Shao Kahn is a major antagonist in the Mortal Kombat video game series and other related media. A seemingly immortal being with an unquenchable thirst for power, he rules the forsaken realm of Outworld and forever seeks out new worlds to conquer and enslave. He has his sights set on dominating Earthrealm, but the Elder Gods created the Mortal Kombat tournament as a safeguard to protect the realms from his wrath. Though forced to play by the Elder Gods' rules in order to absorb other realms into Outworld, Shao Kahn perpetually schemes and plots to undermine the rules of Mortal Kombat and take what he wants by force.
In the majority of his appearances, Shao Kahn is depicted as a demonic warrior who combines dark magic with raw brute strength in order to brutally overpower his foes.