Ken is a brainwashed version of Ken Masters from the Street Fighter series, appearing in Street Fighter II-related adaptations and crossover fiction. Under mind control, he becomes an unwilling combatant used by villains to oppose his allies and test their strength. His role is usually to create tension by turning a familiar hero into a dangerous enemy, highlighting the threat of manipulation and the need to break the control over him. The name refers to his altered state rather than a separate character.