World Fighting Game Characters Asia part 5: Main Land Japan

Street Fighter's Ryu vs Tekken's Jin vs King of Fighter's Kyo

As Japan is a heavily over represented country in the martial arts industry, Fighting Games are no exception, we have an entire article dedicated to the characters from Japan. We won;'t be covering Japanese Diaspora characters, Ethnic Minority characters in Japan or ethnic ambiguous ones that were included in the last article because this article would be too long. For Mainland Japan we will separate the characters by their fighting styles or archetypes.

.No Social, Political or otherwise unnecessary offensive comments please as this article is to share and celebrate culture and diversity

Japan

Kung-Fu

Red Dragon from 3 Count Bout

Gato from Fatal Fury

Hotaro Futuba from Fatal Fury

Shiroh Karasuba from Fighters' Impact

Reiji from Kakuto Chojin

(Does Jeet June Do specifically)

Akira Kazama from Street Fighter

(Bajiquan)

Miharu Hirano from Tekken

(Uses Baguazhang and Piguaquan styles)

Akira Yuki from Virtua Fighter

(Practices Bajiquan)

Street Fighting/Brawling

Joe Kusanagi from Aggressors of Dark Kombat

Goh Kidokoro from Aggressors of Dark Kombat

Ninjutsu

Eiji Kisaragi from Art of Fighting

(Kisaragi-Ryuu Ninjutsu)

Jin Fu-Ha from Art of Fighting

Mondo from Battle Arena Toshinden

Toujin from Battle Arena Toshinden

Miyabi from Battle Arena Toshinden

Gozu from Battle of the Beast Gods

(Practices "Jaguar Martial Arts" though his oversized Tekko-Kagi Claws and outfit seems to be mostly inspired by Ninja)

Mezu from Battle of the Beast Gods

(Same as his brother Gozu. Practices Jaguar Martial Arts with Tekko-Kagi and ninja attire)

Saizo Tobikageno from Breakers

Kasumi from Dead or Alive

Ayane from Dead or Alive

Ryu Hayabusa from Dead or Alive

Raidou from Dead or Alive

Hayate/Ein from Dead or Alive

Genra Omega from Dead or Alive

Momiji from Dead or Alive

Kanae Ozawa from Dual Blades

Mirei Ozawa from Dual Blades

Sasuke from Ehrgeiz

Shadow Yamato from Eternal Champions

Mai Shiranui from Fatal Fury

Sokaku Mochizuki from Fatal Fury

Hokutomaru from Fatal Fury

Sessyu Tsukikage from Fighting Layer

Gekkou from Kaiser Knuckle

Koyasha from Mace: The Dark Age

Scorpion from Mortal Kombat

(real name Hanzo Hasashi blatantly a ninja)

Saizo Hattori from Power Instinct

Kuroko from Power Instinct

Hizumi Yukinoue from Power Instinct

Takumi Hattori from Power Instinct

Ayame from Powerstone

Genan Shiranui from Samurai Shodown

(despite being an alien who uses "The Way of the Evil Path" style. His association with the Shiranui clan and his use of tekko-kagi claws resembles ninja)

Hanzo Hattori from Samurai Shodown

(Iga-Ryu Ninjutsu)

Kazuki Kazama from Samurai Shodown

(Kazama Ninja Arts)

Sogetsu Kazama from Samurai Shodown

(Kazama Ninja Arts)

Natsu from Soul Calibur

(She is Taki's disciple, her blonde hair is something to do with Arahabaki)

Taki from Soul Calibur

Yoshimitsu from Soul Calibur/Tekken

(This is legacy title meaning the Yoshimitsu in Soul Calibur is the ancestor to Yoshimitsu in Tekken. Won't bother having two on this page)

Geki from Street Fighter

(There is also a Geki II but not playable)

