He really did. Ryu’s notable absence in ASF’s middle act is explained away more or less through Kage’s character story.
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Kage is pretty cool to me. I was on my “fuck discount Evil Ryu” the night of his announcement, but he’s good. I enjoy his gameplay and the concept of the character. The story is one of my favs of the newest characters because it answers a lot.
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Story and Bengus work are the good side of Kage
I liked also how it linked with Sagat’s story giving it a new meaning, will like if next 2019 characters will do a similar story building work.
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It does explain what the hell was going on with Sagat and the Satsui no Hado in his story, I guess it was Sagat going through his side of Kage’s story.
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Yeah, example if one of the 2019 newcomers is going to be a NeoShadaloo rep (Knife/Gorilla/whatever), his story can show us the part between
-Ed leave Rog
-> … <-
-Ed already created NeoShadaloo and lead a group of freaks
Even for outside-SFV timelines
Like Zeku showing (hinting) us the birth of Strider
Or like Tom (vs Gill) can show us some more of (pre) SF3 hidden story
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That comes back to the question of how recent Kage was designed.
Setting aside the idea that Kage is a retooled Dan, we don’t know how early or or how seriously Capcom considered Kage. Perhaps Capcom didn’t have solid plans for him when creating Sagat’s story, much less Akuma’s.
Honestly, Kage feels like he was created afterwards, retconning him into previously portrayed events. Capcom hasn’t shied away from showing unreleased characters in the stories of others, but there wasn’t a hint of him in Ryu or Akuma’s stories. Hints of Evil Ryu, but not the Satsui no Hado taking Ryu’s form into the direction of Oni.
There was something in Sagat’s story, but nothing looked like Kage. One could argue that this is just a repeat of story Ed versus Ed model situation. But if Capcom had already planned for Kage at that point, then they’d presumably already decided that he’d be based on Ryu.
My unfounded guess is that Capcom only had a vague idea where they were going. Maybe they really did plan for it to be Kage that was taunting Sagat, which would at least explain why Sagat was experience SnH related issues. But that the details weren’t worked out until later, when they realized they needed story surrounding some Kage fights.
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Nice stuff.
Basically everyone has surpassed the SnH one way or another, and even Akuma acknowledged the true strength doesn’t come from it.
Kage story was obviously the fix Akuma and Ryu individual story that change the vibe into more SF3 preparation thing.
Rather than the previous was berserking akuma and Ryu still dealing with SNH.
So which you guys prefer to return in future SF games that is set in beyond SF3 or within. Kage or Evil Ryu.
I believe we don’t need Evil Ryu anymore. Do you agree?
Yeah we need Tom and Delta Blue even just a bit of conclusion in a good sense of what they were up to now or what was Tom with illuminati.
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I think both of them are redundant at this point. Kage has already interacted with characters he was supposed to face.
Yeah they are redundant I what I was asking was in a same situation like this if Capcom need to compromise with the fanbase which is which?
There is no correct answers what important is that how would they would explain he problem and why.
I remember when some people thought Ryu’s Shoryuken on Sagat infected him with the Satsui no Hado…
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I guess that, since Kage is kind of the personification of the Satsui no Hado itself, he could kind of work as a way to keep the character and gameplay of “Evil Ryu” relevant in future of games even as Ryu has completely defeated the Killing Intent within himself.
Capcom probably wants that because, even though most people here either hate or are cold to the notion of Evil Ryu, it’s hard to deny that the character has a lot of fans.
Hard to believe, I know, but look at the popularity polls. Casual fans love evil shotos.
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I remember bringing this up in an old thread I thought parts of it fit with the whole Kage SnH narrative
Tantric Wrathful Deities: The Psychology and Extraordinary Power of Enlightened Beings in Their Fearsome Form
These quotes stand out to me concerning Kage
The Embodiment of the Shadow
The non-psychologist tantric practitioner understands these wrathful deities, in part, to be the very embodiment of the negative karmas or emotions they help us confront and control. These protector deities help us remove obstacles of our practice. For example, bull-headed Yamantaka, the “slayer of death”, is arguably the most ferocious of the wrathful deities and is considered a helpful practice for people with anger or hatred issues. At a higher level, Yamantaka—which means literally “slayer of death”—is a form more terrifying than death itself, and by virtue of this, he represents the very power of Enlightenment to defeat death.
Stated another way, the purpose of wrathful deity practice is none other than converting our negative karmas and emotions into a force for Enlightenment, helping us understand Emptiness. Or, more traditionally stated, removing the obstacles in our practice, whether external or internal. Preece writes, “As a manifestation of the wisdom of dharmakaya, he embodies the power of wisdom to overcome the Shadow’s demonic side, not by repression, but by absorbing its forces into his nature.”
So it would seem that both Ryu and Akuma both follow these ways to a certain extent.
