Imagine being a legendary Street Fighter player, known worldwide for dominating with a single character, only to start questioning if it’s time to let them go. That’s exactly where Daigo Umehara, the iconic pro gamer, finds himself as he contemplates swapping his long-time main, Akuma, for either Ryu or the newly introduced C. Viper in Street Fighter 6. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is Akuma still worth the grind, or has he been left behind by the game’s evolving meta? Let’s dive in.
Before C. Viper’s release (as seen in her gameplay trailer: https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2025/sep/24/c-viper-gameplay-trailer-sf6/), Daigo began openly questioning whether sticking with Akuma was still a viable choice. His concern? Akuma’s 9,000 health pool, which felt increasingly outdated as patches continued to nerf his toolkit. Daigo had hoped Capcom would address this in the recent update (details here: https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2025/oct/14/street-fighter-viper-patch-notes/), possibly boosting Akuma’s health to 9,500. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, leaving Daigo to ponder a character switch even before C. Viper’s debut.
“[Akuma] doesn’t feel properly balanced for just 9,000 [health],” Daigo remarked. “His strengths keep disappearing.” This isn’t just a casual complaint—it’s a stark observation from someone who’s mastered the character for years. Daigo even described Akuma as a “tough sell” now, especially after securing a strong placement at a World Warrior event, which has given him the confidence to explore other options.
And this is the part most people miss: Daigo isn’t just thinking about himself. He’s also noted that Ken, once a dominant force in earlier versions of Street Fighter 6, now feels like one of the weakest characters in the game. It’s a bold claim, but it underscores how quickly the meta can shift, leaving even the most iconic characters struggling to keep up.
“If there’s no rebalance, I’d like to try out Ryu or C. Viper,” Daigo admitted. “I’ll stick with Akuma for now, but if I can’t improve with him, I’ll have to switch or risk falling behind.” It’s a pragmatic approach from a player who knows the competitive scene demands constant adaptation.
So, what do you think? Is Daigo right to consider abandoning Akuma, or is he giving up on a character that still has untapped potential? And what does Ken’s decline say about the balance of Street Fighter 6? Let’s debate it in the comments—this is one conversation no fan of the game will want to miss!
