ryu

Ryu, written in romaji as Ryū, is a term used in Japan and Korea with several distinct meanings. In kanji, it can denote a dragon (竜 or 龍) when used as a given name or as a symbol of the mythical creature. In martial arts terminology, ryū (流) means a school, style, or tradition, as in the names of various martial arts “ryū” styles. The pronunciation and meaning vary with the chosen characters and context.

As a personal name, Ryu is commonly used as a masculine given name in Japan, sometimes chosen for its dragon-related associations. In Korean contexts, the same romanization Ryu can correspond to the surname 류 and is also used in given names; the meaning depends on the hanja used to write it.

In popular culture, Ryu is best known as the central character of Capcom’s Street Fighter series. Debuting in 1987, Ryu is a stoic Japanese martial artist who travels the world to pursue self-mastery through combat. He is widely regarded as one of the defining characters of the fighting game genre. His signature moves include Hadouken (an energy projectile), Shoryuken (a rising dragon punch), and Tatsumaki Senpukyaku (a spinning kick). The character has been featured in numerous games, films, and other media, contributing to the enduring popularity of martial arts archetypes in video games.

Beyond names and fiction, the word ryū remains common in Japanese and Korean contexts to describe styles and lineages within martial arts and literature. The term’s usage reflects both cultural symbolism and linguistic variety across East Asia.