and kicks them in the top of their head before they get up, knocking the opponent away. Kano can not perform this combo is Wheel Kick is blocked by the opponent. (MK11)
      • If the opponent fails to block Wheel Kick at the right time, continuing the combo turns the combo into a Krushing Blow, where when Kano kicks the opponent's head, it shatters the top of their skull, dealing over double the original damage.
  • Bloody Hell: Knife attacks that stick into the opponent now cause a damage-over-time effect. Knives stay stuck in the opponent for triple their original duration. (MK11 - Jinsei Augment Bonus)
  • Using Your Noggin (Forward Throw): Kano drives his knife into the opponent's shoulder, stabs them twice in the gut and knocks them away with a headbutt. (MK1)

Mobile Game Moves

  • Killer Instinct: Kano's Attack is increased by 30% if the opponent has less than 40% Health remaining. (MK Mobile Silver Card - Passive)
  • Dirty Fighting: Kano inflicts Cripple or Weaken to the opponent for 5 seconds after performing a Combo-Ender. For each Black Dragon teammate on Kano's team, he gains +15% more Health and gains a bar of Power at the start of the match. (MK Mobile - Black Dragon Card - Passive)
  • Cyborg Eye: Kano has +25% increased Critical Chance and is immune to Blind. (MK Mobile - Commando Card - Passive)
  • Cheap Shots: When the opponent blocks any of Kano's attacks, there is a 25% chance the opponent will be stunned, setting them up for a free hit. Kano has 100% increased Critical Chance against opponents affected by stun. (MK Mobile - Klassic Card - Passive)
  • Kano Ball: Kano backhands the opponent, kicks them, then curls into a ball and flies straight at them to deal damage. The opponent becomes stunned, setting them up for a free hit. (MK Mobile - Silver Card, Black Dragon Card, Commando Card, Klassic Card)
  • Blade Throw: Kano kicks the opponent in the shin then throws both his knives at them. The opponent is affected by a Bleed damage-over-time effect. (MK Mobile - Silver Card)
  • Ball Kick: Kano curls into a ball and flies into the air, then flies back down and kicks the opponent's legs. Kano gains Strength, increasing all his damage dealt for some time. (MK Mobile - Silver Card)
  • Attitude Problem: Kano slashes his opponent twice with his knives. The opponent is affected by a Bleed damage-over-time effect. (MK Mobile - Black Dragon Card)
  • Black Dragon Combo-Ender: Ending his current combo, Kano grabs the opponent by the arm, stabbing them with one of his knives then blasts them in the face with his Bionic Eye, knocking them down. This can only be performed if at least two cards from the Scoundrel's Equipment Set are equipped to his Black Dragon Card. (MK Mobile - Black Dragon Card)
  • Piss and Moan: Kano kicks the opponent twice then grabs the opponent to strike their rib cage with his knee twice before knocking them away with a knee to their face. After the kicks, the attack is unblockable. (MK Mobile - Commando Card)
  • Ear to Ear: Kano elbows then kicks the opponent. He then grabs them and blasts them with his Bionic Eye. The opponent is affected by a Fire damage-over-time effect. After the kick, the attack becomes unblockable. (MK Mobile - Klassic Card)

Fatalities

  • Heart Rip: Kano's signature Fatality has him literally ripping the heart out of his opponent's chest, then hoisting the still beating organ in the air in triumph. In the SNES version, he appears to not be holding a heart after performing the Fatality. In the Genesis version without the blood code, the heart is monochrome and lacks a beating animation. Variations of this Fatality have also been used by other members of the Black Dragon: Jarek in MK4 and Kobra in MK:D. (MK, MKT, MK:SM, MK1)
  • Deadly Roundhouse: Kano slides up on one foot and performs a roundhouse to his opponent, launching them straight up into the air, possibly snapping their neck when they drop to the ground. (MK) (Game Boy version only)
  • Eye Laser: Kano fires a concentrated heat beam of energy towards the opponent to boil their body until it tears into pieces. In the Game Boy version, the laser catches the opponent on fire instead. (MK3, UMK3, MKT)
  • Skeleton Rip: Kano pulls out the victim's entire skeleton by grabbing the skull from their teeth and jerking it out, leaving the rest of the body to fall flat on the floor in a heap of skin. (MK3, UMK3, MKT)
  • Organ Donor: Kano pulls out his opponent's heart, liver, and kidneys two at a time, and kicks the opponent away. In the Game Boy Advance version, he rips out the heart and one kidney (at the same time), then tosses them on the floor; he then rips out the other kidney and tosses it. (MK:DA)
  • Knife Toss: Before executing this Fatality, he slowly walks away from his opponent, ostensibly giving up, then he abruptly turns around and throws both Butterfly Knives into the opponent. (MKvsDCU)
  • Flip Stomp: Kano grabs the opponent, flips backwards with them, then jumps into the air. He comes back down and stomps on them with full force. (MKvsDCU)
  • Heartbreak: A variation of his signature Fatality, Kano turns the opponent around and punches the heart out through his victim's back, holding it so they can see it. He then crushes the heart in his hands, pulls it back out and hoists it in the air while blood still pumps out. (MK 2011)
  • Eat Your Heart Out: Another variation of his signature Fatality, Kano rips the heart out of his opponent's chest, then proceeds to rip off their head. He jams the opponent's head into the hole in their chest and kicks them away. (MK 2011)
  • Head Case: Kano draws one of his knives and slashes open the opponent's stomach, causing their intestines to spill out onto the ground. As the victim is about to drop on their back, Kano catches them from behind, hoists them up in front of him and proceeds to burn through their head with his eye laser, leaving a huge, smoldering hole through their head. (MKX)
  • Knife To Meet You: Kano throws one knife into the opponent's throat, causing them to choke and gurgle helplessly. Kano pretends to walk away before abruptly turning around and throwing his second knife into the opponent's face. The victim collapses, shoving the blades all the way through the head and neck. This Fatality is similar to his Knife Toss Fatality. (MKX)
  • Last Dance: Kano pulls out a bottle of beer and drinks the entire bottle before smashing it in the opponent's face and stabbing their neck with the now broken base. He laughs and grabs the opponent's hand just as they begin to fall, performing a duet dance with the opponent, to which a musical track plays, all while their blood gushes out of the neck of the bottle. (MK11)
  • Face Like A Dropped Pie: Kano tackles his opponent and grabs him/her. He delivers a strong headbutt, followed by four more, leaving broken pieces of the skull on the opponent's bloodied face. He finishes with one final headbutt, completely destroying the head. (MK11)

