Street Fighter 2 is one of the most iconic games of all time, dominating arcades in the 1990s and shaping the fighting genre as we know it today. The events of SF2 occur in 1991, two years after Alpha 3. Bison now has a leaner body and organizes the second World Tournament to entice Ryu to use his body as a host.
Before we get into the characters' backstories, here's a quick timeline of the major events:
The fighters have joined the tournament for various reasons: Ryu, Dee Jay, and Fei Long are here to test and prove their fighting skills, while Ken, Zangief, and E. Honda aim to show the world they are the ultimate champions in history. Others, such as Blanka and Cammy, are looking for answers about their mysterious pasts; Dhalsim and T. Hawk are working to raise funds for their villages, which have been devastated by Shadaloo; and Guile and Chun-Li are motivated by personal vendettas against M. Bison for killing their loved ones, both determined to bring Shadaloo to justice.
Ryu wins the Second World Fighting Tournament twice, earning the title of "World Warrior." Sagat was awarded third place, with M. Bison coming in second. However, much to the surprise of the audience, the first-place champion's spot is empty. As it turns out, Ryu has no need for ceremony and is already on his way to find a new challenge. He began by training his Shoryukens beneath a waterfall.
After the tournament, Guile attacks M. Bison, grabs his throat, and asks if he remembers what happened with him and Charlie in Cambodia. Bison confirms that he remembers, complimenting Guile on no longer being the runt he once was, and orders Guile to kill him quickly. Guile's wife and daughter intervene, warning him that killing Bison will not bring Charlie back. Guile eventually spares Bison and returns to a peaceful life with his family.
Ken’s fiancée, Eliza, rushes into the tournament, saying she came so they could be together again. Ken embraces her and carries her bridal-style to their church to begin a grand wedding.
Meanwhile, Chun-Li returns to China to pray at her father’s grave, believing he can finally rest in peace now that M. Bison has been defeated and brought to justice, before resuming her normal life.
Elsewhere, an older woman runs up to Blanka, asking if he is her long-lost son, Jimmy. Though Blanka doesn’t recognize her, she notices the anklet he’s wearing and realizes it’s him. They share tears of joy and warm hugs, with Blanka calling her “Mommy.”
Before delving into the characters' backstories, I'd like to clarify that I'll be including all of the new characters introduced in updated versions of SF2, such as Turbo 2, Super Street Fighter 2, and Ultra SF2, which include Shin Akuma, Cammy, T. Hawk, Dee Jay, and Fei Long. I should also point out that characters like Shin Ryu and Violent Ken in the Ultra SF2 alternate scenario are not canon. Okay now, let's start with the original cast of Street Fighter 2, starting with Ryu and Ken, who are the main characters:
Ryu enters the World Warrior tournament to test his skills, defeating many of the new fighters along the way. Unbeknownst to him, the event was secretly organized by Shadaloo with the sole purpose of claiming his body. He sends a letter to Ken, reigniting Ken’s fighting spirit. While it’s unclear how far Ryu progressed, the English version of Street Fighter: Eternal Challenge suggests he may have lost to Ken, though this isn’t supported by other sources. Street Fighter II: Complete File states Ryu defeated both Ken and M. Bison, while Gamest 255 (1999) describes him avoiding M. Bison’s fiery remains after Akuma destroyed him, hinting Ryu reached the finals. Various endings and supplemental material indicate Ryu beat Zangief and Blanka during the tournament. In the semi-finals, he overcomes Sagat, who now respects him, and in the finals, he faces off against M. Bison.
Ken traveled to the United States after promising Ryu they’d reunite for a match once they had both grown stronger. However, during his warrior’s journey, he focused more on his girlfriend Eliza, leading him to give up martial arts and lose his fighting spirit. One day, a letter from Ryu arrived at Ken’s beach house, describing Ryu’s dedication to daily training, which reignited Ken’s passion for fighting. Realizing he had been slacking, Ken returned to the world of combat. At some point in the tournament, he faced Chun-Li and Vega.
After the events of Street Fighter II, Ken married Eliza, reportedly something he vowed to do only after defeating Ryu decisively. However, it’s unclear if they actually fought or if Ken won, as Capcom has never confirmed the details. Notably, Ken’s promise to Eliza appears only in the English translation of Street Fighter: Eternal Challenge, not in the Japanese text. In Street Fighter II: Complete File, it is stated that Ken lost to Ryu and continued training, while Gamest 255 mentions Ryu avoiding M. Bison’s flaming remains after Akuma destroyed him, suggesting Ryu reached the finals.
