Ryu

Young genius fighter who uses the Hadoken

Learned various martial arts from a young age, iconic protagonist of the Street Fighter series who uses techniques like Hadoken and Shoryuken. Pursues battles with the strong with a seeker-of-the-way attitude.

Quotes

  • No compromise in my own fist.
  • True strength is challenging one's own limits.
  • Training has no end.
  • Satsui no Hado must be overcome.
  • I only want to meet the strong.
  • Seeking power is for myself.

Trivia

  • Serves as Capcom's flagship character as the face of the Street Fighter series.
  • At debut, had red hair and wore kung fu shoes.
  • The three sacred treasures (Hadoken, Shoryuken, Tatsumaki Senpukyaku) were created by Ryu.
  • Harbors the special power Satsui no Hado and aims to overcome it.
  • Often depicted barefoot in gi, leading to fan theories of poverty, but official lore states he has money.
  • A bronze statue stands in Kashihara City and is featured on local license plates.

Alternate names

RYU Evil Ryu Shadowy Figure Takashi

Tags

fighter Hadoken Shoryuken Street Fighter protagonist Japan black hair stoic Satsui no Hado poor

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Profile

Species
Human
Gender
Male

Appearance

Overall appearance
Simple and distinctive fighter appearance with white gi, red headband, black belt, red wristbands, black hair, and barefoot. When awakening to the Satsui no Hado, wears black gi, skin becomes tanned, and hair stands on end.
Height
About 175cm
Eye color
Black
Hair color
Black
Distinguishing features
  • Red headband
  • Muscular build from shoulders to arms
  • Barefoot
Iconic items
  • White gi
  • Black belt
  • Red headband
  • Red wristbands
  • Duffel bag (gi bag)

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Stoic
Detailed personality
Seeker-of-the-way regarding martial arts, uncompromising, polite, and humble. Sticks to techniques taught by his master and never boasts about his own power. Strongly holds pride as a fighter and continues to seek the world's strongest.
Keywords
  • Stoic
  • Humble
  • Serious
  • Polite
  • Seeks the strong
  • Seeker of the way
  • Solitary
  • Unyielding
Motto
Seek unknown strength beyond my own fist.
Talents
  • Genius aptitude for martial arts
  • Integration of various martial arts
  • Potential of Satsui no Hado
  • Indomitable will
  • Excellent reflexes
Skills
  • Karate
  • Ansatsuken
  • Judo
  • Taekwondo
  • Ki concentration and manipulation
  • Hadoken and Shoryuken master
  • Target combo
Motivation
Pursue his utmost strength as a true martial artist, overcome the Satsui no Hado, and attain ultimate power.
Habits
Continues training without satisfaction even after winning matches. Unaware of women's affections.
Favorite places
Japan - Suzaku Castle, Genbu Plain
Favorite foods
Simple fare, Japanese food
Favorite colors
White, Red
Hobbies
Training, Martial arts research

History

Backstory
Learned martial arts from a young age and underwent rigorous training under his master Gouken. Grows through battles with strong opponents around the world, tormented by the Satsui no Hado within himself, yet aims to overcome it as a seeker of the way.
Debut date
August 30, 1987
Work title
Street Fighter
Media type
Game

Victory over Sagat

Significant event
Victory over Sagat
Description
In a childhood battle, inflicted a large scar on Sagat's chest with the Shoryuken, establishing a rivalry with him.

Battle with Satsui no Hado

Significant event
Battle with Satsui no Hado
Description
Tormented by the emergence and control of the latent evil power Satsui no Hado, sets out on a journey to overcome it.

Birth of Evil Ryu

Significant event
Birth of Evil Ryu
Description
Appears from Street Fighter Alpha 2 as a form dominated by Satsui no Hado, an 'if' existence separate from original Ryu.

Relationships

Gouken

Guardian

Master and training instructor. Taught Ryu the path of martial arts.

Ken Masters

Sibling

Best friend and rival. Fellow disciples raised under the same master.

Akuma

Gouken's younger brother and fated strong opponent who discovered Satsui no Hado in Ryu. Blood relation uncertain.

Kasugano Sakura

Teammate

Junior and disciple-like figure who admires Ryu and began walking the path of a fighter.

Sagat

Rival

Former enemy who became a rival after battling and acknowledging each other.

Street Fighter

Street Fighter: leader

Media appearances

Street Fighter series

Game / Protagonist

1987 -

Street Fighter II MOVIE

Anime / Protagonist

1994 theatrical release

Street Fighter (live-action movie)

Movie / Protagonist

1994

Street Fighter V

Series / Protagonist

2016 -

Street Fighter 6

Series / Protagonist

2023 -

Super Smash Bros. series

Game / Supporting

Voice cast and creators

Takeshi Ishizuka

Voice actor
Takeshi Ishizuka
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Street Fighter Alpha series

Soichiro Hoshi

Voice actor
Soichiro Hoshi
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Super Puzzle Fighter II X

Wataru Takagi

Voice actor
Wataru Takagi
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Street Fighter III series

Toshiyuki Morikawa

Voice actor
Toshiyuki Morikawa
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Street Fighter Alpha 3 and others

Toru Okawa

Voice actor
Toru Okawa
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike

Hiroki Takahashi

Voice actor
Hiroki Takahashi
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Street Fighter IV and subsequent related works

Kyle Hebert

Voice actor
Kyle Hebert
Language
English
Version or series
Street Fighter IV and later

Koujirou Shimizu

Voice actor
Koujirou Shimizu
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Street Fighter II MOVIE

Yasuyuki Kase

Voice actor
Yasuyuki Kase
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Street Fighter Alpha: Generations

Takashi Nishiyama

Creator name
Takashi Nishiyama
Role
Original author

Capcom

Creator name
Capcom
Role
Original author

Related goods

Ryu Figure

Item name
Ryu Figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

Hadoken T-shirt

Item name
Hadoken T-shirt
Category
Apparel
Availability
Regular

Ryu Plush

Item name
Ryu Plush
Category
Plush or doll
Availability
Limited

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