Capcom has finally discussed the reason for Ken’s dramatically different look in Street Fighter 6. Following a leak earlier this year that revealed the game’s new and returning characters, fans were both intrigued and saddened to see Ken in his disheveled new outfit. As one of the original Street Fighter characters, Ken has always been known for his red karate gi and brazen personality, but his down-and-out appearance in Street Fighter 6 has fans wondering if he’s become a homeless person.
In an interview with Game Informer, Street Fighter 6 director Takayuki Nakayama and art director Kaname Fujioka explained why Ken’s look has changed so much. Fans have widely assumed that Ken may have cheated on his wife, gotten divorced, lost all his wealth, and ended up on the street, but Nakayama and Fujioka say that’s not Ken’s fate in Street Fighter 6. According to Nakayama, the team felt that Ken’s life had gotten too stable over the years, and they wanted to give him a new reason to fight. While they wouldn’t go into too much detail, the directors stated that Ken looks this way because he’s “on the run from something” and that something separated him from his wife Eliza and his son Mel.
Ken Will Not Be Homeless In Street Fighter 6
Although Nakayama and Fujioka didn’t discuss Ken’s actual Street Fighter 6 story in order to avoid spoilers, Game Informer was able to parse some info from new screenshots provided by Capcom. Apparently, Ken is suspected of being involved in a terrorist bombing as the former vice president of the Masters Foundation. Capcom also revealed another collaboration with UDON Entertainment to produce a prequel manga that brings the timeline of Street Fighter and its characters up to date with the new entry. According to the manga synopsis, Ken has indeed fallen from grace after being accused of a crime he didn’t commit. Now he’s in hiding in Metro City after escaping from the authorities.
Some fans will certainly be relieved that Ken hasn’t ended up divorced and homeless in Street Fighter 6, but other fans might be somewhat disappointed. Many have talked about the potentially interesting themes and implications of such a dark turn for a character like Ken, but it seems that won’t be happening. Still, this new information points to a significant shift for the iconic fighter.
Capcom won’t be sharing much more about Ken or the other characters’ stories until Street Fighter 6 comes out, even though the game still doesn’t have a release date. However, it’s clear that the company is putting a much larger emphasis on the story and open world of Street Fighter 6. After the widely disliked narrative modes of Street Fighter 5, this change in focus is definitely encouraging.
Source: Game Informer
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Street Fighter 6Franchise: Street Fighter
Platform: PlayStation 4, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Released: 2023-06-02
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Fighting
Multiplayer: Capcom
ESRB: T
Summary: The world warriors return in Street Fighter 6, the latest entry in the 35-years running Street Fighter franchise. This sixth entry takes place at the furthest point in the timeline, post-Street Fighter 3rd Strike, released in the late 90s. SF6 will feature an urban/street style emphasis with a highly stylized graffiti art style and a hip-hop-focused soundtrack, aligning it more closely with the third entry. Several classic world warriors will return, and a brand new collection of warriors, such as Jamie and Kimberly, bringing unique fighting styles reminiscent of characters from previous entries.Street Fighter 6 is slated to release in 2023 and will be available on current and next-gen systems and PC. The game will also be the first of the series to feature a fleshed-out “World Tour” mode, where players create their own fighters and engage in a fully realized single-player experience.
How Long To Beat: 4hours
Prequel: Street Fighter 5
Street Fighter 6