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The Joudan Sokutogeri (上段足刀蹴り Jōdan Sokutō Geri?, "High-Level Foot Edge Kick"), named High Blade Kick in Street Fighter 6 and casually referred to as the Donkey/Mule Kick, is one of Ryu's special attacks, introduced in the Street Fighter III series.

Input
Appearance User(s) Function Input
Street Fighter III series
Street Fighter X Tekken
Street Fighter V series
Ryu Special Attack Arcade Stick HCF+Arcade Button Kick
Street Fighter IV series Gouken Focus Attack Medium punch+Medium kick
Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite
Street Fighter 6
Ryu Special Attack Arcade Stick QCF+Arcade Button Kick
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom
Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (Ultimate)
Ryu Special Attack Arcade Stick RS+Arcade Button Attack
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate‎‎
Ryu Side Smash Arcade-Stick-Right+Button a
Street Fighter 6
(Modern)
Ryu Special Attack Arcade-Stick-Down+Modern SP

Description[]

"A thrust kick that quickly closes the distance, and can be used to surprise an opponent between their attacks. Strike with the tip of the foot for maximum effectiveness."
Street Fighter 6
RyuDonkeyKick

The attack is a simple, yet strong, forward-stepping side kick. If it hits, the opponent is sent flying. The forward step range and power are determined by the kick button pressed: light kick version has Ryu flip his legs and kick the opponent for light damage; heavy kick version has him step forward and kick the foe (seen below) for high damage; and the medium kick version is somewhere in between.

The EX Special version introduced in the Street Fighter III series bounces the opponent off the wall, which allows Ryu to juggle them afterwards. In Tatsunoko vs. Capcom and both versions of Marvel vs. Capcom 3, all versions have this effect.

Though Ryu does not have this attack in Street Fighter IV, Gouken's Focus Attack takes the form of the Joudan Sokutogeri except without the step forward (he simply performs the kick from a standing position).

In Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition, Ryu has the move listed as Jodan Sokutou Geri. The Light Kick version comes out the fastest, but deals the least amount of damage. The Heavy Kick version comes out the slowest, but deals the most damage. The EX version results in the opponent bouncing off of the wall, giving Ryu an opportunity to follow-up with a combo ender.[1]

In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, this is performed as Ryu's forward smash attack.

Tactics[]

The attack is rather slow and relatively easy to block or parry; thus, it is not used often in neutral. It still has some use as a combo finisher, and the move also has combo-extending abilities in its recent appearances. Its Street Fighter V incarnation serves as a stronger combo-ender than Tatsumaki Senpukyaku along with having a higher juggle potential than most of Ryu's other options.

The EX version is most notable for its wall-bounce properties, serving as Ryu's primary combo extender into other attacks, namely Shoryuken and in games that allow it, Super Combos. In the Vs. series, all versions of Joudan Sokutogeri have this property. In Street Fighter 6, the separation of Super Arts and EX moves into different meters means that Ryu is able to combo an OD High Blade Kick into them. Shin Hashogeki can be cancelled from an OD High Blade Kick, giving Ryu enough time to fully charge the attack and even potentially combo afterward if he is close enough to the corner.

Trivia[]

  • The move is based on Kyokushin Karate move, Sokuto-geri. However, the original pose resembles Ushiro-geri (back kick). This would later change in Street Fighter V where the move now resembles the real Sokuto-geri.
  • While Akuma never has access to the move, his back throw animation in Street Fighter V has a strikingly similar kick.
  • In Tekken 8, Jin Kazama's new move, Battery Heel is similar to Ryu's Joudan Sokutogeri as he executed the forward-stepping side kick using his right foot. This move also serves as the last blow from one of his Heat Smash move, Hellfire Darkside Slayer.

Sprites[]

Street Fighter III seriesNamco x CapcomPocket Fighter

Gallery[]

References[]

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