Suzaku

Animation is pretty average. The fight correography leaves something to be desired, but apart from that it's not bad. The backgrounds in particular are quite well done. Voice acting and music is, of course, solid. Music is pretty much remixes from the game. Plot is BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger's story mode, more or less. Given the title and the nature of the BlazBlue universe, there may be some twists. With a run of only 12 episodes, I'm not sure how much plot they'll be able to cover. I sincerely hope that they can delve into some of the material from the Phase novels.

http://www.funimation.com/shows/blazblue/videos/official/the-red-rebel/anime?watch=sub

It's a simultaneous broadcast.

It's a simulcast. Funimation and Viz have been simulcasting anime with subtitles for years now.

According to the page on Funimation, 12.

Apart from obvious choices (the other Duodecim, the Six Heroes, the Invictus, etc.), I'd really like to see them introduce a member of the NOL Air Corps -- the only military branch of the NOL we haven't seen represented at all yet. They wear green uniforms and use special armagus aircraft called "shebalves," which I like to imagine as something between a glider and a hoverboard... Could lead to an interesting drive and playstyle.

I think the general consensus, at least amongst GG fans, is that GG's setting is just cooler than BB's. Cooler characters, cooler concepts. However, I don't think there's any question that GG's storyline is an inconsistent, poorly planned mess compared to BB's. Mori has really put a great deal of effort into crafting the storyline of BB into a cohesive whole, and what is probably the most sophisticated fighting game storyline ever, from seeding future playable characters in prequels to incorporating alternate endings into legitimate canon. Ishiwatari just hasn't put the same level of thought and planning into GG. The storyline is certainly lurching toward something, but plot elements are introduced and dropped from game to game, and of course the original entry had a bad case of international martial arts tournament (twist ending notwithstanding). My sincere hope is that, going forward, Ishiwatari takes a page from Mori's book and starts honing his storytelling. If Sign is intended to be an omen, acting as a sort of prelude to a new story arc, my desire is that Ishiwatari intends to plot things out with the sort of commitment and attention to detail that Mori has shown with BB.

Which would imply that Vastedge takes place in like 2189 or 2190, right? Just because Sol designed the sword in 2187 doesn't mean the game is set in 2187.

Axl Low CV: Keiichi Nanba I keep comin' up with cool ways to beat you! The eternal optimist. Rarely thinks deeply about matters, believing that everything works out eventually. His lust for amour knows no bounds. He does have the ability to calmly examine and solve problems, but that's just not his style. A kind man by nature, he can never find it in his heart to kill anyone—not even the most evil of villains. Profile Height: 179 cm Blood type: B Weight: 78 kg Birthplace: England Birthday: December 25 Hobbies: Billiards Likes: His girlfriend from his own time (Megumi) Dislikes: Preachy types Affilitation: His old gang Command List Special Moves ① Rensen Geki ------------ or + 　→ Kyokusa Geki ----------- or during ① 　→ Sensa Geki ------------- or during ① Benten Gari --------------- + Raieisa Geki -------------- + Rashōsen ------------------ or + Tenhōseki (Jōdan) --------- + Tenhōseki (Gedan) --------- + Axl Bomber ---------------- + during a jump ② Haitaka no Kamae ------- + 　→ Jōdan ------------------ during ② 　→ Chūdan ----------------- during ② 　→ Gedan ------------------ during ② 　→ Kaijo ------------------ during ② Overdrives Byakue Renshō ------------- + Kairagi Yakō -------------- + Notes: Rensen Geki (Flashing Sickle Attack), Kyokusa Geki (Melodic Chain Attack), Sensa Geki (Rotating Chain Attack), Benten Gari (Benten Harvest), Raieisa Geki (Lightning Shadow Chain Attack), Rashōsen (Bell Spiral), Tenhōseki (Sky-Clearing Stone), Jōdan (High), Gedan (Low), Haitaka no Kamae (Sparrowhawk Stance), Chūdan (Middle), Kaijo (Cancel), Byakue Renshō (Massive Sickle Flame), Kairagi Yakō (Rayskin Gleaming in the Night). Source: http://ggxrd.com/character/axl/

I-No CV: Kikuko Inoue I can't take it anymore... One of the associates of That Man, who triggered the Crusades by creating the Gears. She toys with men with her constant sexual innuendos, turning them into putty in her hands. She loves nothing more than seeing them go nuts because of the salacious things she says. She'll stick her nose into anyone's business as long as it keeps her entertained. Profile Height: 165 cm Blood type: AB Weight: 46 kg Birthplace: Unknown Birthday: November 25 Hobbies: Anything fun, coded word games, making people peeved Likes: Number 1 is a secret, Marlene, youth Dislikes: People that can't have fun, milk Affilitation: That Man's conspirators Command List Special Moves Kōutsu Onkai -------------- + (midair) Taiboku o Sasurute -------- + or Kyōgen Jikkō -------------- + or or or during a jump (can be held) ① Chemical Aijō ---------- + (midair) 　→ Chemical Aijō (Hasei) -- + during ① (midair) Chemical Aijō (Tate) ------ + (midair) Shōdoku Method ------------ + during a jump, near opponent Overdrives Madogiwa Desperate -------- + Genkai Fortissimo --------- + during a jump Notes: Kōutsu Onkai (Antidepressant Scale), Taiboku o Sasurute (Stroke the Big Tree), Kyōgen Jikkō (Sultry Performance), Chemical Aijō (Chemical Love), Hasei (Derivative), Tate (Vertical), Shōdoku Method (Sterilization Method), Madogiwa Desperate (Desperate Longing Near a Window), Genkai Fortissimo (Ultimate Fortissimo). Source: http://ggxrd.com/character/ino/