Brutalities

Mortal Kombat X

  • Ballin': Kano performs an enhanced Air Ball, tackling the opponent which rips off their lower legs after he pounces them. (MKX)
    • Opponent must be blocking.
  • Terminate: Kano performs his Throw with the final headbutt knocking the opponent's head clean off into the air. (MKX)
    • Requires a number of Throws to connect during the match.
    • A button must be held.
  • Just The Tip: Kano performs a Bloody Slice, slicing the opponent vertically in half from the waist up after stabbing them. (MKX - Cutthroat Variation)
    • Can not be performed on a juggled or airborne opponent.
  • Glaring Light: Kano performs an enhanced Upward Laser on an airborne opponent, with the second blast obliterating the lower half of their body in the air. (MKX - Cybernetic Variation)
    • Must connect a number of hits before finishing with an enhanced Upward Laser.
  • Wham Bam: Kano performs either a Power Slam or Power Bomb that destroys his opponent's head upon impact with the ground. (MKX - Commando Variation)
    • Certain buttons must be pressed.
  • Pop Off: Kano performs a Choke on his opponent, only this time, he grabs their head and crushes it like a balloon. (MKX - Commando Variation)
    • Certain buttons must be pressed.

Mortal Kombat 11

  • The Klassic: Kano performs an uppercut, decapitating the opponent with a rising uppercut with their spine still attached. This Brutality is shared with every character. (MK11)
    • Must not block an attack for the entirety of the final round.
    • A button must be held.
  • Sorry Mate: Kano performs his Throw (Forward), strangling the opponent until their neck snaps, killing them instantly. (MK11)
    • A button must be pressed repeatedly.
    • Will not trigger on Krushing Blow, if it has not been activated during the match.
  • Not Lookin' Good: Kano performs his Throw (Backward), with the final headbutt on the down opponent completely destroying their head. (MK11)
    • A button must be held.
    • Will not trigger on Krushing Blow, if it has not been activated during the match.
  • Spine Adjustment: Kano performs an amplified Lumbar Check, only this time, after stabbing the opponent in the back with his boot blades, he forcibly rips them in half at the waist while holding them up with his legs. (MK11)
    • A button must be pressed repeatedly.
    • Will not trigger on Krushing Blow, if it has not been activated during the match.
  • Trapped Wallaby: Kano performs a Bio-Magnetic Trap on an opponent affected by a knife attack, pulling the opponent down to the ground until their bones break, killing them instantly. (MK11)
    • Kano must perform an attack that causes one of his knives to protrude form the opponent before using Bio-Magnetic Trap.
  • Brutal Blade: Kano performs either regular or amplified Blade Toss that lodges two knives into the opponent's face. The opponent falls forward, causing the blades to pierce through their head and gouge their eyes out, similar to his Knife to Meet You Fatality in MKX. (MK11)
    • Requires a number of Blade Tosses to connect during the match.
  • Head Case: Kano performs an amplified Rack Off, blasting the opponent's face with a beam from his Bionic Eye until their head explodes. (MK11)
    • A button must be held.
  • Look What I Found: Kano performs his Figjam combo, only this time, after delivering the elbow drop, he plunges his hand into the opponent's back and rips out their skeleton in its entirety before dropping it on the ground. (MK11)
    • A Mercy must be performed.
  • Bonzer: Kano performs a Black Dragon Ball that completely obliterates the opponent's upper body. (MK11)
    • A button must be held.
    • Can not be performed on a juggled or airborne opponent.
  • Laser Pointer: Kano performs an Optic Blast and obliterates the opponent's mid section (MK11)
    • Requires Kano to be at certain health level.
    • A button must be held.
    • Will not trigger on Krushing Blow, if it has not been activated during the match.
  • Another Bloody Day: Kano performs an amplified Chemical Burn, leaving the opponent to burn until a charred body is left. (MK11)
    • A button must be held.

Mortal Kombat 1

  • You Alright Mate?: Kano performs his Forward Throw and crushes the top of the opponent's head with a headbutt. (MK1)
  • Knives Out: Kano performs Knife Toss and throws the knives right into the opponent's eyes, similar to his Brutal Blade Brutality in MK11. (MK1)

Other Finishers

  • Friendship #1: Kano blows a bubble from a piece of gum in his mouth and the bubble explodes in his face. (MK3, UMK3, MKT)
  • Friendship #2 - Kiss The Crook: Kano walks up to a BBQ grill. He removes the lid, uses his Bionic Eye to fire up the grill, and proceeds to cook shrimp and sausages. (MK11)
  • Animality - Eight-Legged Embrace: Kano turns into a tarantula and locks himself onto his opponent, crushing their guts while they spew out of the opponent. (MK3, UMK3, MKT)
  • Babality: Kano gives the cutthroat sign, but falls due to the weight of his metal eye. (MK 2011)
  • Mobile Game Brutality: Kano performs a special combo-ender, only this time when he blasts the opponent's face with his Bionic Eye, their head eventually explodes. (MK Mobile - Black Dragon Card)
    • Black Dragon Kano must be equipped with at least two cards from the Scoundrel's Equipment Set.
    • This requires the opponent to be at a certain health level.
    • Can only be performed on the last opponent on the opposing team.

