Inazuma Kick

The Inazuma Kick (稲妻かかと割り, Inazuma Kakato Wari, "Lightning Flash Heel Splitter") is one of Ken's Unique Attacks. It was introduced first in Super Street Fighter II Turbo as a followup special move, then in the Street Fighter Alpha series as a standalone command normal. In the EX games, this acts as his Guard Break in the first two games, and as his Surprise Blow in the third.

Note that its English nickname is not to be confused with another popular attack of the same name, or a recurring knee kick in Japanese martial arts.

Input

Street Fighter Alpha 3	+
Street Fighter V	+
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Description

Executed by holding forward and/or backward (depending on the title and installment) and pressing Medium Kick, Ken performs an overhead following-legged axe kick that hits the opponent two times via his heel.

This attack was originally one of the many that can also be performed during any of Ken's unique kick specials in some of the other games starting with Super Street Fighter II Turbo (where it is treated as a special move and can thus inflict chip damage), though the Alpha series is the first to render it as a command normal. Later games allow for both versions of the attack to be performed; Street Fighter III in particular, allows for Ken to perform the attack off of his standing medium kick (which was originally his Kama Barai Geri in many instances where it acts as one of Ken's standing close kick normals).

Tactics

In Street Fighter IV, unlike Ryu's Collarbone Breaker, it leaves Ken at frame disadvantage on hit, meaning that the player has to be careful not to get counter-hit out of a followup attack; he is at a slight frame advantage on hit in Street Fighter V. Also unlike the Collarbone Breaker, it has much more range while also keeping Ken stationary, allowing him to safely poke at his opponent in-and-out if when spaced properly. Some games even allow Ken to combo out of his Inazuma Kick under certain situations, such as if he hits it meaty on an opponent's wakeup in Street Fighter V.

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the Inazuma Kick is a key part of Ken's close to mid-range offense. Its high launch power combined with great pushback on block makes the move impressively safe; in addition, its low launch angle is incredibly useful. These factors combined allow Ken to use the Inazuma Kick as a safe way to fish for a game-ending hit with little risk, and with the kick acting as a followup to his Roundhouse Kicks, it's an effective way to cap off his block strings, sometimes even being able to poke an opponent through their shield if it's reduced enough.

Gallery

Sprites

Screenshots

Street Fighter IV

Street Fighter V