Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist

Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist
GenreAction
Martial arts
Based onStreet Fighter
by Takashi Nishiyama
Hiroshi Matsumoto
Developed byJoey Ansah
Christian Howard
Written byJoey Ansah
Christian Howard
Directed byJoey Ansah
StarringMike Moh
Christian Howard
Akira Koieyama
Shogen Itokazu
Gaku Space
Hyunri Lee
Togo Igawa
Mark Killeen
Hal Yamanouchi
Joey Ansah
ComposerPatrick Gill
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languagesEnglish
Japanese
No. of episodes12 (web series)
6 (TV series)
1 (movie edition)
Production
ProducerJacqueline Quella
Running time12 minutes (web series)
22 minutes (TV series)
105 minutes (movie edition: TV)
145 minutes (movie edition: DVD/Blu-Ray)
Original release
NetworkYouTube
Machinima.com
Release23 May 2014 (2014-05-23)[1]
Related
Street Fighter: Legacy

Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist is a British martial arts web series, TV series and feature film developed by Joey Ansah and Christian Howard. Based on Capcom's Street Fighter video game series, the story focuses on Ryu and Ken as they uncover the past of their master, Gouken and learn the secrets of their Dark Art, Ansatsuken.[2][3]

The web series was released on Machinima's YouTube channel on 23 May 2014 while the subsequent formats (TV & DVD/Blu-ray) were released later the same year and IFC Films released the film on 7 January 2015.[1][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]

A sequel series, Street Fighter: World Warrior, which would have seen Ryu and Ken come into conflict with M. Bison and Shadaloo, was in development, but was eventually scrapped in favour of Street Fighter: Resurrection, which served as a tie-in to Street Fighter V.

Cast

[edit]
  • Akira Koieyama as Gouken[11]
  • Christian Howard as Ken Masters[13]
  • Mike Moh as Ryu[14]
  • Togo Igawa as Goutetsu[15] / Goma
  • Gaku Space[16] as Gouki[17]
  • Hyunri[18] as Sayakaref>"Actress 'Hyunri' attached to play 'Sayaka' in 'Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist'". YouTube. 25 April 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2013.</ref>
  • Mark Killeen as Mr. Masters[19]
  • Hal Yamanouchi as Senzo[20]

Street Fighter IV producer Yoshinori Ono makes a cameo appearance as a fight promoter.

Production

[edit]

The short film Street Fighter: Legacy, a passion project for Joey Ansah and Christian Howard, was released on YouTube in 2010 as a proof-of-concept. During San Diego Comic-Con in 2012 Capcom announced it had granted rights to the creators to go ahead with the project.[21]

The series started a Kickstarter crowdsource funding campaign in order to source funds for production.[22] The campaign was cancelled on 17 April 2013 when private backers stepped forward with the money necessary, removing the need for the crowdsource funds.[23]

On 14 July 2013 production began filming in Simeonovo, Sofia, Bulgaria.[24][25][26] On 24 August 2013 filming on the series wrapped.[27]

On 20 August 2013, in an interview with Gamereactor, Ansah talked about Ryu and Ken's story and said "a good analogy with Ryu is that he's not actually ever competing with anyone else; he's competing with himself. Whereas Ken is driven fiercely by competition. A lot of Ken's conflict comes from his relationship with his father. Without giving too much away, we learn in this series how Ken came to be in Japan, in Gouken's dojo".[28]

On 1 November 2013 Content has sold worldwide online rights for Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist to a major global online channel for a short first window. On 14 March 2014 Capcom and Machinima.com announced that the series would be airing on Machinima's main channel.[29]

Home media

[edit]

Funimation acquired the home video distribution rights and released the web series on DVD and Blu-ray under their Giant Ape label.[8] Madman Entertainment and Manga Entertainment released the series in Australia and the UK, respectively.[9]

Music

[edit]

The music was composed by Patrick Gill[30][31] with contributions from Ryan Ansah[32][33][34] and Daniel Braine.[35]

