The Evolution Of Ryu And Ken From Palette Swaps To Unique Characters

Who can remember the first time Ryu and Ken appeared? My first remembrance of them was in the Street Fighter II series where the two characters played very much alike. They had their three basic moves namely the Hadoken, Shoryuken, and the Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku with very little difference. The Street Fighter II series had me picking Ken (at first) though over time - I was more tuned in to Ryu himself. It was probably due to Ken being ore cocky. Over time, the Street Fighter II series started to evolve in both arcades and consoles. There was Super Street Fighter II and later Super Street Fighter II Turbo which started to differentiate them even more. The differences were spelled out even further in the prequel trilogy called the Street Fighter Alpha series - games that took place before Street Fighter II came to light.

So, how did the differences take place? Ken was made master and more juggle-friendly. Ryu was made to be more of that heavy hitter. Ryu eventually had his focus on the Hadoken. Ken would have his focus on his Shoryuken. Notice that Ryu has a Shakunetsu Hadoken (which momentarily disappeared during the first Street Fighter Alpha game) and his famous super move is the Shinkuu Hadouken. Ken adds Hadou energy into his Shoryuken. Notice that Ken's super moves are usually focused on his Shoryuken such as the Shoryuu Reppa and the Shinryuuken. Ryu manages to create his Shinku Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku as a vacuum hurricane kick. Ryu only discovers the really hard (but also powerful) Shin Shoryuken. I think it has to do with personalities. Ryu has a more calm approach while Ken is flashy and aggressive - explaining the differences in how their moves are executed. Ryu probably focused on his Hadouken as a calmer fighter. Ken would focus on his non-projectile moves since he wants to get closer. 

The Marvel vs. Capcom series also gave them more differentiations fit for the series. Ryu's Shinkuu Hadouken was taken a huge step further by becoming a Kamehameha-type Super move. Meanwhile, Ken's super moves were also beefed up such as the Shoryuu Reppa doing it up to three times than just twice. It would also be notable that Ken's Hadouken was given an even more decreased range than that of Ryu's Hadouken. Ken's Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku even goes an upward direction making it more of an anti-air. Ryu's Hadouken becomes a cheap projectile in the Marvel vs. Capcom series. What would be more interesting is that Ken can only do a Shinkuu Hadouken in the team-up super in Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter with Ryu as the primary player. 

What was also interesting was that the differentiation happened when Charlie was introduced. Charlie was Guile's senior and best friend. Pretty much, Charlie and Guile also have the same special moves. However, Charlie can fire a Sonic Boom with just one hand while Guile, for some reason, does it with two hands. Charlie's sonic boom super move releases a barrage of Sonic Booms while Guile uses a hurricane-type. Charlie and Guile apparently had a Ryu and Ken type of relationship until the former's supposed death in Street Fighter Alpha 3. 

What are your thoughts on these two characters?