Lee

"I have good fortune!"

—Lee

Lee (李) is a non-playable character from the Street Fighter series who first appeared in the original Street Fighter game as one of the ten computer-controlled opponents.

Story

Lee is a Chinese martial artist who only fights those he recognizes as true fighters.^[1]

The twin brothers Yun and Yang from Street Fighter III are his nephews. Yun is visually similar to Lee (ponytail, blue cap), and his dashing punch special attack, the Zesshou Hohou is similar to Lee's own dashing punch attack.

Not much is known about Lee's past but he possibly knows Chun-Li, as she mentions him in Yang's Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition ending.

He is now semi-retired and runs a real estate agency while training himself in the art of the Drunken Fist.^[1]

Concept

Lee was likely based on both Li Shuwen (the most famous Bajiquan practitioner that's been featured in various media in Japan) and Beggar So, a character famous for his Drunken Fist style portrayed in Jackie Chan films.

Other appearances

Sakura Ganbaru

Lee battled Sakura in the Sakura Ganbaru manga.

SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters Clash

He also makes an appearance as a card in SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters Clash.

Street Fighter Legends: Chun-Li

Lee also makes an unnamed appearance in the UDON comic, Street Fighter Legends: Chun-Li in which he is shown challenging Fei Long to a fight at the unveiling of a Chinese art exhibition. Lee passionately questions Fei Long's right to present the exhibit, believing that he is merely an actor without real martial skill. The two fight right in the middle of the presentation, with Fei Long easily emerging the victor.

Trivia

The Great Wall stage in Street Fighter Alpha is highly reminiscent of Lee's background.
In Yang's ending from Super Street Fighter IV: AE, Chun-Li mentions that she is paying her respects to Master Lee, this could imply that she is visiting him, as it was unlikely (even at the time) that he was deceased.
Lee, or someone resembling him, makes a small cameo in the Crowded Downtown stage in Street Fighter IV, where he along with other onlookers observe the fight. He can be seen in front of the first building near Player 2's (the right) side of the screen, sitting behind an old man in a white shirt, while occasionally cheering and clapping as the fight progresses. If anything, this NPC definitely resembles Lee's original Street Fighter design in some respects, with his purple uniform, and same facial features and hair being presented accordingly.