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Ken Masters
PXZ2-Ken

Original appearance:

Street Fighter (1987)

Platform of Origin:

Arcade

Type:

Solo (Namco X Capcom)
Pair (PXZ/PXZ2)
Boss (PXZ2, as Violent Ken)

Partner:

Ryu

Cross appearances:

Namco x Capcom
Project X Zone
Project X Zone 2

Voice Actor:

Tetsuya Iwanaga (NxC)
Yuji Kishi (PXZ, PXZ2)

First Chapter Appearance:

Prologue 5 (NxC)
Prologue 2 (PXZ)
Chapter 8 (PXZ Joins Party)
Chapter 17 (PXZ2)
Chapter 29 (PXZ2 Boss)

"Uh oh, I'd better give Eliza a call soon."
—Ken Masters

Ken Masters is a video game character of the Street Fighter series. He is one of the main characters from the series and is well-known as Ryu's partner, friend and rival. Ken is also stated to be the second most popular character in the series, coming second to his best friend. Like Ryu, Ken's goal is to test his power against many different fighters and strive to become stronger.

Profile[]

When Ken was about 12 years old, his father, a rich hotel tycoon, thought that his son needed to learn about discipline or his son would become a spoiled brat all of his life and try to leech onto the Masters' family fortune. In order to do so, the elder Masters sent Ken to Japan to train under his best friend, the mysterious karate master Gouken.

At first, Ken was very hesitant to learn from Gouken, wanting to go back to the United States, but later began to respect his master. He even enjoyed the company of Gouken's adopted son, Ryu, since he had a foil to finally pull pranks on, although this got Ken into a lot of trouble. Ryu and Ken would later become best friends and each others' principal rivals.

When Ryu was 23, Gouken decided that both of his pupils had grown up to be fine fighters and decided that their training was over and could now leave the dojo. Ryu decided to travel the world in order to continue his training, whereas Ken was finally happy to be going back home to the United States after his years of straining his back for his master, Gouken, and finally learning the meaning of humility. After coming home, Ken competed in many different Martial Arts tournaments held in the United States, winning most of them.

While Ken did not participate the Street Fighter tournament, he participate in the premiere U.S. Martial Arts tournament that had been previously won by Charlie. Along the way, He met a very attractive girl named Eliza, who later became his girlfriend. After winning the U.S. martial arts tournament, Ken returned to his training ground to tell his master Gouken the good news. There, he witnessed his master's "death" at the hands of Akuma. Enraged and grief stricken, he attacked Akuma, only to be knocked to the ground by a single blow.

He began wandering the world in search of Akuma, and his friend Ryu wanting to tell him what happened to their master, and also hoped to win a match against him. He eventually found Ryu in seclusion. Ryu is dejected upon seeing his long-time friend, but Ken made him go try out a spar anyway. After winning, Ken realized how stressed out his best friend had become ever since his championship fight with the Muay Thai master Sagat. Ryu explained to Ken that deep within him there's a burning rage - a power trying to overcome him. Giving Ryu his red headband, Ken told him to stay focused, which greatly cheered Ryu up. Ken returned home and begins training harder, knowing even with his recent feelings, that Ryu is always stronger than he looked.

Ken began to wonder about his own life. Ryu seemed to be on the right track again, but what about him? Along the road to proving himself again, he encountered the heiress Karin Kanzuki, who told him she had followed his career and was trying to best her own rival Sakura Kasugano(whom, fittingly, happened to be a fan of Ryu) to prove her superiority. Ken advised her it's good to have a rival, not for supremacy, but to keep on training harder and focusing. With this, Ken found himself again and became focused once more. Going off to meet up with Sakura, they too have a friendly match, and Ken finally realized that Ryu has the right idea all along. Both he and Sakura began to travel to find Ryu, but their path crossed with that of Shadaloo dictator M. Bison. Ken confronted him but was easily defeated and placed under Bison's hypnosis. Bison then used a brainwashed Ken to lure Ryu out of hiding. Once Ryu showed up, Bison made Ken fight him though Ryu won and managed to release Ken of Bison's mind control. Ryu then proceeded to fight Bison but lost. Just like his friend, Ryu turned into a slave of Bison's Psycho Power. Sagat appeared and, enraged by Bison's actions, engaged Ryu in an attempt to break Bison's mental grip on him. Ken, aided by Sakura, attacked Bison. This intervention, along with Sagat's presence, made Ryu come to his senses. A recovered Ryu fought Bison once more and eventually defeating Bison with a powerful Hadoken. Ken was happy to see his old friend again.

With a promise of a new duel, the two part their ways.

In Street Fighter IV, Ken is now married to Eliza as his Street Fighter II ending and she is pregnant with his son.

