Ever since the iconic dragon punch, Ryu has been the face of Street Fighter. But is he always the main character? Buckle up, we'll be throwing a Shoryuken on that assumption!
Ryu, the main character of Capcom's Street Fighters franchise, has been central to the franchise's marketing and storyline for the past three and a half decades. However, he has not been the main character since the late 1990s in Street Fighter Alpha 3. Instead, Capcom has introduced a new protagonist in each of the numbered franchise entries since Alpha, including Street Fighters 3, 4, 5, and 6. This video will explore who took center spotlight in each game and whether they had much of an impact on the franchise.
Many fans were surprised to learn that Ryu isn't necessarily the main character in every Street Fighter game. Since Street Fighter Alpha (late 90s), Capcom has introduced a new protagonist for each numbered entry. Let's meet these challengers and see how they fared!
Alex, the wrestling-inspired American, was introduced in Street Fighter 3. Aiming for a broader audience, Capcom saw American markets ripe for the picking. Alex's story revolved around revenge, a classic fighting game trope. He ultimately loses to Ryu, highlighting the Street Fighter veteran's dominance.
Abel, the French MMA fighter (with a confusing backstory), took center stage in Street Fighter 4. He was meant to be a foil to the main villain, Seth, but this rivalry fizzled. Abel suffers from amnesia and struggles to find his identity. Despite being the supposed protagonist, he's almost entirely absent from the game's movie!
Street Fighter 5 introduced Rasheed, a Middle Eastern fighter, through collaboration with Capcom's regional partners. Rasheed seeks a missing scientist friend, putting him on a collision course with Shadaloo (M. Bison's evil organization). While Rasheed plays a role in stopping Bison's plan, Ryu still delivers the final blow.
Luke, introduced in Street Fighter 5, became the main character for Street Fighter 6. He and newcomer Jamie are meant to be the "next Ryu and Ken." However, in the prelude to SF6, Luke plays second fiddle to Ken. The story even revolves more around the player's custom avatar!
Despite the rotating cast of protagonists, Ryu remains the franchise's most recognizable face. He gets prominent story arcs and is heavily featured in marketing. It's a curious strategy by Capcom. Perhaps they're hedging their bets, keeping Ryu familiar while introducing potential new stars.
Whether you prefer Ryu's classic stoicism or the fresh faces of Alex, Rasheed, and Luke, Street Fighter offers a diverse cast. The "main character" title might be a bit nebulous, but one thing's for sure: the fight for supremacy continues!
Who do YOU think should be the main character in Street Fighter? Leave a comment and let's throw down
About the Writer
Jenny, the tech wiz behind Jenny's Online Blog, loves diving deep into the latest technology trends, uncovering hidden gems in the gaming world, and analyzing the newest movies. When she's not glued to her screen, you might find her tinkering with gadgets or obsessing over the latest sci-fi release.What do you think of this blog? Write down at the COMMENT section below.
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