Chun-Li was invited to the second World Warrior tournament, where she learned that Bison had somehow survived the destruction of his Thailand base. Determined to destroy Shadaloo and avenge her father once more, she joined the fight. Alongside her allies, Chun-Li confronted Bison in a battle that spilled into the forest. They overpowered him, and Chun-Li landed the decisive blow with a powerful Kikosho that leveled part of the forest. When Guile urged him to surrender, Bison refused and instead used all of his Psycho Power to cause a massive explosion, blasting everyone away. Luckily, Chun-Li and the others survived. Following his apparent suicide, the government investigated Shadaloo’s base and concluded that Bison and his top lieutenants were dead, though no evidence confirmed the supposed cataclysm.
Chun-Li then visits her father's grave, praying that his death has been avenged. With Chun-Li finally defeating M. Bison, it wouldn't be long before Shadaloo collapsed. Chun-Li went on to become a young single girl. However, beginning with Super Street Fighter 2, she is given the option of living a single girl's life or continuing as a detective. At some point during the tournament, Chun-Li faced Ken Masters.
Guile is still a member of the USAF and holds the rank of major as of 1991. Guile was eager to exact revenge on his sworn enemy, Bison, whom he blamed for the alleged death of his best friend Charlie, who had vanished while pursuing and hunting the former. A court case against the Shadaloo dictator fails because Bison bribes all of the judges, allowing him to go free. Bison is now seeking vengeance against those who thwarted his criminal organization's efforts. To accomplish this goal, he organizes the Second World Fighting Tournament, which quickly eliminates his competitors. Guile takes the bait, abandoning his wife and daughter to pursue his vendetta. In the end, he defeats Bison and lifts him on his knees by the throat to finish him off after reminding him of who he murdered in Cambodia but is stopped by his wife Julia (localized as Jane overseas) and their daughter Chris (localized as Amy abroad). He then saves the bruised and bloodied bison before returning to his homeland to spend Christmas with his family.
In 1991, Zangief entered the Second World Fighting Tournament, organized by Shadaloo at the request of the president of Russia, which would soon no longer be part of the Soviet Union after December 26. As "Challenger #7," he advanced to the third match by defeating Dhalsim in India and Chun-Li in China but was ultimately defeated by Ryu in Japan. Finishing in 10th place, Zangief, unhappy with the result, returned to training in the Russian wilderness, wrestling bears. Eventually, the world’s largest wrestling organization approached him with an offer to join their promotion. Initially, Zangief declined, prioritizing the honor of showcasing Russian strength over financial gain. However, after being promised a platform to display his skills to millions of viewers, he gladly accepted.
In 1991, Dhalsim enters the Second World Fighting Tournament to raise money for his village, which was impoverished by Shadaloo, as an act of revenge. However, he soon realizes this goal clashes with his pacifist beliefs. Assigned as "Challenger #8," he first defeats Chun-Li in China, then Blanka in Brazil, Zangief in Russia, and Guile in the USA, before ultimately being defeated by Ryu in Japan, finishing 8th overall. If he loses, Dhalsim plans to retire from street fighting and travel the world to help those in need using only his powers, without seeking money. If he wins, he intends to return to his family after a long absence. Three years later, during the events of Street Fighter IV, Dhalsim’s son asks about a picture on the wall, and Dhalsim proudly explains it was from “a past life” of his.
In 1991, Blanka’s street fighting skills caught the attention of Shadaloo, who sent the man-beast an invitation to compete in their Second World Fighting Tournament. This gave him the chance to travel the world like he did as a child, in hopes of uncovering the lost secrets of his past and finding someone from the plane crash who might recognize the feral boy that fled into the Amazon rainforest. Assigned as “Challenger #3,” Blanka first defeated Dhalsim in India, then Chun-Li in China, Zangief in Russia, Ken in the USA, E. Honda in Japan, and Guile in the USA, before ultimately losing to Ryu in Japan, finishing sixth overall. Had he won, his ending would show a reunion with his mother, who recognized him on televised broadcasts by the anklets he wore—gifts from her before the crash that left him to grow up in the wild, though still connected to a nearby village. Sometime between Street Fighter Alpha 3 and the tournament, Blanka also learned to communicate with humans, likely thanks to the multilingual Sakura.
