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User:SuperSaiyan2Link/Ken Masters

From The Codex
Articles About Ken Masters
Main Continuity Street Fighter
Alternate Continuities Street Fighter EX - Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie - Street Fighter II V - TV Series - 1994 Film - Street Fighter Alpha: The Animation - Street Fighter Alpha: Generations
Crossovers Marvel vs. Capcom - SNK vs. Capcom - Pocket Fighter - Cross - Street Fighter x Tekken - Super Smash Bros.
I wish you good luck!
~ Ken Masters

For some reason, the Satsui no Hado doesn't live inside of Ken, but using Bison's Psycho Power, Ken has become a soldier of Shadaloo.
~ Shadaloo Combat Research Institute

Background

Ken Masters is a major protagonist of the Street Fighter series. As the rich American heir to the Masters Foundation, Ken was sent by his father to Japan, to train under the mysterious karate master, Gouken. For many years to come, Ken was trained in the Ansatsuken fighting style alongside the man who would quickly become his lifelong friend and eternal rival, Ryu. Though Ken always aspired to be the strongest martial artist around, he eventually met his wife, Eliza, and settled down to raise their son, Mel.

This dropdown contains the synopsis of Ken’s story. Read at your own risk as you may be spoiled otherwise!

Ken Masters was the American son and heir to the Masters Foundation, a worldwide hospitality, hostel, and resort enterprise. Growing up rich, Ken had developed an ego and was labelled a bit of a delinquent. As a result, when Ken was only 12 years old, his father saw it fit to send him to Japan, where he would undergo the rigorous training of karate master, Gouken.

Though Ken was initially hesitant to learn from Gouken, but as training continued, he learned to respect him. Ryu, who was Gouken's only other pupil, was the same age as Ken and quickly became not only his closest friend, but his fiercest rival. Ryu and Ken's training lasted over a decade, with them finally completing their training and being free to leave their dojo at 23 years old.

Street Fighter Alpha series

The moment his training was completed, Ken's main goals in life were to become a famous martial artist. As such, he immediately headed back for the United States, where he participated in a number of American Karate Tournaments, and won all of them. Because of this, he was crowned the King of American Fighters. It was during these run-throughs of the American tournaments that Ken met Eliza, an attractive American woman, who quickly fell in love with him and became his girlfriend. When Eliza asked Ken what he fought for, his motivation was no longer the fame, or the attention. Instead, he had one simple goal: to face Ryu one more time.[1]

Especially after hearing the story of Ryu defeating the Emperor of Muay Thai, Sagat, Ken knew that facing Ryu was his next mission. Flying back to Japan, Ken finds Ryu in a horrible state of overthinking and self-doubt, as he had tapped into the Dark Hado to defeat Sagat. In order to break him out of his daze, Ken faces his old friend and defeats him, before gifting Ryu a red headband to wear as a reminder of their fight whenever he feels lost. Ken then returned to America, and begins training even harder with Eliza's support.[2]

As time passes, Ken begins to wonder about his own life. Ryu seemed to be on the right track again, but what of him? Along the road to proving himself again, however, he encounters the nefarious dictator of Shadaloo, M. Bison. Though Ken doesn't know who Bison is, he confronts him, but is easily defeated and placed under hypnosis. Once Ryu shows up, Bison forces him to fight the hypnotized Ken, but Ryu manages to win the battle and free Ken from his mental prison. Ryu eventually defeats M. Bison himself, with Ken regaining consciousness. After Ryu and Ken promise to have another duel again soon, they part ways.[3]

Street Fighter II

Ken returned to the United States again to train, after having promised Ryu to engage in another match. However, as he and Eliza's love only continued to grow, he found himself spending less time training, and more time lounging on the beach with her. His skills and fighting spirit began to dwindle, under he received a letter from Ryu detailing the rigorous training he had been committing himself to. Asa result, Ken re-entered the world of fighting, and signed up for the second World Warrior Tournament.[4]

However, what Ken didn't know is that the second World Warrior Tournament was being run by the Shadaloo organization, once again under the rule of M. Bison. As Ken made his way through the matches, he was eventually found by Bison, who once again decided to use him as a puppet, this time to try and kill Ryu once and for all. Infused with Psycho Power, Violent Ken was born, who was far more blood-thirsty and brutal than Ken ever had the capacity to be. He confronted Ryu and assaulted him, overpowering him completely. However, after Ken caught sight of the red headband that he'd given Ryu years before, he was able to break free of his possession and encourage Ryu to face M. Bison himself.[5]

