BST|Daigo Umehara is a competitor that has a long history with the Street Fighter series. Throughout his time, he’s mained a lot of characters.
In a clip uploaded by Red Bull Gaming, Daigo actually ranks each of his Street Fighter mains based on how much he enjoyed playing them. Since it’s in Japanese, we had Nicholas “MajinTenshinhan” Taylor provide us with translations.
Characters have been arranged into one of four different categories: S tier, A tier, B tier, and C tier. Daigo admits that there are some characters that he really didn’t enjoy playing, but used them anyhow since they were strong.
The latest character that Daigo picked up, Akuma in Street Fighter 6, is said to be one of Daigo’s favorites. Since he’s still learning the character, Daigo believes that he has potential to move up even higher with time.
ウメハラの歴代使用キャラ好きランキング@daigothebeastJP pic.twitter.com/Ofmh5uJHA9
— レッドブル ゲーミング (@RedBullGamingJP) February 11, 2025
Ryu ends up being both at the top of the tier list and the bottom. Street Fighter 4 Ryu is said to be Daigo’s favorite.
However, Street Fighter 5 Ryu took the character in a direction that Daigo really didn’t like. There’s no doubt that this was one of the worst incarnations we’ve ever seen of Ryu in a mainline Street Fighter game.
Daigo Umehara translated and transcribed
This is my ranking for how much I like my historical mains!
Ryu (Street Fighter 2)
This is… well, this is right here. No discussion, S rank.
Guile (Street Fighter 2)
This… I like him, but… I only used him in Super Turbo, so actually I’d probably put him here in A rank.
Balrog (Street Fighter 2)
Street Fighter 2’s Balrog! No, I don’t like him at all. I only used him to win. He’s definitely down here. He’s just strong.
Akuma (Street Fighter Alpha 3)
Akuma from Street Fighter Alpha 3. I won the Japanese tournament with him, and then the American one, it was my first time being on TV. Considering all of these factors, probably here?
Ken (Street Fighter 3)
Ken from the Street Fighter 3 series. As far as my memory goes, I’d honestly place him down here in C rank. However, my gratitude for him is actually up in S rank. Honestly, it’s because of him that I became a pro. So he’d have to be up here. Everyone still keeps calling the White Gi Ken the “Umehara Ken” too.
Ryu (Street Fighter 4)
Street Fighter 4 series’ Ryu. This… This is high up. He’s probably the character I’ve played the most. For five years after becoming a pro, it was always this Ryu. So with that, he has to be here… And we move this here… Yeah.
Yun (Street Fighter 4)
Street Fighter 4 Yun… I kind of like him. I might actually put him here in B rank.
Evil Ryu (Street Fighter 4)
Evil Ryu in Street Fighter 4. Actually, not that much. He definitely gave me a lot of wins, but my memory focuses more on the losses with him. I might have to put him further down than you’d expect.
Ryu (Street Fighter 5)
Ryu in Street Fighter 5… (Daigo just silently puts him at the bottom).
Guile (Street Fighter 5)
Guile in Street Fighter 5. This guy… He’s high up. He’s kind of the successor to Street Fighter 4’s Ryu, this was what I was doing most of Street Fighter 5.
Ken (Street Fighter 6)
Street Fighter 6 Ken. Well… I only used him for about a year, so I can’t really put him very high. Here, I guess?
Akuma (Street Fighter 6)
Street Fighter 6 Akuma. That’s now! At the moment, I’d have him around here. I love him! He fits me well. I’m hoping as time goes on, he’ll move up like this for me.
Source: Event Hubs
