Street Fighter Unlimited #6 Review

We’ve obviously discussed Street Fighter quite a bit in our reviews of Street Fighter X GI Joe, but this is the first time we’re covering a full-fledged Street Fighter comic. And since this is the sixth issue, some backstory is in order.

Ryu, our main character, has been struggling to overcome the Satsui No Hado, a vaguely defined dark ethereal force that consumes the user and strips them of their humanity as it did with Akuma, one of the main villains of the series. At the behest of his old sensei, Gouken, he has sought out the training of Oro, a reclusive martial arts master who is apparently so powerful, he typically fights with one arm in a sling just to make it fair for his opponent. Meanwhile, a new cult has emerged, led by the incredibly powerful and mysterious Gill, and has apparently taken the world by storm. While Gill’s intentions seem benevolent, Guile, Chun-Li and their allies suspect that this organization is up to no good and have been investigating.

Our comic opens properly with Ryu battling Oro, and while Oro far outclasses Ryu, our hero still manages to hang in there, even after Oro stops toying with him and uses both arms. Oro unleashes his ultimate technique, which no fighter has ever survived, but Ryu manages to pick himself back up. Delighted that Ryu was able to pass his test, Oro agrees to take Ryu on as his student.

Elsewhere, Gill is addressing the nations of the world and says that to celebrate the unity of the world under his reign, he has invited the greatest fighters from around the world to take part in what he calls, the tournament of brotherhood.

Back with Ryu, Oro is putting him through the ringer. As it turns out, Oro’s training methods make Yoda’s training look like a Richard Simmons tape by comparison. Some of Ryu’s exercises include carrying a boulder the size of a Cadillac on his back, standing motionless in piranha-infested waters, and fighting off alligators, snakes and jaguars, all at the same time. For his latest test, Oro has chosen a sparring partner for Ryu in the mighty Blanka. Long story short, Blanka was a little kid who was lost in the Jungle and somehow mutated into a Chupacabra with electric powers. Blanka proves more than a match for Ryu, but Ryu does eventually emerge victorious. Fortunately, the ordinarily savage Blanka can be tamed when his mother arrives with cookies. As Blanka departs, Oro suggests that a change of scenery may do Ryu’s training some good. To that end, Oro takes Ryu to a densely populated Brazilian beach. Oro reveals that, as is the common trope with the archetypical “old sensei” character, he’s a bit of a pervert. However, despite his assertions that, and I quote, “taking a moment to pause in deep meditative appreciation of the female form in it’s most nubile, uninhibited beauty is never a waste of time” when it comes time for training, Oro is all business. While Ryu is training, he receives an invitation to the tournament of brotherhood, which Oro suggests he accept.

At Gill’s island, Guile and the rest of those invited to the tournament arrive, only ot find that the whole thing was a trap and Gill and his minions are waiting in ambush.

What Works:

Oro is hilarious. He reminds me a lot of Jiraiya from Naruto, a force to be reckoned with, but also kind of a pig. His light-hearted attitude makes for a nice contrast with Ryu’s more serious-minded personality. Also, the cameo from Blanka was much appreciated, as he was one of my mains in Street Fighter II.

What Doesn’t:

I can’t really think of anything specific I’d like to comment on.

Overall: 4/5

This comic is very good. It doesn’t exactly stand out in anyway, but it is a nice representation of one of my favorite franchises and a fun read as well.