Draft:Hadouken-ing / Dragonballing

HADOUKEN-ING meme

Hadouken-ing is a posed photograph trend that became popular in Japan during the early 2010s. The trend is a reference to the “Hadouken” which is an energy-based projectile punch attack move within the Street Fighter video game series. In this trend, one participant poses as if releasing an energy blast, while other participants pose as if they're being pushed back by its energy. The images tend to be dramatized to simulate the over-the-top action of the game and are widely posted on social media, and it has become a global phenomenon. It is often compared to other staged photography trends such as “Vadering” [1], which is named after the Force choke in Star Wars, and “Kamehameha-ing” named after energy attacks in the Dragon Ball series.

Origin

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The concept of Hadouken-ing is rooted in the “Hadouken” move popularized by characters such as Ryu (in white) and Ken (in orange) from Capcom’s Street Fighter franchise, first released in 1987. Ryu's most iconic technique in the game is the Hadouken (波動拳), which can be translated as "Surging Fist" or "Wave Motion Fist." The term is composed of three kanji: 波動 (hadō), meaning "wave motion" or "surge," and 拳 (ken), meaning "fist.". This energy-based projectile attack has become one of the most iconic moves in the Street Fighter series, and the move consists of a visible energy projectile launched from the fighter’s hands, accompanied by dramatic visual effects.

The photo trend started surfacing on the internet around 2012, particularly among Japanese amateur photographers and students. The subjects set up a scene that was visually likening the effects of a Hadouken by having the "attacker" pose and the others jumping or stepping back to mimic an energy blast. These images are often dramatized to capture the exaggerated action reminiscent of the game, combined with their humor and pop culture references, which made the trend popular in online communities and helped them spread rapidly online. [2]

Characteristic

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Hadouken photos are crafted with several distinct visual elements that create a dynamic and engaging scene. In these images, one participant takes on the role of the “attacker” by striking a specific pose, where they thrust their arms forward in a dramatic fashion that conveys both force and focus. Their stance typically reflects a sense of exertion or balance, reminiscent of martial arts moves.

The other participants react dramatically, simulating the impact of an invisible force. They may appear to be airborne, arching their bodies backward, or contorting themselves in ways that suggest they are being forcefully pushed away. This response is not just casual; it requires a level of exaggeration to enhance the action-packed nature of the scene.

To elevate the visual impact, many images are digitally manipulated to include special effects such as vibrant bursts of light or stylized motion lines. These enhancements mimic the look of energy attacks commonly seen in video games, adding an exciting layer of realism.

Overall, the setup of a Hadouken photo shoot relies heavily on exaggerated physical expressions and deliberately unrealistic scenarios, resulting in images that capture the theatrical essence of these playful and creative performances.

Role of Social Media

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Social media platforms such as Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, and later TikTok were instrumental in the dissemination of Hadouken-ing. These platforms allowed users to share their interpretations widely, inspiring others to replicate or innovate upon the trend. These trends often involved participants mimicking well-known pop culture moments using physical gestures and camera timing, without relying on complex digital effects. Hadouken-ing mirrored other visual memes such as Vadering, where people recreated scenes mimicking the "Force choke" from Star Wars, and Kamehameha-ing, inspired by energy attacks in the Dragon Ball series. Another similar trend was the "Levitating Girl" or "Levitation" photos made famous by photographer Natsumi Hayashi, where the subject was photographed mid-jump to give the impression of floating. These photography trends spread widely across Japanese social media sites and tended to be based on exact timing and bodily coordination as opposed to post-production, characteristic of a certain aesthetic of visual humor and creativity particular to the early 2010s internet culture in Japan.

The growing global popularity of Japanese pop culture, anime, and gaming in the 2010s provided a fertile environment for trends like Hadouken-ing to gain traction outside of Japan. The trend was embraced by global audiences, particularly within gaming and cosplay communities, and became a fixture in fan conventions and online fan art circles. Even in 2025, the Hadouken-ing photo trend continues to thrive as a playful and visually striking form of expression on social media. Sparked by a recent viral reel on Instagram, the trend resurfaced with users across the world recreating dramatic mid-air poses, some did it without knowing the name or origin of the fad, because they saw it online. Hadouken-ing has maintained its cultural resonance through its dramatic fun appeal and adaptability to contemporary internet culture.

Legacy

Although Hadouken-ing is not as common as it once was, it remains a well-known term in discussions about internet photography trends and meme culture. Hadouken-ing played a significant role in popularizing action-themed poses in fan photography within gaming and cosplay communities. Even if not mentioned by name, similar visual motifs continue to appear in online works, showcasing the lasting impact of this trend's distinctive style.

Its influence can still be observed in contemporary photography trends that focus on dynamic posing, creative staging, and interactivity in visual culture on the internet.

Name	Hadouken-ing
Genre	Internet meme/ Photography trend
Origin	Japan
Popularity	2012-2014