What is the name of the famous uppercut move used by Ryu and Ken?

The famous uppercut move used by Ryu and Ken is called the Shoryuken. The name is usually translated as “Rising Dragon Fist,” matching the move’s upward launching punch and its role as a powerful anti-air attack.

The Shoryuken is one of the defining special techniques of Street Fighter. Ryu and Ken perform versions of it by driving upward with a fist, often becoming briefly invulnerable or difficult to hit during the move’s initial frames, depending on the game. It is especially effective against opponents jumping toward them.

The move is frequently mixed up with the Hadoken and Tatsumaki Senpukyaku. Hadoken produces a fireball that travels across the screen, while Tatsumaki Senpukyaku is the spinning kick commonly called the Hurricane Kick. Shinku Hadoken is a super-powered projectile variation, not an uppercut.

Although Ryu and Ken share the move, later games give their versions different properties. Ryu’s Shoryuken is generally presented as a direct, disciplined technique, while Ken’s often emphasizes aggressive follow-ups, flames, or multiple hits. The name and basic upward motion remain the same.