@bakfromon
After (gosh) TWO YEARS since the first one about Ryu, here’s my second translation of SFA3 scenario backstories. This time, I went with Ken:
Profile
Ryu’s eternal rival, in the same dōjō since childhood. He has quite the career, having won the All-American Championship and World Battle Tournament martial arts competitions. His girlfriend is named Eliza.
Fighting Style
Since he studied under the same master as Ryu (Gouken), his style has many traits in common with Ryu’s. However, when you observe move for move, you can notice subtle differences in form and substance. Ken’s own view about fighting can be felt watching his Shōryūken engulfed in flames, or his showy rolling Jigoku guruma¹.
Fashion Style
As someone who always wants to shine in combat, Ken never neglects his appearance. His deep crimson dōgī shows his passion; his blonde hair, the gravity of the American Champion. It could be thought as too showy for an attire, but it doesn’t feel out of place because it goes hand in hand with Ken’s real ability.
Hotel Masters
It was a Sunday without a single cloud in the sky.
In the garden of a certain high class hotel, a number of clearly affluent ladies and gentlemen were assembling. It seemed as some event was about to begin, as there was a ring in the middle, totally out of place.
A hanging banner read “Exhibition match for the All-American Championship won by Ken Masters”.
In a room inside the hotel…
“Now listen to me, Ken. It’s about time. How about moderating your interest in fighting, and learning to manage a business? Today, many of my acquaintances are going to watch. I want you to show them that I’m a good judge of character.”
“Again, uncle? I thought I already said that I’m not interested.”
Of course, the Masters family was very well noted in America. Ken’s uncle was a world-renowned manager.
And he insisted that Ken had talent for management, and that was why he had approached Ken that way.
“And what’s with this event, anyway? You set up a tournament without informing me first. And the winner would go in an exhibition match against me? Don’t you think you’ve gone too far, uncle? You shouldn’t mock martial arts like that.”
“Don’t say that. Since I can’t introduce you in a formal environment, you left me no choice. It’s for your future.”
“You’re so selfish…”, sighed Ken.
Oh well, let’s not waste uncle’s ‘kindness’ … And Ken did show himself, but he didn’t expect that reception.
“The American Martial Arts Champion, Ken Masters!!”, shouted the chairman at the microphone.
A real bother, but by that point he couldn’t escape anymore.
“Now, let’s go down easy. It’s an exhibition match, after all”, said Ken to his opponent, starting a light footwork.
“Fight!”
Immediately after the command, a sharp high kick hit Ken’s temporal region.
“Ugh…!” Ken staggered involuntarily.
Crap. This moron is serious…
The man had bloodshot eyes. And it was to be expected, really; it was labeled as an exhibition match, but if he could have scored a victory against Ken, he would have beaten the American martial arts champion. He would have gained an immense reputation.
“You’ve got a good kick. Then, I’m going to be serious, too!”
Only two, three hits.
The challenger ate a strong combination and was sent flying out of the ring. Ken was evidently too strong for him.
Ken glanced at his defeated opponent and then walked towards the hotel’s gate, still in his uniform.
“Hey, Ken! Where’re you going?!”, called his uncle.
“…Sorry, uncle. I’m really not interested in money-making!”
Ken turned, raised one hand and gave a purposely stuck-up wink.
¹ 地獄車 Jigoku guruma, “Hell wheel”. Reference to Ikki Kajiwara’s manga Jūdō icchokusen, where it was one of the protagonist’s special moves, although the original didn’t end in a tomoe nage and was more a repeated rolling bump on the head. Gouki’s Hyakki Gotsui replicated the move better.
I already wrote about Jūdō icchokusen here (removed some links unfortunately dead in the meantime).
Next: Chun-Li.
