Shin Akuma

"I am power made flesh! Feel how weak you truly are!"

- Shin Akuma (Street Fighter Alpha 2 and Street Fighter III: 2nd Impact)

Shin Akuma (真・悪魔), known in Japan as Shin Gouki (真・豪鬼), is a secret fighter and a boss in the Street Fighter series based on Akuma. In Capcom vs. SNK 2, a similarly named but different form of Shin Akuma also appears as a secret boss and unlockable character.

Appearance
In his debut in Super Street Fighter II Turbo, he had red hair and a black gi, the same one he normally wears. Later incarnations have him wearing a purple gi, and eventually white hair. He also has a slightly darker shade of skin.

Personality
His personality remains more or less the same as the original. Essentially, he is Akuma using the fullest extent of his power. However, he is more competitive in battle and less merciful when he is fighting a strong warrior. He will only fight at his true potential when he has found an equal to do battle with.

Gameplay


The two versions operate very similarly, but Shin Akuma is faster, deals more damage and can throw two Zanku Hadokens at once. His special moves also tend to have more priority, negligible startup and recovery compared to the playable version. Also, his Raging Demon is much faster and travels farther (making it harder to evade), and in some instances, inflicts more damage (e.g. Capcom vs. SNK 2). In some games, Shin Akuma also has extremely powerful specials as well (e.g. Misogi).

Shin Akuma's overall style revolves around completely overwhelming the opponent. He already adds more on top that he can already do as his normal state, and with practically no recovery between his attacks, he can string together more devastating cross-up attacks and combos that he can't do as his regular self. His biggest weakness however is the slowness of the two Zankuu Hadoukens and the Tenma Gou Zankuu super combo can easily be dodged, and is very punishable. Despite this, Shin Akuma is not to be taken lightly, since he can do severe damage to a careless player or the opponent.

Pre-Street Fighter
The first 'appearance' of Shin Akuma in chronological order is during Akuma's fight with Goutetsu, where he unleashes his full power to gain the upper hand and eventual victory.

Super Street Fighter II Turbo
Shin Akuma is a version of Akuma the players confront as a CPU opponent in Super Street Fighter II Turbo. To face Shin Akuma, the player must reach M. Bison without losing any rounds or using any continues (including having the second player join in) and achieving at least three perfect victories. He will then interrupt the final match by performing a Raging Demon on Bison, before challenging the player's character.

Just like regular Akuma, his name is not displayed below the life bar and he does not have a Super Meter. In his later incarnations, he has a purple gi instead of Akuma's standard black gi, is faster, uses two Zanku Hadokens at once, and inflicts more damage. Shin Akuma is, however, an unlockable playable character in the Dreamcast version, and in the Game Boy Advance version of the game, Super Street Fighter II Turbo Revival after maxing out the VS Points at 9,999.

Street Fighter Alpha series
Shin Akuma reappears in Street Fighter Alpha 2, but only as a hidden boss. He was made into a selectable hidden character in the console ports of Alpha 2; the code to unlock Shin Akuma forces the player to move their character select cursor in a "Z" pattern in the PlayStation version, and an "X" pattern in the Saturn version. If he is fought, the player has only one chance to defeat Shin Akuma, and if the player loses the match, he will not be fought again, instead the last battle of the current player character will be fought, and will have to restart the game if the player seeks a rematch. Shin Akuma reappears in the console ports of Street Fighter Alpha 3 (and Zero 3 Upper), where his name is displayed on-screen.

Story-wise, Shin Akuma is merely Akuma using the full extent of his power and is almost one with the Satsui no Hado, compared to the "normal" version, where he voluntarily holds back his true power to avoid ending fights prematurely to have a greater battle. He is also one of the most powerful characters in the Street Fighter series. Shin Akuma, not M. Bison, is Evil Ryu's final boss in Street Fighter Alpha 3.

Gameplay-wise, Shin Akuma has all the above mentioned benefits. Additionally, he can release two Zanku Hadokens, one at impacting at half screen and the other travelling the full length, covering the entire screen, compared to the much lesser range of his "normal" counterpart. Shin Akuma's stage in Alpha 3 is a red recoloration of Akuma's regular stage.

