Shang Mu first began as a modest port city, but thanks to Zao's administration, the city grew into a sprawling metropolis. There are strong implications that Zao had gained his position of power through means that are considered less-than-democratic, such as bribery or rigging the election. However, his cleverness may be the reason why Shang Mu has grown into the most advanced nation on Avalice.
Freedom Planet[]
During the events of Freedom Planet, Shang Mu is met with an energy crisis, in which Zao becomes desperate to avert in order to preserve his city's power and assure his chances for re-election. He starts by hiring Spade, a member of the Red Scarves, to steal the Kingdom Stone, only to be framed for the recent murder of Shuigang's King, followed by an attack on Shang Mu by the Sky Battalion. Shortly after, Zao is met by Team Lilac, who had been sent by the Royal Magister to act as a neutral party and negotiate for the Kingdom Stone's return. Following their dinner at City Hall, Zao provides them with his last airship for their journey, secretly using them as bait for a possible attack. Eventually, Shang Mu's energy crisis was resolved by the Kingdom Stone's transformation into a crystalline vortex. To celebrate the occasion, as well as the victory over Lord Brevon, Zao hosts another dinner at City Hall and invites Team Lilac, along with Lady Neera and General Gong.
Freedom Planet 2[]
In the 3 years after Brevon's defeat, Shang Mu became far more advanced, as if becoming a futuristic city that makes the rest of Avalice look like the Stone Age. It also fell under the protection of Captain Kalaw, the Red Wing of Justice who also the became the reigning champion of the city's Battlesphere.
The name "Shang Mu" comes from Chinese (上木), meaning "Up", "Top", or "Upper" and "Wood" or "Forest", so perhaps a loose translation could be "On Wood" or "On the Forest".
One of Zao's posters reads "YOU can do it | Vote for proposal 32".
A poster seen in Fortune Night shows a cameo image of Neige the Cat (labeled as "雪猫" or "Snow Cat"), a character of R-no71, who did character art for Freedom Planet.
It seems likely that red is the national color of Shang Mu.
The buildings and cultures of Shang Mu resembles that of China and Japan.
Gallery[]
The Beta Version of Freedom Planet 2's Shang Mu Map
The complete version of "Freedom Planet 2's" map of Shang Mu