Ryu (Street Fighter)
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Ryu (リュウ in Japanese) is a video game character created by Capcom, and is the main character of the Street Fighter series. He has brown hair and wears a red headband and a white gi. He was given the surname Hoshi in the 1994 live-action motion picture Street Fighter, although Capcom does not officially recognize that name. Also his name has two variations in pronunciations: "Rai Yu" and "Ree Yu" (or Li Yuu as there is no definite sound between Ri and Li in Japanese). While the first one is commonly pronounced in the West, the latter one is the more accurate pronunciation.
Vital Statistics
- Fighting style:— Ansatsuken learned from Gouken (early sources deduce Shotokan Karate)
- Birthplace:— Japan
- Birthdate:— July 21, 1964
- Height:— 180 (5'11")
- Weight:— 68kg
- 3 sizes:— B110, W81, H85
- Blood type:— O
- Special Skill:— Can sleep anywhere, Hitchhiking
- Likes:— Martial Arts, Mizuyokan (Japanese sweet bean jelly)
- Dislikes:— Spiders
- Signature Move:— Shin Shoryuken
Both Ryu and Ken are practitioners of an extremely violent martial art called Ansatsuken, incorporating the most violent techniques from a blend of four styles of martial arts, alongside an evil technique called Shun Goku Satsu. Both Ryu and Ken learned Ansatsuken from Gouken, who vowed to teach a less violent variation of Ansatsuken which does not include the discipline's life-threatening techniques such as the the Shun Goku Satsu.
Ryu and the Hadou Principle
While Ryu and Ken follow the same martial arts discipline, as the Street Fighter series evolved, the differences between the two characters was portrayed by their attacks: Ryu focused on power and technique while Ken opted for speed and stylish unpredictability.
Ryu, though slower than Ken, uses attacks that are more concentrated. His Shoryuken does only one hit, but has the best effect while the fist is still rising from the ground, though Ryu can use this move against airborne opponents. Ryu can dodge projectiles at the start of his Tatsu Maki Senpuu Kyaku maneuver and knock an opponent with one hit. Ryu focuses more on the Hadou principle of Ansatsuken, which translates to him being very skilled with his usage of ki - Ryu has the most concentrated Hadoken amongst all "light-side" Ansatsuken users, and only the "dark-side" Ansatsuken user, Akuma, can match and/or surpass Ryu's Hadoken in both gauge and concentrate in certain instances. Ryu is the only Gouken-Ryuu Ansatsuken user capable of using the Shakunetsu Hadoken with the greatest of care—ensuring that the surge still burns bright with flames, but won't result in immolation.
This duality is comparable with two real-life philosophical approaches to karate, and Japanese martial arts in general. Do and Jitsu, or The path/way, and Method/technique. One is more for personal development (See judo) and the other is more for practical application (see jujitsu).
Story
As a student of Gouken, Ryu was one of the participants of the first World Warrior tournament. His skills earned him the right to fight its host, Sagat. The Muay Thai master was winning the fight, but Ryu became so desperate to win he felt himself consumed by the desire and pulled off a Metsu Shouryūken that was responsible for giving Sagat his famous scar during the battle and also knocked him out. This would lead to Sagat carrying a long grudge and becoming one of Ryu's most famous rivals, but Ryu for now wished to return to his master to figure out his newfound corruption.
Ryu returned to his home only to find his master dead. Learning that Akuma had fought and killed his adopted father, Ryu began to travel the world to find this man. He fought Akuma on a secluded island, but Akuma had only been testing him. He sensed that Ryu had the same powers as he did, and told him Ryu had what was known as the Satsui no Hadou - a dark power that consumes the practitioners of the fighting style and best warriors with a desire to win, and even go far enough to do such acts as killing to do so. Akuma used his power to smash the island, leaving Ryu stranded. Later on, he fought Ken and lost. Ken realized Ryu had been deeply stressed since his victory over Sagat and gave him his red hairband as a reminder to stay focused, which Ryu was sincerely grateful for. Soon thereafter a fan of his, named Sakura, came up and wished to train under him. Ryu replied that he still had much to learn, but allowed Sakura to take a picture of him and swore to make him accept her eventually.
