Polygon.com / 06.06.25

Marvel Tkon's anime inspirations flip the script on the Capcom era

Whether youre mourning Capcoms absence or thrilled that Arc System Works is taking the reins of a major franchise, the reveal of Marvel Tkon: Fighting Souls made waves across the gaming world. Its connection to Marvel vs. Capcom is unmistakable, not just because of the Marvel branding, but due to its fast-paced, multi-character tag team 2D fighting style that Capcom helped pioneer. While Capcom broke new ground by blending Marvels comic book flair with innovative storytelling, Arc System Works is set to do the same, this time by infusing heroes like Iron Man and Captain America with bold, anime-inspired re-imaginings. Its a stylistic shift that signals the end of Capcoms comic-inspired Marvel era and the beginning of Marvels bold new chapter in anime. In the 1990s, Capcom was already reigning as the king of 2D fighters with multiple iterations of Street Fighter 2 and pushing deeper into anime aesthetics with the Street Fighter Alpha series. Capcoms partnership with Marvel was groundbre...
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