Sakura Kasugano

**Sakura Kasugano** is a street fighter obsessed with the World Warrior tournament Ryu.

## Appearance

Sakura typically fights in her school's uniform - a short-skirted sailor uniform with the collar popped and red bloomers underneath. She also wears red Converse-esque shoes, a midriff-baring red top under her uniform, red sparring gloves, a yellow neckerchief, and a white headband that was given to her by Ryu. She has short brown hair and brown eyes.

## Personality

In many aspects, Sakura is very tomboyish, outgoing, and respectful in personality, as she is most of the time happy, energetic, cheerful, positive, hard-working and focused in combat. Despite initial depictions and illustrations of appearing to be brash and confrontational, she actually has a noble spirit and a very determined attitude, either in studies or in martial arts training. She sees Ryu as an idol and teacher, rather than an opponent, since she always watches him fight and mirrors herself on his philosophies in battle.

## History

Sakura began to participate in street fighting two years ago after watching Ryu win the first World Warrior tournament. She had always been an athletic girl, interested in a variety of sports and hobbies but she could never quite pin herself down to something. She watched Ryu demolish a dozen thugs in mere seconds, and then simply walk away, leaving nothing more than his name behind. From that moment, Sakura had a goal in life, and she devoted herself to following in that's man's footsteps. In one short year she had built up enough skills that she had set off to hunt down her idol and formalize her training with him. That had lead to some interesting adventures, and many encounters. By age 16 she regularly skips school to search the world for Ryu in order to become his student. It if for this reason that she is transferred to Kasumi’s class.

Due to the antics of Yotogi the students of Kasumi’s class were forced to move into dorm rooms. Sakura’s room mate ended up being Ami Mizuno. Karin Kanzuki eventually managed Sakura down to challenge her so she led her to an abandoned lot a little over a mile away from the girl’s dorm. Karin had grown immensely since their first bout leading to an intense battle, testing the very limits of each other's combat skills. After 15 minutes neither girl had gained any real advantage, and they just were about to start round 2 when they were interrupted a by a man who demanded that they come with him. When they refused he had his men attack them.

The battle did not last long. While they fought the men off the best they could the fatigue left over from their previous battle meant that they were quickly overwhelmed. Luckily Kasumi arrived just as they were being dragged off. The man, Sakura, and Karin watched in shock as she efficiently defeated the men. Checking to see that the two were okay Kasumi was about to go after the men who had recovered and fled.

Karin stopped her sure that they’d be in more trouble with who hired them then the law. Telling Sakura that they’d finish their fight later she introduced herself to Kasumi and thanked her for her help. Kasumi in response told her to be sure to schedule their duel after school. As for Sakura her relationship with Ukyo made her sympathetic to her rivalry she just advised her to fight after school.

Sakura is the first fighter to be attacked by Copycat Ken  who ambushed her on herway back to the dorms. Later after Kasumi was kidnapped Saki asked about Shadowloo and Sakura told her about the fight between Ryu and M. Bison. However she really didn’t understand what was going on at the time, while Saki was left wondering why he didn’t take the opportunity to take Ryu when he had it. Saki bringing up Shadowloo caused Sakura to remember the thugs that tried to kidnap Kiran the other day, and wondered if she was actually their real target. Saki asked if she could use the Dark Ha Do, but Ryu had told her to never attempt it.

Sakura lent her aid when Kasumi and Shampoo were kidnapped and taken to the La Bac. She was part of the group that would search the upper floors while the others would search the lower levels in order to find and destroy the power source for the buildings anti magic field. The group ended up being divided by a trap and attacked by Shadow and Shadow Lady.

Ranma, Sakura, Herb and Ryoga did there best to defend themselves from Shadow’s invisible attacks. Luckily Izou was there and while he was instantly knocked out he did manage to make Shadow visible. Sadly with Sakura had been injured in his initial attack, so it largely fell to the three boys to take the clone down. After Shadow was defeated the injured Sakura was left to watch over the unconscious Ryoga and Izou as she waited for the others.

## Abilities

Sakura fights using an unorthodox" variant of Shotokan. Her techniques base is what she learned from emulating Ryu which she later refined through street fighting. Despite this she is shown to have a lot of raw talent as many skilled fighters have noticed the similarities between her style and Ryu’s even is it is comparatively weaker. Sakura is an offensive type fighter who often relies on quick combos to stun her opponents making up what she lacks in stamina and finess with speed and power. In terms of skill it is unknown how she stacks up with the other students but its mentioned that she should be able to hold her own against Ranma.