Shoryuken/Pop Culture

The Shoryuken, like the Hadoken and Tatsumaki, has been referenced many times in pop culture ever since its introduction in the original Street Fighter.

Capcom games

• The Mega Man X games features several references to the Shoryuken.
  • Mega Man X2 features a secret power-up capsule from which X can obtain the Shoryuken. This is similar to the first game, Mega Man X, in which X can obtain the Hadoken.
  • Mega Man X4 features a boss, Magma Dragoon, who possesses variations of Ryu and Ken's special techniques, including Shoryuken. Due to his elemental nature, he appears to possess Ken's variation.
  • In both of the Mega Man X Game Boy Color games Mega Man Xtreme and Mega Man Xtreme 2, X can receive both the Hadoken and Shoryuken from a hidden Dr. Light capsule in either game. To use them X needs to have his X-Buster fully charged, and holding up when firing it allows the Shoryuken to be used (whereas holding down would activate the Hadoken). Unlike their SNES counterparts, they can no longer kill bosses in one hit, though X does not need to be at full health in order to use either move.
  • In Mega Man X8, Zero can do a freezing version of the Shoryuken, which is a variation of the Hyouryuushou technique he receives from the boss Avalanche Yeti when the K-Knuckle is equipped. While equipped with the Ultimate Armor, X can use a normal Shoryuken. Both will call out the attack when performed.

• In Monster Hunter Generations, with the Sword and Shield weapon, a player can use a Hunter Art called "Shoryugeki", or "Rising Dragon Attack". When activated, the hunter starts with a forward slice attack and thrusts their shield upward while jumping. The description acknowledges the original move by saying in the description that it is indeed, "a popular fighting move". By doing certain quests in the game, the player may also unlock the Tier II and Tier III versions, which add more hits compared to Tier I. In the game, if hit properly, this will stun monsters.

• Tatsunoko character Gold Lightan from the 80's mecha anime series Golden Warrior Gold Lightan performs a Shoryuken in his Tatsunoko vs. Capcom ending.

• In Remember Me, the protagonist Nilin can use the Shoryuken as one of her Chain attacks.

• In Dead Rising 3, Nick can use the Shoryuken with his "Dragon Punch" combo weapon. He even shouts out the name "Shoryuken!" while performing the move.

• In Devil May Cry 3, Devil May Cry 4 and Devil May Cry 5, Dante possesses both the Shin Shoryuken and Shinryuken (listed as Real Impact & Rising Dragon, respectively). Ironically, Rising Dragon would be called Shoryu in Japanese. A normal Shoryuken is used if Rising Dragon isn't charged enough.
  • In the Special Edition of Devil May Cry 4, Vergil has his own version of the Rising Dragon based on the Shoryureppa, rather than Shinryuken.

• In God Hand, one of the default moves Gene can preform is the "Laughing Dragon Punch" against airborne enemies, this move is almost identical to the Shoryuken, the only difference being that Gene travels straight upwards when doing so.

• In Asura's Wrath, the titular character uses a Shinryuken-like move on both normal and Evil Ryu.

• Hideo Shimazu from Rival Schools can use a Shoryuken-like move called "Jicchokken" and his burning vigor move, "Shimazu-ryuu Shin Jicchokken", bears a striking resemblance to Ryu's Shin Shoryuken.
  • Another character from Rival Schools, Hinata Wakaba has a special move called "Sunrise Punch", which resembles both Ken's Shoryuken and Sakura's Shouoken.

Other games

• In Sonic Unleashed, Sonic's Werehog form possesses an attack called 'Sho-Hog-Ken' as well as an attack called 'Sho-Claw-Ken'.

• Kazuya Mishima, Heihachi Mishima and Jin Kazama (and his Devil form) from the Tekken series have an attack move called "Dragon Uppercut" that looks like a regular Shoryuken.
  • Fellow Tekken character Josie Rizal uses a Shoryuken-like move similar to both Ryu and Ken's Shoryuken as part of her Rage Art move. This also happens in her updated Rage Art in the updated game, Tekken 7: Fated Retribution.
  • Kazumi Mishima, Heihachi's ex-wife, has a regular Shoryuken-like move during one of her special attacks and as part of her Rage Art move.
    • Harada jokingly stated that her uppercut resembles Sagat's Tiger Uppercut.^{[citation needed]}

• In Square's fighting game Ehrgeiz: God Bless the Ring, Ken "Godhand" Mishima (who is inspired by the Mishima fighters from Tekken) can use a Dragon Uppercut and a Lightning Screw Uppercut-like moves.
  • Interestingly, both Cloud Strife and Vincent Valentine from Final Fantasy VII, who are also playable characters in the same game, gains a Dragon Uppercut move as well from within their own respective fighting skills and techniques.