Street Fighter III: 2nd Impact
Shin Akuma makes his only canon appearance in this series in Street Fighter III: 2nd Impact, as a hidden final boss. If the player manages to get three perfects and does not lose a single round until the last match of an arcade playthrough, Akuma challenges the player. His introduction is similar to the one in Street Fighter II, where he interrupts the last match of the arcade playthrough, performing the Raging Demon on the player character's final boss (most commonly Gill) and proceeds to challenge the player.

If the player manages to K.O. Akuma in the consecutive rounds of the match, at least once with a Super Art; he gets up and sends out a massive burst of chi, which shakes the ground and darkens the atmosphere. During this animation, he says something along the lines of "let me show you the true extent of my powers" (in Japanese). Upon this, his hair turns white, his skin darkens and he challenges the player again, this time as Shin Akuma.

He isn't playable in the arcade versions by regular means, but in the Dreamcast version (named Street Fighter III: W Impact) he is a secret playable character. He is the last fighter to be unlocked, as the player is required to first unlock Gill by defeating him using all the characters on the roster in the Arcade Mode, and then clear the mode using Gill while obtaining a high grade.

His physical appearance, particularly the white hair, is similar to Shin Akuma from the Capcom vs. SNK series, but he retains the ten (天) kanji. On a note, the gray gi and hair palette is actually the alternate (kick) colour, which happens to be the default colour for Player 2. Shin Akuma's actual sprite is similar to his Street Fighter Alpha sprite, with purple gi and red hair.

Shin Akuma's (and Akuma's) stage is set in Mt. Fuji, Japan.

Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike
Leftovers of a playable version of Shin Akuma can be found in the CPS3-based arcade ports of Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike, which can be accessed using unconventional methods. However, the character is incomplete and lacks a few animations, and has a few glitches. Additionally, there is also a hidden Shin Akuma stage which consists of Akuma's Kousyu Street stage, but with a red "killing" moon casting a eerie glow instead. Interestingly, this incarnation of Shin Akuma has blue skin and white hair, an image which predates Oni's appearance. His frame data suggests that his modification for usage in 3rd Strike ended early since his data somewhat reflects his data in 2nd Impact.

Super Street Fighter IV
In Super Street Fighter IV, Shin Akuma is presented as a new boss. He is faster, uses Akuma's 7th color scheme (purple gi, red hair and darker skin tone) and can input two Zanku Hadokens without using any of the Super Combo Gauge, which is similar to Shin Akuma in Street Fighter III: 2nd Impact. Compared to the playable version, the true form of Akuma has higher stamina and stun. His Ashura Senku barely has any startup and recovery, allowing him to dictate the pace of the match.

By closely inspecting his frame data, the greater priority, faster startup and recovery of his specials becomes obvious. His Super and Ultra Raging Demons both travel farther and much faster (although they can still be jumped over) and are under most circumstances invulnerable to attacks, including other Ultra Combos that would normally cancel out the Raging Demon. Compared to the playable version, his second Ultra Combo, the Demon Armageddon, requires about half the frames to activate, making it much easier to connect with.

In contrast to the other secret bosses (Gouken, Oni and Evil Ryu), who have an extremely aggressive but predictable AI, Shin Akuma relies on the player to make mistakes, reacting just a split second after the player's move(s). Although this version of Akuma was confirmed to be the new boss version fought in Arcade Mode, he is indeed Akuma using the full extent of his abilities.

Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition as Oni
Along with Shin Akuma from Super Street Fighter IV, a new variant of Akuma is present in Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition. Known only as Oni, this version of Akuma possesses longer white hair and darkened blue skin. The CPU controlled version of Oni serves a role largely similar to Shin Akuma, taking the form of a new secret boss in Arcade Mode, as well as being a playable character in a toned down state.

