Street Fighter 6 has introduced a vibrant cast of new characters, and among them, Marisa and Manon have quickly captured the attention of fans. Initial speculation swirled around their bios, with some wondering if Capcom was hinting at a romantic relationship between the Italian jewelry designer and the French supermodel judoka. Both characters’ official descriptions mention “beauty,” with Marisa having “an eye for it” and Manon pursuing “self-improvement in the pursuit of beauty.” This, coupled with their seemingly complementary trades, sparked theories of them being lovers within the Street Fighter universe.
However, as intriguing as relationship theories are, deeper dives into their character designs and stage backgrounds suggest a more complex connection, potentially linking them to established Street Fighter factions: the Illuminati and G’s Secret Society. Could Marisa and Manon be unknowingly entangled in a conflict far grander than the World Warrior tournament? Let’s delve into the evidence.
Marisa: A Gladiator in Service of the Illuminati?
Marisa’s design is steeped in Roman and Greek aesthetics. Her bio mentions being inspired by a “vision of the Colosseum in its prime,” and her fighting style, outfit, and even hairstyle reflect this gladiatorial inspiration. Further analysis by fans like @Matorangebookworm on Twitter suggests deeper Roman mythology influences, noting her win pose resembles a sacrifice to Venus, the goddess of love.
Marisa's stage in Street Fighter 6, featuring a temple resembling the Parthenon.
Adding to this, Marisa’s stage features a temple remarkably similar to the Parthenon, a Greek temple dedicated to Athena (Minerva in Roman mythology). This blend of Greek and Roman symbolism is a significant clue, as it mirrors the known motifs of the Illuminati, the secret organization led by Gill in Street Fighter lore.
Twitter user @ZANTETSUKEN_PC has compiled a thread highlighting further connections between Marisa and the Illuminati. While some points remain speculative, the visual parallels between Marisa’s stage and the Illuminati’s “Ring of Prosperity” stage from Street Fighter V are undeniable.
Marisa's stage in Street Fighter 6, showcasing the Colosseum-like arena.
The Ring of Prosperity stage from Street Fighter V, the base of the Illuminati.
Comparing Marisa’s stage, a modern Colosseum, to the Ring of Prosperity, a more futuristic arena, reveals striking similarities in structure and aesthetic. Even the temples in the background of the Ring of Prosperity echo the Parthenon-like structure in Marisa’s stage.
Furthermore, the Street Fighter 6 announce trailer provides another compelling piece of evidence.
Billboard in Metro City from the Street Fighter 6 announce trailer, featuring Marisa and a hidden Illuminati reference.
In a scene set in Metro City, a billboard featuring Marisa is visible. Directly behind her, an advertisement displays text verbatim from Yun’s ending in Street Fighter III: Third Strike, a known Illuminati manipulation. This subtle inclusion strongly suggests the Illuminati’s influence over Marisa, possibly from childhood, manipulating her vision of the Colosseum to serve their agenda of rebuilding it.
Manon: A Model Walking the Runway for G?
While Marisa’s connections to the Illuminati seem substantial, Manon’s potential allegiances point in a different direction: towards G, the enigmatic president of the world. One of the first hints lies in Manon’s bio “Likes” section: she is fond of gold. Gold is a prominent part of G’s aesthetic, from the golden globe perpetually orbiting him to his overall regal color scheme. While liking gold could simply reflect Manon’s pursuit of gold medals as a judoka world champion, deeper examination reveals more compelling links.
Close-up of Manon's gold medal, showing Tokyo inscription and Earth design.
Manon’s gold medal, inscribed with “Tokyo,” initially appears to offer no further clues. However, shifting focus to her stage environment reveals more intriguing possibilities.
Manon's stage in Street Fighter 6, a fairground setting with the Eiffel Tower in the background.
Manon’s stage is set at a fair on the Champ de Mars, beneath the Eiffel Tower in Paris. While the fairground setting with a carousel is plausible for this location, the presence of a distinctly Pierrot-like clown is noteworthy. This clown’s muted, mime-like design is less typical of vibrant fair clowns and more reminiscent of harlequin or Pierrot figures, figures that resonate with G’s own dualistic persona.
G's Tarot card from Street Fighter V, featuring a Pierrot-like figure representing his duality.
This clown symbolism deepens when considering the Carnaval de Paris. This historical carnival, featuring masked figures and a “Walk of Masks,” aligns perfectly with the Pierrot clown’s aesthetic and, more significantly, could provide cover for G’s agents, including the masked enigma Q. The Carnaval’s historical association with the “Feast of Fools,” a celebration of mocking authority and embracing debauchery, further resonates with G’s chaotic and disruptive approach to world order.
While Manon’s stage appears to be set in summer, contradicting the Carnaval de Paris’s winter timing, the clothing of the stage’s background characters suggests a cooler season. This temporal flexibility within the Street Fighter universe allows for the possibility that Manon’s stage, and potentially her association with G, could be linked to a Mardi Gras-like celebration.
G’s origins in New Orleans, a city synonymous with Mardi Gras and its French heritage, add another layer to this theory. G, potentially fluent in Cajun French, could communicate with Manon in her native language, strengthening a potential connection.
Diverging Paths: Love or Rivalry Thwarted?
If these theories hold true, Marisa and Manon find themselves on opposing sides of a hidden conflict: Marisa unknowingly serving the Illuminati and Manon, perhaps unknowingly as well, connected to G. This factional divide casts a shadow over any romantic or even friendly rivalry between them. Their personal pursuits – Marisa seeking glory and Manon seeking beauty – become secondary to the larger machinations of Gill and G.
The introduction of Marisa and Manon offers a compelling narrative layer to Street Fighter 6, going beyond individual character stories and weaving them into the overarching lore. Whether lovers, rivals, or simply pawns in a larger game, their connection promises to be a fascinating element to watch unfold as Street Fighter 6’s story expands.