Movie and TV appearance

Mortal Kombat

Kano appeared in the first Mortal Kombat movie, and was played by the late Trevor Goddard. He seems to have very bad table manners, as shown when Sonya, Liu Kang and Johnny Cage are spying on him, Goro, and Shang Tsung later in the film. Apparently, as he states to Goro, his dad taught him how to fight honorably. Despite their allegiance, Shang Tsung and Goro have little respect for him. Goro looks down upon him as part of his broader hatred of Earthrealm humans, while Shang Tsung chides Kano's lack of dignity or manners. Kano also appears to harbor an obsessive infatuation for Sonya regardless of her hatred for him. The film expanded upon Kano's rivalry with Sonya from the games; she now had a personal interest in seeking vengeance against Kano for killing her partner. Shang Tsung hires Kano to lure Sonya into the Mortal Kombat tournament and promises to grant Kano the reward he desires for his efforts after he faces off against Sonya in the tournament, demanding that Sonya is not to be harmed but merely humiliated, claiming that he has plans for her. During their match, Kano gleefully taunts Sonya about how he murdered her partner with his wicked-looking Raptor knife, putting a "big smile" on him "ear to ear" (he also states in this same confrontation that he is not above killing his mother, as Sonya asks him if she used his raptor knife to stab her in the back, although he states that he did not). After beating Sonya harshly, Kano is caught off guard by a leg lock from Sonya, and is soon trapped between her thighs and at her mercy. Shang Tsung betrays Kano and goads Sonya into finishing him off. Despite pleading for his life, Sonya proceeds to break Kano's neck.

Goddard portrayed Kano with a Cockney English accent, which was misinterpreted as Australian, leading to the character being retconned as originating from Australia. In Mortal Kombat: Special Forces, Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe and Mortal Kombat (2011), Kano is modeled after Goddard's look in the film and speaks with an Australian accent.

Defenders of the Realm

Kano appears in two episodes of the animated cartoon Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm. He is the main antagonist in Episode 6 (Familiar Red) and also reappears in Episode 11 (Amends). The cartoon explains Kano's past rivalry with Sonya, showing him in a flashback scene having killed Wexler, Sonya's partner, in a carefully rigged bomb (which almost killed Sonya as well). The flashback continues with a recreation of a scene in the first movie, where Kano loses to Sonya in the Mortal Kombat tournament. In Amends, they also touched Kano's relationship with Kabal, showing their past history as clan members in the Black Dragon clan.

Mortal Kombat: Legacy

Late British actor and martial artist Darren Shahlavi portrayed Kano in Mortal Kombat: Legacy.

In the series, he is the leader of the Black Dragon organization and has been hired by the Lin Kuei to aid them in their Cyber Initiative plans. Like in the games, he has an antagonistic relationship with Jax and Sonya, having killed Sonya's partner in the past.

The last episode of the series chronologically takes place before the first, Kano is among the scientists and doctors and the Lin Kuei Grandmaster as they observe Cyrax and Sektor's tests before they undergo the procedure to become cyborgs. Kano is amused and entertained by Cyrax's enraged reaction at discovering he and Sektor had defeated two Lin Kuei who had already undergone the procedure. Kano next sees the battle between the cyborgs Cyrax and Sektor against Hydro, with Kano declaring, "I'll put my money on the red one", as he casually plays with his knife.

In the first episode of the online series, Kano is overseeing the production of robotic parts and weaponry in the warehouse he and the Black Dragons are using as a base. Kano heads down into the warehouse, ordering his men to work faster to meet their deadline. Kano stops one of the Black Dragons who is carrying a crate full of parts and picks up an eye piece. Though the Black Dragon member tries to explain what it is and its function, Kano only mockingly sneers in his face that he already knew what it was and orders him to work faster.

Though not seen, Kano soon after captures Sonya Blade after finding her in the warehouse and intercepts a message she tried to send to Jax Briggs revealing her location. He and the Black Dragons hold Sonya hostage for two days, torturing her.

Kano then heads down to where they're keeping Sonya and delights in mocking and taunting her physical reaction to seeing her. Though when Sonya spits on him after he grabs her by the neck, he quickly headbutts her and pulls out his knife, threatening to cut her heart out like he did to her former partner. Kano then reveals he knows Jax and Stryker are coming, but he's set up a trap, having already moved the robotic parts and has his men in place to kill them.

When one of his men informs him that Jax and Stryker's team have arrived, he bids farewell to Sonya and heads backup stairs. Kano then springs his trap, ordering the Black Dragons to "Kill them all" and a massive gunfight erupts. Though the Black Dragons and Kano are able to kill several of the cops, Jax and Stryker work together to take out several of Kano's men. Kano himself soon runs out of ammo and races off, with Jax in close pursuit.

Choosing to stand his ground, Kano draws his knife and fights with Jax hand-to-hand, and though they are almost evenly matched, Kano loses his knife and resorts to grabbing a nearby high-tech weapon. As Kano and Jax struggle over the weapon, it fires and the two run away as the explosive goes off, sending them both flying.

In the second episode, Kano recovers, but when he sees Jax is still conscious, he runs off, with Briggs once more in hot pursuit. The two face off again in a deeper part of the warehouse, with Jax demanding to know where Sonya is. Kano briefly gets the upperhand in the fight after resorting to smashing Jax's head with a nearby glass bottle, and mocks Jax, saying, "I'm going to enjoy this as much as I enjoyed torturing your sweet Sonya!"

