Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist
Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Genre |
Action Martial arts |
Based on |
Street Fighter by Takashi Nishiyama Hiroshi Matsumoto |
Developed by |
Joey Ansah Christian Howard |
Written by |
Joey Ansah Christian Howard |
Directed by | Joey Ansah |
Starring |
Mike Moh Christian Howard Akira Koieyama Shogen Itokazu Gaku Space Hyunri Lee Togo Igawa Mark Killeen Hal Yamanouchi Joey Ansah |
Composer(s) | Patrick Gill |
Country of origin | United Kingdom |
Original language(s) |
English Japanese |
No. of episodes |
12 (Web series) 6 (TV series) 1 (Movie edition) |
Production | |
Producer(s) | Jacqueline Quella |
Running time |
12 minutes (Web series) 22 minutes (TV series) 105 minutes (Movie edition - TV) 145 minutes (Movie edition - DVD/Blu-Ray) |
Distributor | Content Media[1] |
Release | |
Original network |
YouTube Machinima.com |
Original release | May 23, 2014[2] |
Chronology | |
Preceded by | Street Fighter: Legacy |
External links | |
Official website |
Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist, known in Japan as Street Fighter: Ansatsuken (Japanese: ストリートファイター 暗殺拳 Hepburn: Sutorīto Faitā Ansatsuken) is a British live-action web series, TV series and feature film in the martial arts film genre developed by director, fight choreographer, writer, actor and martial artist Joey Ansah and actor, writer and martial artist Christian Howard. Based on the popular video game series by Capcom, Street Fighter, 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.[3][4]
The web series format was released on Machinima's YouTube channel on May 23, 2014 while the subsequent formats (TV & DVD/Blu-ray) were released later the same year, and IFC Films released the film on January 7, 2015.[2][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]
Cast
- Akira Koieyama as Gouken [12]
- Shogen as Young Gouken[13]
- Christian Howard as Ken Masters [14]
- Mike Moh as Ryu[15]
- Togo Igawa as Goutetsu[16] / Goma
- Gaku Space as Gouki[17]
- Joey Ansah as Older Gouki / Akuma
- Hyunri[18] as Sayaka[19]
- Mark Killeen as Mr. Masters[20]
- Hal Yamanouchi as Senzo[21]
- Yoshinori Ono as Fighting promoter
Production
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 International 2012 Capcom announced it had granted rights to the creators to go ahead with the project.[22]
The series started a Kickstarter crowdsource funding campaign in order to source funds for production.[23] The campaign was cancelled on April 17, 2013 when private backers stepped forward with the money necessary, removing the need for the crowdsource funds.[24]
On July 14, 2013, production began filming in Simeonovo, Sofia, Bulgaria.[25][26][27] On August 24, 2013, filming on the series wrapped.[28]
On August 20, 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".[29]
On November 1, 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 March 14, 2014, Capcom and Machinima.com announced that the series would be airing on Machinima's main channel.[30]
Home media
Funimation has acquired the home video distribution rights and releases the web series on DVD and Blu-ray under their Giant Ape label.[9] Madman Entertainment and Manga Entertainment releases the series in Australia and the UK, respectively.[10]
Music
The music was composed by Patrick Gill[31][32] with contributions from Ryan Ansah[33][34][35] and Daniel Braine.[36]
Episodes
Number in season | Number in series | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 0 | "Alpha" | Joey Ansah | Joey Ansah & Christian Howard | May 23, 2014 |
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?[37] | |||||
1 | 1 | "Beginnings" | Joey Ansah | Joey Ansah & Christian Howard | May 23, 2014 |
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.[38] | |||||
2 | 2 | "Round 1: Fight" | Joey Ansah | Joey Ansah & Christian Howard | May 23, 2014 |
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.[39] | |||||
3 | 3 | "Satsui No Hado" | Joey Ansah | Joey Ansah & Christian Howard | May 23, 2014 |
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.[40] | |||||
4 | 4 | "A Rough Night" | Joey Ansah | Joey Ansah & Christian Howard | May 23, 2014 |
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.[41] | |||||
5 | 5 | "Banished" | Joey Ansah | Joey Ansah & Christian Howard | May 23, 2014 |
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.[42] | |||||
6 | 6 | "Demons Within" | Joey Ansah | Joey Ansah & Christian Howard | May 23, 2014 |
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.[43] | |||||
7 | 7 | "Path of the Shin Oni" | Joey Ansah | Joey Ansah & Christian Howard | May 23, 2014 |
In the past, we see events from Gōki's perspective as he finds a new home. Gōken and Sayaka become estranged.[44] | |||||
8 | 8 | "The Ultimate Sacrifice" | Joey Ansah | Joey Ansah & Christian Howard | May 23, 2014 |
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.[45] | |||||
9 | 9 | "The Calm Before the Storm" | Joey Ansah | Joey Ansah & Christian Howard | May 23, 2014 |
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.[46] | |||||
10 | 10 | "The Raging Demon" | Joey Ansah | Joey Ansah & Christian Howard | May 23, 2014 |
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.[47] | |||||
11 | 11 | "May the Best Man Win" | Joey Ansah | Joey Ansah & Christian Howard | May 23, 2014 |
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.[48] | |||||
12 | 12 | "End Game" | Joey Ansah | Joey Ansah & Christian Howard | May 23, 2014 |
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.[49] |
Reception
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. It currently has a score of 7.5/10 at IMDb.[50] 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, giving it an 8.7/10.[51]
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."[52]
References
- ↑ "Content Media". Content Media Corp.
