Street Fighter has delivered a host of memorable characters over its 35-year reign as one of the best fighting series. Fan favorites tend to vary, but there are many iconic fighters who return time and again thanks to their striking looks, villainous ways, unique mechanics, or ties to the ongoing story of the franchise. Most of these characters are practically irreplaceable elements of the Street Fighter universe, instantly recognizable by even casual fans or occasional video-game players. All of them bring something new and exciting to the series.
Thirty-five years of Street Fighter games have given players a wealth of iconic characters, many of whom are likely to become immortal legends as the series continues to progress. Fan favorites such as E. Honda and Chun Li as well as crossover characters including Cody and Abigail rank highly alongside major story players and villains including Juri, Seth, and Akuma. However, the best characters completely altered the gaming world.
Ryu and Ken Masters
Karate experts Ryu and Ken Masters began as the playable fighters in the original Street Fighter arcade game. Ryu’s pristine white karate gi, indomitable spirit and the challenges he faces along the way became the core story of the franchise. Ken’s taunting fighting stance, witty remarks and constant battles with his rival only grew in effect over the years. The pair use variations on the same fighting style. Their whirlwind kicks, fireball attacks, and dragon uppercuts remain a thing of Street Fighter legend.
Sagat
The original villain of Street Fighter also made an impact as big as the scar on his chest, left by Ryu at the end of the first game in the canon storyline. Many players who discovered the game later on may be surprised to learn that he did not lose his eye in the same fight, but has always had that patch in the series. His own dragon uppercut variant reaches higher than the others. Sagat throws both high and low fireballs to catch opponents off-guard, an element many consider broken.
M. Bison and Balrog
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Street Fighter II kept the villain game strong with a trio of new boss characters. Of these, two in particular stand out. The evil dictator M. Bison controls Psycho Power, allowing him to levitate into a deadly corkscrew attack known as the Psycho Crusher. Balrog lacks any magical power, bringing pure muscle to his matches outside a stereotypical Las Vegas casino. Also lacking kicks of any nature, his punches, charges, and headbutts do all the work. The names of these characters switched when they came to the U.S., as Capcom worried about lawsuits from Mike Tyson if they kept the boxer’s original Japanese name of Mike Bison.
Blanka and Dhalsim
Character design remains a major part of Street Fighter, and few sport looks as iconic as Blanka as Dhalsim. The monstrous green fighter from Brazil with shocking orange fur has gone through a few backstory changes without ever losing his fierce, fanged look. Dhalsim’s emaciated physique parallels many classic yogi masters. Further, like M. Bison, they bring mystical or supernatural elements to bear. Blanka’s electric defense made him a force to be reckoned with in Street Fighter II, and Dhalsim’s extreme reach and mastery of Yoga Fire taught players to think outside the traditional hit box. Both are confirmed for Street Fighter 6.
Guile and Zangief
Looks don’t have to be extreme. Guile and Zangief remain major archetypes in the fighting game world in part due to their less exotic and more stereotypical appearances. Guile’s United States military uniform, sunglasses, and stretched blond hair practically scream American fighter. While the Red Cyclone, Zangief, can be seen dancing with Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev in his Street Fighter II victory credits, in case players weren’t sure of his nationality. Both characters boast unique movesets that allow them to control the field at range or up close, respectively.
Sakura Kasugano and 
Capcom’s 2017 poll of Street Fighter fans with over 150,000 responses voted Sakura Kasugano the most popular character in the franchise. The Japanese schoolgirl’s ties to the series protagonist largely include mimicking Ryu’s style and chasing him across the world. While she lacks the strength of the legend, she uses her agility and smaller form to create a powerful variant of Ryu’s attacks. Her story is irrevocably tied to her own master, Dan Hibiki, a pink-gi-wearing comedic version of Ryu and Ken. His attacks also mirror those of the pair, only with far less power, reach, and utility.