| Articles about Ken Masters |
Street Fighter • Marvel vs. Capcom • Super Smash Bros. |
|---|
| “ | I'm ready for ya. Bring it on! | „ |
| ~ "Ken in Street Fighter IV |
| “ | Come on! Let's turn up the heat! | „ |
| “ | Don't waste time on words---just press on. Leading the way is strength all of its own. | „ |
| ~ Ken |
| “ | In the heat of battle, the blood of the true fighter runs hot! | „ |
| ~ Ken in Street Fighter Alpha 3 |
| “ | This is what I was missing all along. The desire to destroy... And the desire to kill! | „ |
| ~ Violent Ken in Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers |
Summary
Ken (ケン or 拳 "Fist"), also known by his full name, Ken Masters (ケン・マスターズ Ken Masutāzu), is a video game character created by Capcom. He is one of the main protagonists of the Street Fighter series. Ken is also stated to be the second most popular character in the series, coming second to his best friend Ryu. Like Ryu, Ken's goal is to test his power against many different fighters and strive to become stronger but holds more restraint due to not wanting to jeopardize his family life.
Powers and Stats
Tier: At most 9-A | 8-B
Key: Base | Violent Ken
Name: Ken Masters
Origin: Street Fighter
Gender: Male
Age: In his late 20s in Street Fighter I, in his 30s from Street Fighter II onwards
Classification: Human, Martial Artist
Powers and Abilities:
Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Master of Shotokan Karate and Ansatsuken, Acrobatics, Chi Manipulation, Fire Manipulation, Status Effect Inducement (By hitting the opponent repeteadly, without them being able to recover, he can cause them to enter the "Stun" status, which leaves them unable to react. His Focus Attack causes the opponent to enter a "crumpling" status), Damage Boost (Can empower his physical blows with fire via Heat Rush. He is also able to perform enhanced versions of his Special Attacks), Empowerment (Shinryu Reppa turns into a stronger attack whenever Ken is at low health), Enhanced Senses (Possesses[1] finely-tuned battle senses, which allowed him to spot, but not recognize, Zangief and R. Mika in almost pitch-black darkness, and could tell that his punch didn't knock out the former), likely Extrasensory Perception (Should be able to sense chi, just like other expert chi users), Resistance to Electricity Manipulation (Unaffected [2] by C. Viper's electricity, which could hurt Ryu [2]) and Precognition (Limited; Reading the future of fighters such as him is difficult, because they always fight[3] against it)
Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Master of Shotokan Karate and Ansatsuken, Acrobatics, Chi Manipulation, Fire Manipulation, Status Effect Inducement (By hitting the opponent repeteadly, without them being able to recover, he can cause them to enter the "Stun" status , which leaves them unable to react), Rage Power, Teleportation (Via Rasetsu Kiaku), Resistance to Mind Manipulation (Resisted M. Bison's attempt to control him [4] and eventually snapped out of the brainwash)
Attack Potency: At most Small Building level+ (Could fight Ryu evenly until his special training in SFV. Kept improving and becoming stronger over the years. Hurt Zangief badly.[1] Defeated F.A.N.G[5] and Birdie.[6] Fought casually with Laura,[5] Rufus[7] and others. Proved himself superior to C. Viper.[2] Defeated Luke in a serious bout[8]) | City Block level (Empowered by SFII M. Bison's Psycho Power and ultimately defeated[4] him)
Speed: High Hypersonic Travel and Combat Speed (Has always been on par with Ryu until SFV. His strikes were too fast for a drone to record[9]) | High Hypersonic Travel and Combat Speed (Way faster than before and comparable to SFII M. Bison)
Lifting Strength: Class M (At least comparable, if not superior, to Zangief. Equal to Ryu) | Class M (Comparable to M. Bison)
Striking Strength: At most Small Building level+ | City Block level
Durability: At most Small Building level+ (Can take blows from pre-training SFV Ryu and the likes of Zangief and Karin. Easily blocked a punch from C. Viper) | City Block level (Endured M. Bison's attacks)
Stamina: At least Athletic (Able to go through intense training and multiple matches with Ryu. Battled F.A.N.G and Laura in quick succession)
Range: Standard Melee Range, Tens of Meters with projectiles (His Chi Projection is comparable to SFIV Ryu's).
