Discover Ryu’s darkest side with this 15 cm Dark Ryu action figure produced by Hasbro and inspired by the film *Street Fighter*. Crafted on a 1/12 scale, it depicts the fighter as he channels a power far more dangerous than that which he usually wields. Hasbro has officially unveiled Dark Ryu as part of the second wave of figures dedicated to the film, alongside Guile, M. Bison and Blanka.
Dark Ryu has swapped the hero’s traditional white karategi for a black gi with torn sleeves, held in place by a black belt. His red hachimaki and red gloves create a striking contrast with this dark outfit whilst retaining several of the visual cues immediately associated with Ryu. This look is directly based on the character’s alternate design in the film.
The figure features articulation at the arms, wrists, legs and torso to recreate various fighting poses. It comes with seven accessories, including several interchangeable hands and removable energy effects. The fists can thus be replaced with open hands to vary the poses, whilst the effects allow you to showcase the dark power channelled by the character.
Technical specifications
- Manufacturer: Hasbro
- Licence: Street Fighter
- Character: Ryu
- Version: Dark Ryu
- Type: articulated figure
- Scale: 1/12
- Height: approx. 15 cm
- Material: plastic
- Articulation: articulated arms, wrists, legs and torso
- Number of accessories: 7
- Accessories: interchangeable hands and removable energy effects
- Outfit: black gi with torn sleeves, black belt, red hachimaki and red gloves
- Manufacturer’s reference: G4978
- EAN: 5010996454898
Character background and lore
Dark Ryu is the dark manifestation of Ryu when he succumbs to the Satsui no Hado, a power linked to the instinct to kill and the absolute desire to conquer. Capcom traditionally refers to this incarnation as Evil Ryu and describes him as the exact opposite of the disciplined fighter that Ryu normally represents: in exchange for considerable power, he gradually loses his self-control and his humanity.
Ryu practises a martial art derived from Ansatsuken, taught to him by his master Gouken. His usual aim is to travel the world to perfect his technique and discover what it truly means to become a great fighter. However, the Satsui no Hado exists within him as a constant temptation, transforming his desire to improve into a destructive obsession when he loses control of it.
Under the complete influence of this energy, Ryu becomes far more aggressive and seeks out confrontations with powerful opponents without regard for the consequences. Capcom explains that Evil Ryu is a version of Ryu entirely consumed by the Satsui no Hado, gaining exceptional power at the cost of his usual personality. His appearance also becomes more menacing, and many of his techniques come to resemble those of Akuma, who has himself chosen to embrace this force.
Capcom describes the Satsui no Hado as a dark force associated with the instincts of survival, destruction and conquest. Those who manage to master it can attain immense power, but risk losing their humanity. Ryu thus spends a significant part of his story fighting against this influence rather than accepting it.
In Street Fighter V, Ryu finally manages to overcome this temptation. The rejected power then takes on a life of its own in the form of Kage, the physical embodiment of Satsui no Hado. This distinction sets Kage apart from Evil Ryu: the former is the murderous energy that has become autonomous, whilst Evil Ryu represents Ryu himself when he succumbs to this force.
