STREET FIGHTER II is practically synonymous with the word sequel, with more incarnations in more mediums than most other franchises. Hardly surprising, then, that Manga Entertainment decided to release the STREET FIGHTER II V TV series, the follow-up to the animated movie. And just like its digital sibling, this retake of the story line will change everything you knew, or thought you knew, about STREET FIGHTER II.
This series takes place several years before the movie, with our heroes Ryu and Ken at the not-so-tender age of 17. Ryu, working as a lumber jack in Japan, receives a letter from Ken inviting him to the U.S. for a visit. Ken and Ryu discuss how they long for new challenges unavailable in tournament fighting. Armed with a American Express Gold card and the black belts around their waists, Ryu and Ken set out to challenge the world.
The first tape contains 3 episodes, and Manga Entertainment once again caters to both ends of the spectrum with a simultaneous release of subtitled and dubbed videos. The most obvious alteration is Manga Entertainment's replaced the opening song and animation sequence with a generic piece of music and scenes from the series. While I expected this for the dub, I hoped that the opening would survive intact for the subtitled version. The new opening would have been tolerable had they used a piece of music that had the quality of the original and fit the theme of the series, but the replacement song sounded quite, well, bad. The ending theme was also replaced with the same exact piece of bad music as the opening! They also left an eyecatch in the middle but not the original one! The original eye catch with the STREET FIGHTER II logo zooming out onto a black field with the emblem "V" materializing behind is now used for the opening credits. In its place is a still capture of Ryu and Ken in a field of blue with a globe in the middle (which came from the sponsors announcement segment on air in Japan.) Since it is a still without any animation or movement, yet still lasts for 15 seconds or so, it seems more like an annoying interruption than anything else.
The plot itself will probably not sit well with diehard STREET FIGHTER II fans. While our heroes are younger, this does not seem like a well constructed prequel, but rather a different approach to the entire Street Fighter universe. The characterization of Ken is consistent with previous versions, but Ryu is portrayed as a young goofball who even lacks the discipline to control his appetite at the dinner table. The Ryu in the TV show is nothing like the Ryu in the animated movie and video games.
And while we're on the subject of bad characterizations, let's take a look at Chun Li. While staying in Hong Kong, Ken and Ryu needed a tour guide to show them the sights and the fights. And who shows up to be their guide in the night? A 15-year-old Chun Li, complete with an outfit no self-respecting Hong Kong girl would wear, especially when going to two strangers' hotel room at night!
Chun Li takes them to the baddest, most lawless place in Hong Kong, Kawloon Palace. Basically, it's a blacked-out city block that the cops won't touch. But Ken, Ryu, and Chun Li all go there for the exercise. It's a stretch, and a big one, but it's the kind of plot device they need to have lots of fights.
The series is a fair attempt at serializing the STREET FIGHTER II saga, but it fails in many of the points where the animated movie triumphed. The animation quality varied greatly by scene, giving the entire show a very inconsistent look. The liberal characterizations of established figures, coupled with an illogical mix of new characters (Cammy is in this series, and no she's not 12, but she should be if you go by the game's continuity) makes this series fit for only those who crave anything STREET FIGHTER II or those who can cope with continuity shifts. If you liked the movie and wanted to see more, this may or may might not be a good choice.

STREET FIGHTER II V Vol. 1 (episodes 1-3) Manga Entertainment $24.95 #4400457613 85 min Available Now