Statistics

Key: Ken Masters | Violent Ken

Tier: 9-B | At least 9-B

Name: Ken Masters | Violent Ken, Brainwashed Ken[6]

Origin: Street Fighter

Sex: Male

Age: 20 to 30 years old

Classification: Martial Artist, Roaring Inferno[7], King of American Fighters[8]

Species: Human

Occupation: Hotel-Business Tycoon, Construction Worker[9] | Soldier of Shadaloo[10]

Status: Alive

Alignment: Chaotic Good (Ken is a man with a great fighting spirit[11], the type to see it as disgraceful for a true warrior to let himself get possessed[12]. Though his main goal was originally to achieve global fame as a martial artist[13], he is a good man who values his family above all else[14], to the point where he retired from fighting in order to look after them[15], and will force himself to go into hiding if it would keep Eliza and Mel safe[16]. Still, despite his pure intentions, Ken can be incredibly overconfident and makes jokes at his opponent's expense all the time[17]. Brash and arrogant, Ken loves standing over his opponents and laughing at them after knocking them out[18]) | Chaotic Evil (Ken, having been possessed by the psycho power of M. Bison[19], has become just as merciless and power-hungry as Evil Ryu[20]. His arrogance has been amplified, shown in his need to become stronger than anyone no matter the cost[21]. As he states himself, he now has the desire to destroy and kill all in his path[22])

Dimensionality: 3-D

Attack Potency: Wall level (Ken is consistently portrayed[23] as the main rival of Ryu[24], who broke multiple stone tiles[25], and broke three cinderblocks with one attack[26]. Can fight against and harm Adon[27], who broke a chunk off a statue's head[28]. Can also fight and harm characters like Birdie[29], who bent a large piece of metal[30]. The Street Fighter cast can break[31] apart cars[32], as well as entire semi-trucks overtime with various hits[33]. Can destroy wooden barrels[34] in a single hit[35], as well as destroy metal barrels[36] and stone walls overtime[37]. Can fight and harm Sagat[38], who broke a large rock in half[39]. Can fight and harm Zangief[40], who overpowered a large bear[41]) | At least Wall level (Violent Ken is infused with psycho power from M. Bison, making him far more powerful than the regular Ken[42])

Durability: Wall level | At least Wall level

Striking Strength: Wall Class | At least Wall Class

Lifting Strength: Class 50 (As his eternal rival[43], Ken should be comparable to Ryu, who lifted a large boulder over his head[44])

Travel Speed: Superhuman (Comparable to Sagat, who was able to get down from a large statue and appear behind the man watching him, before the man even noticed[45]) | At least Superhuman (Should be faster than regular Ken. Can move so fast that he leaves behind afterimages[46])

Combat Speed: Transonic (Comparable to Guile, who swings his arms fast enough to create a sonic boom, with Sonic Boom[47]) | At least Transonic (Should be faster than regular Ken)

Reaction Speed: Transonic | At least Transonic

Stamina: Athletic Human (Ken is a hardened fighter, used to participating in exhaustive battle. He is used to participating in, and winning, tournaments[48], showing his fortitude to fight at his peak condition no matter how many opponents face him successively) | Peak Human (Violent Ken has an insatiable lust for power[49], who feels the need to become stronger than anyone no matter the cost[50]. He loves the smell of raw blood and fighting, and hates boredom[51], and so will likely push himself to keep fighting until he can't anymore)

Range: Standard Melee, Several Meters with Hadoken and Hadoken variants

Intelligence: Average academically, Genius combatively (Ken was trained in Ansatsuken by Gouken[52] from a very young age[53]. He is a natural athlete[54] who mastered the Shoryuken technique into uncharted territories[55]. At just a young age, Ken became the champion of the All-American Martial Arts Tournament[56]. His Shoryureppa technique was created on the fly, without him even thinking he could pull it off[57])


