Shoryuken



Shouryuken (昇龍拳, Shouryuken, "Rising Dragon Fist") is a physical special attack in the Street Fighter series used by Ryu, Ken, and other Street Fighter characters trained under the same style. The move is a jumping uppercut in which the user spins and rockets upwards with some horizontal movement as well, knocking the opponent to the ground with much damage. This move is an excellent anti-air move, as it usually hits nearly all aerial assaults, and in the hands of good players, this move is very deadly. Ken players, in particular, should familiarize themselves with this move.

The move has been the subject of a very famous rumor and hoax revolving around Ryu's mistranslated quote, "You must defeat Sheng Long to stand a chance". Sheng Long would later become one of the most well known legends in video game history.

Different types of Shouryuken



 * Shoryuken (昇龍拳, shouryuuken, "Rising Dragon Fist") - a spiraling punch, moving in an upward arc. The Shoryuken is invincible while the fist is rising, but completely vulnerable to counterattack when descending
 * Shoryu Reppa (昇龍裂破, shouryuu reppa, "Rising Dragon Rending Destruction") - a series of two or three Shoryuken that progressively cause more and more damage to an opponent each time he is hit. It was introduced in Super Street Fighter II Turbo. In the manual, it is referred as Shadow Dragon.
 * Shinryuken (神龍拳, shinryuken, "Divine Dragon Fist") - a Shoryuken that corkscrews vertically into the air, causing a vacuum effect that sucks in the opponent and strikes him multiple times. It was developed by Ken, the only user of this move. Ken created this attack to honor Gouken.
 * Shin Shoryuken (真・昇龍拳, shin-shoryuken, "True Rising Dragon Fist") - A Shoryuken in which the practitioner first strikes the opponent in the abdomen with extreme concussive force, then extends the other fist upward to smash into the opponent's jaw. The practitioner will strike the opponent very hard with one fist (elbow in Alpha 3), and then perform a high-damage Shoryuken with the other fist. Of all the Gouken-style Shoryukens, this is one of the most potent Shoryuken without the killing "touch" rivaling the Shinryuken. Since Gouken was the practitioner who discovered this Shoryuken, and later taught it to Ryu, they are the only ones capable of using it as it is known. Ken uses this move in Namco x Capcom, but since Namco x Capcom isn't canon to either series, this is not considered canon.
 * Gou Shoryuken (豪昇龍拳, gou shoryuken, "Strong Rising Dragon Fist") - the original Shoryuken, which is a more powerful variation of the regular Shoryuken. While this was the standard Shoryuken at the time the art was founded, the lethality of the move increases when the practitioner embraces the Satsui no Hadou. This Shoryuken knocks the foe high into the air and slices its foe as the fist is rising up. A well-placed Gou Shoryuuken can be fatal to an opponent – it has the ability to kill anyone in one stroke if the practitioner is skilled enough.
 * Metsu Shoryuken (滅・昇龍拳, Metsu Shouryuuken, "Destroying Rising Dragon Fist") - A legendary version of the move seen in the Street Fighter story, when Ryu was near defeat during the first Street Fighter tournament. Consumed with the desire to win, he tapped into the power of the Satsui no Hadou for this move, a very powerful version of the Shoryuken with the capacity to scar. Afterwards, the move was never used, although it was seen during the Psycho Drive story arc (if a Shin Shoryuken is not done at the right distance). Metsu Shoryuken also appears as Ryu's second ultra combo, looking similar to Shin Shoryuken but slower and with more effects.
 * Messatsu Gou Shoryuu (滅殺豪昇龍, Messatsu Gou Shoryuu, "Murderous Strong Rising Dragon") - A stronger version of the Shoryu Reppa. While this move does not scorch the opponent, a well-placed Messatsu Gou Shoryu can instantly kill an opponent with the least amount of effort.
 * Hadou Shoryuken (波動・昇龍拳 Surging Rising Dragon Fist) - A Shoryuken empowered by the Hadou. The user gathers energy into their body and emits an intense golden aura which is then released as a destructive blast through the fist. Alternatively, the user can kick against the wall and perform this move as a horizontal, rushing attack. Only appears in Street Fighter II V.