Ryu continued to travel and fight where it is hinted that he fought E. Honda. Despite this, Ryu was vastly worried over what Akuma had told him. His fighting skill garnered him the attention of M. Bison, who wished to use Ryu as his next host body. The two battled and Ryu was actually doing well, but then Bison took in a surprise shot at him and told him the Satsui No Hadou was kindred to his own Psycho Power and began to brainwash him. Sagat, Ken, and Sakura then came to the scene, having followed Ryu for all their own reasons. Sagat took on Ryu to help him control himself as Ken and Sakura both took on Bison to distract him. Sagat's urgings to overcome the corruption as well as Bison fighting Sakura finally helped Ryu take control of himself and with a powerful Shouryūken slammed Bison away, forcing him to retreat. Ryu then talked to each rival of his, telling them he will have his time with each of them to come.
Ryu entered the second World Warrior tournament (possibly invited by Bison for revenge), to train and hone his skills. The tournament, though, was eclipsed when Bison was killed by Akuma with only one Shun Goku Satsu attempt.
Years later, Ryu entered the third World Warrior tournament to further advance his fighting abilities. He defeated Hugo, but with a considerable amount of difficulty. The seemingly unstoppable Hugo put on a grand fight and had even withstood a direct Shin Shouryūken. Ryu narrowly lost to Oro, but the hermit was so impressed, that he took an interest in Ryu.
Ryu has fought some 10,000 opponents and has become famous as a traveling warrior. During his years as a wandering fighter Ryu would fight Alex (whom he inspired to become a better fighter), and Makoto, who discovered that fighting Ryu would bring much prestige to her dojo. Ryu then encounters Ken in New York where a long overdue match between the two would commence. Ryu would emerge as the victor of this determining battle over his long-time friend and rival.
Ryu's whereabouts are now a mystery but it has to be assumed by its fans that Ryu still travels the globe, fighting to better himself as a warrior.
Evil Ryu
In the Street Fighter Alpha and SNK vs. series, there is a selectable version of Ryu has called Evil Ryu (literally it's Satsui no Hadou ni Mezameta Ryu). He is the version of Ryu should he succumb to Satsui no Hadou, and depicts Ryu's struggle to resist the urge. Gameplaywise, Evil Ryu has more powerful attacks than the original, strikes faster and posesses some of the attacks of Akuma (such as the Shun Goku Satsu). The only time Evil Ryu actually appears in Street Fighter canon is at the end of the first World Warrior tournament. According to the Street Fighter Alpha series, Sagat, the defending champion, crushed Ryu, and then extends his hand to help Ryu up after thinking that he had won. Ryu was so consumed with the desire to win that he gives into the Satsui no Hadou ("Evil Intent" in the American version) and executes a Metsu Shoryuken, scarring Sagat's chest and his pride.
Since then, Evil Ryu has occasionally appeared in various Capcom games featuring Ryu. Nevertheless, Evil Ryu does not exist as a separate character and is only an alternate version of Ryu. Despite the brief brash and/or temptation from the Satsui no Hadou, canonically, Ryu rejected the Satsui no Hadou, and has made mass innovations to Gouken's style which helped him bring Gouken-Ryuu Ansatsuken up to par with Evil Ryu by Street Fighter III.
Gameplay
Ryu is the quintessential "basic" character in fighting games, with a lackluster, yet intuitive array of punches and kicks, and very basic special moves. This simplicty makes Ryu a favorite for beginner and intermediate players. Ryu is available in every single Street Fighter game, allowing players familliar with previous Street Fighter games to begin playing immediately, without having to worry about learning how to use a new character.
Other fighting games, including those not made by Capcom, often have basic characters whose abilites resemble Ryu's. Such games include the Darkstalkers series by Capcom, the Samurai Shodown and King of Fighters series by SNK, and the Guilty Gear and Rumble Fish series by Sammy. Without a basic, "Ryu"-style character, these games would be less accessible to casual gamers, and overall more difficult to master.
Ryu has a unique ability in Marvel vs. Capcom, where he is able to change his fighting style (and outfit), to those of Ken and Akuma. When giving his quote at the end of the fight, however, they are the same no matter which "mode."