Powers and Abilities

Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Martial Arts (Ken was trained in Ansatsuken by Gouken[58]. He is a natural athlete[59] who mastered the Shoryuken technique into uncharted territories[60]. He is the reigning champion of the All-American Martial Arts Tournament[61]), Enhanced Senses (Ken has finely-tuned senses, that he can use to spot intruders[62]), Ki Manipulation (Ken's power source is Ki[63], which is a product of training and self-discipline), Extrasensory Perception (Ki users are able to sense the Ki of others[64]), Energy Projection & Sheer Will (Hadoken summons all of the user's will through their hands into a wave of Ki energy[65]), Fire Manipulation (Ken utilizes fire in his Shoryuken, Shoryureppa, Shinryuken, Guren Senpukyaku[66], etc.), Status Effect Inducement (Hitting the opponent repeatedly, without them being able to recover, causes them to enter a stunned state[67]), Limited-Flight (Tatsumaki allows for the user to briefly glide forwards through the air[68]), Perfect Guard (Parrying acts as a perfect guard against all attacks[69]), Invulnerability (Physical Invulnerability; Focus Attack make the user invulnerable to the first attack used against them. Red Focus makes the user invulnerable to all attacks[70]. Drive Impact makes the user invulnerable to most attacks[71]), Heat Manipulation & Statistics Boost (Heat Rush has Ken channel heat through his entire body to power-up his attacks[72]), Resistance to Mind Manipulation (Despite being brainwashed by M. Bison[73], Ken retains enough control to fight against and even defeat Bison as he pleases, and eventually fends off the brainwashing entirely in order to regain his regular form[74]), Resistance to Electricity Manipulation (Ken casually blocked C. Viper's electricity without feeling any pain[75]), Resistance to Precognition (Premonitions; It is hard to read the futures of Street Fighter characters, as they are always fighting against it)

Notable Techniques

  • Parry: Also known as the perfect guard or the perfect counter, the parry technique has the user time their block perfectly against an enemy's attack. In doing so, the user completely absorbs any damage they would've taken, and the enemy is left open for a counter-attack.
  • Focus Attack: When winding up a powerful attack, the user will be accompanied by black ink streaks, that indicate the use of a Focus Attack. This attack has the user absorb the first attack levied against them, before unleashing their devastating counter-attack, which will leave an opponent falling to their knees and vulnerable. A variation to the Focus Attack, the Red Focus Attack, will allow for the user to withstand any amount of attacks used against them while charging up.
  • Heat Rush: Ken's V-Trigger. After shouting "I've reached my boiling point!", Ken channels heat throughout his entire body, which powers-up all of his attacks and adds fire properties to them. As such, his regular Hadoken, Tatsumaki Senpukyaku, and Shoryuken, transform into the Shakunetsu Hadoken, Flaming Tatsumaki Senpukyaku, and the Flaming Shoryuken.
  • Drive Impact: Extremely similar to the Focus Attack, the Drive Impact has the user be surrounded by colorful line art, as they rush forwards and unleash an attack that will powerfully stagger the opponent. Should they be hit by a light attack during their Drive Impact, they will completely absorb the damage and continue their assault.

*Hadoken: The standard fireball of the Street Fighter series. The fighter channels all of their Ki and willpower into the palms of their hands, before unleashing a ball of blue energy towards their target. Though it's called a fireball, the Hadoken is said to be room temperature, and the feeling of its impact changes according to the user; for instance, Ryu's Hadoken feels like a hard kick with lingering pain, while Ken's Hadoken feels like a hard punch with brief pain.

