How Every Fictional Character Connects Back to Ryu — Yes, Even Richard Nixon

In the grand tradition of "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon," the internet has given us a new, absolutely ridiculous (but shockingly accurate) metric: the Ryu Number — a theory that somehow manages to link virtually every fictional character (and some real ones) back to Street Fighter’s Ryu.

If you’ve ever fallen down the rabbit hole of gaming crossovers, you’ve likely noticed how absurdly interconnected video game universes have become. From Fortnite’s IP blender to multiversal battle royales, it’s all starting to feel like one massive, corporate-powered melting pot of characters. The Ryu Number is the inevitable result.

What Is a Ryu Number?

Much like Kevin Bacon’s infamous “six degrees,” a Ryu Number tracks how many connections it takes to trace a character back to Ryu — the legendary headband-wearing face of Street Fighter. The theory posits that because Ryu is so iconic, and video games are so self-referential, nearly any fictional character can eventually be linked back to him.

Examples? The talking joker card from Balatro has a Ryu Number. Will Ferrell’s Buddy the Elf has one. Even Richard Nixon — through a character chain that involves Banjo from Banjo-Kazooie and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate — clocks in at a Ryu Number of 2. (Thanks, IDARB.)

Why Does This Exist?

Because it’s funny. But also because it makes a point: video games have reached a level of corporate synergy and IP crossover so deep that their characters are now part of a meta-network. The Ryu Number isn't just a joke — it's a commentary. A satirical reminder that we live in an ouroboros of branded nostalgia and recursive marketing.

Take a spin through the Ryu Number blog, and you’ll be amazed at just how many connections exist — and how obscure they can get. One minute you’re tracing Mario, the next you’re linking Garfield or Shrek. And yes, it all leads to Ryu.

We’re All Just Players in Ryu’s Game

What started as a gag now feels eerily symbolic: in a media landscape obsessed with crossovers, IP saturation, and character synergy, Ryu stands at the center. Unshakeable. Undefeated. A digital gravitational force pulling in mascots, monsters, and memes alike.

And honestly? If we must endure the hypercommodification of pop culture, we might as well get a battle royale where Richard Nixon, Banjo, and Ryu throw hands.