1991 was a time when arcade video games were immensely popular, but the idea of being a professional gamer was still somewhat outlandish. Despite this, a determined sixth-grader named Haruo Yaguchi was steadfast in his pursuit. His local recognition for his gaming abilities was a huge boost to his confidence and self-esteem. Haruo's hopes were shattered when his classmate, Akira Oono, easily defeated him in Street Fighter 2. Akira was everything Haruo was not - wealthy, attractive, and intelligent. Haruo had always identified himself through his gaming skills and had no interest in material possessions or personal attributes. Thus, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy when he finally encountered a worthy opponent. However, Haruo also acknowledged that he had been seeking an equal match all along, and Akira was more than up to the challenge.