The Ultimate Guide to Street Fighter 6's Incredible AKI DLC Character

Highlights

Street Fighter 6 is receiving positive reviews and record-breaking participation, with players loving the base roster and the recent patch for a buggy character.

The next DLC character, A.K.I., is set to be released in the game. She bears a striking resemblance in both name and abilities to a Street Fighter 5 character, which only deepens the intrigue surrounding her origins. Speculations among fans suggest that A.K.I. may possess similar abilities to F.A.N.G, as evidenced by the cinematic trailer, and could potentially be linked to the resurgence of the nefarious organization known as Shadaloo.

Street Fighter 6 has experienced a successful launch, receiving positive reviews from both critics and players. Additionally, it has achieved record-breaking participation in EVO 2023. The base roster has been well-received, despite an initial issue with Rashid's Level 2 Super Art that has since been resolved through a patch. Excitement continues to build as the game prepares to introduce its next DLC character, A.K.I., who was teased in a cinematic trailer. A.K.I. shares similarities in name and abilities with a character from Street Fighter 5, adding to the enigma surrounding her origins.

What sets the Street Fighter franchise apart is its ever-evolving roster, with each sequel introducing new characters. While iconic figures like Ryu, Ken, and Chun-Li remain constant, fighters from Street Fighter 5 are unlikely to make a return in Street Fighter 6 unless they reach the level of popularity enjoyed by Rashid. However, the game still caters to players who master the unique abilities of niche characters in each installment, as evidenced by the introduction of fighters with similar playstyles and kits. This approach was previously seen in the replacement of Guile with Remy in Street Fighter 3: Third Strike, and it appears that a similar strategy may be employed with F.A.N.G. and A.K.I.

Street Fighter 6’s A.K.I. Could Have a Poisonous Arsenal of Moves

In the trailer, the Street Fighter 6 World Tour character is shown assisting a stranger in finding her herbal medicine. However, the character quickly regrets their decision when the stranger surprises them by slithering on the ground, causing them to stumble. To force the character to consume the medicine, the stranger employs a psychic ability to make them open their mouth and ingest the mysterious substance. The stranger proceeds to explain the various adverse effects of the poison, ranging from visual impairment to respiratory failure, concluding their speech with a maniacal laugh. The trailer then unveils the stranger's name as A.K.I., an abbreviation reminiscent of F.A.N.G., a former antagonist in the Street Fighter franchise.

Little is currently known about A.K.I.'s origins or capabilities, as Capcom typically keeps details regarding their characters under wraps until shortly before their official release. Nevertheless, fans have begun speculating that A.K.I. may possess similar abilities to F.A.N.G from Street Fighter 5. F.A.N.G implements moves that inflict damage over time, only ceasing when the poison dissipates or when he sustains a hit. Additionally, F.A.N.G utilizes unique and specialized attacks that involve sliding on the ground to evade high attacks, projectiles, and to reposition, mirroring the slithering movement demonstrated by A.K.I. in the trailer.

Could Street Fighter 6 See a Revamped Shadaloo?

Shadaloo, the terrorist organization led by the villainous M. Bison and known for its use of Psycho Power, met its demise in the hands of Ryu and Chun-Li during the events of Street Fighter 5. This occurred years before the events of Street Fighter 6, where the main antagonist JP, who also possesses Psycho Power, now heads a terrorist cell similar to M. Bison's. JP was once a member of Shadaloo before its downfall and has named his new group "Amnesia," disguising it as a activists' organization seeking to dismantle the wealthy and powerful. However, their true intentions are evident from their attack on Nayshall, which likely resulted in multiple casualties.

It raises curiosity about the potential involvement of A.K.I. in this narrative, as she could potentially be an apprentice of a former high-ranking member of Shadaloo. Speculation arises that she might ally with JP to increase Amnesia's power and influence analogous to F.A.N.G. and M. Bison in the past. If this is the case, Street Fighter 6's new protagonist, Luke, will face a formidable challenge ahead.

Street Fighter 6 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.