To me, Galford is a better try for american ninja, since he isnt much of pretender, he’s just a blond english-speaking guy who donned ninja garb learned ninjutsu (contrast), and his electric powers are contrasted with him using his pet dog in battle; his hometown is straight out of Wild West and his father was a scheriff. Chipp is just a “ex drug dealer who is too ignorant to notice own “baka-gaijin” syndrome, doesnt looks like a ninja at all (I mean come on, he looks like Polnareff’s distant relative), has feeble health but is very fast”. He can easily pass as “fast american who sucks at japanese language” character.
Not too crazy about Galford actually. In fact, and this is just my opinion of course, I think Samsho got more interesting designs later on (with some exceptions of course, Ukyo and Genjuro I find awesome for example) in the series like 5 / 6 / 64. Like the doll/machine in 6 :tup:
In my opinion, the peak of Galford’s evolution was his SS64-2 rasetsu form, where his face is half-covered, his appearance is concentrated on ninja and lightning elements, and he got coolest teleport ever (big bolt of lightning transports him, then two more strike the screen, leaving you to guess from which he will appear) and one of better-looking supers (“I’ll kill you !!” and opponent is struck with lightning). Gameplay-wise, he is also interesting, since he can constantly circulate electricity through his body (which will drain life though)
Hands down for me, Akuma. I just love his wide variety of move-sets, with the ability to escape corner traps with his “Ashura Senkuu”. It would be a LOT better, if CAPCOM didn’t make him with such low hit-points. But, that aside-- Akuma is my favorite character. 
Please don’t make me choose.
Man so much stuff… I said K’ but I have to put up King, Galford, and Akuma. I don’t know how/why I forgot but those are the Fantastic 4 for me.
Eddy and Christie come as close seconds to those 4. They’re my wonder twins :bgrin: I love capoeira.