Black Book Akira Guide

Article - Black Book Akira
Author - Ohsu Akira
Source - Myke
Translation Noodalls

Put the squeeze on the the with akira's heavy pressure.

Basic fighting - Fast moves
According to Akira, the range at which he can fight most effectively is close range, and this more important than can be expressed. Because a fighter with predominantly single attack moves is terrible outside this range, trying your best to keep this distance is the key.

First, use the fast mid hitting moves /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif. Both moves are fast, with an effective execution of 15 frames, so use them in a mixup with a throw following blocking an opponent's move, or after a standing /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif or /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif hit; this is Akira's main strategy. Neither move gives a guranteed retaliation on block, so it is low risk (the different properties of these two elbows is discussed later.)

Counter hit standing /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif or counter hit /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif both give extremely big advantage, so going for one of his juggle starters like /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif!/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif or another big move will pay dividends. Next, if the opponent goes for ETE use /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gifhit or guard/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif as a delayed attack. The execution is quick, on normal hit it gives good damage and on guard the disdavantage is small, so the risk/reward balance is favourable. When doing this move from standing, crouch dash into either this or a throw is a powerful mixup.

- When Akira's basic moves standing /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif and /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif hit you want to be able to hit confirm in an instant.
- /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gifhit or guard/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif from crouch dash is a lifeline move for Akira, and is an important move in going for Akira's srengths.

Maximise the two types of elbow
Following on from the main text, let's differentiate the properties of these two drastically different elbows. Firstly, /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif on counter hit gives big advantage, on guard fuzzy is possible, so it's a regular mid attack.

Compare this to the /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif, on counter hit the opponent is floated, and you can go for a combo, so it's close to a big move.

Important half circular moves for dealing with evade
Given Akira's specialisation in moves that can be evaded, learning moves to deal with this is ohssential. You can go for a throw directly, but seeing as he only has two directions that really go for good damage you're probably going to have to go for a half circular attack.

Firstly, against evades to his back the most powerful half-circular move is /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif. It is quite slower at 20 frames, but it will beat out opponent's standing /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif during the move, you can go on to the follow up /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif for a guarantee string and advantage. You can also go to the /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gifor/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/u.gif, so it's a very good move to use as a staple. When your opponent goes to stomach side, /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif has strong priority, is useful in okizeme and on guard you can use fuzzy. Basically, if you just make contact you've won, with the risk so low.

In the same direction as /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif, /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif isn't as strong as a single hit move, but on hit forces the opponent's side, giving you a strong position to attack from.

- It always knocks down on hit, so being read y to go straight in to fuzzy isn't hard. Using it predominantly in okizme is best.
- After /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif hits, attack with a middle kick or throw mixup. If this gets a counter hit, you'll be advantaged to the point where they can't duck a standing /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif.

Use catch throws.
After hitting with a move, a strong option is to go with the catch throw /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif and followups, effective against high level players and useful against evades.

Depending on the situation it can deal with opponent's abare attacks, and because of its relatively slow execution it can sometimes beat out fuzzy guarding. With in the move, /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gifor/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/u.gif into /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif or /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gifor/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/u.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif is a strong mixup. If either connects you can go for a big damage combo, so the return is good. Use it against opponents who evade a lot to see results.

- /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif against opponents who can throw escape well works, as well as using it on opponents who evade.

Attacks from /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif can build a number of strings
In addition to evading high attacks during its execution, the mid attack /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif can also go into a number of useful followups. The execution is slow, at 18 frames, but if you can just overcome this, it is a powerful move with concealed usefulness. The motion for the moves is brief, so it makes for a good way of drawing out opponent's moves.

- /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif, a lightly thrown out chop is an interesting move in that all the followups have their applications. If you master it it will increase your options in fighting.

Break the opponent's guard.
The strings from /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif are /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif for breaking a crouching opponent's guard, /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif for combos on hit, and /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif which is hit confirmable, use them accordingly.

- Of the three different varieties of follow-up, the mid hitting /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gifis the easiest to use, and even if it is guarded you can crouch dash to avoid a tsukami throw.

- /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif strings into a high hit, on counter hit will link into a combo, and even on gaurd it is advantage.

- /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif will combo on normal hit into a high hit that gives advantage. After that, OM /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif is beneficial.

Greatly increasing the single damage benefits. Guide to attacking at the wall.
When up against the wall, a number of essential attacks for Akira become so powerful as to be his lifeline.
With the addition of the wall splat in the iteration, utilising Akira's well provisioned moves to their fullest at the wall is directly connected to your winning percentage. Of these, will will discuss the most advantageous options.

Firstly, /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gifhit or guard/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif comes at the head of the list. After you slam your opponent against the wall, including the followup /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif!/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif you can take about 40% in an instant, depending on the situation. You can of course continue to attack after this, letting you go for a KO in an instant.

Other options, /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif depending on the distance will give a wall splat on normal hit, and from there /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif will do about 30%.
Of the throws, /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif will slam them against the wall, and you can follow up with /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif!/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif.

- Normally /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif just knocks them down and is good against evaders, but it can change into a combo starter. Against opponents that try to when up at the wall, it has great effect and big damage.

- The most evil option, normally restricted to combos is /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif. The last hit will depend on distance, but go for it.

Against Akira
While on the one hand he does have lots of powerful one hit moves, he lacks stings. Focus on ETE and attack into the openings in moves.

Akira's specialty
Against Akira, taking the pressure of his weighty one hit attacks, then if you just stand there you get thrown, and if you go for a /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif you get hit by a big move for massive damage - this is a losing pattern against Akira.

ETE and Fuzzy are paramount.
Akira only has two directions in which he can take really damage, which is quite limited, and when his moves whiff he is left quite open, so ETE is more effective against him than other characters. Enter /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif and /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif properly, and if you go for /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif on a succesfuly evaded attack, even if they go for a delayed attack or half-circular attack you won't be losing on damage.

Other than evading, fuzzy (crouching) is particularly effective, and if they go for a slow move like /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/db.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif or /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gifor/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif you can see it and stand, so you won't be taking big damage often. Particularly for lightweight characters, in addition to the above mentioned methods, they can abare with their fast executing standing /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif, another option to add to the mix to make it hard to be attacked.

 

For the record, this was typed using my new 19inch monitor. Thanks to Plague for helping me in the decision to get this. It makes it a lot easier over the old 14inch laptop monitor, lots bigger and lots brighter. If anyone would like to start a collection or paypal account towards me buying a 22,24 or 30 inch monitor (purely for the ease of typing VF articles) you have my permission.

 

Thank you. A very good read.

 

Thanks a lot for the translations noodalls, great stuff.

 

Fantasic read... Great stuff... Oshu has been one of my Fav Akira's to watch thus far so it's good to read a little of what goes on in his head.

- I.C.E.

 

Thank you very much, it was definitely enlightening. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif