Which Movies Would Liu Kang Love? The 'Mortal Kombat' Actor Reveals His Picks | Sorry Not Sorry
What do you think Liu Kang watches when he's not busy defending Earthrealm? It's probably not a romantic comedy, although stranger things have happened. According to the man who plays him in 2021's Mortal Kombat and 2026's Mortal Kombat II, the answer starts with one of the biggest anime franchises ever created.
WATCH: Which Movies Would Liu Kang Love? The Mortal Kombat Actor Reveals His Picks!
"I don't know if he's a Dragon Ball kind of guy, but I'm definitely a Dragon Ball kind of guy," Ludi Lin told JustWatch when asked what he thinks Liu Kang's favorite movies are. The actor went on to explain his choice, saying, "My first mangas and my first animes were Dragon Ball. The mangas back then were so expensive to me. But I still saved up and purchased them."
Lin also drew an interesting comparison between his favorite manga/anime and the movie he stars in. "To me, Dragon Ball and Mortal Kombat… these are forever franchises," the actor explained. "They'll just keep going and going because people love the characters so much and they keep wanting to see their stories retold."
It's difficult to argue with that since both franchises have survived creative team changes and countless reinventions without losing fans. New heroes have come and gone over the years, but Dragon Ball's Son Goku and Mortal Kombat's Liu Kang remain exactly where audiences expect them to be, which is standing at the center of worlds that always seem to need saving.
Liu Kang And Goku Have More In Common Than You Might Think
On the surface, Liu Kang and Son Goku appear to be polar opposites. One is a Shaolin warrior chosen to defend Earthrealm through the brutal Mortal Kombat tournament. The other is a Saiyan whose appetite is almost as legendary as his fighting ability. In terms of personality, Liu Kang is measured and disciplined, while Goku tends to greet even impossible opponents with a smile.
Yet, both characters are built around many of the same ideas. Neither is interested in power simply for the sake of having it. Training is part of who they are. And they both see every new challenge as another opportunity to become stronger because someone eventually has to stand between ordinary people and extraordinary danger.
That shared perspective has shaped both franchises for decades. Goku's biggest victories have rarely come without defeat first. And Liu Kang has constantly been forced to sacrifice his own peace for the people depending on him. That's why Lin's answer fits. If Liu Kang ever had the chance to sit down and watch another martial artist, Goku would probably be his pick because they believe in the same thing.
The only way they differ is in the responsibility they carry. Goku tends to treat fighting as something fun because he wants to test himself against the strongest opponents. Liu Kang doesn't have that luxury. Every one of his battles comes with consequences beyond his personal wants. His victories determine the fate of entire realms, leaving little room for anything else.
Why To Watch 'Dragon Ball' (And What To Watch After)
For newcomers, Dragon Ball can feel like a lot simply because of how large the franchise has become. There are multiple series, decades of stories, and more memorable fights than most franchises could fit into a lifetime. But underneath all of that is a surprisingly straightforward adventure about perseverance, friendship, and always believing there's another mountain worth climbing.
Dragon Ball follows Goku, a boy with superhuman strength who was originally sent to Earth to destroy it. But an injury he suffered as a child caused him to forget all his violent alien instincts. Instead, Goku grows up in the wilderness and eventually becomes Earth's greatest defender. The action is exciting, but it's the sincerity that gives the story its staying power.
If Dragon Ball leaves you wanting something with a similar balance of martial arts and heart, Yu Yu Hakusho (1992) is an obvious next step. The series follows teenage delinquent Yusuke Urameshi, whose unexpected death earns him a second chance working as a Spirit Detective who investigates supernatural threats in the human world.
Like Dragon Ball, Yu Yu Hakusho (which can be found on Prime Video) builds its biggest moments around characters who grow through hardship. The tournament arcs are also some of the most influential in anime, while the friendships develop naturally alongside the action. If Liu Kang appreciates discipline and Goku never stops chasing the next challenge, Yusuke falls neatly in the middle.