This form of Akuma is slower but stronger in terms of brute power, compared to the original. However, Oni lacks the technical finesse displayed by the regular Akuma. This demonic transformation allows Akuma to use an air dash, and grants him several new attacks, such as a forward slide which slashes at the opponent as he passes and a overhead ground stomp. However he loses the Ashura Senku, Tenmakujinkyaku and the Hyakkishu. Most advantageously of all, Oni can perform the Raging Demon in the air, as well as a variant of his Meido Gohado Ultra Combo.

In the arcade mode, the boss version of Oni has the highest requirements amongst the four secret bosses, Akuma, Gouken, Evil Ryu and Oni, in order to be fought.

Other Appearances
Akuma has been one of the most prolific characters when it comes to crossover appearances. Like the Street Fighter games, Shin Akuma or an even more powerful version of Akuma have been featured in numerous games as hidden or final bosses. On a note; in the crossovers, even the playable version of Akuma borrows some traits from his true self, eg. In X-Men: Children of the Atom, the regular Akuma can input two Zanku Hadokens or in Marvel vs. Capcom 3 his Raging Demon can pass through projectiles, but in both cases his health is below average like usual. Some of the notable crossovers Akuma has made as a boss character are:

Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter as "Cyber Akuma"
In Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter, Shin Akuma is replaced by Cyber Akuma (Mech Gouki (メカ豪鬼) in Japan), a version of Akuma mechanically enhanced by Apocalypse; the enhancements include a mechanical right arm (dubbed Booster Rocket), metal wings, and four extra arms that are only seen in one of his win poses. As such, his personality is vastly different from that of Akuma's, being more servile (as reflected in his win quotes.) Gameplay wise, however, Cyber Akuma fills the same role as Shin Akuma.

Cyber Akuma is fought after the player defeats Apocalypse, in a 2 on 1 match. He has the highest stun and stamina rating in the game with a high speed rating to compliment. Cyber Akuma has his own variation of the Raging Demon dubbed "Shining Gou Shock" that hits 24 times and is more damaging than the original. He can also perform an aerial variation of the Shining Gou Shock. The kanji associated with Cyber Akuma is "destruction" (滅). However, unlike the usual denotations, it has no hidden spiritual meaning's and are simply the orders of his master, Apocalypse. Cyber Akuma is playable using cheat codes, but cannot have a partner.

Cyber Akuma's movelist featured most of Shin Akuma's attacks in the Capcom vs. series style, as well as attacks involving the launching of his mechanical right arm. All of his moves are renamed to more "mecha" sounding ones, as shown below:

Marvel vs. Capcom 3/Ultimate as "Cosmic Akuma"
Cosmic Akuma is the character under the influence of the main antagonist and final boss, Galactus. As a result of being empowered by the almighty Power Cosmic, Akuma's clothing and entire body is changed to a silvery, metallic texture. Despite this drastic change, Cosmic Akuma has the exact same powers and stats as the regular version. To make the fight more difficult however, another Power Cosmic character (Dormammu, Wesker or Dr. Doom) will show up and fight against you simultaneously, but both share the same health bar. In Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3, Cosmic Akuma is playable by simply playing on the Heralds side of Heroes and Heralds Mode as all characters on this side are servants of Galactus and thus all share the same metallic texture. The costume itself for Akuma and any other character on the Capcom side (referred to as Color H) can be randomly unlocked in an online battle if the player has won the war on the Heroes side. In addition to this, the aforementioned Power Cosmic characters who serve as bosses have been found to have a metallic gold color scheme - however, this did not make it into the final cut of the game, and can only be used via hacking the game's save data.

Street Fighter EX/EX Plus
Shin Akuma also appears in the arcade ZN1 in 3D versions of Street Fighter EX, as an easter egg. The player has to win all stages at once and at stage 10, instead of M. Bison, the player will face Shin Akuma.

Capcom vs. SNK series as "Shin Akuma"
In the Capcom vs. SNK series, a different form of Shin Akuma appears. His appearance is based on his Street Fighter III incarnation. This form of Akuma achieves a new level of power when a dying Rugal Bernstein pours his Orochi Power into him, driving Akuma insane, whitening his hair and turning his skin much darker than usual as a result of all the dark power flowing within him. As a wordplay, the kanji that make the shin in his name are shinjin (神人) instead of the usual shin (真). This expresses the idea of a person who has become godlike and far beyond an ordinary human. This unique kanji is seen on his back during certain animations, written in a vertical style.

