Sakura Kasugano

Sakura Kasugano, introduced in *Street Fighter Alpha 2* (1996), is a Japanese student and martial arts enthusiast who entered the street fighting circuit after witnessing Ryu's achievements, making him her greatest idol and an indirect mentor. With a fighting style derived from Ansatsuken—adapted in a self-taught, expressive manner that produced unique variations like the short-range Hadoken and the Shouoken—she stands out for her agile playstyle, which focuses on pressure and mobility. Throughout the franchise, Sakura evolves from her iconic school uniform (*seifuku*) into adulthood, balancing a day job with the quest to discover the true meaning of her strength; she maintains a friendly rivalry with heiress Karin Kanzuki and has established herself as one of Capcom's most charismatic characters.