Street Fighter fans may remember Karin Kanzuki from 1996 manga ‘Sakura Ganbaru!’ by Masahiko Nakahira. As a playable character, Karin Kanzuki appeared in Street Fighter Alpha 3 and now in Street Fighter V.
For more help on Street Fighter 5 Combos List, read our Dhalsim Character Guide, Ken Character Guide, and Chun-Li Character Guide.
Street Fighter 5 Karin Guide
This guide details tips on playing as and against Karin Kanzuki along with some basic combos and juggles listed to help you out!
How to Play as Karin
Anyone who knows even a little of Karin will immediately punish you if you rely too much on her built-in mix-ups. The reason for this is that they are highly predictable, their timings could be learnt, and can be punished accordingly.
Therefore, it is never a good idea to spam her mix-ups without knowing what exactly you are doing. Instead of just going in blindly, you need to ponder over ways to make these mix-ups less punishable and more confusing.
Most of the Karin players that I have come across cannot hold back the urge to cancel normal(s) into automatic combo mix-ups and then get punished badly by some decent players.
Instead of canceling normal(s) into auto-combo mix-ups, you can try and execute them right away thus rendering your opponent’s ability to thoroughly read them and always leave them guessing.
How to Play against Karin
When going against Karin, you should always try and read her auto-combo mix-ups and Sappo dash cancel followed by punishing her with a MP/MK combo starter.
In addition to this, Ressenha is another move which you need to pay attention to. This is not really a mix-up and a simple standing and crouching guard. However, do not forget to punish the whiff throw at the end!
At mid-range, Karin’s standing MK and crouching MK can cause you frustration. Her crouching MK can be cancelled into a special, but is punishable depending upon the range and distance.
Moreover, despite the fact that her Orochi Shoulder appears to be invulnerable, you should definitely try and hit her with a normal of 3/4 frames which will break her tempo. Lastly, you can Crush Counter her EX Ressenha reversal!
Combos
Combo #1
Cr. + MK, XX…
Mix-Ups
- LK Mujinkyaku, XX, Kanzuki-Ryu Hadorokushiki Hasha No Kata
- Kanzuki-Ryu Hokojutsu Sappo (Complete), MP + MK
- Corner, Kanzuki-Ryu Hokojutsu Sappo (Complete), LK Mujinkya ku, HK Mujinkya ku
- EX Kanzuki-Ryu Hokojutsu Sappo (Complete), LK Mujinkya ku, HK Mujinkya ku
Combo #2
LK, f, LK, XX…
Mix-Ups
- LK Mujinkya ku, XX, Kanzuki-Ryu Hadorokushiki Hasha No Kata
- HK Mujinkya ku
- Kanzuki-Ryu Hokojutsu Sappo (Complete), MP + MK
- Corner, Kanzuki-Ryu Hokojutsu Sappo (Complete), LK Mujinkya ku, HK Mujinkya ku
- EX Kanzuki-Ryu Hokojutsu Sappo (Complete), LK Mujinkya ku, HK Mujinkya ku
Combo #3
MP, f, MP, XX…
Mix-Ups
- LP Ressenha, XX, Senha Kusabi
- Kanzuki-Ryu Hokojutsu Sappo (Complete), MP + MK
- Corner, Kanzuki-Ryu Hokojutsu Sappo (Complete), LK Mujinkya ku, HK Mujinkya ku
- Corner, Kanzuki-Ryu Hokojutsu Sappo (Complete), LK Mujinkya ku, EX Kanzuki-Ryu Hokojutsu Sappo
- Kanzuki-Ryu Hokojutsu Sappo (Complete), HK Mujinkya ku
Combo #4
UF + HP, HP, XX…
Mix-Ups
- LP Ressenha, XX, Senha Kusabi
- Kanzuki-Ryu Hokojutsu Sappo (Complete), MP + MK
- Corner, Kanzuki-Ryu Hokojutsu Sappo (Complete), LK Mujinkya ku
Combo #5
Counter Hit with Cr. + MP, f, HP, XX…
Mix-Ups
- Kanzuki-Ryu Hokojutsu Sappo (Complete), MP + MK
- Kanzuki-Ryu Hokojutsu Sappo (Complete), LK Mujinkya ku
- Kanzuki-Ryu Hokojutsu Sappo (Complete), LK Mujinkya ku, HK Mujinkya ku
- Kanzuki-Ryu Hokojutsu Sappo, LK Mujinkya ku, Kanzuki-Ryu Hokojutsu Sappo
Do not forget to share your own tips and strategies with us in the comments section below!
