It’s Survival of the Fittest! Meet the Characters of Street Fighter

Street Fighter is an international phenomenon. It’s been an arcade game, numerous video games, comics, movies, and more. The characters and fighting styles are all thrilling to gaming geeks worldwide. But does everyone actually know the stories behind the fighters?

Step up to the character select screen- let’s get ready to learn about the histories of our favorite characters in Street Fighter!


I am Akuma. And I will teach you the meaning of pain!

Akuma is a legendary fighter who trained for years under the tutelage of Master Goutetsu. Master Goutetsu taught him how to harness the technique called the Satsui no Hado. The Satsui no Hado is a lethal and violent way that not everyone can accept. However, through true acceptance, and the active decision to detach yourself from all compassion, you can truly master the Satsui no Hado and fight with an inhuman strength.

Unfortunately, fully accepting the Satsui no Hado gives you an overwhelming lust for fighting and a lust for a worthy opponent who could finally defeat you in battle. Akuma has had tense relationships with many others in the world of Street Fighter. Akuma and Ryu do not get along in particular. Akuma wanted Ryu to also accept the Satsui no Hado so that Akuma could finally have a worthy opponent. But Ryu is strong-willed, and refuses to partake in such a plan.


Well then, where do you want me to break you first?

Juri has always been a fighter. She trained since she was a child, and by the time she was 15, she was one of the best Tae Kwon Do martial artists in the entire world. She’s only been getting better since, working for hire and fighting simply just for fun. In one terrifying experience, Juri lost her eye, as well as her parents. She spent years trying to track down her kidnappers.

Eventually, to make herself stronger and to restore her eye, she underwent surgery at S.I.N. laboratories. There, they gave her the Feng Shui Engine in a replacement eye, which nearly doubles her natural abilities. Juri loves the thrill of a fight. And she loves to win. Her heart is aflame with the spirit of battle, and she’s got a fire in her Feng Shui Engine Eye.

Ken Masters

I’m ready for ya, bring it on!

Ken Masters came from the incredibly wealthy and well-to-do Masters family. The Masters owned hotels and businesses across the nation. Ken’s father was worried that Ken would become spoiled and lazy if he simply lived his life in luxury and inherited the family fortune. So, Ken trained under Master Gouken. Master Gouken is Akuma‘s brother, and Ryu‘s adoptive father. With Master Gouken, Ken learned to be humble and how to fight well.

Ken Masters is an honorable fighter with a truly good heart. Admittedly, his father was right about his personality, and he is a bit bratty. Ken comes across as overconfident, egotistical, and maybe too eager to show off his moves. Still, he has ultimately good intentions.

Nash Alpha

Until every sin and atrocity is punished by justice, my duty will not be complete!

Charles Nash wasn’t always Nash Alpha. In fact, Nash was brought back to life after being killed by a rival Street Fighter. In his first life, Nash Alpha was a member of the United States Marine Core and he rose through the ranks as a valiant fighter with a great sense for justice.

Now it seems that his goal in life is to get justice for his former self and defeat all those in his path. He’s a ruthless, calm, and cold fighter, unlike any other. Nash Alpha doesn’t have time for most relationships with the other Street Fighters. He’s on a mission. He’s seeking revenge. He’s seeking justice. But of course, he and Ryu have a mutual respect for each other.


I shall grind beneath my heel all that exists.

When Akuma truly mastered Satsui no Hado, the power of the demon inside him gained complete control of him. He became Oni-Akuma. The Demon, or Oni, is ruthless and powerful to an extent that even Akuma would be shocked. Oni-Akuma is truly evil incarnate, and doesn’t care at all about the danger or destruction that comes from within him.

Oni is so powerful that he jumped into a volcano and back out again completely unharmed. He’s so evil that his mere presence caused a tree to catch fire and kill the birds inside it. There is no one and nothing quite as evil as him.


“If you train for another 81 years you might become a good Sennin…. Ho, ho, ho!”

Oro is the practitioner of an ancient martial arts form called Senjutsu. Senjutsu is an incredibly complicated martial arts, but if it is mastered it can grant you immortality. Oro himself is actually immortal. He is 141 years old, and is still in impeccable fighting shape.

Oro is a Street Fighter because he seeks another martial artist worthy to inherit his knowledge about Senjutsu. Oro has a respect for Akuma‘s power, and yet harbors a deep hatred for him and his corrupt art form. On the other hand, Oro believes that the honorable Ryu will be his successor to the art form of Senjutsu.


This is the path of my destiny!

Ryu is the true hero of Street Fighter. He is humble, kind, and just. He is respectful, but he is also a very good and skilled fighter. In his early life, Ryu was orphaned and alone. It was Master Gouken who took him in and taught him the ways of martial arts. Ryu trained with Master Gouken, and eventually trained with Ken Masters. Ken and Ryu are like brothers, and still work together very well.

Nearly every single Street Fighter has a relationship of some sort with Ryu. It just goes to show that when you are a hero and when you are honorable, people flock to you. Everyone seems to have an offer for him, or a means to gain more power. But he relies on his own training and strong determination to see his way to victory.


My iron body is invincible! So beware! 

Zangief is the Red Cyclone. He is from the Soviet Union, and he is very proud of it. He fights to make Mother Russia proud, and prove how powerful his country truly is. And, of course, Zangief himself is quite powerful. He is well loved in Russia, seen by many as a hero. That is where he got the nickname The Red Cyclone.

Zangief is stronger than many skilled Street Fighters. He spends his free time wrestling bears in Siberia just to stay strong! And while he is often level-headed, tactical, and calm, you certainly would not like him when he gets mad.

Who is your favorite Street Fighter? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to Let your Geek SideShow!

If you’re looking to select even more Street Fighter characters for your collection, visit our full Street Fighter collectibles page.