Summary
- Capcom unveils A.K.I., the second DLC character for Street Fighter 6, during EVO, showcasing her seductive yet sadistic personality and poison-based fighting style.
- A.K.I. Is a brand-new character in the first season pass, adding to the game's roster of 19 fighters, and is set to be released in Autumn 2023.
- Fans have drawn connections between A.K.I. And previous Street Fighter characters, noting her similarities to Juri Han and F.A.N.G., while also praising her horror-inspired design and captivating introduction.
Capcom gives fans a brief look at the second DLC character of Street Fighter 6's season pass, A.K.I., during the EVO fighting game tournament. This year's EVO has had a rather critically acclaimed lineup of fighting games, which includes Guilty Gear Strive, Mortal Kombat 11, and even Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3. Street Fighter 6 was released this past June, which allowed enough time for it to be represented at the annual event. This tournament is also the perfect venue for fighting game announcements and reveals, where Capcom gave fans a first look at its second DLC character before the grand finals of the Street Fighter 6 pools.
Street Fighter 6's first season of DLC includes four characters, which is composed of three returning characters and one brand-new one. Capcom added Rashid to Street Fighter 6's roster earlier in July, bringing the game's roster up to 19 characters to choose from. Rashid's inclusion coincided with the EVO tournament, where despite his relatively recent addition, he was eligible as a fighter for the tournament, much to some players' chagrin. The second character of this pass, A.K.I., was briefly shown off at EVO too.
A.K.I. Is the only brand-new fighter of Street Fighter 6's first season pass, with her personality and abilities demonstrated in a teaser trailer. This trailer seems like it is a cutscene taken from her encounter in the World Tour single-player campaign. Players meet A.K.I. While she is searching for a pouch of "herbal medicine," where she then sadistically teases and force-feeds the Custom Character a deadly poison. This is how the custom characters will presumably learn A.K.I.'s unique fighting style. The trailer notes that she will be added in Autumn 2023.
Many have noted that A.K.I. Is a composite of various Street Fighter characters of the past. She is a seductive femme fatale sadist like Juri Han, while also possessing the same poison affinity and claw-like appendages of Shadaloo's assassin, F.A.N.G. From Street Fighter 5. Some indicators point towards of how the two might even be related, with some theorizing that she is the apprentice that the assassin takes in after the events of SF5. She also appears to be a character inspired by horror films, based on her creepy introduction, pale skin, and freakish way that she contorts her body. Many fans instantly took a shine to her just based on this introduction alone.
Alongside this brief introduction of A.K.I., Capcom surprised everyone by announcing a crossover collaboration between Street Fighter 6 and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. This collaboration will allow the Custom Character to dress up as their favorite half shell hero, along with obtain some exclusive cosmetics. This event will be running starting on August 8, 2023.
Street Fighter 6 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.