You can make that argument from a versatility standpoint in the story. Bison can singlehandedly brainwash and empower an entire army on Psycho Power alone and still manage to keep enough for himself to remain highly lethal. SnH might be the purer level of negative ki but is not nearly used like Psycho Power.
The whole speech leading up to the attack almost has that Fist of Wind vibe to it. I remember Gouki mentioning the One True Fist which harkens back to the whole Ryu Final narrative of the True martial artist and Ikken Hissatsu; the concept of employing a one hit finishing attack which have spawned the depiction of attacks such as Misogi, Fist of Wind and possibly this new one.
Demon’s Path and Demon Soul are just references to Kishin in the Japanese story. The same Fierce Diety path I mentioned earlier in my post which could possibly lead toward enlightenment if done correctly.
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Holy shit, I totally forgot to do this. My apologies story fam, I haven’t been on top of my Chun-Li fandom lately.
But as always…
Chun-Li to Kage - * “True strength comes from improving yourself regardless of death.”
I found this quote to be beautifully symbolic for Chun-Li, and ironic as well. We all know that the one person who Chun-Li held dear to more than anyone else in the world was taken from her by M. Bison. And what followed right after? Nothing really. Except…
- Chun-Li joining Interpol at a young age
- Chun-Li becoming known world wide as the Strongest Woman in the World
- Participating in a World Warrior tournament with all of the world’s greatest fighters
- Duked it out against M. Bison to a stalemate with a massive powerful kikosho and the help of her comrades
- Part of the team that not only stopped the black moons (the first part anyways), but also ended Shadaloo (albeit indirectly)
- raised Li-fen like a mother, and opened a school for yon orphaned kids
- Combated Urien and held her own (albeit, him holding back some)
Overall, Chun-Li had accomplished quite a lot since her father’s murder. So much so that I’m sure he’s looking down on his precious daughter, and beaming with pride from the heavens. It’s impossible to know what Chun-Li was like before her father died. But that moment was the catalyst for 30 years of SF lore accomplishments and victories. His passing certainly has made Chun-Li stronger and more determined than ever.
That said, i find this quote to be a little off because as shown in the cinematic story, Chun-Li is still driven by her emotions toward M. Bison. To say she’s completely gotten over it would be false. While she has done a great deal since her father’s passing, the story mode shows that she’s still emotionally and mentally fragile when it comes to seeking vengence. And it wasn’t until after the fall of Shadaloo when she finally was able to let go.
overall, I actually like this win quote Chun-Li has. Hers have been hit or miss last season, but we’re off to a good start with season 4 that fits her nicely, reveals a lot about her, and doesn’t break character.
Kage to Chun-Li - * “Train all you want! You shall wither and die! Kneel before me!”
Meh, I don’t know how to feel. And it’s especially hard since there seems to be no important connections between Kage and Chun-Li. I feel it works as a generic quote, but it just feels empty and a little misplaced. Maybe if this was a M. Bison quote, it would feel more emotionally impactful. But honestly, it doesn’t do much to win me over, other than just fitting of Kage’s character.
Kage doesn’t insult, mock or ridicule Chun-Li, and his second sentence feels more like a statement than a threat. To me, all Kage sees Chun-Li as is an insignificant bug that could be easily swatted away. Now that should feel insulting, but once again, with no meaningful relationship or weight behind it, it just feels… generic.
Whew, sorry that took so long. Thanks for taking the time to read it you guys. 
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Again, idk shit about how long in advance they planned compared to Akuma’s, but when they did Sagat story imho they SURELY did know that they will have added that evillryu/kage/whatever
Because how was done, without it was random as fuck
Not only Sagat NEVER experienced SnH before in years and years, but in current SFV timeline he should be even LESS inclined to it:
-he’s no more consumed by revenge toward Ryu
-he’s no more frustrated/humiliated like in the post SF1 days, with defeat to Adon… actually recovered his pride and call himself “King” again
-He left the evil org Shadaloo and even built some bonds like kids of the village and the old man(SF4) or lil thai girl and the pet tiger (SFV)
Last but not last SnH seem to touch only ansatsuken users, and Sagat is’nt one
I believe SF will be better without any of them.
At this point i accepted Akuma, but the “evil version of” rest is edgelord trash
Kage did all the good he could have done as a story piece, ideally we could stop there
But to please the loud crowd they will still find a stupid reason to add him… actually they did’nt even need to justify it, see Oni not being even canon
Will also like see Abel again one last time, he’s a very underrated char… actually he deserve the title of “SF char” far more than many many others
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The “Undisputed Street Fighter” book on sale at comixology for $8.99
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Always love the Chunners analysis 
Fierce Deity Path can NOT lead to enlightenment.
The Asura is an undesirable resurrection and is plagued with vices and weaknesses. Like Akuma, they are driven by envy and pride. They cannot reach enlightenment in their form, though they can wield incredible power.
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This is what I understand, and this is why Gen’s lasts words will ring true forever for Akuma.
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