Shin Akuma is an absolute beast in any Street Fighter game he’s in. Unlocking him, however, has been either considerably easy or challenging. Shin Akuma is a stronger version of Akuma – usually with better specials and buffs. He’s faster on moves and distance covering and heavier with damaging, yet between him and the regular Akuma, he holds a lower health count. Strangely enough, Capcom Vs SNK 2 and SNK vs Capcom: SVC Chaos were the last couple of games that Shin Akuma appeared in. However, the new Oni Akuma, from Street Fighter VI, is meant to be above his Shin form. Street Fighter 6 is no different.
Shin Akuma is also in Street Fighter 6 as a boss to fight against in the new Giant Attack event. On the surface, it’s still Akuma. But with his demonic glow as a default. Thanks to a fast-filling Super Art gauge, high damage buffs on every move, and a couple of tools only available to him, he goes by the name of SiRN Akuma. Compared to his previous iterations, this Shin Akuma lacks some of the tools his previous counterparts have. The cabinet is closer to the Battle Hub base and looks like a normal 1 vs 1 Battle Hub fight.
However, in the end, SiRN Akuma or Player 2(CPU) will continue fights without being kicked out after the first battle. Points are accumulated to power a Hadouken to hit the huge Akuma in the middle of the stage. 300 Points for losing, but 500 Points for winning a regular cabinet fight. As to how much is given when Akuma wins, it is unknown to me because… he’s unbeatable.
In Street Fighter 6, it seems to lean more on your opponent’s level of patience. If they do have that patience, rest assured that you’ll gain access to a more familiar yet deadly arsenal than he already has in Street Fighter 6. Then again, this can be done in other modes.
How To Unlock Shin Akuma
To get Shin Akuma, press Back + Taunt during a match. Akuma will sit down. After he does, rapidly press Down + taunt. You’ll know that this part is done correctly by what Akuma does next. He’ll whip out a rice ball for himself to eat. The ball takes some seconds to devour fully. Both the sit-down and eating will leave him vulnerable to attacks like any taunt. But when he finishes the leaf part, it’s showtime. You’ve just unlocked Shin Akuma.
Akuma gains two new supers based on his previous incarnations as well as his Tenma Gou Hadou with 2 fireballs instead of one. He gains Sekia Kuretsuha from Street Fighter V. It’s done the same way with two downs and all 3 punches and takes all 3 Super Bars. The second is his CVS2 chop, which is QCB + K and takes 2 Super Bars.
Again, this whole process might not be something you’d risk doing in a real match, but it’s still fun to pull off anyway. Even the amount of disrespect may not be worth it. I’m not sure if the effects are permanent or just tied to the round. One of the coolest things that Akuma has brought to the forefront is the balance changes and legacy tracks provided for the character theme. Many FGC folks are having a blast with Akuma either way this week. Yusuke Momochi has already gained Legendary status with the character who was released only a few days ago.
Street Fighter 6 is available on PlayStation 4|5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam.
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