One look at Ken in Street Fighter 6 is enough to tell you that the character has been through a lot since the events surrounding Street Fighter 5 and Street Fighter 3. Mr. Masters just isn’t his usual cheerful and cocky self.
During Ken’s arcade playthrough, Ken actually ponders about potentially killing JP as JP was the mastermind of the “Nayshall Incident,” despite Ken getting implicated for it. According to Street Fighter 6 Director Takayuki Nakayama, Ken’s master, Gouken, is completely unaware of this situation.
“Gouken is alive and can still fight,” responded Nakayama to a question about Gouken’s whereabouts in Street Fighter 6. “‘I live deep in the mountains, rejoicing in the growth of my two apprentices.'”
It would seem that this isolation is the cause of Gouken’s obliviousness to Ken’s recent problems. Evidently, Gouken is content with the idea that Ryu and Ken no longer require their master’s guidance.
“He wouldn’t know about the recent unfortunate incident that happened to Ken,” concluded Nakayama.
Though it was believed that Gouken had previously been felled by Akuma’s hand, it turned out that he was actually left in a coma. Needless to say, it’s exceptionally rare for a character to die and stay dead in the Street Fighter universe.
Like Gen, Gouken is among one of the older combatants in Street Fighter. While it wouldn’t be surprising to hear of Gouken or Gen succumbing to natural causes due to their advanced ages, it hasn’t happened by the time of Street Fighter 6’s events.
During Ryu’s prologue in Street Fighter 5, Gouken makes a cameo appearance by giving Ryu instructions. Of course, it’s implied that Ryu went directly to Gouken about his struggles with the Satsui no Hado.
More than likely, Ken would have to seek Gouken out if he wanted help or advice with his current predicament. Unless something like that happens, Gouken really has no way of knowing what’s been happening to any of his former students.
A conversation with Ryu in the World Tour mode reveals that he’s of a somewhat similar mindset. While Ryu is actually aware of Ken’s problems, he figures that Ken would make contact if he ever wanted help. Ultimately, Ryu is content with just continuing his training until that time ever arrive.
It’s been a long time since Gouken was made playable in Street Fighter 4. Of course, with Gouken confirmed to still be alive, this means that he could potentially join the Street Fighter 6 roster as DLC someday. We’ll just have to see if that ever happens.
Gouken is alive and can still fight. I live deep in the mountains, rejoicing in the growth of my two apprentices. He wouldn’t know about the recent unfortunate incident that happened to Ken.
— TAKA-nakayama (@takaNakayama) January 15, 2025
Source: Event Hubs