Ken enters to see Ryu again while being called with his wife Eliza. Later after the destruction of the BLECE project of S.I.N. who also held at the tournament he and Ryu are searching for their master Gouken and both noticed he's alive. After that, the two parted ways again as he visits his wife Eliza at the hospital where she gives birth to his son Mel which Ken welcomed his birth son to the family. Once Ryu discovered theat their master, Gouken is alive and survived Akuma's attack by emptying his heart and minds with Power of Nothingness, then seals Satsui no Hadou within Ryu's body, Ken and Ryu are praised by their master, being told there are nothing left for them to be taught, as they are now prepared to be a true master, left while entrusting their student's future.

In Street Fighter III series, Ken is seen training his son Mel some martial arts moves but ends up beaten by his own son by punching him to his testicles as his wife Eliza scolds him for it. At this point, he also trains Sean Matsuda to fight and to win a martial arts tournaments as the latter always lose the fight. He tells him to beat Ryu but the latter lost against him. In 3rd Strike, he gives his championship trophy to Sean but refuses and wanted to train harder for himself to be a true champion, much to Ken's proud of his student and considers him like he is part of the family. He is currently an American martial arts championship.

Crosspedia Entry[]

The All-American Martial Arts Champion and a student of the same school as Ryu. Working as the President of the massive Masters Corporation, he lives a busy but happy life, supported by his wife Eliza and young son Mel. Having removed himself from the strict daily routine of training, he has started to feel a gap between himself and Ryu, his friend yet also his rival. For a while this concerned him, but Ken finally came to understand that his desire to protect his beloved family is a source of power unique to himself, and he decided to seek strength in a different manner from Ryu. The opposite of the stoic Ryu, Ken has an affable and friendly personality. Although extremely confident, he also has the ability to back that confidence up.

The evil brainwashed version of Ken, Violent Ken first appeared in the animated Street Fighter II V, then made a brief appearance in a canon Street Fighter Alpha 3 (despite it still normal), then SNK vs. Capcom: Chaos, Project X Zone 2 and canon Ultra Street Fighter II whereas this form is given a different palettes than the original Ken, particularly the flame attacks color becomes purple and the red eyes, while in SvCC and UFSII has most of his body parts, gi and hair palettes being toned to much more darker.

Gameplay[]

Ken first appears in Prologue 2: Where The Strong Survive and reappears in Chapter 8: The Domain of Dreams in Project X Zone. For Project X Zone 2, he first appears in Chapter 17: Road Combatants. In both games, he is partnered with Street Fighter protagonist and best friend, Ryu. His moveset consist of his many signature fighting moves, such as Hadoken and Shoryuken.

Stats at Level 50 (Project X Zone)[]

Lv HP ATK DEF TEC SPD
50 13377 359 359 155 147

Stats at Level 99 (Project X Zone 2)[]

Lv HP ATK DEF TEC DEX
99 53337 788 411 268 265

Project X Zone 2 Ultimate Equipment[]

Gear: Power of Nothingness Gi (ATK +332, TEC +25, DEX +25, HP +5000)

Accessory: Large Prayer Beads (ATK +30, DEF +240, TEC +25, DEX+25, SP +50)

Attack List[]

Project X Zone Attack List[]

Name Strength XP Rate Effect
J. Sokutou Geri & Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku C 6% Critical+
Shinku Hadoken & EX Hadoken B 6% None
Shoryuken & Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku B 5% Down & Critical+
Shinku T. Senpuu Kyaku & Shoryuken (S) B 3% Stun
Shakunetsu Hadoken & Shoryu Reppa A 3% None
Special: Metsu Hadoken & Shinryuken S 100% Cost Stun
MA: Souryuken (2 enemies) A 100% Cost Stun
Support: Metsu Shoryuken & Shoryuken (Strong) C None None

Project X Zone 2 Attack List[]

Name Strength Effect
Collarbone Breaker & Inazuma Kick C Stun
Shoryuken & Tatsumaki Senpu Kyaku B Block Crush
Jodan Sokuto Geri & Ryusen Kyaku A None
Shinku Tatsumaki Senpu Kyaku & Fwd. Step Kick B Down
Metsu Shoryuken & Shoryu Reppa A None
Special: Metsu Hadoken & Guren Senpu Kyaku S Stun
MA: Double Hadoken S None
Support: Metsu Shoryuken & Shoryuken (Strong) A None

Project X Zone 2 Enemy Attack List[]

Name Strength Effect
Attack A None
Special: Shinryuken S None
MA: Shoryuken (2-4 targets) S Stun


Skill List[]

Project X Zone Skill List[]

