Anyone remember the old American Street Fighter cartoon? I watched most of it before I actually played any Street Fighter, loved it. Now…well, I still find it enjoyable but for all the wrong reasons most likely.
The show was released around the same time as the movie which means (and I warn you, if you’re a street fighter purist to stop right now) Guile is the focus, Ken and Ryu are wandering adventurer’s, Zangief is a full fledged bad guy, T-Hawk can fly for some reason, Chun-Li’s second identity is that of a news reporter, Dhalsim used to work for Bison, Blanka is one of his former experiments who, pre transformation looked a lot like Charlie and Cammy was simply brainwashed at 18. Though actually the last one is due to the fact that her true identity as a clone hadn’t been revealed yet. Still, it’s enough to make a life long street fighter fan either laugh or punch his computer screen.
The voice acting can be horrendous at times, at by horrendous I mean the truly-and-ultimately-horrific-sweet-nixon-please-chew-my-ears-off-now kind of bad. Guile shouting now as he cheesily raises his arms up at the sky yelling “NO!” as he watches Bison flee isn’t actually that bad compared to hearing the voice actors for Ken and Ryu yell “Hadoken!”. Seriously it has to be heard to be believed.
The animation doesn’t really help either. If you watch the intro on You Tube and read the comments you’ll see what I mean. (Chun-Li looks more African than Asian, it was that bad.)
Now the physics, oh man. Chun-Li could basically fly like a helicopter with her spinning bird kick, I mean literally fly into the room by busting down the door with that then take a few laps around the room, hover than spin back out. Dhalsim in one episode explains that through training the traditional laws of nature no longer apply to him.
Dhalsim: “Not if I were bound by your immutable laws of physics. Fortunately, I have advanced beyond such simple-minded perceptions and embraced the limitless enlightenment of metaphysics.”
Well…that explains a lot.
Despite all the corny problems I honestly love this show, and not just for the camp factor. I mean, Chun-Li kicks apart a tank in the intro. How can you not love that? Theirs also this cheesy little romance between Guile and Cammy since Julie doesn’t exist in this world apparently, unless that woman in the premier episode was meant to be her. Bison is simply deli…yeah sorry, we won’t go down that path. However, two of his most famous lines come from this series. The “YES! YES!” one at his immortal.
Bison: Yes, yes I killed your father. What is it with you women anyway? I killed my father and you don’t here me whining about it!
So much for being a family man
It’s also worthy to note that Guy and Cody from Final Fight make an appearance, I do believe that it was before they made the crossover to the Street Fighter series. Thus, Cody is still a good guy here and Guy is well…Guy.
The show is currently on DVD but no longer sold in stores so if you want the whole thing you’re gonna have to do some online browsing. The entire series is available on youtube though and it might be worth a watch if you can go in with your mind open…and I mean really, really open.
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