"You must defeat my Shoryuken to stand a chance."

—Ryu, Super Street Fighter IV

The Shoryuken (昇龍拳, Shouryuuken, "Rising Dragon Fist") is a special attack in the Street Fighter series used by Ryu, Ken, and other Street Fighter characters trained under the same style.

Contents 1 Input 2 Description 3 Different Variants of Shoryuken 4 Users 4.1 Ryu 4.2 Ken Masters 4.3 Akuma 4.4 Cyber Akuma 4.5 Oni 4.6 Gouken 4.7 Sakura 4.8 Sean Matsuda 4.9 Dan 4.10 Seth 5 Sprites 6 Screenshots 7 List of Appearances in Other Media 8 References

InputEdit

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DescriptionEdit

The move is a jumping uppercut in which the user spins and rockets upwards with some horizontal movement as well, knocking the opponent to the ground with much damage. This move is an excellent anti-air move, as it usually hits nearly all aerial assaults, and in the hands of good players, this move is very deadly. Ken players, in particular, should familiarize themselves with this move. The Shoryuken is invincible while the fist is rising, but completely vulnerable to counterattack when descending. The move has been the subject of a very famous rumor and hoax revolving around Ryu's mistranslated quote, "You must defeat Sheng Long to stand a chance". Sheng Long would later become one of the most well known legends in video game history.

Different Variants of ShoryukenEdit

• Gou Shoryuken (豪昇龍拳, gou shoryuken, "Strong Rising Dragon Fist") - The original Shoryuken, which is a more powerful variation of the regular Shoryuken used by Akuma.
  • Shining Circuit Shoryuken - Cyber Akuma's enhanced variantion of the Gou Shoryuken.
• Shoryu Reppa (昇龍裂破, shouryuu reppa, "Rising Dragon Destroyer") - A series of two or three Shoryukens that progressively cause more and more damage to an opponent with each hit.
• Shinryuken (神龍拳, shinryuken, "Divine Dragon Fist") - A Shoryuken that corkscrews vertically into the air, causing a vacuum effect that sucks in the opponent and strikes multiple times.
• Metsu Shoryuken (滅・昇龍拳, metsu shouryuuken, "Destroying Rising Dragon Fist") - A legendary version of the move seen in the Street Fighter story, when Ryu was near defeat during the first Street Fighter tournament. Two different variations are seen in Street Fighter Alpha 3 and Street Fighter IV.
• Shin Shoryuken (真・昇龍拳, shin shoryuken, "True Rising Dragon Fist") - The strongest known variant of the Shoryuken, only known and used by Gouken and Ryu.
• Kinjite Shoryuken (禁じ手・昇龍拳, kinjite shoryuken, "Forbidden Rising Dragon Fist") - A potentially lethal variant based off Goutetsu's original ansatsuken, it is used as a last resort technique by Gouken. An imperfectly executed Shin Shoryuken also resembles the Kinjite Shoryuken, but does not have the same killing potential.
• Messatsu Gou Shoryuu (滅殺豪昇龍, messatsu gou shoryuu, "Murderous Strong Rising Dragon") - A stronger version of the Shoryu Reppa. While this move does not scorch the opponent, a well-placed Messatsu Gou Shoryu can instantly kill an opponent with the least amount of effort.
• Hadou Shoryuken (波動・昇龍拳 Surging Rising Dragon Fist) - A Shoryuken empowered by the Hadou. Two different versions of the move exist.

UsersEdit

RyuEdit

Ryu focused on making his Shoryuken hard-hitting, usually hitting in one blow and knocking the opponent on his back. Though still necessarily weaker than Ken's, it is powerful. Ryu's have slightly less aerial range than Ken's, but better recovery time. In Street Fighter Alpha, Ryu began using the Shin Shoryuken. The move was also a part of Ryu's arsenal in Street Fighter III (minus the elbow strike) and Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001. The Metsu Shoryuken, which Ryu scarred Sagat with, also appears in SFA as well. It is visually similar to the Shin Shoryuken minus the second uppercut, and is right-handed instead.

