Scorpion

Lore & Background

Hanzo Hasashi was a ninja of the Shirai Ryu clan. The sorcerer Quan Chi sent him to find a map hidden in a Shaolin temple without telling him that Bi-Han of the rival Lin Kuei had been given the same task. After the death of Bi-Han, the first Sub-Zero, Hasashi feuds for most of the series with Bi-Han's younger brother Kuai Liang, the second Sub-Zero, whom he blames for the killings, until he learns that Quan Chi is the real murderer. He is usually shown as a neutral figure bent on revenge who sides with whoever can help him reach it.

Reader's Guide

Scorpion's signature special move throughout the series is a harpoon-like spear on a rope that impales the opponent and pulls them in for a free hit. His other long-standing move, missing only from Deadly Alliance, is the Teleport Punch: he flies offscreen and reappears behind the opponent. When the spear lands he shouts "Get over here!" or "Come here!", taunts voiced by co-creator Ed Boon.

Did You Know?

• Scorpion's yellow palette was chosen to symbolise fire, in contrast to Sub-Zero's ice blue.
• The "Toasty!" call, voiced by sound designer Dan Forden, debuted in Mortal Kombat II with a variation of Scorpion's Flaming Skull Fatality.