Top 10 Best Street Fighter Characters

If you have ever picked up a controller and squared off in a round of Street Fighter, you know that the characters are just as important as the moves you execute. Each fighter brings something different to the table, from their fighting style to their personality, and some of them are just cooler than others. Maybe you are drawn to the relentless rushdown of Cammy, the unpredictable chaos of Blanka, or the sheer dominance of Akuma. Or perhaps you appreciate the well-rounded approach of Ryu and Chun-Li.

Your choice of fighter says a lot about how you approach the game. Do you go for speed and agility, overwhelming your opponent before they have a chance to react? Or do you prefer brute strength, punishing mistakes with devastating combos?

Street Fighter has remained one of the most celebrated fighting game franchises because it gives you an incredible roster of characters to explore, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and iconic moments. Now it's your turn to decide who deserves to be called the best.
The Top Ten
Ryu Ryu is a disciplined martial artist who practices Ansatsuken and seeks to improve his skills through continuous training. He is known for his signature techniques, including the Hadouken, Shoryuken, and Tatsumaki Senpukyaku.

THE TOP!

Without Ryu, this game wouldn't be. He's such a humble, benevolent-hearted gentleman who is literally the Saint of Battle. Not to mention the fact he's the most popular fighting character of all time.

If you remember Street Fighter II, you'll notice his place on the world map is Okinawa. Okinawa is an island and the birthplace of karate. How cool is that? An island man all the way.

There is no Street Fighter without Ryu! He is the protagonist, duh!

Ken Ken Masters is a United States-born martial artist and Ryu's longtime rival and best friend, specializing in a more aggressive version of Ansatsuken. He is recognizable by his red gi and fiery Shoryuken technique.

Starting with SF2 and counting, Ken has been superior to Ryu in many Street Fighters until SF4. Storywise, they would be equal, but just because Ken doesn't make it his life's main objective to become all-powerful, he is the winner.

Ryu may be stronger, but not by much. Ken more than makes up for this with his speed and combinations. Not to mention, he just has that swagger. He thinks he's the best, and he's right.

Ken is fun! I like his cockiness! Also, his quote Come on, let's turn up the heat is cool!

Akuma Akuma is a powerful warrior who has fully embraced the dark power of the Satsui no Hado, making him one of the most formidable fighters in the series. He is known for devastating moves like the Raging Demon (Shun Goku Satsu).

I'm a sucker for video game characters with mystical powers, so I sort of just picked Akuma by instinct. Ooh, he's good.

Akuma is the best. He is more powerful than Ryu. He also defeated Ryu's master. Akuma is way too skilled. No one can defeat Akuma.

WHAT!? Akuma is stronger than Ryu, Ken, and Gouken! The three most powerful characters are weaker than Akuma.

Chun-Li Chun-Li is an Interpol officer and expert martial artist seeking justice for her father's death at the hands of Shadaloo. She is recognized for her powerful Hyakuretsukyaku (Lightning Kick) and exceptional speed.

Chun Li was the first character I ever won with in this game. I was playing against my dad, who has been playing since he was a kid, so I definitely had some trouble winning. Then I chose Chun Li and obliterated him.

Chun Li is super fast, and I like her stage and outfit. Chun Li is just so cool.

The first lady of fighting, Chun Li has a cool range of combos, including the Spinning Bird Kick. That's why I like her.

Chun Li is the best female character in fighting game history. And I think Chun Li is stronger than Lara Croft.

M. Bison M. Bison is the leader of Shadaloo and the main antagonist of the series, wielding immense power derived from Psycho Power. His abilities include the Psycho Crusher, which allows him to charge through opponents with devastating force.

The day Bison moves to #1 will be the most glorious day of your lives. But for him, it will just be Tuesday.

Psycho Crusher! Bison is an awesome character and an evil mastermind. He deserves number 1 for sure. He has a good fighting style and a cool outfit.

Bison is an ultra lightning energy man, a good fighter, and a judo master.

Cammy Cammy White is a skilled operative of the British special forces unit known as Delta Red, with a past connected to Shadaloo's experiments. She specializes in fast, acrobatic attacks, including the Spiral Arrow.

Cammy is the best. Definitely in the top 5 offense characters. But I don't know anything about her health - if it's great, good, okay, or bad.

She's hot too, hehe. I didn't like Cammy in Marvel vs. Capcom 2, so I thought she'd be rubbish, but then I said to myself, let's see if I even get to round 3. I went all the way to the Seth level and beat Seth. That's why I started to like her. She became my favorite character, and she's one of my favorites in MVC2. No one comes close to her. Just my opinion though.

In Street Fighter, I never really met a character I excelled with. I tried countless characters, but they never really suited my taste. Then, I met Cammy.

An offensive character with a stylish Ultra and Super, she is incredibly fast on the field of battle. Oh yeah, and she's hot as hell. Who can argue with that?

Blanka Blanka is a jungle-dwelling fighter from Brazil who developed electric-based attacks and an animalistic fighting style due to his unusual physiology. His signature move is the Electric Thunder, which shocks opponents on contact.