  • Reppu Hadoshu: A variant of the standard Hadoken, that Ken has created during his training. Focusing his Ki and his willpower into his feet instead of his fists, Ken is able to unleash Hadoken blasts from his feet during kicks, allowing for an attack sure to catch his foes off-guard.
  • Shakunetsu Hadoken: Often called the Red Hadoken, this move is a special variant of the standard Hadoken. Imbuing the standard blue Hadoken with thermal energy, it transforms into an orange ball of fire. Upon activating his Heat Rush, all of Ken's attacks gain a fiery property, which thus grants him the Shakunetsu Hadoken that he doesn't normally have. Unlike the regular Hadoken, this variant will hit an opponent several times before dispersing.
  • Tatsumaki Senpukyaku: Also known as the Hurricane Kick, this special move has the user fly through the air with one leg extended out. The Tatsumaki Senpukyaku can act as a way to briefly soar across surfaces, as it can be used both the ground and in the air with ease. Much like the other techniques of Ansatsuken, this technique varies based on the user. For instance, Ryu's Hurricane Kick will hit once incredibly hard, while Ken's Hurricane Kick deals less damage but hits multiple times.
  • Shippu Jinraikyaku: One of Ken's variations of the standard Hurricane Kick, which acts as one of his super attacks. He unleashes a flurry of kicks, before finishing with a rising Tatsumaki Senpukyaku. This move is quick to execute, making it useful in combos.
  • Guren Senpukyaku: Ken's ultra attack, one of his most powerful variations of the Tatsumaki Senpukyaku. After pointing at his opponent with a cocky smile, Ken unleashes a barrage of flaming Tatsumaki Senpykyaku's across the ground, until one finally connects. Once it lands, and the opponent is sent into the air, he then finish them off with a final flaming kick.
  • Guren Enjinkyaku: Another of Ken's ultra attack, his most powerful variation of the Tatsumaki Senpukyaku. After landing a jumping kick, Ken starts his attack combination, where he jumps off the opponent with the other foot, spinning on the ground backwards, and then running back up and hitting the opponent with an upward, flaming Tatsumaki. It ends with a final, slightly prolonged kick going straight across the opponent's face.
  • Shoryuken: Commonly referred to as the Dragon Punch, the Shoryuken is a rising uppercut attack commonly utilized by Ansatsuken practitioners. Very simply put, the Shoryuken has the user uppercut the foe, with a huge leap into the air. As with all other common Ansatsuken techniques, the Shoryuken has many different variations, and acts differently based on who uses it. For instance, Ryu's Shoryuken will hit once very powerfully, whilst Akuma's will hit several times. Ken's will also hit several times, but due to his mastery of the technique, he is able to infuse fire into it.
  • Shoryureppa: During a tense battle, Ken created this variation of the Shoryuken on the fly, and pulled it off perfectly. The Shoryureppa technique involves Ken performing two Shoryuken techniques on his opponent in quick succession, usually lighting his opponent on fire along the way. The first Shoryuken is more grounded, while the second one launches him high into the air.
  • Shinryuken: While his master, Gouken, was believed to be dead, Ken created this attack to honor his teachings. It represents the full mastery of the Shoryuken technique, far beyond anyone else had been capable of. Though he usually leads-up to the attack with a flurry rush, the Shinryuken technique has Ken perform a spinning, fiery Shoryuken, that vertically ascends straight up.

*Psycho Hadoken: A variation of Ken's standard Hadoken, which has turned purple and increased in power, due to the infusion of M. Bison's Psycho Power.

  • Psycho Tatsumaki Senpukyaku: A variation of Ken's standard Tatsumaki Senpukyaku, which has increased in power due to the infusion of M. Bison's Psycho Power.
  • Psycho Shoryuken: A variation of Ken's standard Shoryuken, which has increased in power due to the infusion of M. Bison's Psycho Power. When Ken utilizes the Shoryuken combined with his Heat Rush's fire powers, the fire of his Shoryuken is purple.
  • Rasetsu Kyaku: This move was once Ken developed specifically during the time when he is Violent Ken, empowered by M. Bison's Psycho Power. Dashing forwards, Ken moves so fast that he leaves afterimages behind him, almost akin to a teleport. This ability allows for him to completely bypass projectiles.
  • Shinbu Messatsu: Violent Ken's super attack. After unleashing a barrage of powerful punches and kicks, Violent Ken will finish off the opponent by hitting them with a Shoryuken.


Other

Standard Tactics: Ken loves to show off during a fight, often opting to knock opponents out with a Hadoken before standing over them and laughing[79]. When facing an opponent he sees to be weaker than him, which are most people due to his large ego[80], Ken will merely dodge and play around until things get serious[81]. When engaged in a fight, Ken's main objective is to get into his opponent's face and push them into a corner[82]. While Ryu specializes in using his projectiles, Ken instead favors mastery over his Shoryuken, which he mixes with other agile attacks[83].

Weaknesses: Ken's natural fighting skill has fueled his giant ego, and he lets his skills constantly deteriorate due to spending time on the beach with Eliza[84]. Ken's heart is weak and can be consumed by his jealousy towards Ryu.