This proves to be Kano's undoing however, as Jax furiously beats Kano down, with the mercenary never landing a single blow. Beaten and nearly unconscious, Kano is defeated when Jax strikes him so hard across the face, he knocks out his right eye and partially collapses his skull.

Kano escapes justice though, and in the ensuing confusion, his men save him, dragging him out of the warehouse. He is then brought to an unknown location, where a surgery team repairs the damage done to his face and replaces the damaged portion of his skull with a cybernetic plate. As the very same eye weapon he was studying earlier is placed in his socket, Kano awakens as his new eye glows red.

Wreck-It Ralph

Kano (voiced by Brian Kesinger) appears in the 52nd Disney film, Wreck-It Ralph, as a member of the "BAD ANON" support group along with the other video game villains. In the movie, he performs a bloodless version of his trademark fatality on Cyril from House of the Dead, and berates Ralph for attempting to challenge the program by abandoning Fix-It Felix, Jr.. Kano's look in this movie is a combination of his designs from the game series’ first and third installments (red and black outfit with short hair on the scalp and the face). The film's credits call him "Cyborg" most likely as a way of avoiding a direct reference to a video game franchise that targets an older demographic compared to the Wreck-It Ralph film.

Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind

Kano serves as the central antagonist of the movie Snow Blind. Featuring a future flung and far more ruthless version of the character and christening himself "King Kano", he and his Black Dragon clan have embarked on a mission of conquest to to rule over all of Earthrealm, raiding defenseless villages and callously murdering everyone who doesn't submit. With Kabal, Kobra, Kira and Tremor as his enforcers with an elderly Shang Tsung as emissary, Kano has pillaged and killed uncontested until the arrival of a young Kenshi, armed with his spirit sword Sento. During the climax of the movie, it is revealed that the events of the movie are a continuation of Kano's MK11 ending, having later killed Kronika at some point and used her skull and crown to run the Sands of Time. His ambitions are thwarted in a final confrontation with Kuai Liang when he is knocked into the gears of Kronika's Keep, crushing his body.

Snow Blind's incarnation of Kano is decidedly much different than any previous version of the character, having converted most of his body into cybernetics, including a large retractable blade and a chest laser similar to Hsu Hao and is strong enough to fight Kenshi, Hanzo and Kuai Liang all at once and even being able to kill a rejvunated Shang Tsung. He is also able to survive having his head knocked off as it is attached to a very sturdy wire.

Comics

Comics Published by Malibu:

Kano appears in the Malibu Comics series with a personality and a history based on his portrayal in the 1990s games. He was also one of the two protagonists (the other being Raiden) of a 3-issue miniseries titled Rayden & Kano. During the Blood & Thunder series it is shown the origin of Sonya's vendetta against him, when he kills Lieutenant Lance, Sonya's partner, during a tournament battle by means of a heart rip. His motivations to loot the island are replaced by his discovery of the Tao Te Zan and the powers it grants. During the series' epilogue in the Tournament Edition issue, he's finally captured by Sonya and Jax and sent into custody.

He would later escape (as shown in the Breakout mini-story that came with the U.S. Special Forces issue 1°) and during the Battlewave series he would be disposed by his superiors in the Black Dragon due to his failure, only to be rescued by Raiden. Raiden would attempt to use Kano to eliminate Shao Kahn by means of a mystical sword that drew power from an individual of evil turned to the side of good, but Kano betrays Raiden and joins Shao Kahn, remaining in his forces the following issues.

Quotes

Mortal Kombat (film)

  • "Good boy. She's here, right on time. I love punctuality in a woman. Don't you... Mr. Shang Tsung?"
  • "Maybe me and Sonya should share a cabin. Have our own little honeymoon cruise."
  • "That's it, baby. Come to papa." (as Sonya boards the boat)
  • "Say mate! I believe in a fair fight. Y'know, one-on-one, man to man, hand-to-hand, just like my daddy taught me. But what I saw out there was not very fair."
  • "So he freezes this guy right? And then he explodes! Could see his guts and everything... almost lost my lunch!" (To Goro, describing how Sub-Zero had just killed someone moments earlier)
  • "What I wanna know, if this Shang Tsung guy's so great, how come he's got such a crummy looking boat, hm? Anyway, the guy gives me the creeps. "Treasure... these... moments"." (to Goro, mocking Shang Tsung)
  • "Subterranean? What's that? Something like underground?"
  • "Yeah? Well, I'm kind of an underworld boss myself, y'know. Well, I mean, back home." (to Goro)
  • "Yeah, and I'd like to get back to my amassing as soon as possible if you don't mind. Now, when do I get paid?" (to Shang Tsung)
  • "Hello, baby. Did you miss me?" (to Sonya)
  • "Ooh, now look at this! This little baby brings back memories now, doesn't it?"
  • "Nah. It put a big smile on your partner though. Ear... to ear!"
  • "Give it up, baby! I've studied all your moves!"
  • "Does it hurt, baby?"
  • "No, Sonya, don't! Aww, gimme a break!" (just before Sonya kills him)

Mortal Kombat: Legacy

  • "I know what it is! Work faster."
  • "Sonya Blade. I understand you've been looking for me. Well, here I am. Look at you...so excited to see me, you're quivering."
  • "Hey! Do not pester me or I will cut your heart out like I did to that bitch of a partner of yours!"
  • "Right on time. I'm gonna miss ya, baby."
  • "I've been waiting for this moment for a long time, Detective Briggs! I'm gonna enjoy this as much as I enjoyed torturing your sweet Sonya!"

Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks

  • "Not so fast, grunt! She's my prize, and you're going nowhere with it!" (To Jax)
  • "You don't stand a chance against me!"
  • "I have the upper hand here!"
  • "Afraid to take me one on one?" (In battle, referring to Jax, Kung Lao, and Liu Kang all fighting him at once)
  • "Give it up, worms! I am the master here!"
  • "Why do you even try to defeat me, Jax?"
  • "I don't care how many of you there are!"
  • "I'm gonna slice you to ribbons!"
  • "Did you think you could beat me?"