Maki Genryusai from Street Fighter

(unlike her Brother in Law Guy. She is stated to be a Japanese citizen only. Though her Sister looks fully Japanese. Maki looks mixed. Best guess she dyed her hair blonde. She happened to be visiting Metro City in Final Fight 2 when Guy was in Japan and her Sister was kidnapped by the villains in his absence)

Ibuki from Street Fighter

Zeku from Street Fighter

(Bushin Ryu just like his students Guy and Maki. But also is inviting a new style which is heavily implied to become the Strider style by his young form's appearance and his older forms suggesting the name striders as their new clans name)

Kunimitsu from Tekken

(Practices Manji Ninjutsu arts)

Kunimitsu II from Tekken

(Just like her mother, she uses Manji Ninja arts)

Hanzo Hattori from World Heroes

(Based off the real Hattori Hanzo)

Kotaro Fuuma from World Heroes

(Based off the real Fuuma Kotaro)

Karate

Ryo Sakazaki from Art of Fighting

(Kokugenryu Karate)

Takuma Sakazaki from Art of Fighting

(Kokugenryu Karate)

Yuri Sakazaki from Art of Fighting

(Kokugenryu Karate and a mix of others)

Sho Kamui from Breakers

Ken "GodHand" Mishima from Ehrgeiz

(Practices Mishima style Karate)

Karate Kenji from Fight Fever

Makoto Mizuguchi from Fighter's History

(Practices Jissen Karate)

Tetsuo Kato from Fighting Layer

(Uses Kato Style Karate)

Kazuya from Kaiser Knuckle

Jin from Martial Champion

(Inspired by Street Fighter's Ryu and is most like a Karate fighter)

Reiji Oyama from Power Instinct

Rin Oyama from Power Instinct

Ryu from Street Fighter

(Practices Ansatsuken a fictional style meaning Assassin's Fist apparently the indigenous roots of Japanese Martial Arts for the Street Fighter universe,, but in game is mostly based off Karate)

Goki/Akuma/Oni from Street Fighter

(Same style as Ryu)

Sakura Kasugano from Street Fighter

(initially imitates Ryu, but has trained with him and with Dan's Saikyo style)

Makoto from Street Fighter

(Fictional style of Karate called Rindo-Kan)

Goken from Street Fighter

(Same as his student Ryu and his Brother Goki)

Kazuya Mishima from Tekken

(His Mishima style Karate is mostly based off Shotokan Karate)

Kuma family from Tekken

(They are Japanese Brown Bears that was taught by Heihachi Mishima their own style called Kuma Shinken likely based off Heihachi's Karate style)

Heihachi Mishima from Tekken

(His Mishima Style Karate is mostly based off Goju-Ryu Karate)

Jin Kazama from Tekken

(Interesting case, he initially practiced Kazama style and Mishima style together but has since abandoned both styles and decided to learn Traditional Karate in Australia, his new style appears to be mostly based of Kyokushin Karate)

Jinpachi Mishima from Tekken

(Uses the same Mishima Style as his son Heihachi based off Goju-Ryu)

Kazumi Mishima nee Hachijo from Tekken

(Does a hybrid of her family's Hachijo Karate and her husbands Mishima Karate)

Aikijutsu/Aikijujutsu

Ryuhaku Todoh from Art of Fighting

(Todohryu Aikijutsu)

Kasumi Todoh from Art of Fighting

(Todohryu Aikijutsu)

Touji Sakata from Fatal Fury

Kaede Minamoto from Fighters' Impact

Jun Kazama from Tekken

(Her Kazama style martial arts is mostly based off Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu)

Asuka Kazama from Tekken

(Same as her presumed Aunt Jun Kazama)

Aoi Umenokoji from Virtua Fighter

Samurai Kenjutsu/Kendo/Iaido

Eiji Shinjo from Battle Arena Toshinden

(Specifically from Aizu prefecture)

Gaia from Battle Arena Toshinden

(Unspecified style, uses dual blades)