References

  1. Street Fighter Alpha
  2. Street Fighter Alpha 2
  3. Street Fighter Alpha 3
  4. Street Fighter II
  5. Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers
  6. Shadaloo C.R.I. Character Guide 103
  7. Street Fighter IV Online Manual
  8. Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection
  9. Street Fighter 6
  10. Shadaloo C.R.I. Character Guide 103
  11. Street Fighter Alpha 2 Manual
  12. Ultra Street Fighter 2 Violent Ken Arcade Mode Playthrough
  13. Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection
  14. Ultra Street Fighter IV - Ken Arcade Mode
  15. Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection
  16. Street Fighter 6 World Tour - All Ken Cutscenes
  17. Ultra Street Fighter IV - Ken Arcade Mode
  18. Street Fighter 2 North American Manual Art
  19. Ultra Street Fighter II - Violent Ken Intro
  20. Ultra Street Fighter II - Violent Ken Intro
  21. Ultra Street Fighter 2 Violent Ken Arcade Mode Playthrough
  22. Ultra Street Fighter 2 Violent Ken Arcade Mode Playthrough
  23. Over 35 Years of Ryu vs Ken
  24. Shadaloo C.R.I. Character Guide 102
  25. Street Fighter 1987
  26. Street Fighter 1987
  27. Street Fighter Alpha Ken Arcade Mode Playthrough
  28. Street Fighter Alpha 2 Adon Arcade Mode Playthrough
  29. Street Fighter Alpha Ken Arcade Mode Playthrough
  30. Street Fighter Alpha 2 Birdie Arcade Mode Playthrough
  31. Street Fighter II: The World Warrior Car Minigame
  32. Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition Car Minigame
  33. Street Fighter 6: Truck Bonus Stage
  34. Street Fighter II
  35. Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition
  36. Street Fighter II
  37. Street Fighter II Turbo 16-Bit
  38. Street Fighter Alpha Ken Arcade Mode Playthrough
  39. Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers Sagat Arcade Ending
  40. Ultra Street Fighter II: Champion Edition Ken Arcade Mode
  41. Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers Zangief Arcade Ending
  42. Ultra Street Fighter II - Violent Ken Intro
  43. Shadaloo C.R.I. Character Guide 102
  44. Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike - Oro Arcade Mode
  45. Street Fighter Alpha 3 - Sagat Story
  46. Ultra Street Fighter II
  47. Street Fighter 6
  48. Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection
  49. Ultra Street Fighter II - Violent Ken Intro
  50. Ultra Street Fighter 2 Violent Ken Arcade Mode Playthrough
  51. Shadaloo C.R.I. Character Guide 103
  52. Shadaloo C.R.I. Character Guide 102
  53. Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection
  54. Street Fighter 2 North American Manual Art
  55. Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection
  56. Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection
  57. Street Fighter Alpha 2 - Ken Profile
  58. Shadaloo C.R.I. Character Guide 102
  59. Street Fighter 2 North American Manual Art
  60. Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection
  61. Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection
  62. The Side Readers : 03 「Unexpected Guests」
  63. Ultra Street Fighter IV - Gouken Arcade Mode
  64. Super Street Fighter IV - Juri OVA
  65. Street Fighter 2 North American Manual Art
  66. Street Fighter IV
  67. Street Fighter 1987 - Street Fighter 6
  68. Street Fighter 1987 - Street Fighter V
  69. EVO Moment #37
  70. Street Fighter IV
  71. Street Fighter 6
  72. Street Fighter V
  73. Ultra Street Fighter II - Violent Ken Intro
  74. Ultra Street Fighter 2 Violent Ken Arcade Mode Playthrough
  75. Street Fighter IV: The Ties That Bind
  76. Shadaloo C.R.I. Character Guide 103
  77. Shadaloo C.R.I. Character Guide 103
  78. Ultra Street Fighter II
  79. Street Fighter 2 North American Manual Art
  80. Street Fighter 2 North American Manual Art
  81. Street Fighter 6 World Tour - All Ken Cutscenes
  82. Street Fighter Alpha Anthology - Page 42
  83. Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection
  84. Street Fighter 2 North American Manual Art

Battle Records

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