Mythology, folklore and history are three different aspects of culture that have been a fountain of inspiration for many mediums of entertainment, from books to movies and now, a beloved mobile game. Moonton is no stranger to pulling inspiration from various sources, which is why Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) is filled with heroes that have rich histories and lore. These stories were inspired by actual historical events or figures in folklore and mythology from various cultures, making MLBB a collection of characters from diverse backgrounds.
Every MLBB hero is special because they not only bring a sense of nostalgia to the game but also bring along powerful abilities that make them unique and fun to play. Let’s take a closer look at these MLBB heroes and discover what real person or mythological figure inspired their creation.
Sun (Sun Wukong)
First on our list is the staff-wielding Fighter Sun. He is inspired by the legendary Sun Wukong from the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. Sun Wukong, or the Monkey King, is known for his immense strength and agility, as well as his magical staff, which he uses to fight against evil.
Sun is quite an iconic character that has appeared in numerous media, from comic books and movies to video games and anime series. His character in MLBB is no different, as he is equipped with powerful and mystical abilities, such as making duplicates of himself via illusions. In the novel, Sun Wukong is known for his immense strength and his ability to transform into a variety of shapes and animals.
Zilong (General Zhao Yun)
Zilong is based on the historical figure of General Zhao Yun from the Three Kingdoms era of China. General Zhao Yun was renowned for his bravery and loyalty to his lord, Liu Bei. He was also known for his strength and wisdom on the battlefield. Zhao Yun is often depicted as a spear-wielding warrior in many fictional works about the Three Kingdoms period. His martial arts prowess is quite legendary, and many people treat him as a real-life hero who achieved many historical feats, such as his counterattack at the Battle of Han River and his conquest of the Yi province with Liu Bei. In MLBB, Zilong is a Fighter equipped with a spear capable of dealing a flurry of attacks to his opponents.
Chou (Bruce Lee)
Chou is a character inspired by the Hong Kong martial arts legend Bruce Lee. Bruce Lee is well-known for his many films and his unique martial arts style, Jeet Kune Do. He was a pioneer in the martial arts world, having created his own style of combat and was also an actor, director, and philosopher.
MLBB’s Chou is no different to Bruce Lee, as he is a Fighter and a formidable martial arts practitioner. Chou trained under an old monk who he saved from a bandit attack. According to the game’s lore, Chou’s Asian Kung-Fu skills allow him to deal quick and devastating attacks, including his signature flying roundhouse kick, The Way of the Dragon. Before Chou’s redesign, long-time players of MLBB will probably remember Chou’s earlier model looked almost exactly like the late actor. Now, Chou’s model sports white hair and a black tracksuit with yellow highlights, an obvious reversal of Bruce Lee’s yellow jumpsuit with black stripes in his movie, “The Game of Death.”
Minsitthar (King Kyansittha)
Minsitthar is known as the ‘Courageous Warrior’ who once saved his kingdom from impending doom. This character takes after King Kyansittha of Burma, which is now modern-day Myanmar. Kyansittha is known for his bravery and leadership in the 11th century and is considered one of the greatest Burmese monarchs in the country’s history. Kyansittha’s father practically established the Bagan empire, but it was Kyansittha who became successful in melding the various cultural influences in the empire, ushering a grandiose and prosperous reign. Just like his real-world counterpart, Minsitthar is a brave and powerful warrior in MLBB who fights for justice and honour. Wielding his Holy Spear and a shield, Minsitthar is favoured by many for his powerful crowd control abilities and his ability to summon his royal guards in battle.
Minotaur (The Bull of Minos)
Minotaur is an MLBB character inspired by the bull of Minos from Greek mythology. According to the myth, Minos prayed to the sea god Poseidon to favour his claim to the throne of Crete. Poseidon answered by sending a snow-white sacrificial bull to Minos as a sign of his power, making him King of Crete. Minos was so impressed by the bull that he decided to keep it and refused to sacrifice it to Poseidon, causing the god to become enraged. As punishment, Poseidon cursed Minos’ wife, Pasiphae, with a passion for the bull, leading her to give birth to the Minotaur, a creature with the head of a bull and the body of a man.
The Minotaur in MLBB is a Tank/Support hero. He is a hulking monstrosity who fights with his horns. With his mighty hammer, Minotaur is capable of smashing the ground with enormous force, sending shockwaves and stunning his enemies.
Lapu-Lapu (Lapu-Lapu)
Lapu-Lapu is an MLBB character inspired by the historical figure of the same name. The real Lapu-Lapu was a native chieftain of Mactan Island in the Philippines, who is best known for leading the defence against the Spanish conquistador Ferdinand Magellan in the Battle of Mactan in 1521. He is revered as the first Filipino hero and the first native chieftain to resist a foreign invasion and succeed in doing so.
In MLBB, Lapu-Lapu is a Fighter hero and is one of the earliest heroes introduced in the game that’s based on an actual historical figure. Similar to his real-life counterpart, Lapu-Lapu is a nimble and agile warrior, capable of dealing quick and deadly blows with his twin blades. Even his in-game lore took a lot of inspiration from his actual story. In the game, Lapu-Lapu lived on a quiet and secluded island name Vonetis, which was eventually attacked by a warlord from a rising foreign power, the Moniyan Empire. Lapu-Lapu rallied all the tribes on the island and succeeded in fighting back the invasion.
Chang’e (Heng’e, the Moon Goddess)
All images credit to Moonton/MLBB
In Chinese mythology, the Moon Goddess comes by many names, including Heng’e, Chang-Er, and the more commonly accepted Chang’e. According to the myths, Chang’e was a young woman who ascended to the moon after she stole and consumed an immortality elixir meant for her husband, the hero Hou Yi. After finishing the elixir, she was forced to live alone on the moon for eternity. The story of Chang’e has inspired a time-honoured tradition called the Mid-Autumn Festival, or Mooncake Festival, that’s celebrated on the eighth lunar month (September). To remember Chang’e, Hou Yi and the people of China started the tradition of eating fruits and moon-shaped desserts that we now know as mooncakes.
In MLBB, Chang’e is a Mage hero who excels in long-range attacks and crowd control. She is a versatile hero who can be played in multiple ways, depending on the situation. Like her real inspiration, Chang’e is seen riding on a crescent moon and showering her opponents with stars that deal massive damage.
These are some good examples of how MLBB takes inspiration from real-world mythology and culture to create unique and interesting characters. The game has a wide variety of characters to choose from, each with its own unique abilities and stories. Whether you’re a fan of Greek mythology, Asian folklore and history or just want to have an exciting game with other players, you’ll find something that appeals to you in MLBB.
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