Despite what most people think, Ryu had lost most of his fights during the course of his travels.

As an orphaned child, Ryu was raised and trained by a fighter named Gouken. Alongside Ken, Ryu was also trained by Gouken in the art of Ansatsuken (a term created by CAPCOM; closely resembles Shotokan-Karate). While he was training, Ryu learned how to use his chi, which helped him to fully master the Hadouken, Shoryuken, and Tatsumaki-Senpukyaku. Upon hearing that the first Street Fighter tournament was to take place, Ryu decided to enter and prove himself as a fighter. He quickly distinguished himself and advanced to the final round to fight Sagat, who was the tournament’s host.

It seemed that Ryu was not strong enough to defeat Sagat during this fight, and was quickly beaten down. Assuming that Ryu was defeated, Sagat extended his hand to help Ryu up off the ground. Desperate and blinded by his desire to win, Ryu was suddenly taken by the Satsu-no-Hadou (The Dark Hadou) and temporarily became Dark Ryu. He hit Sagat with the Metsu Shoryuken. Sagat, who was caught off guard, was badly injured by this attack. Ryu was proclaimed the winner of the First Street Fighter tournament.

After reverting to his normal self, Ryu wanted to find out what had happened, and proceeded home to ask Master Gouken. Ryu was in for a nasty shock because he discovered that Gouken was dead, and it looked like he had been murdered. He quickly sensed Akuma’s chi, and set out to search for him, all-the-while searching to become a pure martial artist.

He eventually found Akuma on the island of Goukuento and challenged him to a fight. However, Akuma held back from pummeling Ryu, and told him that they both shared the same fighting potential. Akuma continued to say that once this potential fully awakens within him, fights would become effortless, and they would meet again for a real fight when this occurs. This potential, of course, was the Satsu-no-Hadou. Ryu left the island with answers to his original questions, but was also overwhelmed and clouded with new questions; questions that could only be solved on his own. Reaching the pinnacle of his potential would mean that he would have to accept the Dark Hadou, a path he would never want to cross again. Thus began his quest for self understanding. Could he become the best without being consumed by the same fate as Akuma?

Not long after, Ken caught up with Ryu and challenged him to a fight. Still distracted and thinking about Akuma’s words, Ryu lost. Knowing that something was on Ryu’s mind, Ken gave him his red headband as a reminder to focus on his fighting. Ryu took his words to heart and became even more determined to concentrate on his training.

Ryu was most surprised when he was ambushed by a young high school girl who challenged him to a fight. Her name was Sakura, and she declared herself “Ryu’s #1 Fan”. Humouring her, Ryu let Sakura win the fight. Sakura then promptly begged Ryu to train her, who refused, explaining that he was still just training himself. She then took a photo of Ryu as he was walking away, to keep as a memento.

Ryu continued to travel the world to improve his skills, while trying to learn more about the Satsu-no-Hadou within him. He stumbled upon a strange woman named Rose, who told him to be cautious of a man named M. Bison who was hunting him down, and that physical power alone would not be enough to defeat him. Bison eventually found Ryu, and tried to take-control of his body (to learn more about Bison’s recruiting schemes view his profile). Ryu was beginning to surrender to the attacks, thinking of the Satsu-no-Hadou. Luckily, Ken and Sakura arrived just in time to double-team against Bison while Ryu was recovering. Sagat also joined in on the fight against Bison, who was then defeated and had fled the battle, only to be killed later by Akuma. However, Ryu was still under the grip of Bison’s power and had become “Psycho Ryu”. Sagat defeated Psycho Ryu who then returned to his normal self. Ryu figured that surrendering to M. Bison’s “Psycho Powers” were not the way to go either.

Upon hearing the announcement of the Third Street Fighter tournament, Ryu decided to enter and fight. During this tournament, he defeated a fighter named Alex, but was unfortunately defeated by Oro, and, just like before, continued to travel and train to improve his fighting skills. He finally met up with Ken again in America and decided to have their last known fight (to date). Ryu won this time. Both were pleased with how matured they have each become.

After his fight with Ken, Ryu continued to travel around the world, looking for street fights and looking to perfect the true way of the warrior.