Ryu/ Evil Ryu
Ryu focused on making his Shoryuken hard-hitting, usually hitting in one blow and knocking the opponent on his back. Though still necessarily weaker than Ken's, it is powerful. Ryu's have slightly less aerial range than Ken's but have a better recovery time. in street fighter alpha, ryu involved a new atack using the shoryuken, the Shin Shoryuken, the attack sees ryu slides with his elbow, and hit's the opponent in the chin/stomach and a second uppercut in the chin, and a jumping left handed shoryuken, which launches the opponent in the sky, dealing great damage with each hit, in sfIII the elbow slide was deleted, and it was back in CVS: match of the millenuim, along with his shin shoryuken, ryu haves an evil version of it, Metsu Shoryuken, wich scared sagat's chest, in street fighter alpha, it is similar to the shin shoryuken but without the second uppercut, and right handed shoryuken instead of a left handed one. i SSIV, the attack became his 2nd ultra, and its a bit different, instead of making an elbow slide, ryu makes an uppercut, and continues the rest of the move.
 * Shoryuken
 * Shin Shoryuken
 * Metsu Shoryuken
 * Messatsu Gou Shoryuu

Ken Masters/ Violent Ken
Ken prefers this move to finish opponents, as it is a stylish and graceful way to win the match, and has different powerful version of Shouryuken. Ken has focused on this move in order to distinguish himself from his training partner (fitting that, Ryu surpasses him with the Hadoken). In most games, Ken's Fierce Shoryuken (unlike those of other practitioners) also covers a lot of horizontal distance, allowing him to strike an airborne opponent from almost half a screen away. This does, however, give his Shoryuken a good amount of ending lag, making him open for counter-attack if missed and/or blocked. His fierce version also causes his opponent to burn when hit, to reflect Ken's more aggressive fighting style. in street fighter II, ken had a super using the shoryuken, Shoryu Reppa, which is a series of shoryukens, the 1st one reassembles the light shoryuken, the second reassembles the medium one, and the 3rd one reassemble the heavy one, including the flame that binds kens arm. later in street fighter alpha, he had a more powerful super, called the shinryuken, which is a shoryuken that goes straight up, making a flame cross, it has a poor range but it is still strong, in SFIV ken changed it:1st he makes a bunch of punches and kicks, before making his normal shinryuken.


 * Shoryuken
 * Shoryu Reppa
 * Shinryuken
 * Hadou Shoryuken

Akuma
Akuma has a Shoryuken that strikes hard and can score multiple hits, like Ken's (though Akuma's fist doesn't become engulfed in flames), and has the range and overall function property of Ryu, but unlike these two, akuma doesn't crouch to make his shoryuken, which means he doesn't hit the opponent in the legs, he directly hits them in the chest then in the chin, then he jumps up and hits them. This property makes the attack so quick and hard to reflect block it. This property disappeared when akuma became oni, which is another evidence that akuma doesn't know and doesn't care about the attacks he make with his "instinct" leading him.
 * Go-Shoryuken 
 * Messatsu Gou Shoryuu

Sakura
Sakura developed her own variation of the Shoryuken, the "Shou'oken", in which she runs at her opponent and finishes with an uppercut. It doesn't get as much height as a typical Shoryuken. Her Shoryu Reppa-inspired combo Midare Zakura is three of these Shou'oukens back to back.


 * Shou'oken
 * Midare Zakura

Sean Matsuda
As he has not completed his training with Ken as of Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike, Sean's version of the Shoryuken is incomplete. His "Dragon Smash" involves him jumping like a Shoryuken, and throwing both fists into the air. He does a proper Shouryuken as part of his "Shoryu Cannon" super art (aided by pressing the Punch button repeatedly).
 * Dragon Smash
 * Shoryu Cannon

Dan
Dan uses his own version of the Shoryuken, the "Koryuken". It is possible that he learned this move during his brief training under Gouken. Dan also has a super move similar to the Shoryu Reppa, the "Koryuu Rekka".
 * Koryuken
 * Kouryuu Rekka

Seth
Since Seth can mimic the techniques of other fighters, he has developed his own modified version of the Shoryuken. His unique Shoryuken can be performed multiple times in midair if the initial Shoryuken hits.
 * Shoryuken

Gouken
As evident by his Super- and Ultra-Combos in Street Fighter IV, Gouken uses them as a last resort, having trained them and honed them to perfection.
 * Shoryuken
 * Shin Shoryuken
 * Kinjite Shoryuken (Forbbiden Shoryuken)

Oni
Akuma's shoryuken became stronger when he became Oni, and it bears resembelence to the Shin Shoryuken. The first uppercut will hit the opponent in the mid section, while the jumping uppercut to the chin is performed with the other fist. It deals out 3 hits and good damage, although if the uppercut whiffs it will turn into a regular shoryuken that can catch airborn opponents for less damage.
 * Go-Shoryuken