- 1 2 "STREET FIGHTER: Assassin's Fist TRAILER!". YouTube.
- ↑ "Comic-Con: Street Fighter Live-Action TV Series In Development - Ken and Ryu get their own show.". IGN.
- ↑ "Episode 62- Shane Carruth, Andrew Leavold, Joey Ansah". Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist. Film Pulse. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
- ↑ "Street Fighter®: Assassin's Fist Unveiled at Comic Con 2013". Retrieved 20 July 2013.
- ↑ "Street Fighter Live-Action TV Show Starts Filming". Escapist Magazine. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
- ↑ "Filming on Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist live action series has begun - will feature Goutetsu, young versions of Akuma and Gouken". EventHubs. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
- ↑ "Casting Child Roles in 'Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist'! -Taking Submissions Now!". Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist. Assassin's Fist Limited. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
- 1 2 "Funimation Acquires Tokyo Ghoul, Street Fighter:Assassin Fist". Anime News Network. 2014-06-08.
- 1 2 "Joey Ansah video message to SFAF fans 30th June 2014". YouTube.
- ↑ "Timeline Photos -".
- ↑ "GOUKEN ANNOUNCED!!!". Kickstarter. Retrieved 2013-11-10.
- ↑ "NEW CAST! young Goken!!". Kickstarter. Retrieved 2013-11-10.
- ↑ "'Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist' Younger age of Japanese characters for casting". Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
- ↑ "RYU ANNOUNCED!!!!". Kickstarter. Retrieved 2013-11-10.
- ↑ "Cast announcement! TOGO IGAWA". Kickstarter. Retrieved 2013-11-10.
- ↑ "GOUKI ANNOUNCED!". Kickstarter. Retrieved 2013-11-10.
- ↑ "Hyunri Lee". Facebook.
- ↑ "Actress 'Hyunri' attached to play 'Sayaka' in 'Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist'". YouTube. Retrieved 2013-11-10.
- ↑ "MR. MASTERS ANNOUNCED!!". Kickstarter. Retrieved 2013-11-10.
- ↑ "Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist reveals Goutetsu and Senzo |". Videogamefilms.com. 2013-07-30. Retrieved 2013-11-10.
- ↑ "Third time's the charm: Live-action Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist series announced". Joystiq.
- ↑ "Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist will be a TV and online series made by the Street Fighter: Legacy filmmakers.". IGN.
- ↑ "Exciting News!". Kickstarter.
- ↑ "Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist". Facebook. Retrieved 2013-11-10.
- ↑ "Tijdlijnfoto's - Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist". Facebook. Retrieved 2013-11-10.
- ↑ "Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist Live Action Series Has Begun Filming". Siliconera.
- ↑ "Tijdlijnfoto's - Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist". Facebook. Retrieved 2013-11-10.
- ↑ Gillen McAllister. "Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist Interview - Gamereactor UK". Gamereactor.eu. Retrieved 2013-11-10.
- ↑ "Street Fighter Assassin's Fist Machinima Announcement".
- ↑ "Patrick Gill - Music Composer.". Facebook.
- ↑ "Patrick Gill".
- ↑ "Ryan Ansah". Facebook.
- ↑ "Ryan Ansah".
- ↑ "Ryan Ansah". SoundCloud.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "Alpha - Street Fighter Assassin's Fist Episode 0". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
- ↑ "Beginnings - Street Fighter Assassin's Fist Episode 1". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
- ↑ "Round 1: Fight - Street Fighter Assassin's Fist Episode 2". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
- ↑ "Satsui No Hado - Street Fighter Assassin's Fist Episode 3". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
- ↑ "A Rough Night - Street Fighter Assassin's Fist Episode 4". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
- ↑ "Banished - Street Fighter Assassin's Fist Episode 5". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
- ↑ "Demons Within - Street Fighter Assassin's Fist Episode 6". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
- ↑ "Path of the Shin Oni - Street Fighter Assassin's Fist Episode 7". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
- ↑ "The Ultimate Sacrifice - Street Fighter Assassin's Fist Episode 8". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
- ↑ "The Calm Before the Storm - Street Fighter Assassin's Fist Episode 9". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
- ↑ "The Raging Demon - Street Fighter Assassin's Fist Episode 10". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
- ↑ "May the Best Man Win - Street Fighter Assassin's Fist Episode 11". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
- ↑ "End Game - Street Fighter Assassin's Fist Episode 12". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
- ↑ "Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist". IMDb. 29 April 2016.
- ↑ "STREET FIGHTER: ASSASSIN'S FIST REVIEW". IGN. Retrieved 2014-05-31.
- ↑ "Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist Review". Continue Play. 27 May 2014.
External links
- Official website
- Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist at the Internet Movie Database
- Street Fighter: Legacy - Short Fan Film on YouTube
- Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist at Machinima.com's YouTube channel
- 'Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist' Kickstarter Campaign