In this form, Shin Akuma has showed some feats of incredible power, among them were destroying a large asteroid with a single attack, and causing the seas to split in two with a single punch.

Akuma in this form possesses new and enhanced moves. Akuma gains the Tenma Shurettou, which can be used as a high or a low counter move depending on the input. His Level 3 Super Combos are the Misogi and the Raging Demon, both of which are capable of outright killing characters with a low stamina rating. Shin Akuma can be unlocked in Capcom vs. SNK 2 by defeating him once at any difficulty. However, the playable version lacks the high priority and damage of the CPU controlled version, and has the lowest stamina of any character on the roster. Shin Akuma is one of the fastest characters in-game, rivaled only by God Rugal and Orochi Iori.

SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos
Shin Akuma, in this version, is roughly True Akuma as he appears in Street Fighter III: 2nd Impact. He is the final boss of the Capcom side, along with SNK's Serious Mr. Karate. In his ending, he comments on how the principles of heaven could never hope to hold a candle to his power, and states that neither heaven or hell could never be able to control his Satsui no Hado, and proceeds to split the ocean's waves with a single blow.

Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001
In this game, he is the final boss of the Capcom side as is Ultimate Rugal is for the SNK side. If he is defeated as a boss, he will be on the verge of death until black entities envelop and take him away so he can continue and get stronger. He has the highest requirements to face him as a final boss. To be able to challenge Shin Akuma, the player must get 1500+ GP, get three super combo finishes, one Dramatic/Finest KO, defeat either M. Bison or Geese with a Super Combo, and not lose a round.

In the ending of the playable version, the following text scrolls:


 * "As the sun rises in Osaka City, where is Shin Akuma? There're some who believe in a 'martial arts god' who disappeared into the fire, but will one day return..."

Capcom Fighting Evolution
This form of Akuma also makes a return in Capcom Fighting Evolution. His personality is however depicted as his normal self. In a particularly memorable ending (aforementioned), Akuma jumps into space and obliterates an asteroid threating to destroy the Earth with a single attack for training.

Quotes
See: Shin Akuma/Quotes

Trivia

 * Akuma's second alternate costume color 10 in Super Street Fighter IV resembles the Shin Akuma from Capcom vs. SNK 2.


 * Shin Akuma's theme in Capcom vs SNK 2 is a remix to his theme in Super Street Fighter II Turbo.


 * A form of Shin Akuma similar to Oni was possibly planned for Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike before the character being dropped entirely. Dummied content found in the game's files, including an alternate colored sprite similar to Oni's color palette and a Kousyu Street stage background with an ominous eclipse strongly hints at this.


 * Being meant to be CPU controlled character only, Cyber Akuma lacks a proper ending in the arcade version of Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter. Instead, a picture of a furious Ryu screaming towards the screen appears with the message "Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter coming soon!" is shown as as a placeholder. In the home console ports of the game, Cyber Akuma was given the same ending used by the other secret characters.


 * Akuma's 6th color in Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is Shin Akuma from the Street Fighter III series.


 * Shin Akuma's theme, "Groan" in Street Fighter Alpha 3 was originally an unused track in the vanilla version, and it was given to him since Evil Ryu was going to be a playable character, and was going to be his final battle. Incidently, a similar situation happens with Evil Ryu's theme, "Black Power", is the same theme from M. Bison's final battle with Ryu.


 * In Capcom vs. SNK 2, in the closure of the scene after Ultimate Rugal's defeat, the Shin Akuma who appears after deeming Rugal's mind unworthy of controlling his power, and takes over his body, is seen with Rugal's attire, making this the first time a version of Akuma is seen with clothes that are not his gi. But the overall appearence however, is unchanged wih the sleeves that were once part of Rugal's suit blown off.

Gallery
Shin Akuma/Gallery

Sprites

 * For sprite animations, see Shin Akuma/Sprites.


 * For Cyber Akuma's sprites, see Cyber-Akuma/Sprites.