I know the Guilty Gear X Plus endings have all been snagged via capture card, but I actually managed to rip this directly from the game. Two notes: 1. For some reason, higher resolution versions of the illustrations are used when they appear during Story Mode than the ones found in the Gallery. 2. This was a bitch to rip and I likely won't be doing anymore from X+, since the gallery's already all been screencapped. Thought I'd share anyway.

I'd be surprised if they didn't have a fairly substantial trailer at TGS, since this is probably going to be the last major Japanese trade show they'll have a chance of showing it off at before it gets released. I don't think Arcsy has ever participated in Jump Festa and there hasn't been a JAMMA show in years. All the other mainstream shows are in the West.

Sin's age is actually unspecified, isn't it? He was six months old when Ky placed him in Sol's care. So, let's see. 2181 is when Ky met Dizzy. Two years later (2183), Sin is 6 months old. Meaning he had to have been born on May 31, 2183. In 2186, if it takes place after May 31, he'd be 3 in GG2. So, yeah, for him to be 6 in Vastedge... it would have to be set in like, 2189. Keep in mind that we don't know Xrd is set in 2187. All we know is that's when Sol designed his new sword.

Just skimming through it. I don't know anything about pachislot, but one thing I can clearly make out is that the new guy with the trenchcoat and Cerberus snake-blades is named Bardius (バルディウス). The "ART" thing seems to be a pachislot thing. It's apparantly like a bonus screen you can get while playing. In this case, it seems like you can trigger special battles ("Heaven or Hell", "Bardius Battle", etc.). Here's a video tutorial explaining ART for the Biohazard pachislot game. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8K8ZhbmOW9w

Some people assumed it was Johnny's weapon because he has an attack called Ensenga. However, his attack is more accurately translated as "Swallow's Pecking Beak."

Title confirmed: Guilty Gear Vastedge. http://p.twipple.jp/hPReG That's actually what I was leaning towards when I read the kana. Maybe the OP can change the title to "Guilty Gear Vastedge Concept Art" or something more descriptive.

I assume it just refers to "background characters," given their designs. As in "a mob of people."

Translations of the labels on all of the reference sheets: Sol (ソル) N/A [sol, Dragon Install] Junkyard (ジャンクヤード) N/A [Jam] Zappa (ザッパ) Slayer (スレイヤー) Sin (シン) Sin's Flag (シンの旗) Millia (ミリア) Chipp (チップ) Bridget (ブリジット) Roger (ロジャー) Bridget's Yoyo (ブリジットのヨーヨー) May (メイ) Johnny (ジョニー) That Man (あの男) That Man's Arms (あの男の腕) That Man's Projectiles (あの男の飛び道具) That Man's Summoned Sword and Eye (あの男の召喚剣と目) ZT13 ZT13 Cerberus (ケルベロス) Dizzy (ディズィー) Sealed Dizzy (ディズィー封印) Ky (カイ) Izuna (イズナ) N/A [Nekomata] Paradigm (パラダイム) Fairy (妖精) Large Weapon (大型兵器) Bounty Hunter 1 (賞金稼ぎ１) Bounty Hunter 2 (賞金稼ぎ２) Bounty Hunter 3 (賞金稼ぎ３) Bounty Hunter 4 (賞金稼ぎ４) Senate Mask Reference (元老院マスク参考) Small Animal (小動物) Small Animal Patterns (小動物パターン) Senate Soldier (元老院兵士) Strong Soldier (強兵) Monster (魔物) Sacred Treasure: Flashing Tooth (神器「閃牙」) Ky's Flying Boat (カイの飛行艇) Ky's Flying Boat (カイの飛行艇) N/A [smoke] N/A [smoke] Tea (紅茶) N/A [Emoticons] N/A [Debris] Mob 1 (モブ１) Mob 2 (モブ２) Mob 3 (モブ３) Mob 4 (モブ４) Mob 5 (モブ５) Mob 6 (モブ６) Mob 7 (モブ７) Mob 8 (モブ８) Mob 9 (モブ９) Mob 10 (モブ１０) Pirate 1 (海賊団１) Pirate 2 (海賊団２) Pirate 3 (海賊団３) Pirate 4 (海賊団４) Pirate 5 (海賊団５) N/A [Mob 1] N/A [Mob 2] N/A [Colors] Edit: Rearranged according to filename.

