Shun Goku Satsu
Shun Goku Satsu (瞬獄殺, literally: Instant Hell Murder, a.k.a. The Raging Demon) is a powerful super move in the Street Fighter series of fighting games. It is a secret technique of Ansatsuken practiced by Ryu, Ken, and Akuma. In the series, it is normally only found in Akuma and Satsui No Hadou Ryu's moveset, although Sakura has been shown using a parody of it non-canonically. First as her team-up attack in Rival Schools, then as Hiyakeshita Sakura (literally: Sunburned Sakura). Dan also uses a parody of the same attack in the Marvel vs. Capcom series. In Capcom's ongoing storyline, Akuma is the only person alive who knows how to perform it.
There is very little deviation in how the Shun Goku Satsu has been depicted in the series. The move starts with Akuma gliding toward his opponent. If he connects, he grabs them and the screen goes white. For a few seconds, the only things visible are several small explosions. Finally, the screen returns to normal and Akuma is left standing over his unconscious victim. The kanji (Ten) for heaven, (天), glows red on his back, which is turned toward the screen. In Capcom vs. SNK 2, as Shin Akuma (or Orochi Akuma in this case, since Rugal injected a considerable amount of Orochi Blood into Akuma's body, causing the transformation to Shin Akuma), the kanji at the back of Shin Akuma's Gi is kami(神), which stands for god, superimposed over the kanji jin (人) which means person, (thus roughly meaning "godly person") and it glows white while Akuma has his back turned, and bright yellow at the Shun Goku Satsu aftermath. Satsui No Hadou Ni Mezameta Ryu's aftermath consists of the kanji metsu(滅), which means destruction.
Storywise, during the Shun Goku Satsu the martial artist drags their victim to Hell where their bodies are attacked by demons. The ferocity with which these demons attack depends on the amount of negative karma an individual has accrued over their lifetime. As a result, the martial artist performing the technique also puts their life in jeopardy. Even the innocent aren't afforded any safety from a successfully performed Shun Goku Satsu. Against pure evil, this attack can be devastating. The only way to defend against it is by clearing the mind of all desire, guilt, hatred, and anger. Gen was able to survive the Shun Goku Satsu in this way. In the games, the amount of damage inflicted by the Shun Goku Satsu is consistent between characters and is unblockable if it connects.
Gouken excluded this move from his school (alongside other life-threatening moves) since he was against killing. He did not teach either Ryu or Ken this move whatsoever due to the high risks of using it and since Shun Goku Satsu was deemed a life-threatening move in his school.
The Shun Goku Satsu is performed by pressing LP, LP, --->, LK, HP (when facing right). It is one of Akuma's most powerful attacks and often the most damaging super move in the series. However, it can easily be evaded by a skilled opponent. Usually the Shun Goku Satsu does 15 hits, but in Capcom vs. SNK 2, Shin Akuma's Shun Goku Satsu does 33 hits. The only move more powerful than the Shun Goku Satsu would be Akuma's Murderous Wave Chop (or Misogi (purification), which Akuma leaps up in the air and drops right into his foe with a life-threatening chop).
See Also
Categories: Street Fighter