Mortal Kombat: Armageddon

  • "Kano's the name!" (To Taven)
  • "Seems they're trying to create real red dragons. They've been able to create a hybrid of man and lizard - using their own clan members as test subjects." (Explaining the Red Dragon experiments to Taven)
  • "They were trying something new on me. But they'll never finish!"

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe

  • "This oughta fetch a tidy sum."
  • "You don't look so good, mate."
  • "Hey!"
  • "Back off, freak! She took it."
  • "I don't like your attitude! You need to be taught some manners!"
  • "You gave Kabal a run for his money!"
  • "Then let's get down to business, sweetie."
  • "Is this some kinda trick?"
  • "She's easy. It's me you've gotta worry about!"
  • "It was a skinny one, dressed in purple with green hair. Stronger than you think."
  • "I don't need you to make excuses for me and I don't need your approval!"
  • "You think you could've handled him?! You can't even handle me!"
  • "Over there! Dark Kahn's forces!"

Mortal Kombat (2011)

  • "My turn!" (doing his X-Ray)
  • "No charge." (doing his X-Ray)
  • "Good idea!" (to Johnny Cage)
  • "Now that he's softened you up, it's my turn!" (to Sonya)
  • "I don't do fair." (to Sonya)
  • "Oh, I've got a knack for survival. You, on the other hand, are gonna die here!" (to Sonya)
  • "Pretty boy ain't gonna save ya this time!" (challenging Sonya)
  • "With a whole army totin' these, no one in Outworld or Earthrealm could stand up to you." (selling Shang Tsung RPG launchers)
  • "I'll take care of him. No charge. One dead Lin Kuei in a tick." (confronting Smoke)
  • "Shang Tsung's power healed the rest of ya. But your lungs? Yeesh." (to Kabal)
  • "Yeah, you're all proper police now. The Black Dragon ain't the same without ya, mate. You should come back. We're in the money on this war."
  • "Guilty as charged."
  • "What are you on about, eh? You're here, ain't ya?"
  • "Not so keen on being dead now, are ya?" (after Kabal defeats him)
  • "Shao Kahn's the big boss 'round here, and soon, Earth's new master." (to Kabal)
  • "You're a right genius, you are!" (to Kabal)
  • "Don't care really, so long as I get paid." (to Cyber Sub-Zero)

Mortal Kombat X

  • "Emperor, what's the expression? It's not worth the dirt on my shoe?" (discussing payment with Kotal Kahn)
  • "Keep your fifty million. Mileena's giving me twice that to take you out." (to Kotal Kahn)
  • "'Allo love! Been a while." (to Sonya)
  • "Aw, let's keep this between friends. A trade! Info for freedom." (to Sonya)
  • "Well then... If mother won't play nice... maybe daughter will." (to Sonya)
  • "Back off... and all's well. Piss me off... and Cassie's gonna meet Uncle Kano." (to Sonya)
  • "You kill me... never find... amulet!" (whilst Sonya strangles him)

Mortal Kombat 11

Story Mode

Kano (Present)

  • "Take the deal, trust me." (To his younger self)
  • "Otherwise, who can you trust?" (Older Kano to Younger self)
  • "You weren't kidding. S'like a mirror, reflecting the past." (Older Kano to Geras)
  • "We get paid in the New Era. Kronika'll make sure the Black Dragon come out on top. Not only in the black market. In every market!" (To Erron Black about the Black Dragon in the New Era)
  • "Well, well. Got ourselves a full generation swap here." (Older Kano to Older Johnny Cage)
  • "Don't think so. Between Ninja Mine and Lady Liberty, we've got all the leverage. We're leaving." (To Cassie Cage)
  • "Kabal. Go get me lesser half." (To Kabal)
  • "Taken care of." (To Kabal after triggering the detonator)
  • "She more than burns you, Kabal. She goes black-ops on your arse. Shocks, knives, the Bloody works. Patch you together myself. Well, most of you." (Older Kano to Kabal)
  • "Nah. But now he's motivated." (Older Kano to Younger self)
  • "Where do you think you're going?" (To Cassie Cage)
  • "Worse thing is, it's those Netherrealm stiffs did you in, shoulda been me." (To Sonya Blade)
  • "Now this is a pickle." (To Sonya Blade)
  • "Can you break his neck faster than I can gut Pretty Boy?" (To Sonya Blade)
  • "Don't forget, it's two-for-one." (To Sonya Blade)
  • "He dies, so does your little girl!" (To Sonya Blade)
  • "For what?" (To Sonya Blade, but also his last words as well)

Kano (Past)

  • "Our Lady Kronika'll get all the service she needs. But I can't quote a fee until I know the job." (To Geras)
  • "There's some frame damage, circuitry looks good. But looks like someone did a software wipe. Fixing won't come cheap." (To Geras)
  • "But anything's possible, with the right help." (To Erron Black)
  • "How 'bout that, over fifty and still a ripper." (To Older Self)
  • "Right then, let's get to business."
  • "I'm next, Hollywood." (to Johnny Cage)
  • "Oh it gets bloody worse, Sonya and your little girl..." (to Johnny Cage)
  • "...they're gonna die. Right in front of your face." (to Johnny Cage)
  • "Rise and shine, Sonya." (To Sonya Blade)
  • "Yeah, you won't be needing that stuff love. One thing we Black Dragon know, there's no fun in a fair fight." (To Sonya Blade)
  • "Miss Law and Order really did that to him?" (Young Kano to Older self)
  • "Tempting, love. but we think our next contender is a Beaut..." (to Sonya Blade)
  • "You'll damn sure fight, or you'll both die." (to Sonya Blade)
  • "Ah you caught me love. But put on a good show, eh? it'll be less painful." (to Sonya Blade)
  • "Best thing about this future, love. I'm alive, but you're dead as a doornail." (To Sonya about their fates)
  • "Let's have ourselves a do-over." (Young Kano to Sonya Blade)

Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge

  • "These lads aren't here for the tournament, they're being paid to kill you."
  • "Hello, luv. Nice to see you again."
  • "Well, you're do a better job than Jax."
  • "Huh, what gives?"
  • "Screw it, he's not paying me enough for this."
  • "Sonya, darling, just a bit further.
  • "So glad you made it. It's gonna be a joy to watch you end up like your partner."
  • "Now, finish her!"
  • "Impossible."
  • "Stay back! I'll slit his throat!"

