Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist Review
Rockman: So I think I am a little late to the party on this one, but Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist is an outstanding adaptation of the true origins behind the true Street Fighter story.
Done by Machinima, the web series follows the younger years of Ryu and Ken at their most influential time in their lives; their training by the now named Master Goken.
A while back when the Street Fighter games first game out in the arcades, little was explained about how the two fighters knew the same fighting style and why they're so close, almost like brothers. All we knew back then as gamers was that they pretty much had the same fighting style and they trained under the same mysterious master when they were young; the master did not have a name until very late in the game series after a gaming glitch, an idea for a mysterious new character (US's appearance of Akuma in Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo Edition, which came out originally only for the arcades and the 3DO while in Japan it was also Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo Edition, but he was known under his real name Gouki) and the request by gamers to find out more about Ryu and Ken.
Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist explains a lot of the details and does it in a fantastic way that is both dramatic but still very true and close to the original gaming storyline; so much so, that it makes me as a long time fan of the series Street Fighter proud to be a Street Fighter Fan! Point. Case. Period!
The Beginning of the series shows the two in the midst of their training and learning of the great Assassin's Fist Style of Martial Arts (Ansatsuken which literally translates to assassin fist in Japanese) from Master Gouken. While training, the sequence is narrated by Gouken as he proclaims they are the best two students he has ever seen.
Throughout the series, and this is perhaps the most valuable trait of the series, I truly believed I was watching a real life replica of Ryu and Ken; the actors played them perfectly from the small mannerisms all the way up to the special moves of each character. For example, Ryu, just like in the series, is a quiet, but simple fighter who is looking for the next opponent but is to a certain extent holding back his true power in order to protect his opponent.
Ryu's majesty lies in his quest to become more powerful and finding balance in both his life and powers, but at the same time fighting back his Dark Hadou which can consume him if not balanced; there was a scene in the webisodes where Ryu, after loosing a round, gets up enraged with the Dark Hadou, but still not being able to control it and almost kills Ken in the process. If you have played the games, this is very close to the Alpha series, when we find out why Akuma is so interested in Ryu as well as we actually see Ryu loose control of his powers.
A nice new touch to the story is Ryu asks Ken "to stop him if that happens." Ken's nature is also captured perfectly in the series; he is young, brash, and of course full of cash. But outside of that worldly shell lies a man lost and also looking for balance and this is not lost in the webisodes one bit! I love the ponytail and the fact that he reacts just like Ken Masters would react to any situation.
There is a point in the series where he and Ryu sneak into a club so they can drink and chill with ladies and of course, get into a street fight. Like I said before classic Ken Masters. They also develop his powers accurately as well. The way his Flame Shyryuken also comes about in a very canon way; he focuses his ki energy very different from how Ryu does and that is shown in a very strategic way story wise and character development wise. If you remember in the games, we only saw the flame Dragon Punch briefly in Super Street Fighter 2 and Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo, and then it came out full force in Street Fighter Alpha, suggesting that while Ryu focused his energy through Fireballs, Ken focused his energy through his dragon punches.
The series also brings new things to the table like the adjacent story of Gouken and his brother Gouki that learn the Assassin's Fist techniques together, but take two completely different paths. This is all beautifully done through flashbacks by Gouken while teaching Ryu and Ken. It is awesome to see a more fleshed out story of Gouken and Gouki (Akuma) rather than just going off of what we have learned through Street Fighter 4 and some of the Street Fighter canon here and there. You see a more astute and wise Gouken, but a very young and ambitious Gouki who wants to hone his martial arts skills to highest caliber.
There are many scenes that explain the ideologies of both Gouken and Gouki; for example, when Gouki finds out the truth of the hidden scrolls of the Ansatsuken, he begins to resent his master and tries to make Gouken understand that there can be only one master of this artform and mercy cannot be tolerated. The training between the two gave me chills every time I watched the fights as well as the evolution of Gouki into Akuma Gouki. Throughout the story between Gouken and Gouki, you see why Gouken is so hard on Ryu and Ken, but why he is so proud of them; they succeeded where he and Gouki/Akuma failed. It is a very romantic kung fu tale of triumph and tragedy much like the classic kung fu movies like The 36 Chambers and Twin Dragons. It also begs the question of a very high philosophical caliber: Which is more evil? The pursuit of absolute power or the hidden deception of a cursed legacy? Not once did I get bored with the story or characters; I found myself on the edge of the sofa each 12 minute webisode!
The series also does a great job of the time setting and cameo appearances!
Now when I say cameo appearances, I should say references as no one shows up other than Ryu, Ken, Gouken, Akuma, and for the first time ever Ken Masters' Father who was also a boxer! Again great add on to the story canon that does not take me away from the Street Fighter cannon or universe. The references were cool and fitting as well as informative.
Apparently Gen from the Alphas and Street Fighter 4 met up with Gouken during his training on his warrior journey and Ryu and Ken play Mega Man games, which totally fit because this was during the 80s era when Mega Man debuted. They even mention Dan which is done hilariously! Other references include how the two got their cool theme songs.
Overall if you can't tell by now, I love this series and I cannot wait to see Season 2 because it is every thing I ever wanted in a street fighter movie, as well as a live action series. Kudos to the two actors playing Ryu and Ken as they rightfully sit center stage the whole time the story is being told. The story is so close to the original canon that Capcom should support this wholeheartedly and these guys should be given some sort of award or merit for their hard and prestigious work.
I highly recommend this for fans of action anything and most importantly all my hardcore fans of Street Fighter!! But please don't take my word for it, find out for yourself!!! Go to Youtube and watch Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist today!!!
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