Skill Name XP Cost Target Effect Description
Master's Teachings 10% Self Fixed enemy launch height A principle of Ryu's teachings from his master Gouken
Martial Arts Instruction 15% Ally First Critical Ken provides real-time remote advice using the latest technology
Pride of a U.S. Champion 35% Self All stats increase 10% The pride of a champion makes Ken stronger
Fist of the Wind 20% Self First Critical & Half XP for Counter The ultimate single strike art finally obtained for Ryu
Training Mentality Auto Self 20% Exp. increase (30% chance) Ryu Only

Project X Zone 2 Skill List[]

Name SP Cost Target Effect Description
Fist of the Wind 70 Self CRT Damage +35% & Extends CRT Window The pure, refined, all-powerful fist, as perfected by Ryu over years of training.
Fake Hadoken 50 Self Poison, Stun, and Down Rate +15% A Hadoken-styled feint designed by Ryu to throw foes off guard.
Inazuma Kick 40 Self Damage Blocked +50% Ken's lightning-infused heel crushes his foe's guard.
Taunt 50 Self Attack +25% Ken is confident is his strength and not afraid to show it, boosting his power.

Project X Zone 2 Auto Skill List[]

Name CP Cost Activation Rate Effect Description
Training Mentality 0 Start of Turn: 100% Exp. Acquired +10% Ryu trains day and night to be the ultimate of street fighters.
Sleep Anywhere 300 After Action: HP 70% or less SP Recovered 15% As a well-seasoned world traveler, Ryu can take a nap anywhere he likes.
Focus Attack 0 After Action: HP 50% or less Stun Counter Ken's flying kick that cancels attacks and freezes foes.
Martial Arts Instruction 400 Start of Turn: XP 100 or more Extends Cross Freeze A martial arts lesson from Ken's new correspondence course.
Kiai Yell 500 Start of Turn: SP 50% or more Halves Defend SP Cost Ryu lowers his center of gravity and steels himself against his foe's attack.
Forward Roll 600 Start of Turn: 50% Nullfies ZOC A rolling move which pushes Ken forward in a surprise attack that floors foes.
Healing Pressure Point 700 After Action: 50% Heals Poison, Stun, & Bind Ken's form of standing meditation that heals status ailments.

Project X Zone 2 Enemy Auto Skill List[]

Name Effect
Nultify Stun & Down Cannot be stunned & downed (or removes the effect)

Themes[]

His theme for both titles is a remix of the Volcanic Rim stage from Street Fighter IV. During their Multi Attack in Project X Zone 2, both Ryu and himself get an instrumental remix of Itoshisa to Setsunasa to Kokorotsuyosa (or Heartwarming Feelings) from Street Fighter II - The Animated Movie.

Quotes[]

List of Quotes - Ryu & Ken Masters

List of Quotes - Ryu & Ken Masters (PXZ2)

List of Quotes - Ken Masters (Story/PXZ)

List of Quotes - Ken Masters (Story/PXZ2)