Mortal Kombat (2021)

  • "I hate to interrupt your bullshit, blondie! Well, I gotta piss again."
  • "Kano None-of-your-fucking-business!"
  • "Do I sound Russian to you, you fucking idiot?"
  • "I also give really good foot massages."
  • "You know, next time be more punctual."
  • "Lucky for you, I don't have any standards."
  • "New guy, get me out of here. I could help you."
  • "I was about to go for a stroll, but maybe I'll stick around, you fucking idiot!"
  • "The fuck was that!? That was my knife, too! Fucking poetry." (after Sonya throws a knife at Reptile, but ends up hitting Kano instead)
  • "Kano wins! You fucking beauty!"
  • "Just working on a Kano graphic novel. I fancy myself a bit of an artist."
  • "Well, all the best artists are a little twisted, mate."
  • "Uh, you got a pen? You want me to write this down? Get fucked. 'Cause I'm not gonna help you. You kidnapped me. You tied me up. You threw a knife through my fucking leg, on purpose. And then that lizard thing took off half my face. Lucky for me, you can hardly notice it."
  • "You live in this shithole and you got two million dollars? Pig's arse." (after Sonya attempts to bribe him to fly her and Cole to Raiden's Temple)
  • "Three million. That's my final offer. And anything I find in that temple, I keep. No fucking splitsies. Plus, if you're bullshitting me, I'll fucking kill ya. It's no skin off my sack."
  • "I was gonna head there anyway! Ya fucking idiot!"
  • "Hey. Fuck you, pretty boy. I'm a popular guy. Everyone loves me."
  • "There I was trying to shove this guy's nuts down his throat. And all I kept thinking about for me mum for Christmas?"
  • "Alright, thank you for flying Air Kano! I know you had fuck-all choices. Tray tables up! Time to jump out of this shitbox!"
  • "Well, do or die, princess!" (shoving Cole out the plane)
  • "27, 28 k's. Maybe 30 to be safe. Straight up, 32, eh? We say 35, there'll be no surprises."
  • "Ah, let's look at the scoreboard, shall we? I got us the plane. I know how to find your precious little mountain retreat or whatever it is. I killed the lizard man. Huh? Any of you rip anyone's heart out?"
  • "I think I know what's going on here. You're jealous, girlie, of me little marking."
  • "Hey, I'm talking to you. If you want it so much, all you got to do is kill me. Take it. Now, come on. What do you say? You wanna dance?" (provoking Sonya into a fight)
  • "Go on then, take it. You're so close, just take it. Take it!"
  • "Yeah, that's why you don't have one of these. You don't have the mongrel in you!" (after Sonya spares him)
  • "Okay, that's far enough, MC Hammer." (seeing Liu Kang)
  • "Fuck the temple! Wait! You just shot a fireball out of your hand. How'd you do that? Hang on. Hang the fuck on. Does that mean I'm gonna get superpowers at any point?"
  • "The fuck?" (after Liu Kang puts his hand on his shoulder)
  • "Now this one really speaks to me." (looking at a Mortal Kombat mural of The Great Kung Lao's death)
  • "Put what back?" (after stealing Shinnok's amulet)
  • "Alright, just circling back on those superpowers. I think I get it now. It's kinda like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're gonna get. Is it gonna be fireballs? Is it gonna be lightning? Huh? Could be shit. Could be a frisbee hat, you know? No offense, whoever you are."
  • "Never heard of him." (after Kung Lao announces himself as the descendant of The Great Kung Lao)
  • "So, Liu, instead of fireballs, what else is gonna shoot out of my hands? Like, knives or guns?"
  • "You know, maybe your arcana is getting your ass kicked by a hat." (after Cole loses to Kung Lao)
  • "Is that the only move you know, mate?" (after getting leg-sweeped by Liu Kang)
  • "Put a fucking shirt on, Magic Mike." (to Liu Kang)
  • "Thos are great, mate. They make those in men's sizes?" (mocking Jax's new arms)
  • "Kung Pao. Pass us an egg roll, would you?"
  • "Your ears painted on, mate? Egg roll."
  • "You got a death wish, mate?" (as Kung Lao taunts him)
  • "Well, how about I take that stupid fucking sombrero you wear and shove it so far up your ass, you start speaking Spanish. How does that sound?"
  • "Princess, why don't you try being one of them silent monks?"
  • "I've a better idea. How about you two get on your knees and take turns sucking my sack?" (to Liu Kang and Kung Lao)
  • "Failure? Fucking failure? Let me educate you, motherfucker. I'm Kano! I'm The Black fucking Dragon! And who are you two, huh? You're some fucking cave-dwelling hippie, twirling his anal beads, taking orders from this Wu Shu wanker who wears a hubcap as a helmet! Now sit down! Shut up! AND PASS ME A FUCKING EGG ROLL!" (as his right-eye starts glowing red)
  • "Laser beam! It's better than fireballs, you pussy!" (after unlocking his arcana)
  • "You know, I see a little bit of arcana there. Give me one more crack at it." (beating up Cole)
  • "You getting enough sleep, mate? Your eyes are a little redder than usual." (to Kabal)
  • "You don't tell me about The Black Dragon. I'm The Black Dragon!"
  • "That mask cutting off your air supply, you dumb prick? I don't take orders from anyone, Kabal."
  • "You know the problem with these new lightning sticks? They just don't make 'em like they used to." (after bringing down Raiden's shield)
  • "Ah, girls can be so mean. Don't worry, darling! You're still good enough for me!" (throwing Sonya over a ledge after she loses to Mileena)
  • "Honey, I'm home!"
  • "Dammit, I'd come out if I was you"
  • "Fucking Bitch" (taking knife out his back)
  • "You owe me 3 million dollars!" (fighting Sonya)
  • "Ah, fucking hell! That was a bit harder than I thought"
  • "Tell me Blondie, how does that feel?" (Kano choking Sonya)

Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind

  • "Oh, so you found the Well of Souls then?"
  • "Oh, sorry, mate."
  • "Are mine? I'm way past having a soul."
  • "YOU! CAN'T! BEAT! ME!"
  • "No one can."

Trivia

General

  • The version of Kano from the original Mortal Kombat game is a secret character in the CD-based versions of Mortal Kombat Trilogy. Strangely, instead of having his victory pose from the original game, MK Kano's victory pose was changed to a modified version of his Mortal Kombat 3 victory pose.
  • The knife that Kano uses in the Mortal Kombat film is a Gil Hibben Raptor.
  • In each game Kano is absent, he either makes a cameo imprisoned, a substitute fighter from the Black Dragon borrows his techniques, or both during Deception when Kira was introduced.
  • Richard Divizio once stated that Kano's favorite food is White Castle hamburgers. However, this likely just means that they are Richard Divizio's favorite food as well. [6]
  • Although Kano's cybernetics began to grow more elaborate beginning in Mortal Kombat X, the only part of Kano's body that has been actually physically modified with mechanical implants is his Cybernetic Eye. The Cybernetic Heart strapped across his chest is only worn, rather than being physically integrated into his chest as had been the case for Hsu Hao.
  • He appears as an enemy in Batman Arkham City Lockdown, another game developed by NetherRealm Studios, specifically during the Gotham Steel Mill challenge.
  • The Brazilian cartoon makers enterprise Mundo Canibal homage Kano by using his Heart Rip Fatality in the video Briga de Galo. After the Fatality, the announcer also says "Fatality" as a mention to the Mortal Kombat games.
  • Kano's official theme is titled, "Use Your Might".
  • A modified version of Kano is featured in the Disney film Wreck-It Ralph, making him the only character from an M Rated video game franchise featured in the film. Kano even performs his iconic Heart Rip Fatality on a Zombie character in the meeting with the villains, however due to the PG rating, there is no blood or gore. He is credited as "Cyborg" in the film's credits.

Mortal Kombat

  • Kano makes his playable debut in this game.
  • Kano also debuts as the first Black Dragon clan member in the series starting in this game.

Mortal Kombat II

  • Kano was rumored to be in MKII through Shang Tsung's morphs, but this was proven false.
    • Kano does however appear in the stage Shao Kahn's Arena, still in his appearance from the first game, shackled in chains as a spectator. Though this stage later reappears in Mortal Kombat Trilogy, Kano, as well as Sonya, are no longer featured, though their empty prisons remain.

Mortal Kombat: Special Forces

  • In the original plans for Mortal Kombat Special Forces, the circumstances surrounding Kano's cybernetic eye would be revealed. This ultimately did not make it into the final product, with Kano having his cybernetic eye from the beginning of the game.

Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance

  • In the Krypt, the koffin CO contains a comedic ad for "Kan-Os", a breakfast cereal with a cartoonish image of Kano on the box.
  • In Deadly Alliance, if Kenshi's Telekinetic Contortion Fatality is performed on Kano, only his real eye pops out.
  • In Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance and Mortal Kombat Armageddon, Kano's alternate costume resembles his MK outfit, while if both players choose Kano as their character, his second color will resemble his MK3 outfit.
  • In Deadly Alliance, Kano hung Sonya Blade's hair around his neck as a symbol of their rivalry, which he tore from her head during their battle atop the skyscraper in MK3.

Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks

  • Kano appears as a hidden boss in Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, and all the Black Dragon Mercenaries resemble Kano in this game.

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe

Mortal Kombat (2011)

  • Kano, along with Jax, has an X-Ray that deals 41% damage, the most damaging of all of the playable characters.
    • Their X-Ray Moves are two of three that cannot be blocked, along with Sheeva's X-Ray move.
  • In the cinematic trailer from MK 2011, Scorpion kills Sub-Zero with Kano's Eat Your Heart Out Fatality.
  • Kano is the only character whose victory pose is retained in the Challenge Tower, whereas everyone else's is changed.
  • Though he is seen using the attack in several cutscenes of MK 2011's Story Mode, Kano's Eye Laser cannot be used as a special move in said game.
    • However, the Eye Laser special does return in Mortal Kombat X.

