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Street Fighter Week: The evolution of Chun-Li and Blanka

A visual history of Street Fighter's first leading lady, and first green beast

Words: Tyler Wilde, GamesRadar US

Table of Contents
Street Fighter II | Alpha series | Street Fighter III | EX series | Marvel vs. Capcom series | SNK vs. Capcom series | SF: The Movie and Gem Fighter | Sprite comparison | SSFIITHDR and Street Fighter IV | Comics and cosplay | Film, figures, and more 

Comics

Chun-Li and Blanka have both appeared in a variety of Street Fighter comics, both good and bad. The two most recent series, "Street Fighter" and "Street Fighter II," are being created by UDON, and feature some of the most refined Street Fighter art in existence. Below is the cover image from UDON's Street Fighter issue #1.

Chun-Li also graced the cover of IMAGE's first issue of "Street Fighter," pictured below.

The absolute worst appearance of Chun-Li in a comic exists within the pages of this diabolical 1993 Malibu version of Street Fighter (below), which is largely considered the worst Street Fighter comic ever made. Chun-Li is apparently a crazed sex fiend, as well as Fran Drescher.

Blanka (referred to as "Blanca" in this case) also appears in Malibu's awful comic (right). Aw, he learned to read! Much thanks to 4thletter for creating an excellent retrospective of this disastrous piece of Street Fighter history.

Blanka much more stylishly appeared on the cover of the second issue of UDON's Street Fighter II series. He's doing much less reading, and much more electrocuting.

Oh, and what kind of retrospective would this be if we didn't include a bit of erotic Chun-Li doushinji?

Cosplay

As one of the original female leads in gaming, Chun-Li has a huge fan following, and is easy to spot at conventions, or anywhere cosplayers might congregate. Check out a small selection of Chun-Li impersonators below, brought to you by that joyous thing called Flickr.


Above: Photo by A. Seraphin 


Above: Photo by fridgeuk


Above: Photo by Alan Gee


Above: Photo by Grumpstone 


 
3 Comments
Order Comments: Newest First | Oldest First
twishart  - 11 months 6 days ago 
Wow Tyler, nice article. Looks like a fuckton of work. I thought the character art in Capcom vs SNK 2 was the best, while I prefer the in game sprites of the alpha series.
Arukami  - 8 months 14 days ago 
The best Chun-li is that presented by Jackye Chan...ahahahahah! See that video guys is awesome! ^^!
Jokes are finished, the best version of Chun-Li to my opinion is that of SF III 3Rd Strike, with the awesome pose on her legs retook in the motion against C. Viper in SF IV! A sprite realized awesomely n every particular abovelall in the SenretsuKyaku! Chun-Li is the best gal's fighter in the entire world! Rulez!
Elbo444  - 3 months 28 days ago 
the 2 best characters in SF
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