Street Fighter II V: The Finale That Was Somewhat Rushed, But Better Than The American Cartoon

Street Fighter II V has that rushed but still meaningful ending. After all, we had that character development and plot development that went along the way. As I look into the plot, the serialized storytelling actually helped it from developing a hapzard finale like in the American Street Fighter cartoon.

Ryu is freed from mind control by Ken. Ken manages to get the fair share of protagonist deal. I still view Ryu and Ken as co-protagonists. 

Guile's role in the finale

 
One of the best scenes is Guile's rage. Yes, a scene that I know Guile isn't going to win but I can't help but cheer for him. This scene almost made me think that the only reason why Guile in the Street Fighter movie only defeated Bison was this. The convenient adaptation change was that Bison in the movie only wore a power suit -- NOT having Psycho Power. However, this version of Bison is what if Movie Bison had Psycho Powers. Guile tries to fight Bison only to actually lose. 

But honestly? I felt that Charlie's death could've been better if Bison managed to capture Charlie. Guile has no idea what happened to Charlie. Guile turns Charlie into Blanka and forces them to 

Bison's plan was to move to Cambodia (the very place where Charlie died in the games, until that was retconned in Street Fighter V, UGH) just in case. Bison tells his henchman Zoltar to move away while he takes care of business. Bison has an eagle head statue. Vega means descending eagle which makes sense within the Japanese dub. However, as said, the name Vega fits Claw better because as said, Vega's movements are like a soaring eagle. I guess Group TAC wanted to stick close to the Japanese names as possible! Although, Nash was still called NASH in the English dub. Charlie's full name is Charlie NASH in the video games. 

I found the whole ordeal where Guile has to deal with a mind-controlled Chun Li cowardly. Guile's chivalry is put to the test. Guile only fought Ryu and Ken early on because he got provoked too many times. Now, Guile has grown as a character. Guile tries to stop Chun Li. Thankfully, the events related the final battle frees 

The final battle with Bison is just too chilling

What truly gets creepy is when the crystalline eagle head rejects Guile and chooses Ryu and Ken. So yeah, Guile has to deal with a mind-controlled Chun Li. Guile's still that professional staller whose main existence is to PREVENT civilian casualties. That's why I tend to still like Guile no matter what. Guile's that important older figure with flaws and all. Guile was rejected because he doesn't have the power to match Psycho Power.

What makes Street Fighter II V Bison different is that he's practically what-if Movie Bison had Psycho Powers. The Psycho Powers resonate with Hadou and send them into a negative space. Even worse, the phenomenon may have prematurely triggered the explosives that Guile and Charlie planted at Shadaloo HQ. This is also what if the American Street Fighter movie considered the game material AND made Ryu and Ken fight the Movie Bison. This is the scenario that has Bison speak of his "Pax Bisonica" in the most chilling, chewing the scenery way. Honestly, it's frightening but Bison's monologuing is pretty much Bond Villain Stupidity.

Bison tries to convince Ryu and Ken to join him in his Pax Bisonica, firing lightning bolts like the MOVIE, and even offering them promises of power. Is that scene of Bison promising Ryu and Ken meant to reference to Bison saying, "And I beheld Satan fell down like lightning!" to Guile in the movie? Maybe yes, maybe no. What I can't deny is that Bison even doesn't use a spinning torpedo but uses Superman-style flying attacks as his Psycho Crusher -- JUST LIKE THE MOVIE!

It gets amazing how Ken and Ryu use their Hadou powers. Ken manages to give Ryu a fighting chance. Ken does the Hadou Shoryuken at a relentlessly ramming Bison. Ken's doing the Hadou Shoryuken frees Chun Li from mind control. Ryu then instinctively does a somersault kick (mimicking Guile, but never happens in-game), then does a Hurricane Kick, a Rising Dragon Punch, and followed by the Hadouken. Yes, the Hadouken here isn't treated as a standard projectile but as some kind of FINISHING MOVE. Bison gets hurled into the vortex, which, IMHO, was better than Bison pathetically asking for help after being swallowed by the computer devices in the final episode of the American cartoon. 

Ryu and Ken surface after the destruction. They talk about what they wanted to do after Bison was destroyed. That's it. It's kind of rushed, but still better than what "Cammy Tell Me True" had to offer. The character development, though not perfect, really was more satisfying tha what the American cartoon had to offer. 

My own wishful thinking of post-credits

I personally thought that Bison should've resurfaced, laughing evilly, but barely alive. Sure, Street Fighter II V never had a second season. However, it'd be fun to put a psychological side where Bison's fist shows up, Zoltar gets the message, and Zoltar says, "Welcome back my lord." We would have Vega and Balrog in jail, somehow smirking that they could get their freedom back.

But alas, I felt that perhaps Group TAC decided not to include the scene out of respect for Raul Julia, who died in late 1994.