Short answers, pulled from the story.
Noritaka Funamizu asked designer Akiman to create the character Akuma for the Street Fighter series in 1994. Akiman designed the figure in just one hour based on instructions from Yoshiki Okamoto about a Super Saiyan transformation.
Capcom introduced Shin Akuma starting in 1996 with Street Fighter Alpha 2 to challenge players more effectively. Developers called him Blue Shin Gouki because he wore a blue gi instead of the standard dark gray uniform.
Gouken stands as the older brother of Gouki while both men trained together under the same master. Gouki later adopted the name Akuma after killing his own brother with the Satsui no Hadou technique.
WWE wrestler Roman Reigns entered negotiations in May 2025 to portray Akuma in an upcoming live-action film co-produced by Legendary Entertainment. The animated movie Street Fighter II V featured a cameo appearance while American TV episodes Strange Bedfellows and The World's Greatest Warrior gave him speaking roles.
Despite popularity many competitive tournaments banned him due to perceived excessive power levels. Lucas Sullivan ranked him eleventh among unfair fighting game bosses that almost made players rage quit.