Techniques
Ryu's techniques consist of the Hadoken, Shoryuken (Dragon Punch), and Tatsumaki Senpuukyaku (Hurricane Kick). His super moves consist of the Shinku Hadoken, Shinku Tatsumaki Senpuukyaku (which was reduced to an EX move when Street Fighter III was first released), Denjin Hadoken (which he used only in the Street Fighter III series and in Capcom vs. SNK 2 in the form of Evil Ryu's Metsu Hadoken), and his most powerful move, the Shin Shoryuken.
Actors
Ryu is voiced by Katashi Ishizuka or Toshiyuki Morikawa in many of the games he appears in. In some of the Alpha games and in the first two Street Fighter III games, he is voiced by Wataru Takagi. In Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike, his voice is done by Toru Ohkawa. He was portrayed by Byron Mann in the 1994 movie adaption of the game.
Character Basis
Ryu's character is based off of a real-life karate practitioner, the late Yoshiji Soeno, nicknamed "the Tiger of Kyokushin", and founder of Shidokan Karate. The Japanese manga Karate Baka Ichidai chronicles the true events of Soeno's career, notably, his foolish bravery. In the 1970s, Soeno was the only warrior with the courage to challenge Reiba, the stongest Thai kickboxer in the world, and dubbed the "Dark Lord of Muaythai." In the manga in question, Reiba is a large, bald Muaythai kickboxer with an eyepatch, just like Sagat. So, as Yoshiji Soeno and Reiba were the inspiration for Karate Baka Ichidai, the fighters and the manga were the inspiration for Ryu and Sagat.
Trivia
- Ryu is a Japanese stock character, the wandering warrior: a person whose life is entirely devoted to spiritual perfection through the art of the fist. This makes him appear to be "one-dimensional character." It is assumed he does not care about winning or losing, just the moment of the fight and the opportunity for spiritual advancement. His Street Fighter II ending states that to him, "The fight is everything."
- Makoto was originally going to be Ryu's sister, but the idea was scrapped when it was deemed that the storyline wouldn't be compatible with the canon of the series.
- Ryu's stage in most of the games in the series is known as Suzaku Castle. Gouken is buried there and Ryu travels back to it once a year.
- Using Gouken's dojo, he makes some money by tutoring in martial arts when in Japan, and often does jobs involving physical labor otherwise to keep him in shape when traveling.
- Besides his famous rival Ken, artwork from Street Fighter Alpha 2 reveals him to be friends with Chun-Li as well.
- A famous win quote of Ryu's in the English version of Street Fighter II was "You must defeat Sheng Long to stand a chance." Sheng Long in Chinese means "Dragon Punch", but the phrase was accidentally not translated in the American version. Many thought that this was the name of Ryu and Ken's mentor and Electronic Gaming Monthly used this misperception to make a hoax character by the same name, although this in turn would eventually inspire Capcom to make Akuma.
- Ryu appears in Namco x Capcom. In the game, he joins forces with Jin Kazama of Tekken and Ken.
- During the Japanese release of the original Street Fighter, Ryu's name was spelled with the kanji 隆 for prosperity. However, in Street Fighter II and every game released afterwards, this was discontinued in favor of spelling his name in katakana, making his name easily legible to younger Japanese people.
- Ryu, Ken, Akuma and Dan seem to have the same style cause they trained Ansatsuken, but the only confusing thing is that they have the same height in the Street Fighter series. But throught the series the height changed, so we don't know the official height for sure.
- In the Udon Street Fighter comic, the writers take quite a few jabs at Ryu's aloofness. In that comic, he is unable to use the Internet, and when Ken gets him an e-mail address, he chooses boringryu@capcommunications.com with the password kenrulz for him. When Ken and Eliza shoot their wedding pictures with him as the best man, Ryu forgets to put on his shoes.
- Kyo Kusanagi is Ryu's rival in the SNK vs. series.
Related characters
See also
- Street Fighter
- Marvel vs. Capcom series
- Puzzle Fighter
- SNK vs. series
- Ansatsuken
- Satsui no Hadou
- Namco x Capcom