Shen/Trivia

General

• Shen is written 慎 shèn [ʂə̃n˥˩] "caution" in Chinese localization.
  • From Old Chinese *dins < *tin "true" (> 真 zhēn [ʈ͡ʂə̃n˥])
• Shen was the first champion to use energy as a resource for abilities.
• Before the release of Pulsefire Shen, neither him nor Zed reveal their faces in any of their skins, unlike Akali (, Nurse, Blood Moon) and Kennen ( Karate, ).
• Shen's dance references Tai chi 24-form.
  • A side-by-side comparison can be seen here.
• Shen is the first dark-themed Ionian champion, before Varus, Syndra, Zed, Jhin, Xayah, & Kayn (Noxian-born).
• Shen, Pantheon, and Twisted Fate were the first to have a global-range teleport ability.
  • After the other two's were heavily changed Shen remained the only one left with such an ability until Rek'Sai was released.

Quotes

• "If light travels so fast, how come it's never caught a ninja?" references Ask a Ninja.
• "You're already dead, you just haven't caught up yet" references Kenshiro from Fist of the North Star.
• "Enforced equilibrium" and "Tread carefully" might be referencing Equilibrium ("Tread carefully Preston, you're treading on my dreams.")
• Shen shares quotes with:
  • "Without a sound"
  • "From the shadows"
• "Tread carefully" resembles  "Tread lightly".

Skins

Original Shen

• The scene depicted has him using Stand United.
• He resembles Joe Musashi from Shinobi (they walk and dash exactly the same way).

Yellow Jacket Shen

• He resembles Scorpion from Mortal Kombat and Shredder from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Frozen Shen

• He is fighting Shockblade Zed.
• He resembles Sub-Zero from Mortal Kombat.

Surgeon Shen

• He might be referencing The Adventures of Dr. McNinja.
• He was proposed by the community.
• His Spirit Blade is a giant scalpel and he is about to perform a surgery.
• He shares this theme with:
  • Nurse Akali
  • • Nurse Akali can also be seen in the background.

Blood Moon Shen

• The mask he is wearing references those used in Japanese Noh theater.
• He shares this theme with:
  • Blood Moon Akali
  • Blood Moon Diana
  • Blood Moon Elise
  • Blood Moon Evelynn
  • Blood Moon Jhin
  • Blood Moon Kalista
  • Blood Moon Kennen
  • Blood Moon Thresh
  • Blood Moon Twisted Fate
  • Blood Moon Yasuo
  • Blood Moon Zilean
    • Blood Moon Zilean can be seen in the background behind him, with masks from the other members hanging on the wall around them.

Warlord Shen
Chromas: Amethyst, Catseye, Emerald, Obsidian, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Tanzanite

• He might be referencing Total War: Shogun 2.
• He has his own dedicated animations.
• Akali and Kennen's ears can be seen in the background.

TPA Shen

• He was released in celebration of Taipei Assassins winning the Season Two World Championship along with:
  • TPA Mundo
  • TPA Ezreal
  • TPA Nunu
  • TPA Orianna
• He represents Stanley.
• He shares this theme with:
  • TPA Mundo
  • TPA Ezreal
  • TPA Nunu
  • TPA Orianna

Pulsefire Shen

• This is the first skin where Shen doesn't have headgear that covers his hair.
• He shares this theme with:
  • Pulsefire Caitlyn
  • Pulsefire Ezreal
  • Pulsefire Riven
  • Pulsefire Twisted Fate
    • Pulsefire Riven and Pulsefire Twisted Fate can be seen in the background behind him, teleporting towards him.

Relations

• Shen leads the remnants of the Kinkou Order.
  • Together with Akali and Kennen he enforces balance between Runeterra and the spirit world.
    • The Kinkou are at war with Zed and his Order of Shadow.
      • Even though the Master of Shadows killed Lord Kusho (Shen's father) the Eye of Twilight is torn between avenging him and enforcing equilibrium, but of course, his duty takes precedent.
• Lord Kusho, Shen, and Zed were responsible for capturing and imprisoning Khada Jhin.
  • Shen inherited his title and spirit blade from his father.
  • Later on, when Jhin was set free again, Zed sought out Shen in order to inform him about Jhin's reappearance and to team up with him to stop him. Shen, despite still wishing to avenge his father's death, accepted the truce for the greater good.