My review of Street Fighter II V

Sep 4, 2008 7:58 AM

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May 2007

2069

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6FbCmGcYoI

Story and Characters
It has been 10 years since the 17-year-old versions of Ken and Ryu have separated. Ryu has been working as a forester in Okinawa, and Ken has been winning tournaments in San Francisco which both have been beneficial to their training. One day, Ryu gets a letter from Ken to come meet him in America and is willing to pay for his flight. Ryu after talking to his boss about it decides to see Ken. Upon arrival, Ken and Ryu get down to their karate training in a replicate dojo. But things start to get a little better or so they hope. They get into a bar fight with the local fly boys and easily take care of them. But their commanding officer, Guile, decides to clean up and he clearly man handles Ryu but still gives him credit for having a heart. Enraged, Ken also tries his hand at Guile by sneaking into his base only to meet the same ass handed fate to him.

At those moments, reality hits Ken and Ryu where they know they aren’t invincible and know there are other crazy fighters like Guile that are out there and decide to go on a training journey to become stronger. And their first stop is Hong Kong and it doesn’t take a genius to figure out who they meet there.

Personally, I really liked the approach the staff did with this series by making Ken and Ryu teenagers. Putting them at that age gives better and more sensible opportunities for character development and sets things in a whole new perspective. OK, what I am going to say is a spoiler, but I need to mention it for multiple reasons, one of the reasons is to mention a negative and to inform those who are fans of those characters who want to see this series: T.Hawk, E. Honda, and Blanka are not in this series, and Akuma only has on screen cameos. So fans of those characters may find it disappointing. But I don’t see how they could fit at some points and it’s better to not have them, than have them and be useless which was a problem I had with Final Fantasy VII Advent Children which had many useless cast members. I also liked how the fights with Guile symbolized that Ken and Ryu only know what they have their training, and lack the reality combat experience Guile has on not just on the streets, but in the battlefield which defines that difference between them. And then, beomes a story of two young men trying to discover themselves goes on from there on how they must stop M. Bison, etc. But each thing is taken one step at a time to develop and connects very well. So because of the flow of the story and the liberties that was taken to open to new opportunities, I have to give the story and characters, a 9/10.

Art and Animation
Some of the character design has been changed and is not what you’re used to. Ryu tends to look more like Ryo Hazuki from Shenmue except without his jacket, and his trademark bandana is not at all present. But it’s not the bandana that defines the man, it’s the man that defines the bandana, but in place of the bandana, Ryu wears a rosary given to him by a girl who worked with him at the island. Ken’s design is faithful to the game design. Guile’s haircut isn’t really that exaggerated. Chun Li is really cute, but doesn’t have her hair buns. But even if they are changed, they are still recognizable and I feel that this adds it’s own dose of originality. Afterall, this is Street Fighter II V, it doesn’t have to be the game to be great sometimes. The Animated Movie already served that purpose. However, my main beef with the art is of course is how the guys look like they’re on as much steroids as a pro wrestler.

The action is just superb. It’s nothing over the top by relying too much on the fireballs or other trademark moves, it’s pure raw martial arts high-octane action. Granted it’s not to the technical and dramatic level of the movie, but it does have it’s own sense of intensity and style that stands out. It’s really expressive in its own way and tells a story of what the fighters are fighting for, and how they’re struggling. The characters’ fighting styles are well represented in the series such as Guile’s experience, Ken and Ryu’s power and speed, and Chun Li’s agility. So fans will not be disappointed and those not familiar to Street Fighter will still be amazed regardless which is why I give the art and animation, a 9.25/10.

Music and Voice Acting
This anime can be viewable in both Japanese and English. The English cast is very good. Ryu is portrayed as someone that is young, but yet mature and serious. Ken is portrayed as a guy who likes to mess around at times, and Guile sounds like a seasoned veteran. So the actors play their roles in a way that you expect to play them in. And naturally, I will know more and tend to favor the Japanese cast if you are at all familiar with my reviews. The Japanese cast, like the English cast, do their roles the way you expect them to do it. For seiyuu buffs, Ryu is played by Tsujitani Kouji, the voice of Miroku in Inuyasha, Seabook Arno from Gundam F91, and Bernie Wiseman in Gundam 0080. Chun Li is played by Yokoyama Chisa who is also famous for Sasami in Tenchi, and Sakura in Sakura Taisen. And believe me, seiyuu buffs maybe don’t want to miss this one. Though you may like the Japanese voices better, the English voices, though not as big named as the Japanese cast, you have to give credit for doing their roles with accuracy to the personalities of their characters.

