Too B-Movie to Resist? Manga Artist and Gamer Raves About the Charm of the Street Fighter Movie and the Original Game's History

A fun, messy movie

The movie "Street Fighter / The Movie" is now showing in Japanese theaters. It is based on Capcom's famous fighting game. The writer says the story is a bit scattered and not very well made. Still, he found it very satisfying. He liked how each character feels lively and true to the game. He also enjoyed the silly, 90s American B-movie feel and the action scenes, which recreate the game well.

Key facts

• The first Street Fighter arcade game came out in 1987.
• The movie came out in Japan on October 16, and the series turns 40 next year.
• Street Fighter II, released in 1991, made the series a huge hit and helped create the "fighting game" genre.
• Street Fighter 6 came out in 2023 and used a simpler "modern" control style to attract new players.

Why the series matters

Street Fighter started in arcades, where players put in coins to play. Later it moved to home consoles as online play improved in the 2010s. Fighting games also became a sport in esports. The series went through a slow period, but Street Fighter 6 brought new players back and helped the whole genre grow again.

Why it matters

The writer says the film shows love for the original games, and he hopes to see more movies made by people who also love games. This is a good sign for fans who grew up playing these games.

What to watch

• How well the movie does at the box office.
• Whether more game-based movies are made with the same care for the original games.
• How the Street Fighter series celebrates its 40th anniversary next year.