On a scale of one to Hadouken, how good is Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist?

Now this is how you make a Street Fighter movie.

Last week, Joey Ansah and Christian Howard’s short film, Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist, was released on the Machinima YouTube channel. As the title suggests, it is based on one of the world’s most popular fighting game franchises—Capcom’s Street Fighter. While not made in Asia, I feel Assassin’s Fist is a Street Fighter film production any fan should watch, and we’ve got tons of Street Fighter fans here in the region!

Assassin’s Fist follows the story of Ryu and Ken as they study the techniques and secrets of the martial art Ansatsuken while also learning about their master, Gouken. It is presented as a series with thirteen episodes, including “Episode 0 – Alpha”, and it is glorious.

This isn’t another Street Fighter movie from 1994

Here are a few good things to look forward to in Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist (also note, spoiler alert).

First of all, Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist is nothing like Street Fighter (The Movie). The latter presented itself in a very Western way with American street fighter Guile as the main character. There was also a heavy focus on the military and on politics. Assassin’s Fist, however, has a more Asian take. Its main characters are the game’s Japanese fighter Ryu and his American best friend Ken. who grew up in Japan. Assassin’s Fist focuses on the world of Japanese martial arts.

(See: Decapre announced as fifth Ultra Street Fighter 4 character)

It also stayed true to the game’s storyline. Almost every detail and aspect of the game can be found in the series, and I hardly need to mention how accurately Ryu and Ken are portrayed, and how they fight. Fans of Street Fighter will recognize the stances, blocks, combos, throws, and even the parries and tech hits from the game. Of course, you will also see each character’s signature moves and trust me when I say Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist basically brought the entire game to life.

For those who pay attention to the Street Fighter story line (especially those who played Street Fighter: Zero/Alpha , Street Fighter: Zero/Alpha 2, and Street Fighter II), you will also recognize story details such as Ryu’s bandana changing from white to red, and Ken’s haircut. You won’t be surprised by revelations or plot twists in Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist if you’ve been following the game’s storyline; rather, you should look out for how the story is told. And of course, how it’s shown.

Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist is a good way to get started on Street Fighter canon if you’ve just been a fan of the fighting game. The series has done a bang up job of staying true to the game’s actual story line.

(See: EVO 2014 lineup revealed, has Ultra Street Fighter 4 and Killer Instinct)