Story
When Ken was 12 years old his father thought that his son needed to learn about discipline. His son had become a spoiled brat and had tried to leech onto the family fortune. The elder Masters sent Ken to Japan to train under his best friend, the mysterious karate master Gouken. Ken was very hesitant to
learn from Gouken, wanting to go back to the states but in time, he learned to respect his master. He enjoyed the company of Gouken's adopted son, Ryu, since he had a foil to finally pull pranks on, although this got Ken into a lot of trouble. Ryu and Ken would later become best friends and each other's principal rivals, testing their skills and growth on one another.
Characteristics
- Height: 5'10"
- Weight: 165 lbs
- Martial Arts Style : Shotokan Karate
Powers and Abilities
Ken, like his friend Ryu, is a practitioner of Ansatuken-Kikouhou (a non-killing version of his style developed by Gouken). Through his training and dedication to become as fierce a fighter as his friend and rival, Ken has become an exceptional martial artist, and one of the best fighters in the Street Fighter Universe.
He is considered a master of Ki Manipulation (mastering the ability to manipulate his life force's energy to produce various effects) and has been shown to cast spheres of energy from his hands at varying degrees of speed and power.
Ken does not quite have the mastery of his Ki that Ryu has, but he does have some control of elemental properties, such as Fire, that he is able to add to his Hadokens, and to his Dragon Punch techniques. This means that he can vary the amount of elemental energy in his attacks from non-lethal to lethal levels to damage his opponents.
It is generally accepted that Ken is physically stronger than Ryu, although they both manifest physical prowess levels that border on the superhuman (strength, endurance, agility, speed/reflexes)), without the use of their Ki. When invoking and focusing this innate mystical energy, they can both perform feats of amazing power and ability, enhancing all of their physical attributes to superhuman levels.
Special Moves
- Hadoken (Wave Motion Fist)
- Shakunetsu Hadoken (Scorching Wave Motion Fist)
- Tatsumaki Senpu Kyaku (Cyclone Hurricane Kick)
- Kuchuu Tatsumaki Senpu Kyaku (Mid-Air Cyclone Hurricane Kick)
- Shippu Jinraikyaku (Hurricane Thunder Kick)
- Shoryuken (Rising Dragon Fist)
- Shoryureppa (Blazing Dragon Fist Destroyer)
- Shinryuken (Immortal Dragon Fist)
Character Evolution
Street Fighter
Although Ken is playable in Street Fighter, he does not serve any importance to the main canon. Ken is palette swap of Ryu in Street Fighter
Street Fighter II
Ken enters the second World Warriors tournament. Nothing of story importance happens with his involvement, though he is known to have fought Ryu in the tournament. It is around this time that Ken marries Eliza.
Street Fighter Alpha
Ken participated and won the U.S. Martial Arts tournament which featured former champion and active U.S. Air Force lieutenant Charlie Nash. During his participation, Ken met and became romantically involved with Guile's sister-in-law Eliza.
Following his win, he traveled back to Japan to tell Gouken of his victory. Upon arriving at his master's dojo, Ken witnessed his master's death first hand and almost endured a similar fate at the hands of Akuma. Ken then travels to tell Ryu of Gouken's death, as well as warn him of the danger Akuma poses. Ken ultimately finds a very troubled Ryu (who has fought Akuma) and challenges him to a fight. After defeating Ryu in a spar, Ken gives Ryu his red headband in hopes to give him focus.
In his journey to grow stronger, Ken encounters Karin Kanzuki, a wealthy Japanese girl who has been a fan of Ken's performance. She tells Ken about her admiration and hopes to beat her own rival Sakura Kasugano (whom Ken meets with later for a friendly match). Both Ken and Sakura then begin their search for Ryu. In their search, they discover Ryu has been brainwashed by Shadaloo leader M. Bison. Ken, Sakura, and Sagat help Ryu get back to his senses and defeat Bison. Upon freeing Ryu from Bison's control, Ken promises Ryu a rematch in the future.
Street Fighter III
As the third World Warriors tournament begins, Ken acts as the reluctant teacher of Brazillian student Sean Matsuda. He and Sean were matched during the qualifying rounds with the teacher defeating the aspiring student. Ken would later leave the tournament after discovering that the hermit Oro defeated Ryu. With free time on his hands, Ken told Sean to find and challenge Ryu, giving Ken opportunity to show his son Mel some fighting moves and relax with Eliza.
Ken would later participate in another iteration in the U.S. Martial Arts tournament. Claiming victory, Ken won his third consecutive victory in the tournament and celebrated with his family and the returning Sean
Street Fighter IV
Prior to the game, Eliza was pregnant which almost prevented Ken from participating in the S.I.N.-hosted tournament. His battles in the tournament include another friendly rematch with Ryu and one with new challenger and self-appointed rival Rufus.
Following the defeat of S.I.N. leader Seth and the destruction of the BLECE machine, Ken and Ryu discover that Gouken survived the attack by Akuma during Street Fighter Alpha. Satisfied with both Ryu and Ken's skills, Gouken leaves his pupils to continue their training.
Ken's son Mel is born after the tournament.
Other Media
Film and Television
Movies
Television series
Video game appearances
Street Fighter Alpha 2 Gold
Street Fighter Alpha 3
Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper
Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max
Street Fighter Alpha Anthology
Street Fighter EX 2
Street Fighter EX 3
Capcom vs SNK
Capcom vs SNK Pro
Capcom vs SNK 2
SNK vs Capcom: Chaos
Marvel vs Capcom 2
- X-Men vs Street Fighter
- SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighter's Clash 2 Expand Edition
- Capcom World 2: Adventure Quiz
- Street Fighter IV Volt
- Super Puzzle Fighter II X for Matching Service
- Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo
- Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
- Capcom Classics Collection
- Capcom Classics Collection: Volume 2
- Capcom Classics Collection Reloaded
- Namco x Capcom
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