Blanka is the ultimate rebel. His creation is a middle finger to all video game characters ever!

First of all, he is the least human character from the bunch. Considering that some of the rest have ghostly eyes with no pupils, shoot fireballs, or extend their limbs, that's quite a feat!

Blanka's the biggest deviation from the pretty-boy stereotype. His expressions are super awkward, his fighting style is awkward, and his face when he gets beat up is pure awkward.

He isn't the sharpest tool in the shed either. He cannot even speak, communicating with growls most of the time.

He just couldn't care less about what's going on! The others are fighting for reasons such as fighting prowess, fame, glory, money, or even world domination! Blanka, on the other hand, is kicking butt all over the world just to make his mommy proud! The guy's the living embodiment of "I just don't give a crap."

Not even his creators were serious about him. "His skin has become green due to staying too long in the jungles of Brazil after a plane crash." "He acquired electric powers as he hung around with electric eels." I mean, seriously, the guys weren't even trying!

To conclude, Blanka is a clawed, feral beast-man that wields the power of electricity. It is a no-brainer that he should have been one of the "coolest" characters in Street Fighter. Yet he is the penultimate underdog!

Ugly, docile, dumb, and awkward, he is a rebellious contrast not only to the good-looks/noble-warrior stereotype but also to his own character design! For that, in my book, he's the single coolest fighting-game character of all time!

Vega Vega is a Spanish fighter who combines speed, agility, and claw-based attacks, using his mask to protect his face due to his obsession with beauty. He is affiliated with Shadaloo and uses the Cage Climb technique in battle.

I have a lot to say about Vega. First, he is my favorite character in Street Fighter. Second, he has the coolest design out of everyone in this game. He has a dope-looking mask and claws that can be used at a range, and I like his hair and tattoos.

Third, he is so fast. He can move at such high speed and confuse the opponent so that he can deliver some lightning-fast combos. Fourth, I kinda feel bad that he doesn't have any friends, so yes, I simp for Vega.

Lastly, his theme is my favorite song in the game. It's just such a banger, and I can listen to it over and over again. I like it even better than Guile's theme. I just like Vega a lot more than other characters in Street Fighter.

Sagat Sagat is a towering Muay Thai master and former champion who once served Shadaloo before seeking redemption. He is known for his powerful Tiger Uppercut and the iconic scar across his chest, inflicted by Ryu.

My personal favorite video game villain. How he went from a merciless and homicidal maniac to an honorable rival is really a lovable tale.

Sagat has always been my favorite character in the series. He has such a unique fighting style, and his story is great.

Sagat is a big boss. One eye is off. His karate is good. Style big shoot and excellent kick, original master. He is friend to fighting name Vega.

Guile Guile is a U.S. Air Force major who seeks revenge against M. Bison for the disappearance of his friend Charlie Nash. He is best known for his Sonic Boom projectile and Flash Kick counterattack.

He's so strong. He is full of muscle and has big biceps. He should be number one, and he is way stronger than Ryu and Ken. He knocked Zangief out with one punch in the face and messed up Ryu like a broken stick.

He should be the strongest Street Fighter there is. He is the best at what he does, and what he does isn't very nice. He's the top army man. He could kill Ryu or Ken any day. I bet on that. I already work out, and I'm going to be so buff you won't even recognize me. Guile is the best.

Guile is an army lieutenant, very intelligent and speedy, and a great fighter. He has yellow hair and a green uniform. The game Street Fighter is good for bodylifting, and the film has a good part for Guile, played by Jean-Claude Van Damme.

The Newcomers

? Kimberly Kimberly is a modern-day ninja who incorporates spray paint and breakdancing into her fast-paced, unpredictable combat style. She was trained in Bushinryu Ninjutsu and admires Guy as her mentor.
? G G is a mysterious figure who claims to be the "President of the World," possessing gold-infused skin and the ability to manipulate magma-like energy. His fighting style combines explosive power with political theatrics.
The Contenders
Twelve Twelve is a genetically engineered fighter created by the secret organization known as the Illuminati, capable of shapeshifting and adapting to his opponents. His unique ability, X.C.O.P.Y., allows him to temporarily mimic another fighter's form.
Zangief Zangief is a Russian professional wrestler known for his immense strength and mastery of powerful grappling moves such as the Spinning Piledriver. He represents his country with pride and believes in the power of muscle.

Definitely the best. He is the manliest because he fights for the kids. He has the coolest moves, he blocks all projectiles, and he has the simplest, yet most effective backstory ever - fighting for the glory of Mother Russia.

Plus, he and R. Mika are gonna be the next Old Man Logan and X-23, or the next Joel and Ellie.

Dude, the guy who only knows him from the Wreck-It Ralph movie is an uncultured swine unless you know him from playing as him in Street Fighter. Zangief is just a side character/cameo in the movie.

Sakura Sakura Kasugano is a Japanese high school student who idolizes Ryu and has trained herself to mimic his Ansatsuken techniques. Despite her lack of formal training, she is capable of using a modified Hadouken.