• Romancing Saga 3, Another game from Square Enix, also has a skill called "Dragon Inferno" (renamed to "Shenlong Firefist" in remastered version) that are very similar animation and name to the Shoryuken. But the user will punch the opponent multiple times and finishes with a jumping uppercut with a Dragon animation, Not spinning uppercut like Shoryuken.

• In the turn-based strategy video game series Worms, whenever the Fire Punch attack is used, the worm will say "Shoryuken". However, some games make him say Hadoken instead.

• Fulgore and Jago from Killer Instinct have their own special moves moves, Plasma Slice and Tiger Fury, respectively, that are very similar to the Shoryuken.

• In the Battle Arena Toshinden series, Eiji Shinjo and Kayin Amoh have Shoryuken-like moves named as "Hishouzan" and "Deadly Raise" respectively. Eiji's older brother, Sho Shinjo, also has this ability, but it does slightly more damage. In Battle Arena Toshinden 3, both Leon and Ten Count had copied Eiji and Kayin's Shoryuken-styled moves while Abel and Veil also utilize this ability (though it has more resemblance to Akuma and Evil Ryu's Messatsu Goshoryu) as a special attack.
  • In Toshinden Subaru, Subaru Shinjo and Naru Amoh had also gained both Eiji and Kayin's own moves. Eiji also has a Shin Shoryuken-like attack named "Shishouzan".

• In Potato Talesrunner, a chick impersonating Ryu (headband) and Ken (Flaming Shoryuken and Flaming Tatsumaki Senpukyaku) appears in the Wonderland Map.

• In Double Dragon (Neo-Geo), the Lee brothers, Billy and Jimmy possess a reverse version of Shoryuken dubbed as "Rekku Ha". Jimmy's super finishing move, "Senku Ha" is the reverse version of Ken's Shoryu-reppa and Akuma's Messatsu Go-Shoryu for heavy damage. In their transformed state however closely resembles Ken's Shoryuken dubbed as "Ryujinken". Billy's version of the move resembles Ryu's charged Shoryuken while Jimmy's version of the move bears a roughly resemblance to Ken's Shinryuken with the flames as the gesture resembles the Shin Shoryuken but using an elbow instead of an uppercut.
  • Double Dragon character Rebecca Brielle also possess a Shoryuken-somersault like move dubbed as "Hicchouzan" in the game. The move is a reverse version of Ken's Shoryuken. Also one of her Supers has a near resemblance to Sakura's Midare Zakura in her crossover appearance in Marvel Super Heroes VS Street Fighter.

• In Legend of Legaia, the main hero, Vahn, learns a hyper art named "Tornado Flame". It has a striking resemblance to Ken's Shoryuken, even with the flames.

• In Konami's Suikoden II, the character Zamza has Ken's Shinryuken-like move while activating his Fire Dragon rune. Although, his rune does damage to himself after usage. Two other Suikoden II characters, Shin and Oulan, have Shoryuken-like moves; the former's attack is part of his Spider Slay rune while the latter has a Shin Shoryuken-like move as part of her Angry Dragon rune.

• In Little Fighter 2 (a Chinese PC game), Shoryuken is one of Davis' special moves.
  • Additionally, the final boss of the game, Julien, is capable of performing a Shoryuken, but his version is weak and followed up by a kick.

• In the Super Smash Bros. series, Nintendo mascots Mario and Luigi have their own "Shoryuken" known as the Super Jump Punch, based on their jumping poses in the Mario series. This may be a nod to their roles as the "Ryu" and "Ken" (gameplay-wise) of the series.
  • Mario's has multi-hitting properties much resembling Ken's, while Luigi's only hits once, but has a fiery effect that occurs when Luigi uses it very close to an opponent during the start of the move (which will badly damage the foe, launch them, and set them on fire).
  • Both versions of the move (except for Luigi's "sweet spot" Super Jump Punch) also release coins with each hit. However, this is merely a visual effect.