In 1991, E. Honda grew frustrated that the rest of the world didn’t hold sumo wrestling in the same high regard as the Japanese did. Determined to showcase the sport’s beauty, he entered the Second World Fighting Tournament. At the same time, he was investigating the Shadaloo organization after discovering that some sumo wrestlers were using biochemical drugs. His face paint and dual-nationality name helped him stay undercover, a detail planned long before his storyline in Street Fighter Alpha 3. After the tournament and Shadaloo’s downfall, Honda returned to Japan to continue sumo wrestling, run his bathhouse, and train his students.
After Bison took his own life following his defeat by the World Warriors—Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, Cammy, and especially Guile—control of Shadaloo passed to the former prizefighter. Lacking both experience and solid management skills, he quickly ran the organization into the ground. With Shadaloo’s collapse, Balrog found himself back on the streets, taking on menial work like casino security.
Background story and his appearance in Alpha 3:
Known as "The Southern Comet," Dee Jay is a lively kickboxer who fights to the beat of his own rhythm. Quickly climbing the ranks in his division, he travels the globe seeking new challenges. In his story, he anonymously defeats Adon, a rival Muay Thai fighter, prompting Adon to swear revenge. Dee Jay then sets his sights on Sagat, the fallen "emperor" of Muay Thai and now an enforcer for M. Bison, who dismisses Dee Jay’s cheerful demeanor. Declaring that he “means business,” Dee Jay defeats Sagat, deepening Sagat’s despair over his losing streak. Bison, intrigued, offers Dee Jay a spot in Shadaloo, but Dee Jay refuses. When Bison responds with violence, Dee Jay fends him off, knowing he cannot truly win while the Psycho Drive remains active. Returning to Jamaica, Dee Jay hums a new tune inspired by his battles, catching the attention of a record producer who immediately offers him a record deal.
Early Music Career
During one of Dee Jay’s fights, record company scouts noticed his charismatic energy. Impressed by his natural talent, they signed the young kickboxer as a performer.
Not long after, Dee Jay released his debut single, “HeartBeatBB.” He and his friend Bob sent a demo to all the local radio stations, hoping it would hit the airwaves. Dee Jay later put out his first album on vinyl, a format he still prefers even today.
Around this time, he also dropped the track “Maximum,” which went on to become a hit.
Despite his success, Dee Jay eventually felt his passion for music fading. Then, during a fight, he broke through the slump, realizing the power of the “rhythm of attacks” in street fighting. From that moment, he’s been excited to blend his love of music and martial arts into one journey.
Now a major music sensation and top martial artist, Dee Jay is invited to be one of the four additional "New Challengers" in the Second World Fighting Tournament. He accepts, hoping to find fresh rhythm for his next album. Joining Cammy, Fei-Long, and T. Hawk as the newest competitors, his progress in the tournament remains a mystery. However, he discovers the beat he was looking for, and his new record becomes a smash hit.
Background story and Alpha 3 appearance:
When he was young, T. Hawk and the Thunderfoot tribe were forced off their land by Shadaloo. Many resisted and fought back, but many were killed, including their leader, Arroyo Hawk (T. Hawk’s father), who was cowardly murdered by a young M. Bison. Now living in Mexico near the Monte Albán plains, T. Hawk seeks revenge against Bison for his vile actions and hopes to reclaim the land stolen from his people. The tribe also suffered mysterious disappearances, and T. Hawk took it upon himself to find the missing. One of them, his beloved Julia, was turned into Juli, one of Bison’s brainwashed assassins known as The Dolls. T. Hawk leaves his village to search for the missing locals, with his final opponent before Bison being Juli herself. After defeating Bison, he takes Juli back to his homeland, determined to free her from the lingering effects of her brainwashing.
Super Street Fighter 2:
T. Hawk joins the Second World Fighting Tournament alongside the other three New Challengers to face M. Bison, aiming to reclaim his people’s land and free them from Shadaloo’s tyranny. Though he doesn’t emerge as the grand champion, he succeeds in regaining the land—only to find it barren and deserted. Resolute, he vows to restore its former glory and bring the Thunderfoot people back home. Later games reveal that T. Hawk also entered the tournament in search of Juli.