• Shoryuken
• Go-Shoryuken (As Evil Ryu or Mode Change:Akuma in Marvel vs Capcom 1)
• Shin Shoryuken
• Metsu Shoryuken
• Messatsu Gou Shoryuu
• Hadou Shoryuken (Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 only)
• Shoryu-Reppa (only through Mode Change:Ken in Marvel vs Capcom 1)
• Shinryuken (only through Mode Change:Ken in Marvel vs Capcom 1)

Ken MastersEdit

Ken prefers this move to finish opponents, as it is a stylish and graceful way to win the match, and has different powerful version of Shouryuken. Ken has focused on this move in order to distinguish himself from his training partner (fitting that, Ryu surpasses him with the Hadoken). In most games, Ken's Fierce Shoryuken (unlike those of other practitioners) also covers a lot of horizontal distance, allowing him to strike an airborne opponent from almost half a screen away. This does, however, give his Shoryuken a good amount of ending lag, making him open for counter-attack if missed and/or blocked. His fierce version also causes his opponent to burn when hit, to reflect Ken's more aggressive fighting style. In SF2, Ken's Super Combo is the Shoryu Reppa, which is a series of Shoryukens; specifically, a light Shoryuken followed by a medium one, and a heavy one imbued with flames.

During the Street Fighter Alpha series, Ken gains the Shinryuken, a Shoryuken that goes straight up, creating a flaming vacuum. In SFIV, he strikes the foe with a Shoryuken, and follows up with a series of kicks and punches before finishing with the titular Shinryuken.

• Shoryuken
• Shoryu Reppa
• Shinryuken
• Hadou Shoryuken
• Shin Shoryuken (Namco vs Capcom only)

AkumaEdit

Akuma has a Shoryuken that strikes hard and can score multiple hits, like Ken's (though Akuma's fist doesn't become engulfed in flames), and has the range and overall function property of Ryu. Instead of crouching, however, Akuma launches differently; he directly hits them in the chest then in the chin, then he jumps up and hits them. This property makes the attack quick and hard to block. This property disappeared when Akuma becomes Oni

• Go-Shoryuken
• Messatsu Gou Shoryuu

Cyber AkumaEdit

Akuma's cybernetically enhanced form, featured only in the crossover, Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter has much stronger variations of the Shoryuken in comparison to his former self. His basic Shoryuken, dubbed the Shining Circuit Shoryuken can connect upto 10 times up close and setup the opponent for a juggle. Cyber Akuma has his own variation of the Messatsu Gou Shoryuu, dubbed the Scramble Gou Punch. It surpasses the Messatsu Gou Shoryuu every way concievable.

• Shining Circuit Shoryuken
• Scramble Gou Punch

OniEdit

Akuma's Shoryuken became stronger when he became Oni, and it bears resembelence to the Shin Shoryuken. The first uppercut will hit the opponent in the mid section, while the jumping uppercut to the chin is performed with the other fist. It deals out 3 hits and good damage, although if the uppercut whiffs it, will turn into a regular Shoryuken that can catch airborne opponents for less damage. Oni's second Ultra Combo in the Street Fighter IV series, the Tenchi Sokaigen concludes with a Shoryuken to the spine of an airborne opponent.

• Go-Shoryuken
• Tenchi Sokaigen

GoukenEdit

As evident by his Super and Ultra Combos in Street Fighter IV, Gouken uses them as a last resort, having trained them and honed them to perfection.

• Shin Shoryuken (True Shoryuken)
• Kinjite Shoryuken (Forbbiden Shoryuken)

SakuraEdit

Sakura developed her own variation of the Shoryuken, the "Shou'oken", in which she runs at her opponent and finishes with an uppercut. Her Shoryu Reppa-inspired combo Midare Zakura is three of these Shou'oukens back to back.

• Shou'oken
• Midare Zakura

Sean MatsudaEdit

As he has not completed his training with Ken as of Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike, Sean's version of the Shoryuken is incomplete. His "Dragon Smash" involves him jumping like a Shoryuken, and throwing both fists into the air. He does a proper Shouryuken as part of his "Shoryu Cannon" super art (aided by pressing the Punch button repeatedly).

• Dragon Smash
• Shoryu Cannon

DanEdit

Dan uses his own version of the Shoryuken, the "Koryuken". It is possible that he learned this move during his brief training under Gouken. Dan also has a super move similar to the Shoryu Reppa, the "Koryuu Rekka".

