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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 

Street Fighter III Third Strike: Fight for the Future - 1999

Chun-Li returns in Third Strike, the third Street Fighter III game, while Blanka skips the entire series. Chun-Li is, in fact, the only character other than Ken and Ryu to appear in all of the main Street Fighter series (not including the original "Street Fighter") - SF II, SF Alpha, and SF III.

Now retired from the force, Chun-Li has chosen a quieter way of life - providing martial arts training to children. When devious Urien kidnaps one of her children, she must jump into action again. Of course, she and her army of super-children prevail.


 

Visually, SF III is a large improvement over previous games, partially due to the use of the more advanced CPS-3 arcade board. Chun-Li is back in her SF II dress and her portrait (right) is much more refined.

The "off balance" stance of Street Fighter II (left), which was somewhat changed in Alpha, has been totally revamped. Rather than standing on flat on the ground, Chun-Li's left foot is pointed, and her already formidable legs have become even more intimidating (see the collection of SF III sprites below).

 


Above: Chun-Li battling Urien in a pallet swapped costume


Above: Chun-Li is the central figure in this, and other, 3rd Strike posters - her return did not go uncelebrated


 
3 Comments
Order Comments: Newest First | Oldest First
twishart  - 11 months 19 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 27 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  - 4 months 10 days ago 
the 2 best characters in SF
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