Sho Shinjo from Battle Arena Toshinden

Subaru Shinjo from Battle Arena Tohsinden

Bishamon from Darkstalkers

Kanae Ozawa from Dual Blades

Garuda from Fighting EX Layer

Hayate from Fighting EX Layer

Hayate Kumite from Fighting EX Layer

Baiken from Guilty Gear

Takeshi Tsunami from Mace: The Dark Age

Ichiro Tsunami from Mace: The Dark Age

Shinjuro Goketsuji from Power Instinct

(Was a Samurai in his younger years)

Ryoma from Powerstone

Genjuro Kibagami from Samurai Shodown

(Specifically practices Ko'in Ittou Ryu)

Haohmaru from Samurai Shodown

(Allegedly self taught)

Jubei Yagyu from Samurai Shodown

(Practices Yagyu Shinkage Ryu Kenjutsu)

Shiki from Samurai Shodown

(Uses Dual Katanas)

Shizumaru Hisame from Samurai Shodown

(Hittou Ryu Scarlet Blade Style)

Takechiyo from Samurai Shodown

(Kenjutsu)

Ukyo Tachibana from Samurai Shodown

Zankuro Minazuki from Samurai Shodown

Heishiro Mitsurugi from Soul Calibur

(Based on Miyamoto Musashi)

Hybird/Other

Nagisa Iwashiro from Battle Arena Toshinden

(Being a Police Detective he likely practices Kendo and Judo as they are mandatory skills for the Japanese Police force especially if you look into the Metropolitan Police Academy of Tokyo)

Sho Hayate from Battle of the Beast Gods

(Practices his unique style of Fu'Un Ken which uses hand to hand combat and his boomerang)

Ryuji Yamazaki from Fatal Fury

(his hair is most likely dyed blonde, Fighting style named "Personal Art of Combative Homicide")

Miyuki from Fight Fever

(A Dance fighter)

Mito Anji from Guilty Gear

(Fights using Japanese dance)

May from Guilty Gear

(Fights with an Anchor)

Chizuru Kagura (Yata) from King of Fighters

(Fights with Kagura style based off Japanese dance)

Iori Yagami from King of Fighters

(Yagami Style and Pure Instinct)

Malin from King of Fighters

(Uses "legal and Illegal Weapons")

Orochi from King of Fighters

(uses "Divine Orochi Power")

Zen from Martial Champion

(uses Kabuki dance as a martial art)

Oume Goketsuji from Power Instinct

(currently unconfirmed what style she uses)

Otane Goketsuji from Power Instinct

(same as her twin sister above)

Kinta Kokuin from Power Instinct

(Fighting style is his bad behaviour)

Oshima Goketsuji from Power Instinct

Buntaro Kuno from Power Instinct

(Uses only kicks, unconfirmed what style however)

Shintaro Kuno from Power Instinct

(Attacks that use force-like subjects whatever that means)

Buoh from Power Moves

(A Kabuki fighter with a Hybrid style Ninjutsu, Kung-Fu, Karate, Aikido and Kobudo)

Gaira Caffeine from Samurai Shodown

(Fights with oversized prayer beads)

Kage-Maru from Virtua Fighter

(His style of Hagakure-ryu Jujutsu seems to be a mix of Ninjutsu and Jujutsu)

Bojutsu

Shizuku Fuji from Battle Arena Toshinden

(Uses her smoking pipe as a bo)

Kanji Kokuin from Power Instinct

(fights with his cane and loincloth)

Hikaru Jomon from Power Instinct

(Uses her cane to fight)

Mixed Martial Arts

Gai Tendo from Buriki One

(Based off Kazushi "The Gracie Hunter" Sakuraba and Baki Hana from Baki the Grappler)

Koji Masuda from Ehrgeiz

(Practices MMA and Assassination arts)

Aikido

Takato Saionji from Buriki One

Tamaki from Dead or Alive

Sumo

Akatsuki-Maru from Buriki One

Ganryu from Tekken

Taka-Arashi from Virtua Fighter

Superpower/Natural Magic User

Gohyakumine Bankotsubo from Dead or Alive

(supernatural entity, no particular style)