Episodes

[edit]
Number
in season 		Number
in series 		Title Directed by Written by Original air date
00"Alpha"Joey AnsahJoey Ansah & Christian Howard23 May 2014 (2014-05-23)
Flash forward in this prologue to find best of friends and bitterest of rivals Ryu and Ken face off in a potentially lethal showdown. How did it come to this?[36]
11"Beginnings"Joey AnsahJoey Ansah & Christian Howard23 May 2014 (2014-05-23)
As Ryu and Ken near the end of their training they are impatient to master the power of "Hadō". Their master, Gōken, worries about sharing these powerful techniques. Gōken sets Ryu and Ken on a quest to find Gōtetsu's dōjō where he trained.[37]
22"Round 1: Fight"Joey AnsahJoey Ansah & Christian Howard23 May 2014 (2014-05-23)
At Gōtetsu's dōjō , Gōken, Ryu and Ken pay homage at Gōtetsu's grave. Ken and Ryu discover something secret in Gōken's past. Gōken recalls his own time spent training alongside his brother Gōki under their master Gōtetsu. Ryu and Ken fight in a sparring match.[38]
33"Satsui No Hado"Joey AnsahJoey Ansah & Christian Howard23 May 2014 (2014-05-23)
In the past, Gōtetsu instructs the young Gōken and Gōki. Goki is drawn to the power of "Satsui no Hadō". In the present, Ryu and Ken try to create their first Hadōken. Gōken is disturbed by Ken's approach and they argue. Ryu and Ken learn more about the history of Ansatsuken, their master Gōken and his dead brother Gōki.[39]
44"A Rough Night"Joey AnsahJoey Ansah & Christian Howard23 May 2014 (2014-05-23)
Ryu is disturbed and sees a foreboding stranger in his nightmares. Ryu and Ken sneak out for adventure at the nearby town's G.I. bar. Ken's father makes a surprise visit. Ryu is unsettled by the old dōjō.[40]
55"Banished"Joey AnsahJoey Ansah & Christian Howard23 May 2014 (2014-05-23)
Gōken and Gōki vie for Sayaka's attention. Gōki uses Satsui no Hadō in a sparring match against Gōken, almost killing his opponent. Gōtetsu gives Gōki an ultimatum after his abuse of Satsui no Hadō, and expels him from the dōjō. Gōki and Sayaka part.[41]
66"Demons Within"Joey AnsahJoey Ansah & Christian Howard23 May 2014 (2014-05-23)
Ryu and Ken continue to work on their Hadōken, but Ryu is troubled and refuses to fully manifest his after accidentally striking Ken with it. Something is learnt of Ryu's past. A mysterious stranger appears to Gōken.[42]
77"Path of the Shin Oni"Joey AnsahJoey Ansah & Christian Howard23 May 2014 (2014-05-23)
In the past, we see events from Gōki's perspective as he finds a new home. Gōken and Sayaka become estranged.[43]
88"The Ultimate Sacrifice"Joey AnsahJoey Ansah & Christian Howard23 May 2014 (2014-05-23)
Gōki's fatalistic pursuit of Dark Hadō takes him to new dangerous levels. Gōtetsu and Gōken seriously debate the risks vs the benefits of the Satsui no Hadō.[44]
99"The Calm Before the Storm"Joey AnsahJoey Ansah & Christian Howard23 May 2014 (2014-05-23)
Gōtetsu and Gōken consult the Ansatsuken scrolls and discuss Gōki's departure. They question the very real potential of Ansatsuken myths becoming reality. Gōtetsu confronts a dark presence.[45]
1010"The Raging Demon"Joey AnsahJoey Ansah & Christian Howard23 May 2014 (2014-05-23)
More is learnt of the fate of Gōtetsu, Gōki and Sayaka. Returning to Gōken's dōjō, Ryu and Ken continue to train, improving their techniques, their Hadōken becoming more advanced.[46]
1111"May the Best Man Win"Joey AnsahJoey Ansah & Christian Howard23 May 2014 (2014-05-23)
As Ryu and Ken's training approaches a climax, Gōken sets them in a "rite of passage" which will culminate in the greatest challenge of their lives.[47]
1212"End Game"Joey AnsahJoey Ansah & Christian Howard23 May 2014 (2014-05-23)
With a near fatality, tensions are high as Gōken is forced to make the hardest decision of his life as an outside force draws closer. The dōjō will never be the same again.[48]

Reception

[edit]

In contrast to the poor reception of previous live-action Street Fighter films, Assassin's Fist has been acclaimed as the best and most faithful adaptation of the franchise.[citation needed] On the review-aggregator site, Rotten Tomatoes, while there is no critics' ratings, Assassin's Fist currently has a 94% audience approval rating.[49] IGN gave the series a positive review, stating that it was more authentic to the franchise than either of the larger budgeted Street Fighter feature films, as well as one of the best live-action video-game adaptations overall, rating it an 8.7/10.[50]