Background story and Alpha Series appearance:
He can be spotted on the streets of Hong Kong in Dan Hibiki's stage, watching the fight. Known for sneaking off movie sets in search of street fights, Fei Long refuses to challenge Dan until the next game. His many fights for inspiration catch the eye of the criminal organization Shadaloo, which tries to recruit him by force, sending Balrog and Vega after him. Following the destruction of the Psycho Drive, a film based on these events is produced with Fei Long as the star, launching him into fame and making him an international sensation. In Yun's non-canon storyline, Fei Long is mistaken for a Shadaloo lackey but quickly teams up with Yun and Yang to take them down.
Super Street Fighter 2:
Fei-Long continues making action films until he’s invited to be one of the four “New Challengers” (alongside Cammy, Dee Jay, and T. Hawk) in the Grand Master Challenge Tournament, which he eagerly accepts. During the competition, he discovers he enjoys the raw intensity of real hand-to-hand combat—with its blows, blood, and bruises—far more than the staged and choreographed fights of his movies. This revelation leads him to walk away from superstardom and vanish into the streets. Eventually, he’s persuaded to return to filmmaking after multiple executives offer him higher salaries to make a comeback as both a star and a filmmaker.
Cammy awoke with amnesia and was taken in by Delta Red. Though her past was a blur, she still possessed nearly all the combat skills implanted during her time with Shadaloo, making her a valuable member of the team. When the second World Warrior tournament was announced, she discovered Bison was involved and felt an odd connection to him. Entering as one of the four "New Challengers," she confronted Bison, who revealed she was his clone, had killed for him, and was planted in Delta Red—though he hadn’t expected her memory loss—and claimed he no longer needed her. After the tournament, she fought alongside her allies against Bison, and when he was defeated, her teammates reminded her that she didn’t need to dwell on the past and had a new life ahead. Delta Red’s lineup includes leader Colonel Keith Wolfman, ranged weapons expert Matthew McCoy, melee weapons expert Lita Luwanda, and young computer genius George Ginzu.
Sagat entered the World Warrior Tournament seeking a clean rematch with Ryu. He got his chance, but once again Ryu emerged victorious. This time, though, Sagat gained a mutual respect for the young fighter and found peace in defeat. Back in Thailand, he kept training his body and mind, determined to reclaim the title of the world’s strongest before age caught up to him. After Street Fighter II, while training in solitude, a Shadaloo agent tried to lure him back into the organization. Sagat refused and drove the man off with a powerful Tiger Shot.
Vega oversaw assassination operations for Shadaloo and was connected to Cammy and the elite assassins known as the Dolls. When Cammy went rogue, Vega was tasked with capturing her, but failed. Cammy eventually returned on her own, defeated M. Bison, and freed herself and the other Dolls from his brainwashing. The effort, along with a deadly failsafe in the brainwashing meant to kill them if they betrayed Bison, caused Cammy and the Dolls to collapse. Vega rescued them from the burning Shadaloo base, believing that something so beautiful shouldn’t perish. He later joined the second World Warrior tournament at Bison’s request, where he fought Ken Masters. After Bison was apparently killed by an unknown attacker, Vega vanished back into his old life.
Sometime after gaining a new body, Bison uses Shadaloo to set up a base in a temple in Thailand. He also takes control of a nearby village to expand his criminal empire, though he still provides the villagers with essential supplies. To lure Ryu out once again, Bison announces the World Warrior Tournament. In the tournament finals, Bison faces off against Ryu. However, his plans are abruptly ended when Akuma, who wasn’t even a competitor, catches him off guard and unleashes the Shun Goku Satsu, killing him instantly. Akuma then takes Bison’s place to fight the tournament finalist, rumored by some to be Ryu, mocking Bison for being a slave to his own power without realizing Bison actually had complete control over his Psycho Power.
Akuma did not officially join the second World Warrior tournament but observed it seeking a worthy challenge. He challenged and defeated Bison, then left as others fought Bison. In a retconned, non-canon event, Akuma ambushed M. Bison and quickly destroyed him with the Shun Goku Satsu. He then fought the second finalist, whose identity and fight outcome are unknown.