• In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, Mega Man can use a Shoryuken inspired move called "Mega Upper". Mega Man has also used this move in Mega Man 2: The Power Fighters and the Marvel vs. Capcom series.

• In Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time, Dr. Nefarious is playing a game where he uses a parody of the Shoryuken.

• In Kenka Bancho Badass Rumble, Takashi can learn and use the Shoryuken after defeating the bancho that uses it.

• In Nintendo's Kirby series, Kirby's "Fighter" ability's "Rising Break" bears a striking resemblance to the Shoryuken, particularly Ken's version.

• In the MMORPG Runescape, the Attack Cape of the Capes of Accomplishment allows the player to perform an emote strongly resembling the Shoryuken.

• In Mortal Kombat (2011), the cyborg version of Sub-Zero uses a Shoryuken for one of his combos.

• In Soulcalibur III, when the player create a character under the moveset "Thief", the character will take out a bomb and perform a jumping uppercut similar to the Shoryuken. With "Soul Charge" activated, the character will perform one with a fire effect similar to Ken's EX Shoryuken.

• In Far East of Eden: Kabuki Klash, the sub-boss Manto Ace uses a parody special move of the Shoryuken, along with two more parody moves of both the Hadoken and the Tatsumaki.

• In Kid Icarus: Uprising, Hades is about to kill Pit, when suddenly Medusa steps in and attacks Hades. He then destroys her with a punching motion similar to the Shoryuken.

• In the Pokémon games, the move Sky Uppercut bears a striking resemblance to the Shoryuken. It also functions as an "anti-air", as it can inflict damage on opponents using Fly and/or Bounce.
  • Coincidentally, in the anime, the move is depicted as a normal uppercut rather than a jumping one.

• In the BlazBlue series, Ragna the Bloodedge has a similar Shoryuken-like move called "Inferno Divider".

• In the 3D fighting sports game ARMS, the second part of Spring Man's grab move has him performing a Shoryuken. As the game uses extendable arms as the norm, his fist extends during this move.

• In Square's Threads of Fate, the villain turned ally Duke utilizes the Sunrise Uppercut that resembles a quick Shoryuken. He later uses this move as the last part of the combo along with his Fist of Fire that roughly resembles Ranma Saotome's Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire Fist technique from the manga/anime series Ranma ½.

• In Blizzard's first-person hero shooter Overwatch, Doomfist's "Rising Uppercut" ability resembles a Shoryuken.
• In both online and mobile game Black Desert, The Striker's Rising Uppercut resembles a Shoryuken and the last blow ends with a ground punch as an additional move. However, this move is no longer used when he reaches his second job as a Grandmaster.
• In the online card game Kongai (which has art illustrated by UDON), the character Yoshiro has an attack that references this move.
• In Yakuza 3, Yoshitaka Mine performs a flying right uppercut move resembles like a Shoryuken during a Yellow State.
• In Yakuza 4 & 5, Taiga Saejima performs a charging attack will make him do a jumping uppercut (Great Bomber) resembles like a Shoryuken.
• In Dan the Man, the main protagonist Dan while grabbing an enemy can perform the Ultimate Uppercut that references a Shoryuken.
• In Arm of Revenge, a character named Will performs similar to the Shoryuken called the Rising Dragon (which requires 1000 EXP to get the upgrade).
• In Azure Striker Gunvolt 3, boss character Cayman uses a fiery uppercut which resembles Ken's Shoryuken. He also mentions "Dragon Punch" in a cutscene.
• In Shenmue, a certain QTE would prompt Ryo Hazuki to do a Shoryuken technique on Goro.
• In Gravity Circuit, the main character Kai has a Burst Technique called Rising Upper which resembles a Shoryuken.

Comics

Deadpool using a Shoryuken against Shadowcat.

