Zangief/Pop Culture

A popular and memorable Street Fighter character, Zangief has been referenced many times in pop culture ever since his introduction in Street Fighter II.

Capcom games

 * His name was mentioned in the wrestling game Saturday Night Slam Master by Biff Slamkovich's losing quote "Comrade Zangief was right! You all play cheap!", implying that he is friends with Zangief.

Other video games

 * Zangief was possibly the inspiration for Juri Karamazov, an NPC student in Rockstar Games's Bully. He uses Zangief's piledriver as well as several wrestling moves reminiscent of Zangief's fighting style. He also has a thick Eastern-European accent, similar to Zangief's.

Comics and Manga

 * In the manga chapter 113 and episode 15 of 2nd season from Hayate no Gotoku, Zangief addresses Nagi and makes her some ramen. Here, he is parodied as a thug, though he is wearing glasses.

Television and Animations

 * In episode 9 of Yu Yu Hakusho, a character strongly resembling Zangief is clearly seen standing in the background. However, he has a scar on his chest instead of his signature triangular chest hair. This may have been an homage to both Zangief and Sagat.

Internet

 * Zangief was also the source of an internet meme known as "Zangief Kid". A fat boy named Casey Heynes is a victim of bullying from another school colleague named Richard Gale. While being bullied at his school yard, Casey stands up for himself by immediately picking up Richard and smashing him painfully into the ground with a bodyslam, which is one of Zangief's moves.