Standard Equipment: Fighting gloves
Intelligence: Gifted (Ken is an extremely skilled martial artist, having trained for many years together with Ryu under Gouken. He developed his own variation of the Ansatsuken style, combining kicks, rapid movements and a particular attention and focus on the Shoryuken. Invented his Shoryureppa on the fly[10] to defeat an opponent who could counter his Shoryuken. Won many martial arts tournaments[11] until he became the undisputed american champion, gaining worldwide fame and attention from numerous people, such as Rufus, who wants to claim the title from him, and Sean, Ken's future pupil. During his career he traded fists with a pletora of professional fighters, with some notable ones being Chun-Li, Cammy, Guile, Laura, Karin, Zangief, F.A.N.G, Sakura, Luke and, most importantly, Ryu, his eternal rival. Ken also efficiently runs the Masters Foundation, one of the wealthiest companies in the world, which he inherited from his family. Despite his occasional cockyness, Ken is overall a level-headed and reasonable person, who takes in great care the safety of his beloved ones. He is also particularly skilled in cooking pasta[12]) | As Violent Ken, he retains the skill he acquired up to SFII, but his mind is clouded by a bloody desire to kill and destroy his opponents[13]
Weaknesses: He is rather cocky, but this has never hindered him in battle | His bloodlust might make him attack recklessly
Note: Violent Ken is a non-canonical character featured only in Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers
Notable Attacks/Techniques:
- Inazuma Kick: Ken performs an overhead following-legged axe kick that hits the opponent two times via his heel.
- Thunder Kick: Ken slightly rushes forward and delivers an overhead axe kick with his leading leg. Ken can also suddenly interrupt the move, performing a feint.
- Chin Buster: Ken delivers a punch into the chest region.
- Chin Buster 2nd: Ken delivers a punch into the chest, followed by an uppercut to the chin, launching the opponent into the air.
- Lion Breaker: Ken hits his opponent with a high roundhouse kick to the head, followed by a crescent kick which will launch the opponent into the air.
- Triple Flash Kicks: A sequence of three, long-reaching roundhouse kicks.
- Flame Strike: Ken lunges forward with a heavy hook.
- Lighting Crack: Ken blocks an incoming attack and replies with a powerful knee.
- Forward Step Kick: Ken steps forward and then launches a fast kick at the opponent.
- Focus Attack: A heavy move that grants an augmented defense to the user during the execution and, if it lands, makes the opponent crumple. Ken's version consists in a low roundhouse kick.
- Knee Bash: Ken grabs his opponent, delivers two knee strikes to their face and then hits it with a kick to the chin.
- Hell Wheel: Ken grabs his opponent, and falls in backwards roll, planting a foot on the opponent and applying pressure, causing them to flip back and land on the ground.
- Shoulder Throw: Ken grabs his opponent and pulls them over his shoulder, causing them to land on their back.
- Hadoken ("Surge Fist" or "Wave Motion Fist"): A Chi-based wave of energy that travels towards the opponent. The EX version of this projectile is bigger and stronger.
- Shoryuken ("Rising Dragon Fist"): A strong jumping uppercut. Ken can perform a stronger version, with which he imbues his fist in fire and burns the opponent. The EX version consists in two fiery Shoryuken delivered in quick succession.
- Tatsumaki Senpukyaku ("Tornado Whirlwind Leg"): Ken jumps and performs a powerful spinning kick that hits the opponent multiple times. He can also use another variety, starting with a knee strike and then delivering several kicks in an arc motion. With the EX version, Ken begins the move with a knee strike, then performs a stronger Tatsumaki Senpukyaku which brings the opponent up into the air.
- Dragonlash Kick: Ken launches a leaping roundhouse kick that pulls the opponent towards him. The enhanced version is empowered by fire.
- Jinrai Kick: A high roundhouse kick that can be followed up by one of three kicks. The enhanced versions of this attack and the following ones are imbued with fire.
- Kazekama Shin Kick: A low kick to the shins.
- Gorai Axe Kick: An overhead kick that hits with the falling heel.
- Senka Snap Kick: Another roundhouse that knocks the opponent away.
- Kasai Thrust Kick: An additional thrusting kick following any of the previous kicks when empowered by fire.
- Reppu Hadoshu ("Gale Surge Kick"): Ken fires a Hadoken from his feet. He can able to fire up to two, each capable of traveling forward or upward.
- Kamabaraigeri: Ken delivers a knee strike and extends his leg to hit the opponent a second time. Then, he turns around, ready to follow with another attack.
- Raikou Nataotoshi: After performing Kamabaraigeri, Ken brings down his heel and hits the opponent.