The music is also an awesome addicting trait this anime has. Unfortunately, the DVD set that I have released by Manga entertainment took out the Japanese themes which were in the subtitled VHS releases, but still keeps the weird Eastern esque techno songs which are pretty cool, but it also hurts what also defines anime by promoting great lyrical songs such as the opening theme Kaze Fuiteru, and Cry, the ending theme. Both songs are very energetic and inspirational and go along to those themes of the anime. So I feel that with those near perfect qualities, the music and voice acting gots to have a 9.5/10.

Overall
All I can say is, whether or you’re not you’re a Street Fighter fan, this is worth a shot. The story is a bit generic, but I still call it short being cliché. I mean, this starts out as a story about having fun, facing reality, conquering your fear, discovering yourself, and saving the world. But even though I describe the nature with negative labels, I feel I can describe this in a positive way that it does flow one step at a time, and the characters, at least the good guys, have excellent development, though it’s what you expect in martial arts media in addition to great action which I give an overall 9.2/10.

Sep 5, 2008 1:00 PM

YoungVagabond

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Jul 2008

2345

Why did you decide to review such a shitty series?

And secondly, how did you not mention the outrageously gay ending theme?

Sep 5, 2008 1:18 PM

mosdefind

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Jan 2008

382

i think it was ok

Sep 8, 2008 1:32 PM

Judge

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Aug 2007

In general it's ok. makes me remind my childhood days.

ShaolinRibiero said:
how did you not mention the outrageously gay ending theme?

.
Agree to that. thought about making screenshots of "gayest SF IIV moments". There were quiet a lot there ^^'. Plus the classic "thumbs up" made me laugh so hard XD

Nov 11, 2008 6:46 AM

TakeshiKitano

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Sep 2007

231

ShaolinRibiero said:
Why did you decide to review such a shitty series?

And secondly, how did you not mention the outrageously gay ending theme?

You have Baki the Grappler as favourite anime so your opinion doesn't really count.

Nice review ParaPara!

Nov 12, 2008 5:31 AM

YoungVagabond

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Jul 2008

2345

HajimenoIppo said:

You have Baki the Grappler as favourite anime so your opinion doesn't really count.

Not really sure what a "favourite" is (is it anything like a favorite?), but yes, I think Grappler Baki is one of the most awesome anime series ever made. What's your point?

If your point is that it's mindless fighting (which I would still disagree with, but it would be a reasonable position), I'm confused, because you have Naruto and Hajime No Ippo among your "favourites".

If it's some really stupid passive-aggressive insult because you enjoyed Street Fighter 2 V, then do yourself a favor and watch the first animated film, which Para has in his Top 5, and which I gave a 9/10, and is vastly superior in every way.

If it's a really stupid passive-aggressive insult because you enjoyed the ending theme, well, I'll just let the gayness speak for itself;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOq1BanrzzU

HajimenoIppo said:

Nice review ParaPara!

Probably the only part of your post I partially agree with.

Jan 16, 2009 3:47 PM

robertomelchor

Offline

Dec 2008

1193

This was one of the first anime I watched, back when they came out on VHS tapes and Internet was still on diapers. I'm currently giving it another go because it brings back good memories, the series itself is good, I like how they focused on Ryu and Ken and how they travel the world to search for street fighters to challenge. The only thing I didn't like was the lame ending and how Bison manipulates Ryu and Chun Li with that weird technology. Overall I'll give it a 8! :D

robertomelchorJan 16, 2009 3:56 PM

May 10, 2009 12:56 PM

luispratas

Offline

May 2009

ShaolinRibiero said:

HajimenoIppo said:

You have Baki the Grappler as favourite anime so your opinion doesn't really count.

HajimenoIppo said:

Nice review ParaPara!

Probably the only part of your post I partially agree with.

The best anime serie ever it is Hokuto no Ken

Jun 12, 2010 2:13 AM

BlackTruth

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Jul 2008

248

you guys know nothing... when ryu did the shoryuken, tatsumaki senpukyaku, AND the hadoken back-to-back, i damn near jizzed my pants.

i love street fighter. its what brought me into the gaming community, its one of the earliest movies i can remember, and despite all the disappointments they have given me (for example "the legend of chun-li") i watch street fighter anyway, cuz i love street fighter, whether its american or japanese. the only one i haven't seen is the "ties that bind" movie

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My review of Street Fighter II V

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