Mortal Kombat X

  • The color of Kano's cybernetics change color depending on what variation you choose. Originally, his Cutthroat variation was going to be green, but was changed to blue later in development. His Commando and Cybernetic variations remained yellow and red, respectively.
    • The green coloring, however, can be seen if the player selects Kano's variationless version.
  • Kano's entrance animation alters slightly depending on his variation. If his Cybernetic variation is selected, when he catches his knife he sheathes it on his waist, while his other two variations (and no-variation) have him sheathe it on his back.
    • Kano will uses his later knives regardless of the variation when he performs his fatalities.
  • In one of the one of his interactions with Takeda, Kano says "That's Not A Knife" which is a reference to Crocodile Dundee.
  • If Sub-Zero performs his Bed Of Ice Fatality from the right side, the shards of ice will not go through Kano's Bionic Eye. It will penetrate through his regular eye only if performed on the left.
    • Additionally, any Fatality or Brutality involving Kano's eyes popping out will result in only one eye, his left eye, to pop out of its socket.
  • Interactions with Tremor show Tremor wants to leave the Black Dragon. This is likely due to Kano abandoning Tremor in the comics once Tremor was shot and captured by the Special Forces.
  • Kano and Torr are the only characters with more than one exclusive Brutalities for a Variation that are not Secret Brutalities.

Mortal Kombat Mobile

  • His Black Dragon Card was originally a Gold card called Cutthroat that could be bought in the Store at a cost of 77000 coins.
    • This card was also the only card in the game without a Passive, as it merely said that the card cost less in the Store.
  • He is one of the few characters with a Gold Card that was upgraded to a Diamond Card, this being his Cutthroat card being upgraded to his Diamond Black Dragon Card.
  • Kano is one of the few characters with more than one exclusive Equipment Card.
  • Kano is one of twelve character cards that can kill the opponent with a Brutality, the others being Sub-Zero, Jade, Kabal, Scorpion, Liu Kang, Raiden, Noob Saibot, Sonya Blade, Skarlet, Shang Tsung, and Reptile.
    • Shao Kahn can also kill his opponent, however it is not considered a Brutality.

Injustice 2

  • Kano was mentioned in Injustice 2 by Raiden, who is featured as a playable guest character, revealing that Kano recruited Bane into the Black Dragon.

Mortal Kombat 11

  • Kano, Johnny Cage and Jax are the only characters to have team-up cutscenes between their past and present selves in MK11 Story Mode.
  • Kano is the only character in the Story Mode whose present self dies as a result of his past self dying.
  • Kano can be also count as one of the first characters to be dressed up as DC characters, the first character who properly wore DC character inspired costume is Cassie. In ironic reverse, Kano wore a superhero costume that models DC’s Cyborg, while Cassie wore a super-villain costume inspired from Harley Quinn.
  • Kano's Move Lumbar Check which sees him drives both knees into the back of his opponent is most likely a reference to WWE wrestler Cedric Alexander, who does the same move as a finisher. Additionally, one of his Cybernetic Hearts is called Ruby's Riot Shield which may also be a reference to female WWE wrestler Ruby Riott.
  • In the Kustomization, Kano has one of his customizable Bionic Eyes named "Jack's Epic Eye". This is a reference to Irish YouTuber Jacksepticeye.
  • Kano is a primary target of RoboCop, revealed through many interactions with characters and RoboCop that Kano committed many crimes in RoboCop's universe.

Errors

  • Kano's face plate has technical issues in MK 2011. The plate is invisible when he's attacked with X-Ray Moves, and it is incorrectly shown on the left side of his head for his Versus image as Player 2.
  • In MKX, in his default outfit when Kano crouches, his grenades clip through his right thigh and will pierce through while crouched.
  • When viewing Kano's Revolution outfit in the Kollection, one can see that his Laser Eye goes over the hat, bring to question as to how the eye was placed over the hat if Kano had the eye first.
  • The hanging fabric of Kano's default outfit will clip through his Butterfly knives in his Cybernetic variation.
  • The handle for his knives for his Cybernetic variation will always clip into his thighs when crouching.
  • The arm wraps that hold his elbow blades always clip into his biceps.
  • Due to needing his large knives for his fatalities, when Kano performs a fatality in his Cybernetic variations, the knives will appear out of thin air.
  • If Kano is struck right as he connects an Air Ball, the opponent will hover briefly above the ground before landing and standing back up. The same thing will happen with Jason Voorhees's Temple Slam.
  • In MK11, if one were to equip any of Kano's younger appearances without him having a shirt on, one can see in the character customization that his cybernetic heart is floating in the air and is not connected to his chest whatsoever.
    • Equipping an appearance with a smaller shirt will result in half of the heart to not be attached to Kano's equipment.

References

Ashrah | Baraka | Blaze | Bo' Rai Cho | Cassie Cage | Cetrion | Chameleon | Cyrax | D'Vorah | Daegon | Dairou | Darrius | Drahmin | Ermac | Erron Black | Ferra/Torr | Frost | Fujin | General Shao | Geras | Goro | Hanzo Hasashi | Havik | Hotaru | Hsu Hao | Jacqui Briggs | Jade | Jarek | Jax Briggs | Johnny Cage | Kabal | Kai | Kano | Kenshi | Khameleon | Kintaro | Kira | Kitana | Kobra | Kollector | Kotal Kahn | Kronika | Kung Jin | Kung Lao | Li Mei | Liu Kang | Mavado | Meat | Mileena | Mokap | Moloch | Motaro | Nightwolf | Nitara | Onaga | Quan Chi | Raiden | Rain | Reiko | Reptile | Sareena | Scorpion | Sektor | Shang Tsung | Sheeva | Shinnok | Shujinko | Sindel | Skarlet | Smoke | Sonya Blade | Stryker | Sub-Zero | Takeda | Tanya | Taven | Tremor | Triborg

Freddy Krueger | Homelander | Jason Voorhees | The Joker | Kratos | Leatherface | Omni-Man | Peacemaker | The Predator | RoboCop | Rambo | Spawn | The Terminator | The Xenomorph
Batman | Captain Marvel | Catwoman | Dark Kahn | Darkseid | Deathstroke | The Flash | Green Lantern | The Joker | Lex Luthor | Superman | Wonder Woman
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This page uses content from the English Wikipedia. The original content was at Kano. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with the Mortal Kombat Wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.

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