- Shippu Jinraikyaku ("Lightning-Speed Leg"): Ken moves forward and delivers two Kamabaigeri, follows up with a rising kick and then launches into a vertical Tatsumaki Senpukyaku that brings the opponent up into the air. He finishes with a last roundhouses kick that sends the opponent onto the ground.
- Zenpou Tenshin ("Forward Turnover"): An evasive move. Ken performs it by rolling forward.
- Zento ("Front Drop"): A variant of the Zenpou, used as a feint to mislead the opponents. Ken rolls, lands on his back and then returns to his initial position.
- Rasetsu Kyaku: As Violent Ken, he dashes in a daring instant, flashing ahead akin to a teleport, passing through both the opponent and their projectiles.
- Shinryuken ("Shenlong/God Dragon Fist"): Ken first performs a normal Shoryuken, then storms the opponent with a rapid combination of kicks and finishes with an extra-powerful, flaming Shoryuken, creating a vortex of fire while spinning on himself.
- Guren Senpukyaku ("Crimson Lotus Whirlwind Leg"): Ken playfully points at the opponent with a cocky smile and proceeds to unleash a barrage of flaming Tatsumaki Senpukyaku as he spins in a horizontal straight line.
- Guren Enjinkyaku ("Crimson Lotus Flame Swift Leg"): Ken begins with a jumping kick that, if successful in hitting the opponent, begins the attack combination where he jumps off the opponent with the other foot, spinning on the ground backward before he runs back up and hits the opponent with a furious upward-flying flaming Tatsumaki that ends with a final, slightly prolonged kick going straight across the opponent's face.
- Dragonlash Flame: Ken kicks the opponent into the air and follows up with a three flaming Dragonlash Kicks.
- Shippu Jinrai-kyaku: Ken unleashes a flurry of flaming kicks and finishes with a rising Tatsumaki Senpu-kyaku.
- Shinryu Reppa: Two consecutive Shoryukens infused with fire followed by a final mighty one with an added spin for increased damage. Whenever Ken is a lot health, he becomes able to deliver an additional flying punch that sends the opponent crashing onto the ground.
- Senpu Nataotoshi ("Whirlwind Hatchet Drop"): Ken blocks an opponent's attack and then replies with a flaming kick.
- Shadow Thunder-Kick: Ken quickly dashes backwards to dodge an incoming attack and replies with a powerful roundhouse kick that strikes the opponent before they are able to react, knocking them down
- Quick-Step: Ken runs towards the opponent, closing the distance in an instant. He can also choose to step kick or input another attack closer to the end of his run.
- Ryusenkyaku ("Dragon Flash Leg"): Ken leaps forward and performs a wheel kick on the opponent.
- Shinryuken: Much like one of his Super Attacks, Ken delivers a fiery version of his Shoryuken, ascending to the sky in a flaming spiral that hits multiple times.
- Heat Rush: Ken channels flames through his entire body for a short period of time, which powers up his special attacks by increasing their number of hits and improving their trajectory, allowing him to perform even more damaging combos. His Tatsumaki Senpukyaku and Ryusenkyaku are enhanced with this fire.
- Shakunetsu Hadoken (Scorching Heat Surge Fist): A Hadoken imbued with fiery energy which Ken is able to shoot during Heat Rush.
Gallery
.png "Street Fighter Ken (Render).png (322 KB)")
Notable Matchups
Notable Victories:
Ron Shobun (Grappler Baki) Ron's Profile (Violent Ken was used and speed was equalized)
Notable Losses:
Sagat (Street Fighter) Sagat's Profile (The battle took place in the Thailand Stage)
Inconclusive Matches:
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Side Readers: 03 Unexpected Guests (Part II)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Street Fighter IV: The Ties That Bind
- ↑ Street Fighter V - Menat's Versus Mode Quotes (Vs. Alex)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers - Violent Ken's Arcade Ending
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Street Fighter V - A Shadow Falls
- ↑ Street Fighter V - Ken's Character Story
- ↑ Street Fighter IV - Ken's Rival Battle
- ↑ Street Fighter VI Comics - Chapter 4
- ↑ Street Fighter VI Comics - Chapter 1
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 All About Street Fighter ZERO 2
- ↑ All About Street Fighter ZERO 3
- ↑ Street Fighter V: Champion Edition - Official Website
- ↑ Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers - Violent Ken's Victory Quotes
Discussions
| Discussion threads involving Ken Masters |