Ken Masters started out life as what could only be described as a spoiled rotten little brat. He was used to getting everything he wanted, and getting it when he wanted it. But soon, he pushed his parents too far, and they decided to send him somewhere where he might learn some respect. So, his parents decided to send him to Japan, in hopes that in the birthplace of respect and honor, some might rub off on Ken.
When they arrived, they were introduced to a master of a very odd martial art called Shotokan. His name was Gouken, and he was looking for a student that he might teach his art to. True, he allready had a student, but the basics of Shotokan were that two were taught. Ken's parents jumped at the opportunity. Ken was left under Gouken's care, and once back at the dojo, was introduced to his training parter, a young Japanese youth named Ryu. And thus, Gouken started teaching both of them the ancient arts that he had learned at their age. Gouken quickly learned though that Ken and Ryu were complete opposites. Where Ryu was calm and sedate, Ken was outgoing, and brash. He was eager to finish something and move on. When Gouken saw this, it immediately reminded him of his long lost brother, Akuma. Gouken quickly realized that Ken must not go down that path, so he taught Ken the value of friendship and trust.
With Ryu's help, Ken quickly went from being a spoiled little brat to a butt kicking brat. Ken was indeed a martial arts master, but his attitude and mouth got him into more fights than he could usually handle. But that would have to be something he lived with.
After years of training, Gouken decided to enter Ken and Ryu into the first ever Street Fighter tournament. And while Ryu went on to win the whole thing by beating the current champ, Sagat, Ken was just happy with how far he was able to get. After the tournament, he parted ways with Ryu, and decided to head back to the states.
When he arrived back in the US, he quickly decided to prove to the world that he was the best martial artist. So, he entered the group known as the US Freestyle Martial Arts Asscociation. Of course, with his knowledge of Shotokan, he quickly rose to become the best fighter, and, eventually the champion. Granted, there were one or two good competitors (one of the more famous of these was the American fighter, Allen), but Ken easily beat them. In fact, there was one fighter, a youth named Sean who travelled all the way from Brazil to learn from Ken. But Ken is no teacher, and he was forced to turn Sean away. Ken knew that deep within his heart, there was only one man that would give him the challenge that he sought. And that man, was Ryu.
But Ken's life wasn't always living for the fight. In fact, a big part of his life had nothing to do with fighting at all. And that was Eliza. Ken met Eliza when he was returning to the states after the first Street Fighter tournament. He was so captivated with her beauty, that he knew that she was his soul mate. He promised Eliza that he would marry her someday, and, shortly after the second Street Fighter tournament, Ken kept his word. Since then, he and Eliza have lived a very happy life. In fact, they even know have a son (who, for some reason, is very good at fighting video games). But even with this dream life, Ken still ventures back into the world of fighting whenever it seems like he might get a chance to face his old rival, Ryu, once more.