• Koryuken
• Kouryuu Rekka

SethEdit

Since Seth can mimic the techniques of other fighters, he has developed his own modified version of the Shoryuken. His unique Shoryuken can be performed multiple times in midair if the initial Shoryuken hits (the motions must be repeated), and looks somewhat similar to a flame-less Shinryuken.

• Shoryuken

SpritesEdit

See Shoryuken/Sprites.

ScreenshotsEdit

List of Appearances in Other MediaEdit

• The Marvel Comics character, Deadpool, uses a Shoryuken on Shadowcat when he asks her if she has played Street Fighter (who was unable to phase through it as she didn't see it coming). This was to get the attention of Wolverine as well as provoke him into fighting him for his amusement. He now has the move in Marvel vs. Capcom 3 as his launcher.
• The second game in the Mega Man X series, 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 Hadouken.
• Capcom's Mega Man X4 features the 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 Mega Man X8, with the K-Knuckle, Zero can do a freezing version of the Shoryuken. While equipped with the Ultimate Armor, X can use a normal Shoryuken. Both will call out the attack when performed.
• In Sonic Unleashed, Sonic's Werehog form possesses an attack called 'Sho-Hog-Ken' as well as an attack called 'Sho-Claw-Ken'.
• In Devil May Cry 3 and Devil May Cry 4, Dante possesses both the Shin Shoryuken and Shinryuken (listed as Real Impact & Rising Dragon, respectively). A normal Shoryuken is used if Rising Dragon isn't charged enough.
• Kazuya MIshima, Heihachi Mishima and (Devil) Jin Kazama from Tekken series have an attack move called "Dragon Uppercut" that looks like a regular Shoryuken.
• In the game Worms, when the Fire Punch attack is used, the worm will say "Shoryuken". However, some games make him say Hadouken instead..
• Professional wrestler "The Human Tornado" Craig Williams, who draws moves inspired from various other video game series, has a Shoryuken as a signature move.
• In the movie Aliens in the Attic, the grandmother is seen using the Shoryuken while being brain controlled.
• In the sprite comic 8-Bit Theater, Fighter uses this accidentally while trying to perform the Hadouken, saying he "messed up the buttons".
• Luigi from the Smash Bros. series also has his own "Shoryuken" much resembling Ken's, referred as the "Super Jump Punch", but without the 360° spin. Also, the fiery effect only occurs when Luigi uses it very near an opponent during the start of the move (which will badly damage the foe and launch them in flames). Mario possesses the same move, though without the fire effects, and multi-hitting properties instead; the move is somewhat based on his jumping pose in the Mario series. This may also be a nod to Mario being the "Ryu" of the Smash Bros. series.
  • Both versions of the move (except for Luigi's "sweet spot" Super Jump Punch) also release coins for each hit. However, this is merely a visual effect.
• In Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time, Dr. Nefarious is playing a game where he uses a parody of the Shoryuken.
• Gold Lightan from Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes performs a Shoryuken in his ending.
• In Kenka Bancho Badass Rumble, Takashi can learn and use the Shoryuken after defeating the bancho that uses it.
• In Kirby Super Star, Kirby's "Fighter" ability's "Rising Break" bears a striking resemblance to this move, particularly Ken's version.
• The Angry Video Game Nerd uses the Shoryuken in the middle of beating up Bugs Bunny in his review of "Bug's Bunny's Birthday Blowout".
• Fulgore from Killer Instinct has a "combo breaker" move very similar to Shoryuken.
• In Potato Talesrunner, a chick impersonating Ryu (headband) and Ken (Flaming Shoryuken and Flaming Tatsumaki Senpukyaku) appears in the Wonderland Map.
• 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 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 MMORPG Runescape, the Attack Cape of the Capes of Accomplishment allows you to perform an emote strongly resembling the Shoryuken.
• In the anime and manga of "Hokuto No Ken" (Fist Of the North Star), the Main Character, 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 the Hadouken and Shoryuuken respectively.
• In Mortal Kombat (2011), the cyborg version of Sub-Zero uses a Shoryuken for one of his combos.

ReferencesEdit