• The Marvel Comics character, Deadpool, uses a Shoryuken on Shadowcat after asking her if she has played Street Fighter; she was unable to phase through it as she didn't see it coming. This was to get the attention of Wolverine, as well as to goad him into fighting him.
  • He also retains this move in Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and its Ultimate expansion, where it acts as his launcher move, though he performs it somewhat "incorrectly" (via his legs being mis-positioned while also not gaining as much height). Ryu also comments on this in his special winquote against Deadpool ("Huh? You stole my Shoryuken?! When did you...!?").
  • Also, in the Deadpool video game, Deadpool himself uses the move to throw Chance White out of the window of an office building.

• In Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life, Scott uses this move when fighting Matthew Patel.

Movies

• In the 2009 movie Aliens in the Attic, the grandmother is seen using the Shinryuken while being brain controlled.
• In the 2012 Disney video game crossover film, Wreck-It Ralph, right when Yuni from Dance Dance Revolution tells Ryu and Ken that the arcade is closed, Ryu lands a Shoryuken attack on Ken before he asks him if he is going to "Tapper's."
• In DreamWorks' Shrek, Princess Fiona uses the Shoryuken (and the Spinning Bird Kick) when she fights off Robin Hood's Merry Men. This also carries over to the console versions of the Shrek 2 video game, where Fiona as her final basic combo finisher also uses a Shoryuken-like move (though time must be slowed down first via her special ability).

Anime and manga

• In the manga/anime series Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the North Star), the main protagonist, Kenshiro once used a ki blast called the Tenha Kassatsu ("Heaven's Kill Break"), as well as a flying uppercut, Hokuto Ujou Mosho Ha ("North Star Flying Merciful Slash") in the same episode. This may have inspired both the Hadoken and Shoryuken respectively.

• In Dragon Ball Z, Goku has access to the Dragon Fist, similarly named after the translation of Shoryuken. Also, Goku's Dragon Fist involves delivering an uppercut to the opponent with a dragon appearing.

• In the Danganronpa 3 anime, Chiaki Nanami uses a rising uppercut against Teruteru Hanamura called the "Heaven Slaying Dragon Fist", which is most likely a reference to the Shoryuken.

• In the manga/anime series Keijo!!!!!!!!, the attack called "Shoryupai" ("Rising Dragon Breast") is a clear parody of the Shoryuken, where the user springs her breasts upwards instead of their fist.

Television and animations

• In the Regular Show episode "Fists of Justice", Rigby uses a Shoryuken on Clogbane after Mordecai combos him with continuous jabs.

• In the Family Guy episode "Tiegs for Two", during the parody of Street Fighter II, where a fight is escalated between Peter and Mr. Washee Washee, Peter performs the Shoryuken. Peter goes on to use the other two Ansatsuken techniques as well.

• Professional wrestler "The Human Tornado" Craig Williams, who draws moves inspired from various other video game series, has a Shoryuken as a signature move.

• King from Ikebukuro West Gate Park uses a Shoryuken on a thug after being released from the police station.

• In The Amazing World of Gumball episode, "The Society", Gumball demonstrates a brief Shoryuken for his audition along with his other references.

• Rumble McSkirmish from Gravity Falls uses a Shoryuken (renamed Uppercut due to legal issues) on a Grill.

• In the Chowder episode "Tofu Town Showdown", Shnitzel uses the Shoryuken (renamed RaDouken).

• In the Teen Titans episode "Winner Take All", Robin defeats Hot Spot using a spinning uppercut resembling a Shoryuken.

• In the Teen Titans Go! episode "Friendship", Starfire uses the Shoryuken against Control Freak.

Internet

• The Angry Video Game Nerd uses the Shoryuken in the middle of beating up Bugs Bunny in his review of Bugs Bunny's Birthday Blowout.

• In the web video series Dragon Ball Z Abridged, various characters (including Vegeta and Frieza) reply to questions with "Sure you can" (Shoryuken) before uppercutting an opponent.

• In the episode "Boing! Boing!" of the French cartoon series Zig & Sharko, Sharko tries to hurt Zig with a Shoryuken-like attack.
• In the episode 2 Season 2 of the Russian web animated series "Metal Family" Heavy performed Shoryuken to impress his brother Dee's girlfriend, Lif.

Webcomics

• In the sprite comic 8-Bit Theater, Fighter uses this accidentally while trying to perform the Hadoken, saying he "messed up the buttons".

Sports

• British Professional Wrestler Jimmy Havoc uses Shoryuken-like uppercut as one of his in-ring manuever.