In Super Street Fighter II Turbo and its HD remake, Akuma has two endings based on the final opponent. Against M. Bison, he reflects on failing to master Psycho Power. Against Shin Akuma, he contemplates overcoming his darkness and dismisses death. Super Street Fighter II Turbo Revival merges both endings, while Ultra removes the second, always showing the first ending regardless of the opponent.
Akuma didn’t officially enter the second World Warrior tournament, but he kept an eye on it, hoping to find a worthy opponent. He ended up challenging and defeating M. Bison before leaving as others moved in to fight him. In a retconned, non-canon twist, Akuma ambushed Bison and finished him instantly with the Shun Goku Satsu, then faced the second finalist—whose identity and the fight’s outcome remain a mystery. In both the original Super Street Fighter II Turbo and its HD remake, Akuma gets two different endings depending on the final opponent. If it’s Bison, he reflects on how Bison never mastered Psycho Power and let it consume him. If it’s Shin Akuma, he thinks about conquering his own darkness and deems death beneath him. The Revival version combines both endings, while Ultra drops the Shin Akuma one, always showing the Bison ending instead.
Here is the cast of canonical characters from Street Fighter 2. Additionally, I will include the backstories of Shin Akuma, Evil Ryu, and Violent Ken; however, you should be aware that these characters stem from alternate storylines of Street Fighter 2 and are not part of the official canon.
Background and Alpha series appearance:
The first chronological appearance of Shin Akuma is during Akuma's deadly fight with his master Goutetsu, where he uses his full power to win. Shin Akuma debuts as a hidden boss in Street Fighter Alpha 2 and becomes a selectable hidden character in its home console versions. To unlock him, players must move the character select cursor in a "Z" pattern on PlayStation or an "X" pattern on Saturn. In Arcade Mode, players get only one chance to defeat him; losing ends the fight, forcing a restart for a rematch. Contrary to belief, Shin Akuma is playable in the Super NES version by beating Arcade Mode with a high score, entering the initials KAJ, then selecting Versus Mode with Player 2 holding all three Punch buttons (L, X, Y). He can then be chosen by holding Start while selecting Akuma. Unlike the CPU version, player-controlled Shin Akuma lacks double damage.
Shin Akuma makes a return in the console versions of Street Fighter Alpha 3, with his name properly shown on-screen. In the story, he’s simply Akuma unleashing his full power, nearly one with the Satsui no Hado, unlike his “normal” self who holds back to prolong battles for enjoyment. He’s also among the most powerful characters in the Street Fighter series and serves as Evil Ryu’s final boss in Alpha 3. In gameplay, Shin Akuma retains all these traits and can fire two Zanku Hadokens—one hitting at mid-screen and another traveling the full length—covering the entire stage, unlike his regular counterpart’s limited range. His stage in Alpha 3 is a blue version of Akuma’s usual arena.
Street fighter 2 series:
In the original Super Street Fighter II Turbo, Shin Akuma doesn’t actually appear, but the CPU-controlled Akuma fought as a secret boss is very similar to later versions of Shin Akuma and likely inspired the character. He becomes an unlockable playable character in the Dreamcast release, Super Street Fighter II X for Matchmaking Service, which also includes an even stronger Shin Akuma with the Shun Goku Satsu Super Combo. Fans unofficially dubbed this version Ten Akuma or Ten Gouki, thanks to the “Ten” symbol appearing behind him after using the move, a detail borrowed from Street Fighter Alpha 3. This form is accessible via the dipswitch menu by setting the 8th and 9th digits in the 3rd row to 1, marking the first time a Street Fighter II version of Akuma could perform the infamous Shun Goku Satsu. Shin Akuma is also unlockable in the Game Boy Advance version, Super Street Fighter II Turbo Revival, after reaching 9,999 VS Points, where he dons the purple gi from the Alpha series.