Sakura is one of my favorite video game characters ever! She is cute, friendly, and actually enjoys fighting everyone!

Her voice acting is so adorable. She was the first Street Fighter character I tried (after Ryu) in SSF4, and I think that she could easily be a fan favorite.

She deserves to be in the top ten because she is the third-best female Street Fighter character.

She's cute. I'm sorry if that sounds weird. She also has decent moves for a Ryu copycat.

Guy Guy is a master of Bushinryu Ninjutsu and a protector of Metro City who first appeared in the Final Fight series before joining Street Fighter. He is known for his speed, agility, and ability to chain rapid strikes.
Karin Karin Kanzuki is the wealthy heiress of the Kanzuki Zaibatsu and a rival of Sakura, specializing in her self-developed Kanzuki-ryu martial arts. She is known for her command-based attacks and refined demeanor.

Karin is just lovely! There is an undeniable charm to her personality, appearance, and character that is just so lovable! I want Karin Kanzuki in every subsequent Street Fighter game!

Karin may be a little snobbish sometimes, but overall she is an awesome character, and her moves are sharp. Also, she is very beautiful!

Karin only appeared in one or two long-forgotten games, but despite this, she is still extremely popular - more so than many regular Street Fighters!

Juri Juri Han is a South Korean fighter and former Shadaloo operative who utilizes the power of the Feng Shui Engine embedded in her left eye. She fights with a Taekwondo-based style that emphasizes powerful kicks.
Fei Long Fei Long is a Hong Kong martial artist and movie star who fights using a fast, close-range style inspired by real-world Jeet Kune Do. His moveset includes rapid kicks and the Rekkaken series of attacks.

He's Bruce Lee. With an awesome style of fighting! Gotta cheer for you, Fei.

Also, he is like Liu Kang and Marshall Law. I'm a big fan of Street Fighter, and I mostly play as him.

He is also like Marshall Law and Liu Kang.

Dudley Dudley is a refined British boxer and gentleman who values sportsmanship and seeks to recover his late father's cherished car. His fighting style revolves around swift, precise punches and elegant footwork.

Best theme in Street Fighter history, plus his arrogance and class are unmatched. He's the sauce king of Street Fighter.

R. Mika R. Mika, short for Rainbow Mika, is a professional wrestler who idolizes Zangief and seeks to prove herself in the ring. She uses dynamic grappling techniques and team-based attacks with her tag partner, Nadeshiko.

Personally, my favorite character from Street Fighter Alpha 3, even though she looks ridiculous. But that's why I like her.

Mika is a very cool character! Her moves are rough and easy to use. Also, she is very cute and energetic, even though she can be bossy.

Poison Poison is a former member of the Mad Gear gang who later became a manager for professional wrestlers, often seen alongside Hugo. She is skilled in acrobatics and street fighting, wielding a riding crop in battle.
Makoto Makoto is a young but highly skilled martial artist who fights using Rindoukan karate, a traditional style passed down through her family. She is known for her extremely powerful strikes and explosive movements.

She is awesome and hits really hard. She has a very bright future, and I hope to see her in more games.

Dan Hibiki Dan Hibiki is a self-proclaimed martial arts master who developed his own style, Saikyo-ryu, which is intentionally exaggerated and inefficient. He is often portrayed as a joke character with weak special moves and an over-the-top personality.

In the story, everyone treats him like a failure, even his student, but he actually has some powerful abilities hidden in him. As soon as you master him, beating Akuma won't be that hard.

His first Ultra Combo in Street Fighter 4 tells you everything about this man. Actually, he's no man. He's a god. Best Street Fighter character of all time. He has a great backstory and personality.

He's honestly not that bad in the Street Fighter 4 series if you know how to use him.

Rashid Rashid is a high-tech, wind-based fighter from the Middle East who searches for his missing friend while using agile, parkour-inspired attacks. His abilities include controlling whirlwinds and rapid aerial movements.
Q Q is a mysterious, masked figure with an unknown origin who fights using stiff, robotic movements and incredible resilience. His presence is shrouded in secrecy, with little information available about his true identity.

The appeal of this character is that he's so mysterious. Even though he appears in only one game, he's left a mark on me, and I am fond of masked characters. He also has a badass theme.

Balrog Balrog is a ruthless and aggressive heavyweight boxer who serves as one of Shadaloo's enforcers, using his fists to overpower opponents. He is known for his devastating Dash Punches and obsession with wealth.

I love Balrog. Easily my favorite boxer in video games. His "no rules" and on-edge personality are fantastic.

My only complaint is that he hasn't had more development. He's one of the only ones not to actually grow much as a character, which is a shame because he already is such a cool guy.

Balrog is a big, strong boxer and fighter with red gloves and a blue costume. He is a big boss in the film Street Fighter and a hard opponent in the game Street Fighter 1.

He was discovered in Street Fighter 4 and is only in the games.

Love this guy, really, I do. No words can describe how great he is.

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