Manon Legrand

The Gift of Violent Rotation

One of the newcomers in Street Fighter 6, Manon is super model who can slam you into the ground with the ellegance and grace of a ballet dancer. Her fighting style is Judoka, though she incorporates aspects of ballet into her style to give it that unique, elegant touch. She is constantly improving herself in terms of beauty. She like gold, cosmetics, and her family. She dislikes crowds and chatterboxes.

The first ever character I picked to play in arcade mode was Manon. There was no particular reason. I just thought she looked cool. Being a total beginner and only having played World Tour mode with modern controls, it was a rough journey to say the least. But I still kept going with Manon, no matter how many times that level 3 Zangief pulls a Pinwheel Screwdrive on me. I was able to beat it thankfully. Afterwards, that play style sort of got cemented into me.

I just kept playing as Manon. In the campaign and online. Over time, the more I played her, the deeper my appreciation for her as a character too.

First, her gameplay. I started getting used to the motions of the Command Grab and command normals. I've gotten so used to her play style that I can't imagine not having Dégagé (QCB + K) or En Haut (4K > K). Hell, she made me like grapplers! Not like I had anything against them in the first place. I just thought I was more of a "projectile/far reaching normal guy" rather than a "get all up in your face, command grab" kind of guy, y'know? I'm thankful that she opened my eyes to the beauty of the Throw.

Plus, I like how much I've improved with her. I'm not saying that I'm a pro or anything. I'm still ranked iron. But I like to think I've gotten better than previously. Not only with her specifically as a character, but learning other mechanics of the game too. I've had a hard time doing combos and cancelling moves, and whaddya know, she helped me with getting them! Drive rush? Didn't know how to incorporate it into a combo. But now, with Manon, I think I get the gist of it. I've spent a lot of time in her combo trials to the point where I only need to complete one more trial until I can finally move on to the advanced ones. Hooray! It's nice to see growth, even if it's something small.

Second, her design. It is just downright gorgeous to me. Whoever thinks her design is ugly could go suck on a fat toad and get warts. Her design fucking rules so much!!! And she's gorgeous so shutttttt uppppp. Her swan motif is also so fitting. Swans represent elegance and are associated with ballet and stuff, but they're also tied to self improvement which Manon does with beauty and strength. The gi over that onepiece is such a neat little outfit. Gives off an athletic vibe whilst still being absolutely fashionable! I love it so much.

Her second costume... What am I supposed to say?? It should speak for itself!!! I'm not even a fashion guy so I can't really say anything fashion wise but Damn! I love it so Much!!!!!!! Urghruhughugh. I would kill for those shades and that feathery coat. Love her.

I was so scared that Capcom would butcher her costume 3 design, but they did the opposite. I absolutely adore it!!!! Such a fitting costume. I need it now!!!!!!! Now people now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also her nails are the French flag. Never getting over that.

Finally, her overall character and personality. Again, at first her personality didn't stick out to me that often. But after spending more time with her, I just love her the way she is.

She just has so much charm radiating from some of her in-fight animations and stuff. So much grace and extravegance. All of her in-fight animations encaptures her perfectly. Her applauding after the fight, her perfect win animation, how she just straight up leaves in one of them. My personal favourite one is the animation you get when you have less health than your opponent and the time runs out is just. So good. ugh. Love it, love it, love it! She's so dramatic and eccentric and I adore her for it.

The interations with her and other characters is fun to watch. She's very sweet and kind, in her own special little way. Our first encounter with Manon in the World Tour mode was fun. She's also very sweet in her own special way, like in her first quest where she gave us advice in both fashion and training, and the whole thing with E Honda in his own arcade mode.

Oh and is no one going to talk about the potential Manon and Dee Jay friendship has?!?!??! I swear to you, they would be such good friends you have absolutely no idea. They could make a music video together man. They could go to the arcade together. The fans would go crazy, both in universe and me specifically.

Don't even get me started on Manon and Marisa. So much chemistry. How Marisa helped her realise that fighting and improving yourself is important and good... the fact that Marisa's special gift is in France A.K.A. Manon's area..... Their dynamic it's just. They're so cute and real. Love is Love.

And her story??? like the one in the arcade mode??? The whole internal conflict with her and her hatred of being deemed strong.... I'm not confident enough in my words to express my thoughts, and those thoughts aren't exactly deep and are quite all over the place. But I hope you understand that I'm glad she's now fully embracing being called strong now and continously strives to improve her skills instead of seeing her strength as something like a burden :-) I'd also like to know more about her relationship with her family. Maybe I should talk to her more in World Tour Mode.

Conclusion: Manon rules. Bless command grabs. Trans rights.