Why Japan Rates Blanka S-Tier in Street Fighter 6

Street Fighter 6 Blanka has officially become a point of major contention between Eastern and Western regions, confirming a significant split in the global tier list consensus. While Western competitors generally place the character in A-tier, Japanese professionals (including legends like Daigo Umehara) now widely consider Blanka a top 4 threat alongside Ed, Mai, and JP. This aligns with our own data at FGC Top Players, which currently ranks Blanka as the 4th best character in the meta.

Key Takeaways:

• Regional Divide: Japan rates Blanka as S-Tier/Top 4, while the West views him as a solid A-Tier.
• Beyond MenaRD: While MenaRD is the premier representative, Japanese players like Yukari and Hikaru are proving the character's strength independently.
• Meta Dominance: Blanka boasts favorable matchups against top-tier threats like Mai and JP.

The "MenaRD Factor" and Regional Disparity

The conversation surrounding Blanka's viability often centers on MenaRD. While he is currently ranked 2nd on the FGC Top Players global rankings (trailing only Leshar), a common counter-argument is that Blanka only appears top-tier because of MenaRD's individual skill.

However, recent results suggest the character's strength goes beyond a single pilot. Players like kingsvega (currently ranked 30th on FGC Top Players) and Yukari (winner of TNS Japan) have demonstrated consistent high-level success. This accumulation of results has led Japanese tier lists to promote Blanka into the highest echelon of competitive play, citing his incredible stability and defensive utility as key differentiators.

4 Core Strengths of S-Tier Blanka

In his analysis, Broski outlines four specific technical advantages that solve major problems in the current Street Fighter 6 meta.

1. Elite Defense

Blanka possesses some of the best defensive tools in the game. His OD Up Ball serves as a reliable invincible reversal, but his OD Air Ball is the standout tool. It punishes throw attempts while remaining plus on block against shimmies, effectively covering two primary offensive options simultaneously.

2. The Level 2 Super (Lightning Beast)

Described as one of the best supers in the game, Level 2 allows Blanka to enforce high-damage mix-ups involving overheads, lows, and command grabs without expending Drive Gauge. Even on block, it depletes the opponent's Drive Gauge, and parry attempts can be punished with throws, resetting the pressure situation.

3. Mid-Screen Throw Loops

Blanka has arguably the best mid-screen okizeme. A forward throw leaves him +3 right next to the opponent. This advantage persists even if the opponent back rises, allowing Blanka to threaten buttons or a shimmy immediately, creating a "pseudo throw loop" scenario usually reserved for corner pressure.

4. Versatile Anti-Airs

His anti-air game is multi-layered:

• st.HK: A 9-active-frame normal that launches high on counter-hit.
• b.MK: Consistent and special-cancelable for corner escapes.
• Up Ball: Provides air invincibility that beats complex approaches like Akuma's air fireball or dive kicks.

Matchup Spread Data (Master Rank)

While pro-level tier lists often rely on theoretical potential, the official Master Rank data from Buckler's Boot Camp paints a clear picture of Blanka's practical strengths and weaknesses. He dominates grapplers and slower characters but struggles against both strong zoners and high-pressure rushdown characters.

What’s Next

With the Japanese community fully investing in Blanka's S-Tier potential, spectators should expect to see an increase in Blanka representation in upcoming major brackets. As the meta evolves to counter top threats like Mai and JP, Blanka's specific advantages against them make him a prime counter-pick choice for the remainder of the season.

Source: Broski