5 Street Fighter Characters Who Deserve a Bigger Role in SF7

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The Street Fighter series boasts a large cast of characters, and many consistently appear in the games, whether in the story or as playable fighters. Well-known characters like Ryu, Ken, Blanka, Guile, and Chun-Li are staples of the series, appearing in every Street Fighter game. However, some characters haven’t had a significant role for a long time and deserve a bigger part in a future game like Street Fighter 7, beyond just being minor background elements or hidden references.

Throughout the history of Street Fighter, many skilled fighters haven’t played a significant role in the game’s overall story, even if fans love them. Often, players only get a short glimpse into a character’s reasons for fighting through a single ending in arcade mode. This approach works well for characters who only appear once, like guest characters or unique fighters such as El Fuerte and Hakan from Street Fighter 4. However, it’s frustrating when characters who appear in multiple games repeatedly receive such limited story development.

5. Q/G

Q, a tall, masked fighter from Street Fighter 3: Third Strike, remains one of the series’ biggest enigmas – his background and motivations are completely unknown. The same goes for G, the “President of the Earth” introduced in Street Fighter 5, who believes in uniting people through the planet’s power. Fans know very little about either character, and many speculate that they are actually the same person, changed by time and appearing in different games throughout the series.

With the release of Street Fighter 7, fans might finally learn the truth about the mysterious characters G and Q. For years, their vague origins and hidden motivations have fueled speculation, and it seems the next game could finally reveal their purpose. They could be powerful antagonists, perhaps even the final boss, or opposing forces shaping the story. Whatever role they play, bringing these characters back would be a welcome development.

4. Sakura

Sakura is a fighter in the same style as Ryu, Ken, and Akuma, but she’s often overlooked in the Street Fighter series. This is unfortunate, as many fans specifically request she be included, and her personality is quite distinct from the other characters who use classic moves like the Hadoken and Shoryuken. Over time, Sakura has developed her own unique fighting style, even though she uses familiar special moves.

Sakura, in most Street Fighter games, is primarily known as a big fan of Ryu, and her character doesn’t extend much beyond that admiration. Street Fighter 5 gave her a bit more personality by establishing her as an arcade worker, which was shown in her updated design. Now, with Street Fighter 7, there’s a chance to explore Sakura’s own story and adventures, especially since the game also includes characters like Karen and Akira, who she’s met before.

3. Rashid

Rashid is a fantastic addition to the Street Fighter series. He stands out with a unique look and a really innovative fighting style based on wind and sand. His energetic, acrobatic moves perfectly match his cheerful personality, making him a fan favorite in both Street Fighter 5 and Street Fighter 6. However, despite his popularity, Rashid’s presence and impact within the games themselves are surprisingly limited.

Man, I always felt like Rashid got short shrift in both Street Fighter 5 and 6. In 5, he was barely in the story, and felt super one-dimensional. Then in 6, he was just this streamer dude running around recording fights – cool, but totally disconnected from the main plot. It feels like they keep pushing him to the sidelines when he deserves to be front and center! I really hope Street Fighter 7 finally gives Rashid the spotlight and a proper storyline like they did with Luke. He deserves it!

2. Sean

Sean is often mentioned as one of the most overlooked characters in the Street Fighter series. While fans have been hoping to see characters like Makoto and Dudley return, Sean has consistently been limited to brief appearances or hidden references since he first appeared. Despite not being a top-tier fighter in Third Strike, he was left out of Street Fighter 4, 5, and 6. The introduction of Laura in Street Fighter 5 as Sean’s sister makes it seem like Capcom deliberately avoids featuring him.

Unlike Sakura, this character avoids copying traditional fighting styles, preferring to create his own unique moves. His energetic personality shines through in his playful fighting style, featuring quick dodges, leaping kicks, and even a move where he throws a basketball – a lighthearted touch not often seen in Street Fighter. Given Ken’s significant role in the story of Street Fighter 6, it makes sense that this character gets a chance to shine, motivated by a desire to support his friend and mentor.

1. Cody

It’s easy to get caught up in what’s next for the Street Fighter series and forget how much it’s already changed. A prime example of this is Cody, who started in Capcom’s Final Fight as a standard fighter. He debuted in Street Fighter as an imprisoned fighter, wearing chains and a jumpsuit. But by Street Fighter 5, he’d dramatically changed roles, becoming the mayor of Metro City.

When Mike Haggar from Final Fight stepped down, he appointed Cody as mayor, prompting a significant change in Cody’s behavior in Street Fighter 5. This was unexpected, as Cody kept his tough fighting style but adopted a more polished appearance to suit his new role. Fans hoped to see Cody embrace this responsibility in Street Fighter 6’s World Tour mode, but the expansive Metro City within that mode didn’t really feature him in a meaningful way.

I think Street Fighter 6 missed a big opportunity. By not focusing on Cody’s position as a leader in Metro City, the game doesn’t let him fully develop within the story, even a simple arcade one. This leadership role could be a great way to build new storylines and connect existing and new characters, which would give them a reason to be in future games. Because of this, Cody should definitely have a bigger part in Street Fighter 7 – it would open doors for other characters to shine and prove their worth.

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2026-05-23 19:14