Sprites




Photos
 Ryu-kenstage-shory.jpg|Ryu's Shoryuken circa Street Fighter II File:Ryu-SFXT-shoryuken.jpg|In Street Fighter X Tekken Sf2thdr-ken-shory.jpg|Ken's flaming Shoryuken Seth-shoryuken.png|Seth's Shoryuken SF4-ryu-shory.jpg|In Street Fighter IV Ryu-sakura-shory.jpg|Street Fighter Alpha 2

List of appearances in other media

 * The Marvel Comics character, Deadpool, uses a Shoryuken on Shadowcat when he asks her if she has played Street Fighter (who was unable to phase through it as she didn't see it coming). This was to get the attention of Wolverine as well as provoke him into fighting him for his amusement. He now has the move in Marvel vs. Capcom 3 as his launcher.
 * The second game in the Mega Man X series, Mega Man X2, features a secret power-up capsule from which X can obtain the Shoryuken. This is similar to the first game, Mega Man X, in which X can obtain the Hadouken.
 * Capcom's Mega Man X4 features the boss, Magma Dragoon, who possesses variations of Ryu and Ken's special techniques, including Shoryuken. Due to his elemental nature, he appears to possess Ken's variation.
 * In Mega Man X8, with the K-Knuckle, Zero can do a freezing version of the Shoryuken. While equipped with the Ultimate Armor, X can use a normal Shoryuken. Both will call out the attack when performed.
 * In Sonic Unleashed, Sonic's Werehog form possesses an attack called 'Sho-Hog-Ken' as well as an attack called 'Sho-Claw-Ken'.
 * In Devil May Cry 3 and Devil May Cry 4, Dante possesses both the Shin Shoryuken and Shinryuken (listed as Real Impact & Rising Dragon, respectively). A normal Shoryuken is used if Rising Dragon isn't charged enough.
 * Kazuya MIshima, Heihachi Mishima and (Devil) Jin Kazama from Tekken series have a attack move called "Dragon Uppercut" that looks like a regular Shoryuken.
 * In the game Worms, when the Fire Punch attack is used, the worm will say "Shoryuken". However, some games make him say Hadouken instead..
 * Professional wrestler "The Human Tornado" Craig Williams, who draws moves inspired from various other video game series, has a Shoryuken as a signature move.
 * in the movie Aliens in the Attic, the grandmother is seen using the Shoryuken while being brain controlled.
 * In the sprite comic 8-Bit Theater, Fighter uses this accidentally while trying to perform the Hadouken, saying he "messed up the buttons".
 * Luigi from the Smash Bros. series also has his own "Shoryuken" much resembling Ken's, referred as the "Super Jump Punch", but without the 360° spin. Also, the fiery effect only occurs when Luigi uses it very near an opponent during the start of the move (which will badly damage the foe and launch them in flames). Mario from the same game has an uppercut greatly resembling the Shoryuken as well, though without the fire effects. This may be a nod to Mario being the "Ryu" of the Smash Bros. series.
 * In Ratchet and Clank a Crack in time Dr. Nefarious is playing a game where he uses a parody of Shoryuken
 * Gold Lightan from Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes performs a Shoryuken in his ending.
 * In Kenka Bancho Badass Rumble, Takashi can learn and use the Shoryuken after defeating the bancho that uses it.
 * In Kirby Super Star, Kirby's "Fighter" ability's "Rising Break" bears a striking resemblance to this move, particularly Ken's version.
 * The Angry Video Game Nerd uses the Shoryuken in the middle of beating up Bugs Bunny in his review of "Bug's Bunny's Birthday Blowout".
 * Fulgore from Killer Instinct has a "combo breaker" move very similar to Shoryuken.
 * In gPotato Talesrunner, a chick impersonating Ryu (headband) and Ken (Flaming Shoryuken and Flaming Tatsumaki Senpukyaku) appears in the Wonderland Map.
 * In Legend of Legaia, the main hero, Vahn learns a hyper art named "Tornado Flame". It has a striking resemblance to Ken's Shoryuken, even with the flames.
 * In Little Fighter 2 (a Chinese PC game), Shoryuken is one of Davis' special move.
 * Additionally, the final boss of the game, Julien, is capable of performing a shoryuken, but his version is weak and followed up by a kick.
 * In the MMORPG Runescape, the Attack cape of the Capes of Accomplishment allows you to perform an emote strongly resembling the Shoryuken.
 * In the Anime and Manga of "Hokuto No Ken" (Fist Of the North Star), the Main Character, Kenshiro once used a Ki blast called the Tenha Kassatsu (Heaven's Kill Break), as well as a flying uppercut, Hokuto Ujou Mosho Ha (North Star Flying Merciful Slash) in the same episode. This may have inspired the Hadouken and Shoryuuken respectively.