Exploring the Characters of Street Fighter II

If you haven't already, why not peruse original?

https://nukesandknives.blogspot.com/2024/01/exploring-street-fighter-1987.html

Without further ado, it's time to geek the fuck out.

Intro

In 2016 (when Street Fighter V was released), Capcom ended years of speculation and revealed randos are called Max (left) and Scott (right).

Akuma/Gouki

Debuting as a secret boss in Super Turbo and playable via a code, cheap son of a bitch was basically Ryu and Ken on steroids.

There's not much to say about head swap apart from:

Animation pre-fireball and victory stance.

Apparently unique, but I presume different.

Look at Ryu in artwork for The World Warrior.

Yeah.

Balrog/M.Bison vs Mike Tyson

Common knowledge I know, but starfish haircut may not be. 

Yoshiyuki Takagi - Osu!! Karate Club

Zangief vs Victor Zangiev

Guile vs Rudol von Stroheim - JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

Vega/Balrog vs Silver - Golgo 13: The Professional

E. Honda vs Chiyonofuji Mitsugu

It's also said he's a nod to Mickey Rooney's Mr. Yunioshi in Breakfast at Tiffany's.

And.

Sumo Wrestler boss - Shadow Warriors (1988)

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you...

The New Challengers

Fei Long vs Bruce Lee

T. Hawk vs Walken - Baoh

Dee Jay vs Billy Blanks - Khan (The King of the Kickboxers)

What a shame he wasn't cast for Street Fighter (1994), as that would've been awesome.

Miguel A. Nunez Jr. was pretty good fun though.

Cammy vs Alita - Battle Angel Alita

But what of braids?

Misty - Kizuoibito

Now things get really exciting.

Chun-Li

Primary inspirations for the 'strongest woman in the world' were Strider's Tong Pooh (left) and Tao - Harmagedon: Genma Wars (right).

Also.

Avengers (1987)
Hostage's design rings a bell.

On her creation, Akira Nishitani recounts:

"Previously there were no women in fighting games. In Chun-Li's case, I wanted a woman in the game. I determined what her fighting abilities would be. Then China just came up as a possible homeland."

Hmmm, I beg to differ.

Star - Yie Ar Kung-Fu (1985)

She certainly looks female to me, and going further, check out those buns.

Dhalsim

Many cite Master of the Flying Guillotine (1976) as rubber man's inspiration, as Yogi Le Soung is able to stretch arms at will.

But Nin-Nin said he'd never heard of it, claiming flexibility came from the Zoom Punch technique in JoJo's, as demonstrated by Zeppeli.

M. Bison/Vega vs Yasunori Katō - Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis (1988)

Street Fighter II' Dash flyer vs Doomed Megalopolis

I agree, but here's the Psycho Crusher.

General Washizaki - Riki-Oh

Especially when cape is added to the mix.

As a side note, Raul Julia (in his final role), portrayed General Bison in Street Fighter (1994).

Blanka

Rather unbelievably, palette and teeth were taken from a stick-thin fish-like character from Nintendo's 1986 NES game Pro Wrestling.

The Amazon

Bastard bites hard, just like Harimao in Ashita no Joe.

Eat your heart out Hannibal Lecter.