Ryu is a video game player character created by Capcom, the main protagonist of the Street Fighter series.
Having premiered in the first Street Fighter in 1987, Ryu appears as the lead character from the game, along with his best friend Ken Masters. Further games from the series show Ryu to be highly focused on his training, aiming to become the strongest he can. However, his powers also attract several criminals who want to use him for their plans, such as M. Bison. In some games, Ryu has an alternative form known as Evil Ryu ("Ryu with the surge of murderous intent awakened", abbreviated Satsui Ryu in Street Fighter Zero 3).
Ryu has been the lead character of the Street Fighter series since the first game and has appeared in crossovers involving the franchise. He is also featured in manga from the series, anime adaptations and the 1994 live-action film