By the way, that concept art that was on Yahoo Auctions or whatever, I forget who posted the images, but it included Sol, Dragon Install, Sol's sword, and Jam. Well, the concept art for Sol's sword was labeled ジャンクヤード (Junkyard). The markings on Sol's sword in this trailer clearly read: "Bullet Heaven / Pat.P Jan.15.2187 / Junkyard Dog MK3 / [cyrillic jibberish?] Model H". So, that concept art is almost certainly legit.

Just because it's not listed in the lineup doesn't mean it won't be represented. Most major titles don't get announced in the initial lineup, and are instead revealed during the actual trade show.

I just want you guys to know that you're having a stupid argument. "Anime" or "comic" is a pretty useless label. Most 2D fighters have historically looked "anime" by sheer virtue of being 2D. Darkstalkers, Street Fighter Alpha, and Marvel vs Capcom all had the exact same art style and dramatically different gameplay conventions. Guilty Gear, BlazBlue and, yes, Marvel vs Capcom, hell, even Rival Schools for that matter, are all on the same end of the fighting game spectrum. What I'd call the "over-the-top" end. You could maybe define it as games where a super move version of a fireball becomes a full-screen laser beam, or games where a majority of the characters can double jump and air dash by default. In other words, games where you can do insanely cool shit without a lot of effort. Opposite end of the spectrum you have super-technical fighters, or rather Virtua Fighter, where the cool shit looks like normal martial arts yet still requires a high degree of precision and dexterity to pull off. You could put Street Fighter and King of Fighters in the middle as examples the average, traditional fighting game. Which is to say, fighting games where you can throw fireballs and do super moves, and, maybe if you're playing as a ninja, you can do wall jumps. I'd say the average weapon-based fighter is going to fall somewhere between over-the-top and traditional, so there you've got Samurai Showdown and Soul Calibur and the like. And then closer to over-the-top you have maybe Darkstalkers and Jojo and the like, which have more of the over-the-top flavor but retain more of the traditional technical skill. And then, in my own opinion, there's another breed of fighting games I'd categorize as a completely different genre, which is the fighter/platformer hybrid. Stuff like Smash Bros., the Narutimate series, Dissidia Final Fantasy, the DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi games, etc. Which is to say, games that feel more like platformers-turned-competitive. Cart racers and MOBAs are similar spinoffs of the racing and tactical strategy genres. Now, an average gamer, which is to say someone who only dabbles into fighting games, is probably going to vary in proficiency from "button-masher" to "can pull off specials, supers, and combos for their favorite character when playing friends and the CPU." The average gamer is gonna play in the shallow end, maybe dabble in the deep end if they're really taken with the game. They may never go online, they may never even play with another person. If they do play with another person, it'll probably be someone with a similar skill level. To go beyond that, the person has to either be really into the specific game, want a deeper experience, or a greater competitive challenge. And this is going to be true of any sort of competitive game, from Scrabble and Chess to World of Warcraft, Call of Duty, and Street Fighter. Almost by definition, the fighting game community is going to cater to that latter group of people seeking a competitive experience, and to a lesser extent people who are just really into whatever game, for more 'superficial' reasons like the art, music, and story. A forum like Dustloop is ultimately going to attract either people who want to talk about strategy (the majority) or people who want to talk about art, music, or story (the minority). If you're to the point of joining a community dedicated to a single game or franchise, you're already in pretty deep. And those people should be welcomed. In this day and age, I think the onus lies more with the developers to provide a robust matchmaking service that will allow people of different skill levels to play online with people of similar skill levels, and have an enjoyable experience. Not everyone in a fighting game community needs to be technically skilled, but they do need to be having fun.

Relius wasn't eaten, he fell into the cauldron (and went forward in time). That said, the implication is that he created Kazuma before the incident, not in response to it, knowing either that Terumi would be killed, or simply as a backup should the need arise. It's also possible (perhaps even very likely) that the previous body still wasn't his original, since he had apparantly been installed in the Susano'o Unit at some point in the past. His storyline may even go back all the way to the XBlaze era.

Ishiwatari did the character select art for GGX, GGXX, GGXX#R, GGI, GGXX/, and GG2, and the portraits for GGXX~AC+ and GG2. He also did the character art for Sol and Ky that's on the official GGXrd site. The other character art, and all the character select art in the location test, are actually hi-res 3D renders of the actual character models and may actually be placeholders. Ishiwatari's digital art (photoshop, I believe) has a very distinct look, and doesn't really look anything like his traditional stuff, (which is mostly done with mechanical pencils, copic markers, colored pencils, and lots of photocopies). His coloring style changed pretty dramatically after the XX character art, but the artbooks have his lineart for all of that stuff. The Sol and Ky art on the website has several of the hallmarks of his digital work

Agreed. While the game runs at 60fps, I get the impression that the characters are animated at maybe 12fps, to replicate traditional cel animation. I think each frame is also probably handled as a unique, hand-tweaked 'state' with its own independant light source, so the cel shading always looks appropriate, regardless of environment lighting or camera angles. By intentionally cutting back from tweened 60fps animation to fine-tuned 12fps animation, they can make it look like actual cel animation.

http://www.siliconera.com/2013/08/12/taking-venom-and-ky-for-a-spin-in-guilty-gear-xrd-sign/ Impressions of the loke test courtesy Kris from Siliconera.