Background story and Alpha series appearance:
During Street Fighter Alpha 2, Akuma sensed the Satsui no Hado lying dormant within Ryu and urged him to embrace it so they could have the rematch he always desired. Ryu vowed to reject the Satsui no Hado, but it wasn’t enough to fully rid himself of it, as it still lingered within him. It wasn’t until the end of Street Fighter IV that Gouken sealed it away using the Power of Nothingness. Evil Ryu isn’t a separate character, though in some games—like the home versions of Capcom vs. SNK, its sequel, and certain versions of Street Fighter Alpha 3—players can include both normal Ryu and Evil Ryu in battles, even on the same team. In the home versions of Street Fighter Alpha 3, matching normal Ryu against Evil Ryu triggers a special pre-match scene where normal Ryu attacks first with a rushing elbow, only for Evil Ryu to counter. This suggests the fight is happening inside Ryu’s mind, symbolizing his struggle to resist the temptation of the Satsui no Hado.
In the English releases, Evil Ryu shares the same rivals and ending as normal Ryu. In the Japanese version, however, he directly threatens Sakura, telling her she’s in his way and that he’ll show no mercy. With Akuma, Evil Ryu acknowledges him as his master’s enemy, while Akuma mocks him, calling him a boy and a beginner, and questioning whether Ryu truly believes his own Satsui no Hado could match him. After defeating Gouki (Akuma’s name in the Japanese versions), the following text scrolls: "Ryu defeated Gouki with his blood-soaked fist and then vanished to whereabouts unknown. Did Ryu embrace the true Satsui no Hadou, or did he succeed Gouki as The Master of the Fist? Only time will tell when we see him again. Will he reach his full potential as a martial artist? Or..."
Evil Ryu meets Sagat during his quest to become the ultimate fighter and challenges him again. Sagat tells him he's lost control of his power and is no longer the man he once wanted to fight. Annoyed, Evil Ryu orders him to fight. After defeating Sagat, he asks why Sagat held back. Sagat replies, "Why should I? You are not the Ryu who left a scar on my chest!" (from the original Street Fighter). He says a true warrior won't fall for a "cheap trick" and will wait for his real rival to return.
After beating several opponents, Evil Ryu faces M. Bison at full strength. Bison says Evil Ryu has come far but is only human and will fall deeper into darkness as his power grows. He sees Evil Ryu as a potential energy source. Evil Ryu rejects this and defeats him.
Evil Ryu then confronts Shin Akuma. Both use the Shun Goku Satsu simultaneously, canceling each other and sparing their souls. Evil Ryu asks if Akuma knows what the evil energy will bring. Akuma replies, "words do not have any meaning to us," urging him to unleash his rage and fight, saying only the winner will know the truth.
After defeating Shin Akuma, Evil Ryu is dazed, feeling he has become a true martial artist through this power. Clutching his chest, he screams and recalls using the Metsu Shoryuken against Sagat. Claiming his fist is stained with "the blood of death," his eyes turn red and his chest expands as he screams again.
The final scene shows Evil Ryu with his back to fallen foes, including M. Bison. He screams once more and heads to Akuma's stage, calling himself "the supreme master of the fist." The kanji for "destruction" (滅 metsu) appears on his gi. His last words, "Where...? Where can I find the one who can defeat me?!" reveal his complete downfall and that he has taken on Akuma's original burden.
In the Game Boy Advance version of Street Fighter Alpha 3, if Evil Ryu loses to Shin Akuma, Akuma says he fought well but was no match for the Raging Demon and is pure evil. This ending is exclusive to that version.
Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers
Some time later, Evil Ryu participated in the second World Warrior tournament. During the competition, he defeated M. Bison in battle. Bison was left speechless that his Psycho Power had been overcome by Evil Ryu, to which Evil Ryu responded that defeating weak opponents was insufficient for him. He stated that M. Bison's power did not satisfy his thirst, as his blood yearned for greater power. Evil Ryu then sensed that his destructive power would elevate him to new heights and embarked on a quest to find Akuma, recognizing that Akuma was a worthy adversary for a fight to the death.
M. Bison uses his Psycho Power to take control of Ken, transforming him into Violent Ken. After tearing through countless opponents in the tournament, Ken eventually faces off against M. Bison and defeats him. Regaining his senses, Ken departs on his boat, reflecting that he’ll never follow the same path as his close friend Ryu, but hopes their journeys will meet at the end.
This is the end of Street Fighter 2, in which Ryu once again wins the tournament and becomes champion for a second time, while Akuma kills Bison (well, until his next revival). The next part will focus on Street Fighter IV, continuing the Shadaloo Saga, which ends in Street Fighter V.
No comments:
Post a Comment