Miyama No Nyotengu from Dead or Alive

(Same as Tengu above, she is Supernatural with no particular fighting style)

Honoka from Dead or Alive

(Her own self taught Honoka-Fu style seems to be based on her ability to perfectly copy and replicate someone else fighting style and powers after seeing it)

Skullomania from Fighting EX Layer

(Is a Superhero with no clear style)

Shadowgeist from Fighting EX Layer

(same as Skullomania)

Ace from Fighting EX Layer

(he's a secret agent cyborg who copies movesets)

Kurara/Clara Hananokoji from Power Instinct

(Uses Magic)

Popura Hanonokoji from Power Instinct

(same as her mum. She is magic)

Remi Otogiri from Power Instinct

(uses sound magic)

Shiro Tokisada Amakusa from Samurai Shodown

(Despite being based on the real historical figure of the same name, he uses a magical orb as a weapon instead of anything real)

Kuroko from Samurai Shodown

(Uses Flags as weapons but also uses Mimicry and shapeshifting to copy moves)

Mizuki Rashoujin from Samurai Shodown

(Uses Magic)

Nicotine Caffeine from Samurai Shodown

(Exocist style)

Taizan Morozumi from Samurai Shodown

(Uses art/calligraphy magic)

Dural from Virtua Fighter

(Real name Tsukikage and is Kage-Maru's mother, uses elements of other fights styles as Dural, was likely a Kunoichi before becoming Dural)

Naginatajutsu

Shin from Dual Blades

Hisako/Chiharu from Killer Instinct

Jinbei Sugamata from Samurai Shodown

(His Spear resembles a three pronged naginata)

Kyoshiro Senryo from Samurai Shodown

(He uses a Naginata despite his "Kabuki" Style)

Kabuki Jo from War Gods

(uses laser blades and a Naginata)

Jujutsu

"Yoyo" Yoko Kishibojin from Ehrgeiz

(Practices Kishibojin-Ryu Jujutsu)

Raiden from Mortal Kombat

(He is Raijin the Japanese god of Thunder, he practices Japanese Jujutsu which makes sense for a Japanese god)

Wrestling

Dasher Inoba from Ehrgeiz

Tsugumi Sendo from Fatal Fury

(Shoot Wrestler)

The Great Oni from Slam Masters

(Loosely based off The Great Muta and The Great Kabuki)

Muay Thai

Joe Higashi from Fatal Fury

Judo

Jubei Yamada from Fatal Fury

Ryoko Kano from Fighter's History

Goro Daimon from King of Fighters

Goh Hinogami from Viruta Fighter

Ryoko Izumo from World Heroes

(Based off the real Ryoko Tani)

Kobujutsu

Hokuto from Fighting EX Layer

Kairi from Fighting EX Layer

Kenpo/Kempo

Kyo Kusanagi from King of Fighters

Saisyu Kusanagi from King of Fighters

Shingo Yabuki from King of Fighters

Retsu from Street Fighter

Capoeira

Momoko from King of Fighters

Yashiro Nanakase from King of Fighters

(style is described as "Power Attacks" but some kicks resemble Capoeira allegedly)

Kusarigamajutsu

Takeshi Fujioka from Knuckle Heads

Basara from Samurai Shodown

(His style is referred to as instinct but appears to be mostly based off Kusarigamajutsu as his weapon is a Kusarigama/chain sickle with a large shrunken attached to the end of the sickle)

Kobudo

Sujiroku Tenjinbashi from Power Instinct

(Fights with drumsticks like staffs)

Maxi from Soul Calibur

(Uses Nunchucks)

Boxer

Piston Honda from Punchout

Heike Kagero from Punchout

Hanma Yagyu from Samurai Shodown

(His Rasetsu/Bust Form relies on Boxing)