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The Shouoken (咲桜拳 Shōōken?, "Blooming Cherry Fist") also written as Shou'ouken, is one of Sakura's special attacks, and one of the many moves she developed by imitating Ryu. It was introduced along with Sakura in the Street Fighter Alpha series. It is also used by her "Dark Sakura" form.

Input
All appearances Arcade Stick S+Arcade Button Punch

Description[]

Shouoken

Executed by performing a "Shoryuken" motion (forward, downward then down-forward) and pressing punch, Sakura/Dark Sakura runs and performs a jumping uppercut. The startup, range, height, and hits are determined by the the strength of the punch button pressed. The Light punch has the least in each category (with two hits), appearing similar to a delayed Shoryuken; heavy punch has the most of each category, with six hits maximum (most of which come from the run); and medium punch is in the middle with 4 hits. The EX version has eight hits.

In Street Fighter V, the Light version hits the opponent three times. The Medium version hits five times. The Heavy version hits the opponent seven times. The EX Shouoken performs similarly to her Midare Zakura. Sakura performs two consecutive, jumping uppercuts with her fist trailing with pink ki energy.

In the Marvel crossovers, an energy wave covers in front of Sakura as she dashes forward, which can negate projectiles. If does not connect with the charge, then she'll skid to a halt. Connecting with the charge will make her perform the usual multi-hitting uppercut.

In Pocket Fighter, Sakura performs the move using an umbrella instead (shown below).

In Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000, Sakura's normal form has many of her moves altered, with the Shouoken being replaced with the Kououken. Instead of rising off the ground, Sakura dashes forward and does a grounded uppercut, dealing multiple hits.

Tactics[]

Unlike the Shoryuken, Shouoken is not an ideal anti-air, due to the general lack of height. While it has slightly better range, this move has a longer startup. Shouoken is also an unreliable anti-air because it lacks invincibility frames that makes it a true reversal option. The only exception that makes this attack a decent anti-air is by using the EX version, which does make her invincible during the startup and active frames. However, blocking the EX Shouoken leaves her in a Counter Hit state.

Despite its unreliability of being an anti-air tool, this attack is still useful to end combos. It can be canceled from most of Sakura's normals. Shouoken inflicts more damage than her other uncharged special attacks. Each version of this move results in a knockdown and pushes her opponent back about halfscreen. This allows Sakura to reset the neutral game and to zone out her opponent with her fireballs.

In Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001, repeated Shououkens are a common tactic when using Sakura with A-Groove.

In the Street Fighter IV series, Sakura uses the Midare Zakura as an EX Shouoken. It gives Sakura a lot of invincibility during the attack, making it safe on block and providing an opportunity to Dash Cancel away from the opponent.[1]

Sakura can cancel Shouoken with a Super Combo, Haru Ichiban. Shouoken can also be used after a EX Shunpukyaku or before her Ultra Combo II, Shinku Tengyo Hadoken. In addition, this move can be cancelled into her Critical Art.

Sprites[]

Sakura MVC2 Shouo'uken

Shouoken in the Street Fighter Alpha seriesShouoken with an umbrella in Pocket Fighter

Gallery[]

References[]

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