Denjin Hadoken

"Concentrated energy...the longer it builds up, the more devastating it becomes!"

—Ryu in Street Fighter III: 2nd Impact

"Here I come! Denjin! Hadoken! (いくぞ！ 電刃！ 波動拳！, Iku zo! Denjin! Hadōken!^?)"

—Gouken

The Denjin Hadoken (電刃波動拳, Denjin Hadōken^?, "Electric Blade Surge Fist") is a type of Hadoken that was introduced in the Street Fighter III series as Ryu's third Super Art. It also appears as Gouken's second Ultra Combo in the Street Fighter IV series, and as Ryu's Critical Art, if his first V-Trigger is active, in Street Fighter V.

Input

Appearance	User(s)	Function	Input
Street Fighter III series	Ryu	Super Art III	+ ( to charge)
Street Fighter EX series	Evil Ryu Ace	Meteor Combo	+ ( to charge)
Street Fighter IV series	Gouken	Ultra Combo II	+ ( to charge)
Street Fighter V	Ryu	Critical Art	+ (only during V-Trigger I)
Street Fighter 6	Ryu	Super Art (Level 1)	+ (when Denjin Charge is active)

Description

This Hadoken is particularly unique in the fact that it can be charged to determine the amount of hits, damage and stun it will inflict on the opponent. The charging speed of the attack can be increased by rotating the analog stick.

At its maximum charge, Ryu's Denjin Hadoken inflicts five hits and is guaranteed to stun the opponent. Gouken's Denjin Hadoken inflicts eight hits at maximum charge and a huge amount of stun. It also causes the opponent to bounce off the wall, allowing for juggling combos.

In Capcom vs. SNK 2, Evil Ryu's Metsu Hadoken functions and appears very similarly to the Denjin Hadoken as both are rather small in size, have a magenta-like color, and is sure to stun. However, while the Metsu Hadoken can do the same number of hits as Ryu's Denjin Hadoken, it's overall speed is slow, and it uses up the entire Super Combo meter, leaving not many opportunities to use it.

Since the 2012 patch for Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition, Gouken's Denjin Hadoken is the most powerful Ultra Combo available when fully charged (not counting Makoto's Seichusen Godanzuki combined with Tanden Renki). It is fully charged from the move's outset whenever he is fought in his boss form.

In Street Fighter V, if the Shinku Hadoken Critical Art is used while the Denjin Renki is active, then it becomes the Denjin Hadoken. Unlike the Street Fighter III version, it cannot be charged (Ryu throws it immediately after the activation animation). While it is not unblockable, it cause a guard crush if blocked, which can lead to a follow-up.

In Street Fighter 6, the Shinku Hadoken is replaced by Denjin Hadoken if it's used while Denjin Charge is activated.

Story

The technique can't be performed without having mastered the Satsui no Hado, as it uses the energy source as a catalyst. The user combines their own ki with a controlled amount of Satsui no Hadou, with the resulting friction of positive and negative energies producing electric conduction within the projectile.^[1]

Tactics

The Denjin Hadoken focuses on strength, requiring strategic timing to be successful, as charging the move too long will leave the user vulnerable to any attack, and releasing it prematurely will allow the opponent to dodge it by jumping over it, parrying or using a move that passes through projectiles.

In Street Fighter III, Denjin Hadoken is completely unblockable, due to the existence of parries offering another form of defense against it. Ryu can set up the attack after a special cancel and charge Denjin Hadoken to put the opponent in a terrifying mix-up scenario. Ryu is able to counter parry attempts either by setting up a Hadoken right before immediately cancelling into Denjin Hadoken or surprise an opponent trying to parry the attack with a Tatsumaki Senpukyaku or low attack to throw off their timing. However, since the attack is punishable on hit and does not knock the opponent down, Ryu must make sure that the opponent is close to being stunned before he attempts to use it. Later games alter these properties due to parrying no longer being a universal mechanic, reducing the overall reward from the attack to compensate.

Trivia

• When fully charged, this is the most damaging Ultra Combo in the Street Fighter IV series.
• In Ultra Street Fighter IV, even when fully loaded, Denjin Hadoken can be blocked.
• Originally, Ryu originally meant to have Denjin Hadoken instead of Shin Hadoken included as part of Hado Kakusei exclusive move in the gameplay of Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, but it was dropped and the sound files were left unused.^{[citation needed]}
• The color of the electricity generated from inside the body is yellow (as seen from Blanka and Laura), while artificial or electricity generated from the outside is blue (C. Viper). Ryu and Gouken utilize both Hadou and electric current when using Denjin Hadoken.^[2]

Gallery

Sprites

Screenshots

Gouken preparing his Denjin Hadoken against Akuma in Super Street Fighter IV.

Ibuki being hit by Gouken's Denjin Hadouken in Super Street Fighter IV.

Ryu's Denjin Hadoken in Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online Edition.

Ryu hitting Chun-Li with the Denjin Hadoken in Street Fighter V.

Gif Animations

Gif animation of Ryu using Denjin Hadoken against Luke in Street Fighter V.

Gif animation of Ryu using Denjin Hadoken against Akuma in Street Fighter 6.

Video

Super Street Fighter 4 - Gouken Ultra 2

C-Royd Teaches Third Strike How to Use Denjin Hadouken (Street Fighter 3rd Strike Tutorial)

References