Ryu
The wandering fighter who started everything.
The original arcade game, where Ryu was the sole player-one character and the fireball was already there.
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Why Ryu matters to collectors
Ryu is the default. Every fighting game protagonist since 1987 has been measured against the barefoot man in the white gi throwing a fireball, and most of them are variations on him. What keeps him interesting is that Capcom never gave him a win condition: he does not want a title or a revenge, he wants to understand the fight itself, which is why he is still wandering four decades later.
Key issues and milestones
- Street Fighter (1987) - The original arcade cabinet, including the pressure-sensitive pad version that reportedly injured players.
- Street Fighter II: The World Warrior (1991) - The sequel that turned a modest 1987 game into the biggest arcade phenomenon of its era.
- Street Fighter Alpha (1995) - The prequel line that expands the Satsui no Hado storyline running through his character.
- Street Fighter V (2016) - The game whose designs the current figure series is based on.
Ryu's red headband was originally a white one, given to him by his master Gouken - the colour change happened between the first game and Street Fighter II and was later written into the story.
Collecting Ryu through the years
The 1987 original is a genuinely rare arcade cabinet, especially the deluxe version with the large pneumatic punch pads, which Capcom pulled back from after operators found players hurting their hands on them. Surviving deluxe cabinets are among the more sought-after machines in arcade collecting. Everything mainstream about Ryu collecting, though, comes out of Street Fighter II: the 1993 GI Joe-scale Hasbro figures, the Japanese scale figure lines, and a long run of high-end statues. Sealed Super Nintendo and Genesis copies of Street Fighter II have become their own graded collecting category.
Ryu on VeVe
VeVe has released Ryu in the Street Fighter V figure series, using that game's version of the character design. Signature poses translate well to collectible sculpts here, since the fireball stance is as recognisable as any costume. Drops are scheduled in the app with tiered rarities and a scarcer premium edition sitting above the standard releases.
Street Fighter V figure series releases. Check the drop calendar for upcoming Street Fighter releases - drops sell out in minutes, and reminders keep you ahead of them.
New to digital collecting? Start with what VeVe is and why first appearances are the rookie cards of comics.
Before you collect Ryu
- Claim your free US$10 - new collectors start with credit toward a first piece, no card required.
- Is VeVe legit? - our honest review, including the parts VeVe would rather we skipped.
- How to start on VeVe - signup through first drop, step by step.
- Are VeVe collectibles worth it? - who genuinely enjoys this hobby, and who should pass.
Ryu collector FAQ
Where can I buy Ryu digital collectibles?
Ryu digital collectibles release on VeVe through scheduled drops and the in-app marketplace. Street Fighter V figure series releases.
What is Ryu's first appearance?
Ryu first appeared in Street Fighter (1987). The original arcade game, where Ryu was the sole player-one character and the fireball was already there.
Are Ryu collectibles on VeVe officially licensed?
Yes. Every Street Fighter collectible on VeVe is produced under official license with the rights holder - that licensing is the core difference between VeVe and unlicensed NFT projects. More on licensed vs unlicensed.
Are Ryu digital collectibles NFTs?
Technically yes - VeVe collectibles are NFTs recorded on blockchain for provenance. In practice they work like licensed digital collectibles: bought in-app with a custodial wallet, no crypto knowledge needed. How VeVe NFTs actually work.