Description
The term 'Shotokan Character,' often abbreviated as 'Shoto' or referred to as a 'Shotoclone,' originates from the Shotokan karate style depicted by certain characters in fighting games. These characters are designed to be accessible to beginners while offering depth for advanced players. They typically possess a well-rounded set of moves: a projectile attack (fireball), an anti-air uppercut (shoryuken), and a forward-moving attack (tatsumaki). This balanced toolkit makes them versatile in both offense and defense, allowing for a variety of playstyles. The archetype became popular due to its introduction in Capcom's Street Fighter series, setting a standard that many other fighting games have emulated.
Examples
- Ryu from the Street Fighter series: Ryu is the quintessential Shoto character, featuring a Hadouken (fireball), Shoryuken (uppercut), and Tatsumaki Senpukyaku (spinning kick). His balanced skill set makes him a favorite among both novice and experienced players.
- Ken Masters from the Street Fighter series: Ken shares many of Ryu's moves but with slight variations. He has a more aggressive style with a faster-moving Hadouken and a flaming Shoryuken, offering a different flavor of the Shoto archetype.
Additional Information
- The 'Shoto' archetype is named after the Shotokan karate style, though the actual fighting style in the games is more of a hybrid.
- Shoto characters are often used to teach new players the basics of fighting games due to their straightforward yet versatile move sets.