Shehzaan Abdulla from Continue-Play gave it a score of 8/10 and said, "Balancing in-jokes and fan service with humble, down-to-earth storytelling isn’t easy. Go too far in one direction and you end up with a hokey, pandering mess; go too far in the other, and you have a feature that feels disconnected, and uninspired by the source material. Assassin’s Fist walks this line almost perfectly."[51]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "STREET FIGHTER: Assassin's Fist TRAILER!". YouTube.
  2. ^ "Comic-Con: Street Fighter Live-Action TV Series In Development - Ken and Ryu get their own show". IGN. 13 July 2012.
  3. ^ "Episode 62- Shane Carruth, Andrew Leavold, Joey Ansah". Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist. Film Pulse. 15 April 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  4. ^ "Street Fighter®: Assassin's Fist Unveiled at Comic Con 2013". 20 July 2013. Archived from the original on 21 August 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  5. ^ "Street Fighter Live-Action TV Show Starts Filming". Escapist Magazine. Archived from the original on 25 August 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  6. ^ "Filming on Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist live action series has begun - will feature Goutetsu, young versions of Akuma and Gouken". EventHubs. 19 July 2013. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  7. ^ "Casting Child Roles in 'Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist'! -Taking Submissions Now!". Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist. Assassin's Fist Limited. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  8. ^ a b "Funimation Acquires Tokyo Ghoul, Street Fighter:Assassin Fist". Anime News Network. 8 June 2014.
  9. ^ a b "Joey Ansah video message to SFAF fans 30th June 2014". YouTube. July 2014.
  10. ^ "Timeline Photos -". Facebook.
  11. ^ "GOUKEN ANNOUNCED!!!". Kickstarter. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  12. ^ "NEW CAST! young Goken!!". Kickstarter. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  13. ^ "'Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist' Younger age of Japanese characters for casting". Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist. Archived from the original on 13 July 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  14. ^ "RYU ANNOUNCED!!!!". Kickstarter. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  15. ^ "Cast announcement! TOGO IGAWA". Kickstarter. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  16. ^ "Gaku Space - Age, Birthday, Height and Bio". 9 December 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  17. ^ "GOUKI ANNOUNCED!". Kickstarter. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  18. ^ "Hyunri Lee". Facebook.
  19. ^ "MR. MASTERS ANNOUNCED!!". Kickstarter. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  20. ^ "Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist reveals Goutetsu and Senzo |". Videogamefilms.com. 30 July 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  21. ^ "Third time's the charm: Live-action Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist series announced". Joystiq.
  22. ^ "Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist will be a TV and online series made by the Street Fighter: Legacy filmmakers". IGN. 8 April 2013.
  23. ^ "Exciting News!". Kickstarter.
  24. ^ "Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist". Facebook. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  25. ^ "Tijdlijnfoto's - Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist". Facebook. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  26. ^ "Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist Live Action Series Has Begun Filming". Siliconera. 20 July 2013.
  27. ^ "Tijdlijnfoto's - Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist". Facebook. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  28. ^ Gillen McAllister (20 August 2013). "Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist Interview - Gamereactor UK". Gamereactor.eu. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  29. ^ "Street Fighter Assassin's Fist Machinima Announcement". Archived from the original on 7 February 2019. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  30. ^ "Patrick Gill - Music Composer". Facebook.
  31. ^ "Patrick Gill". [full citation needed]
  32. ^ "Ryan Ansah". Facebook.
  33. ^ "Ryan Ansah". [full citation needed]
  34. ^ "Ryan Ansah". SoundCloud. Archived from the original on 5 November 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  35. ^ Papa Vinyard (29 May 2014). "Papa Vinyard chats with director Joey Ansah about his web series STREET FIGHTER: ASSASSIN'S FIST!". Aint It Cool News.
  36. ^ "Alpha - Street Fighter Assassin's Fist Episode 0". YouTube. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  37. ^ "Beginnings - Street Fighter Assassin's Fist Episode 1". YouTube. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  38. ^ "Round 1: Fight - Street Fighter Assassin's Fist Episode 2". YouTube. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  39. ^ "Satsui No Hado - Street Fighter Assassin's Fist Episode 3". YouTube. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  40. ^ "A Rough Night - Street Fighter Assassin's Fist Episode 4". YouTube. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  41. ^ "Banished - Street Fighter Assassin's Fist Episode 5". YouTube. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  42. ^ "Demons Within - Street Fighter Assassin's Fist Episode 6". YouTube. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  43. ^ "Path of the Shin Oni - Street Fighter Assassin's Fist Episode 7". YouTube. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  44. ^ "The Ultimate Sacrifice - Street Fighter Assassin's Fist Episode 8". YouTube. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  45. ^ "The Calm Before the Storm - Street Fighter Assassin's Fist Episode 9". YouTube. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  46. ^ "The Raging Demon - Street Fighter Assassin's Fist Episode 10". YouTube. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  47. ^ "May the Best Man Win - Street Fighter Assassin's Fist Episode 11". YouTube. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  48. ^ "End Game - Street Fighter Assassin's Fist Episode 12". YouTube. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  49. ^ "Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist Audience Rating". Rotten Tomatoes.
  50. ^ "STREET FIGHTER: ASSASSIN'S FIST REVIEW". IGN. 26 May 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  51. ^ "Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist Review". Continue Play. 27 May 2014. Archived from the original on 30 May 2014.
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