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

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

Film

Chun-Li and Blanka have appeared in several films - we'll cover Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie and the live action Street Fighter: The Movie, which we've already seen the game version of. The Animated Movie features an infamous Chun-Li shower scene, which is one of the few times we see her with her hair down... among other things.

Above: Most of this shower scene was cut out in the US and European versions

Blanka appears in a short fight with Zangief, who he finishes off with his signature high-voltage move.

Street Fighter: The Movie cast Ming-Na Wem as Chun-Li, which actually isn't worst depiction of a Street Fighter character in the film, though it is the worst incarnation of Chun-Li, who is a reporter rather than an Interpool agent. What the hell?

Another live action film titledStreet Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li, is set to premier within the next year or so. Rumor has it that Smallville's Kristin Kreuk has been cast for the lead role. We just aren't sureher thighscan handle it.

Above: Kristin Kreuk, possibly the future Chun-Li, in Smallville

Blanka also appeared in Street Fighter: The Movie, and was played by Robert Mammone. Like Chun-Li, Blanka's character is significantly modified.He becameCarlos "Charlie" Blanka, a ridiculous mash up of Blanka and Charlie.

As you may have guessed, the only real value of the film is in the form of unintentional humor.

Possibly the best depiction of Chun-Li in film is Jackie Chan's portrayal of her in City Hunter (right). When Chan's opponent is tossed into a Street Fighter II cabinet and is transformed into Ken, Chan cycles through various characters on another machine to defeat him. Classic movie moment.

Trivia: Chun-Li made a cameo in the background of an episode of the cartoon Jackie Chan Adventures.

Figures

Chun-Li and Blanka have both been molded into a variety of figures. The creation of such figures is an especially popular phenomenon in Japan, where just about every anime and video game character has beenminiaturized in plastic. Below is a sampling of some of the more popular Chun-Li and Blanka figures.

Source:Hardcore-Gamer.net

Source:ActionFigureCollectors.com

Source:FightersGeneration.com

Source:StarStore.com

Miscellanea

Who would we be to leave out this beautiful depiction of Chun-Li ala the 1992 Street Fighter II pinball machine? That smeared lipstick, thosebullet-shaped breasts... oh Chun-Li, let's play pinball!

Legacy

Chun-Li will forever be remembered as one of gaming's original, and most prolific heroines. Her legacy, however, is far from history. Many more battles await the headstrong Interpool agent, and we'll be seeing evidence of her legacy, both in Street Fighter and elsewhere, well into the future.

Our lovable green monster, Blanka, is likewise a legendary warrior. His uniqueness has granted him a great deal of dedicated fans, and he won't soon fade into history.

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