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • Originally only called "Ken", he gained his last name when toy company Hasbro got the license to add the characters from Street Fighter II to their G.I. Joe toyline. It is widely believed, though never confirmed, that the name was given to avoid copyright confusion with the character of the same name from Mattel's Barbie toyline.
  • In Project X Zone 2, Ken Masters and Ryu are one of two American and Japanese pairings. The other two characters that consist of American and Japanese pairings are Gemini Sunrise and Sakura Shinguji from Sega's Sakura Wars series.
  • He is the only fighting game character represented that is American.
  • Ken, Vashyron, Flynn, Saya, and Lindow are the only playable units not to appear in Project X Zone's intro.
    • Ken makes a brief appearance in the sequel's in both the all-character shot and a frame with Vergil, Heihachi, and Zero.
  • Project X Zone 2 is the only game where he and Ryu:
    • Don't appear in one of the prologues.
    • Are the last Street Fighter characters to be unlocked.
  • Ken, Ryu, and Chun-Li are the only Street Fighter characters to appear in all three Cross games.
  • Ken, Ryu, Chrom, Lucina, and Kazuya are the only playable units to be fighters in the Super Smash Bros. series.
  • Ken, Heihachi, Chrom, Reiji, and Xiaomu are the only playable units that are married.
    • Ken, Heihachi, and Chrom are the only ones with confirmed children.
    • Kazuya is technically married, but he doesn't consider Jun his wife.
    • Haseo and Lucina can get married in their home games based on the player's choice.
  • Ken, Axel, Captain Commando, Flynn, Valkyrie, Devilotte, Zero, Xiaomu, Sylphie, Cyrille, Unknown Soldier 1P, Cammy, Karin, Roll Caskett, and Stahn are the only blond playable units.
  • Segata, Estelle, and Ken are the only playable units that are also bosses in Project X Zone 2.
    • Ken is the only one of the three to first appear as a boss after he joins the party.
  • Ken's theme has been remixed in Namco X Capcom but was absent in its successors. Ken is the only one of the three Street Fighter characters to be in all three games to have his theme in only one.
Namco x Capcom
Playable Characters
Armor King - Arthur - Baby Head - Bravoman - Bruce - Cammy - Captain - Chun-Li - Demitri - Felicia - Fong Ling - Gil - Ginzu - Guntz - Guy - Haggar - Heihachi - Hideo - Hiromi - Hsien-Ko - Jin - Judas - Kagekiyo - Karin - Ken - Ki - King - Klonoa - KOS-MOS - Kurino - Kyoko - Lilith - Mack - Masuyo - Mitsurugi - Momo - MOMO - Morrigan - Regina - Reiji - Roll - Rose - Rutee - Ryu - Sabine - Sakura - Servbots - Shion - Stahn - Strider Hiryu - Sylphie - Taizo - Taki - Tarosuke - Tron - Unknown Soldier P1 - Unknown Soldier P2 - Valkyrie - Volnutt - Waya Hime - Xiaomu
Bosses
Astaroth - Nebiroth - Red Arremer Joker - M. Bison - Akuma - Evil Ryu - Juni - Juli - Solo - Strider Hien - Tong Pooh - Grandmaster Meio - Shtrom Jr. - Shtrom - Druk - Lord Raptor - Juno - Allosaurus - Druaga - Yoritomo - Yoshitsune - Yoshinaka - Benkei - Amazona - Black Bravoman - Black Valkyrie - Zouna - Kamuz - Devil Kazuya - Ancient Ogre - Joka - Janga - Dokugozu - Dokumezu - Saya - Kyuju Kyu
Non-Playable Characters
Allen - Ishtar - Andaba - Enma - Otohime - Gamagaeru - Monmotaro - Lolo - High Priestess - Dr. Bomb
Project X Zone
Playable Characters
Akira - Alisa A. - Alisa B. - Arthur - Bahn - Batsu - BlackRose - Bruno - Chris - Chun-Li - Cyrille - Dante - Demitri - Devilotte - Erica - Estelle
Flynn - Frank - Gemini - Haken - Heihachi - Hsien-Ko - Ichiro - Imca - Jill - Jin - Juri - Kaguya - Ken - Kite - Kogoro - KOS-MOS - Kurt
Lady - Leanne - Lindow - Mii - Morrigan - Neneko/Neito - Pai - Reiji - Riela - Rikiya - Ryu - Sakura - Sänger - Saya - Servbots - Soma
T-elos - Toma - Tron - Ulala - Valkyrie - Vashyron - X - Xiaomu - Xiaoyu - Yuri - Zephyr - Zero
Rival Characters
Nemesis - Lord Raptor - Jedah - Seth - Vile - Astaroth - Shielder - Selvaria - Aya-me - Ciseaux - V-Dural - V-Dural (Statue)
Riemsianne - Coco ★ Tapioca - Skeith - Skeith Zero - Phantom - Vajra - Dokugozu - Dokumezu - Meden - Due - Eins - Drei
Non-Playable Characters
Aura - Iris
Project X Zone 2
Playable Characters
Akira - Alisa - Aty - Axel - Captain - Chris - Chrom - Chun-Li - Ciel - Dante - Demitri - Erica - Estelle - Felicia - Fiora - Flynn - Gemini
Goro Majima - Haseo - Heihachi - Hibana - Hotsuma - Ichiro Ogami - Ingrid - Jill - Jin - June - Kage Maru - Kazuma Kiryu - Kazuya - Ken - Kite
KOS-MOS - Leanne - Leon - Ling Xiaoyu - Lucina - Maya - Morrigan - Nana - Natsu - Pai - Phoenix - Reiji - Ryo - Ryu - Sakura - Segata
Strider Hiryu - Ulala - Valkyrie - Vashyron - Vergil - X - Xiaomu - Yuri - Zephyr - Zero
Bosses
Juri - M. Bison - Nelo Angelo - Nemesis - B.B. Hood - Lord Raptor - Pyron - Sigma - Vile MK-II - Tong Pooh - B. Hayato - V-Dural - V-Dural (Statue) - Dural - Aya-me - Ciseaux - Ranmaru - Dokurobo - Shadow - Coco ★ Tapioca - Robot Axel - Unknown - Zagi - Marduk - Vajra - Skeith - Azure Kite - Saya - Dokugozu - Dokumezu - Sheath - Nine Nine - Byaku Shin - T-elos - Kamuz - Metal Face
Mid-bosses
Ustanak - Solo - Shtrom Jr. - Shtrom - Druk - Kurohagane α
Non-Playable Characters
Ada - Aura - Chizuru Urashima - Garigliano - Miyuki - Miles Edgeworth - Otohime - Sylphie - Tarosuke - Tiki
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