Zeku
Zeku is a martial artist from the Street Fighter series, debuting as a playable character in Street Fighter V. As the 38th grandmaster of the Bushinryu ninjutsu style, he serves as the teacher to both Guy and Maki Genryusai. Although he is an easygoing elderly man who supports his disciples from the shadows, he possesses an open mind toward modern concepts and uses a unique technique to temporarily reverse his physical age.
Overview
Zeku is a martial artist from the Street Fighter series, debuting as a playable character in Street Fighter V. As the 38th grandmaster of the Bushinryu ninjutsu style, he serves as the teacher to both Guy and Maki Genryusai. Although he is an easygoing elderly man who supports his disciples from the shadows, he possesses an open mind toward modern concepts and uses a unique technique to temporarily reverse his physical age.
Appearance
Zeku is a muscular, dark-skinned man featuring white or grey hair with strands between his eyes, thick eyebrows, and brown eyes. In his base elderly form, he wears traditional ninja attire with facial hair. Upon reversing his age, his outfit shifts to include a sleeveless top resembling a haragake and a red scarf. He is also depicted wearing a collared orange shirt, a blue necktie, blue denim jeans with a brown belt, elbow pads, fingerless gloves, and a wristwatch.
Personality
Zeku is a mild-mannered and easygoing elder, yet he remains remarkably open to contemporary ideas. Much like his student Guy, he struggles with foreign loanwords, expressing them with a distinct, softened pronunciation. Rather than staying stuck in tradition, he shows an active entrepreneurial spirit, seeking business partnerships and adapting modern methods to the way of the ninja.
Abilities
A master of hand-to-hand combat specializing in sharp kicking techniques, Zeku can switch between his Old and Young states mid-battle using a specialized technique. His Old form focuses on mid-range control through wide-reaching kicks like Bushin Gram - Koku. Transforming into his Young form unlocks numerous moves tailored for aggressive close-quarters combat. His V-Skills, Fukuro and Tonbogiri, allow him to strike while switching forms, supplemented by V-Triggers such as Bushinryu Shingekiko and Karuratenzan, alongside his Critical Art, Batsuzan Gaisei.
Background
Hailing from a branch family of the 37th Bushinryu successor, Genryusai, Zeku assumed the position of 38th grandmaster. He raised disciples including Guy and Maki Genryusai. After stepping back to let Guy take over the lineage, Zeku began traveling to scout new recruits and explore commercial ventures, aiming to establish a modern ninja group.
Relationships
Zeku trained Guy as his successor alongside Maki Genryusai, the daughter of the 37th grandmaster Genryusai. In his search for fresh talent, he attempted to recruit the high school kunoichi Ibuki for his new organization. He also established commercial ties with prominent figures, offering ninja services to Karin Kanzuki of the Kanzuki Zaibatsu and Cody, the mayor of Metro City.
Trivia
Zeku incorporates numerous homage elements to other Capcom titles like Strider Hiryu and Cannon Dancer. These references include offering 'Striders' as a potential name for his new ninja group, sharing attack naming conventions, adopting a similar outfit in his Young state, and uttering a recognizable quote from Hiryu upon achieving a Perfect victory round.