Street Fighterhas always been about pursuing individual strength and honing your skill through one-on-ones since its launch as an arcade game in 1987. Incorporating a smorgasbord of fighters from all over the globe who vary in appearance, martial art, and personality, this series has empowered generations of aspiring fighters with colorful combos and iconic unique attacks.
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While Street Fighter might be a bit more solitary and fast-paced than a series likePokemon, its iconography and legacy as a mainstay video game franchise are arguably on par with it. So what would it look like if our Street Fighter cast showed up to a bout with a Pokemon in tow? In this list, we’ll take ten famous Street Fighters and pair them with their perfect Pokemon pal.
10Guile - Electivire
Standing alongside the stoic Air Force pilot Guile is the Gen-IVElectric Pokemon, Electivire. Guile utilizes a tightly-controlled form of military kickboxing alongside his signature Sonic Booms, which are yellow ki-blasts caused by quick movements of his arms.
It’s easy to imagine Electivire’s kit blending well with Guile, especially moves like Shock Wave, Low Kick, and Quick Attack. Electivire’s more bombastic fighting style could force an opponent to a corner where Guile is patiently waiting for his chance to strike. To top it all off, they also both have pretty standout haircuts.
9Ryu - Lucario
Imagine two solitary warriors wandering the world, each with a spirit so lithe and powerful that they can use it as a weapon. These warriors, theJapanese martial artist Ryuand the Gen-IV Pokemon Lucario, would be a fearsome combination. The Street Fighter protagonist is solemn and wise, a martial artist specializing in a hybridized form of Kyokushin and Shotokan karate.
Ryu is able to concentrate his ki (or life spirit) into his signature blue fireball, the Hadouken. Lucario, a Fighting/Steel type, is a Pokemon able to observe and use aura, the life spirit present in all life, specifically in his trademark move Aura Sphere. It’s no stretch that these two noble fighters are kindred spirits.
8Akuma - Zoroark
A terrifying pair, this grouping puts together the infamous Street Fighter villain Akuma and the Gen-V Dark Pokemon Zoroark together. Both boasting a signature mane of red hair and a dark atmosphere, the two approach combat slightly differently. Akuma solely emphasizes physical strength, corrupting Ryu’s fighting style into the darker Satsui No Hado techniques that absorb ki.
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Zoroark, on the other hand, is an illusionist at heart, punishing its foes with wicked illusions to trick them into fleeing fights. With Zoroark disorienting opponents for Akuma to follow and pummel them, it would be a dark day for the world if this alliance were to come to fruition.
7Chun-Li - Mienshao
Fighters with the speed of falcons and the grace of swans, this entry on the list links theChinese Interpol officer Chun-Liwith the Gen-V Fighting Pokemon Mienshao. Chun-Li is one of the most famous Street Fighter characters, whose agile fighting style of Chinese Kenpo and other mixed martial arts have led to her popularity, as she performs her signature Spinning Bird Kick and Lightning Kicks.
Another fighter who relies on flurries of rapid swipes and kicks in Mienshao, whose blinding kicks can break boulders. With Mienshao possessing moves like Calm Mind, High Jump Kick, and Fury Swipes, we see this Pokemon synergizing well with the Martial Arts Master.
6Cammy - Lopunny
The Shadaloo-Doll turned Delta Red operative Cammy and the Gen-IV Normal Pokemon Lopunny are fast and fearsome warriors who focus on powerful kick combos to rush-down their opponents. Cammy’s repertoire of ‘Shadaloo fighting techniques and special forces training’ consists of speed-precision moves like her signature Spiral Arrow and Hooligan Combination.
Lopunny, whether it is Mega-evolved or not, focuses on movement and fast kicks as well with moves like Double Kick, Agility, and High Jump Kick. Despite their combat ability, it’s also the case that neither of these fighters is inherently combative. We can easily imagine this pair kicking a foe into the sky with precision combos that sting like comets.
5Dhalsim - Meditite
This next pair prefers an internal struggle to an external one. The fire-breathing Yoga Master Dhalsim and the Gen-III Fighting/Psychic Pokemon Meditite are both focused on tempering one’s soul through meditation. An unconventional fighter, Dhalsim utilizes yoga to stretch his limbs while spewing fireballs and teleporting around the arena, though he remains a pacifist at heart.
Meditite is often found alone in the mountains practicing its meditation, possessing moves like Zen Headbutt, Confusion, Calm Mind, and Acupressure. Meditite is also a practitioner of yoga according to its Pokedex entries and is able to float in the lotus position like Dhalsim. It’s easy to see this pair pursuing mindfulness and victory together.
4Juri - Salazzle
This next pairing brings together two strong and combative female fighters, the South Korean Taekwondo master Juri and the Gen-VII Poison/Fire Pokemon Salazzle. A sadist and a former assassin for the S.I.N. organization, Juri uses fuha-powered kicks and her infamous eye implant, the Feng Shui Engine, to wreak havoc on her opponents.
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Salazzle, an exclusively female Pokemon species, is just as combative and willing to use underhanded methods to get what she desires. Using moves like Torment, Nasty Plot, Toxic, and Disable, Salazzle punishes others that don’t bring her enough food. Even down to their black and pink primary colors, this combination is a match made in hell.
3Ken - Blaziken
This next pair share aggressive agility and a fighting style alight with bright flames. The deuteragonist of Street Fighter Ken Masters and the Gen-IIIFire/Fighting Pokemon Blazikenare both frightening foes at full power. Ken practices a more offensive version of Ryu’s fighting style, tinging his Shoryukens and Tatsumakis with flame.
Blaziken shares in this fiery playstyle, sporting incredible leg strength, with which it is able to vault a 30-story building. Using ferocious moves like Blaze Kick, Double Kick, Flame Charge, and Flare Blitz, Blaziken is worthy of its high reputation as an excellent Fire-type. These two clearly fit together and could easily turn up the heat in any match.
2M. Bison - Gengar
This duo makes for a spine-chilling combination. The primary antagonist of Street Fighter and Shadaloo King M. Bison and the Gen-I Ghost/Poison Pokemon Gengar are both menacing opponents. M. Bison uses a supernatural power called Psycho-Power, which is generated from hatred and domination, to lead the terrorist organization Shadaloo.
Gengar often lurks inside of shadows, casting curses on humans from afar and stealing lives. With its ghostly arsenal of moves like Shadow Punch, Spite, Hex, and Dream Eater, this Pokemon is not to be trifled with. An alliance between these two shadows would likely darken the sun itself.
1Zangief - Machamp
Last but not least, this is a pair that is truly all muscle. The Russian Red Cyclone Zangief and the Gen-I Fighting Pokemon Machamp are both walking martial art tanks, towering above their competition and overwhelming opponents with their sheer size. Zangief focuses primarily on wrestling, using his overpowered grabs and throws like the Screw Piledriver to keep foes crushed.
Machamp is an expert in all martial arts, including wrestling, and possesses a series of fighting-related moves like Cross Chop, Karate Chop, Submission, and Close Combat. Machamp’s notoriety has kept it popular and ranked highly throughout the Pokemon series. It’s no doubt that this muscular duo could easily be seen chest-bumping each other after a successful bout.
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