F.A.N.G. (Street Fighter)
Shadaloo's poison-wielding second-in-command with a love of the number two.
F.A.N.G (ファン, Fan) is a character in Capcom's Street Fighter series, first appearing as downloadable content for Street Fighter V on April 26, 2016. He is an assassin who uses poison techniques and is the self-proclaimed second-in-command of Shadaloo, ranking only below M. Bison. Known for his eccentric design and unconventional gameplay, F.A.N.G is consistently one of the least played characters in the game due to being perceived as underpowered.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Street Fighter
- First
- Street Fighter V (2016)
- Creator
- Capcom
- Voice
- EN:Jesse Merlin / JA: Shigeru Chiba
- Fighting Style
- Chinese Kenpō with poison
- Origin
- Asia
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
F.A.N.G is a master of Poison Hand Kenpō, able to resist all poisons due to his toxin-mixing skill and assassin training. Originally conceived as a Shaolin monk for Street Fighter V, the idea of a poison-using fighter was considered as early as Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike, though this claim is not confirmed by official canon and may be fan speculation. His wide sleeves were considered for hidden weapons but abandoned because Vega already uses a claw. F.A.N.G speaks with a high-pitched voice and is obsessed with the number 2, proclaiming himself second only to M. Bison. His Critical Art involves leaping, flapping his arms like wings, and dropping poison bombs while exclaiming 'I'll turn into a bird!' In February 2020, Capcom revealed F.A.N.G stands for 'Fantastic Asian Notorious Gang'.
Reader's Guide
F.A.N.G appears in Street Fighter V as the newest member of the Four Heavenly Kings after Sagat's departure. His backstory reveals he was leader of the Nguuhao Cartel, which plotted to kill Bison; Bison slaughtered the cartel, but F.A.N.G survived and swore loyalty after witnessing Bison's power. In the story mode A Shadow Falls, he serves as secondary antagonist opposing Karin Kanzuki's faction and is revealed as the murderer of Rashid's friend. After Bison's death, F.A.N.G survives and retreats to Shanghai, taking in a teenage prostitute named 'Phantom' (later A.K.I) as his protégé. He appears non-playable in Street Fighter 6's World Tour Mode under the pseudonym 'Fang Fei', dealing illegal medicine. F.A.N.G is a charge character with a steep learning curve; his poison mechanic slowly drains health but is removed when he takes damage. He is consistently the least used character in Street Fighter V, ranked 78th in a worldwide poll. Despite this, professional player Xian achieved success with him, noting his visual design and similarity to Gen. Critical commentary praises his originality and 'obnoxious, dancing mad scientist' persona.
Did You Know?
- F.A.N.G's Critical Art animation was described as resembling a humanoid character model 'rigged onto a small bird's animations'.
- The idea of a poison-using fighter was considered during development of Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike, though this is not officially confirmed and may be fan speculation.
- F.A.N.G's walking animation was compared to a 'Looney Tunes style creep' with hunched shoulders.
- Professional player Xian noted that playing F.A.N.G helped him understand the game in a deeper way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is F.A.N.G. in Street Fighter?
F.A.N.G. is a poison-wielding assassin who debuted as downloadable content for Street Fighter V in late April 2016. He positions himself as Shadaloo's second-in-command, ranking directly beneath M. Bison.
What fighting style does F.A.N.G. use?
His martial art is called Poison Hand Kenpō (Dokushu Kenpō), built around venomous strikes and toxic damage-over-time effects. Rather than relying on heavy impact, his gameplay centers on applying and maintaining poison on opponents.
What does F.A.N.G. stand for?
The name is an acronym for "Fantastic Asian Notorious Gang." It also mirrors the Japanese word "fan," which ties into his well-known fixation on the number two.
Why is F.A.N.G. so underplayed in Street Fighter V?
The community broadly considers him to lack the raw power and consistency of other roster options, and his poison-centric kit carries a notably steep learning curve. These factors keep his competitive pick rate among the lowest in the game.
What is F.A.N.G.'s connection to Shadaloo?
He claims the rank of second-in-command, placing himself directly under M. Bison in the organization's hierarchy. His eccentric demeanor and obsessive love of the number two make him a distinct personality within the group.
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