Suzaku

3D models can actually be deformed pretty easily. Stretched, squashed, inflated, deflated, resized, whatever.

I'm pretty certain he did the character art for Sol and Ky. The others might be placeholders using the in-game models. His digital art has a really identifiable look to it.

Guilty Gear Xrd is not "chibi." This is chibi: But yeah, I love Ishiwatari's hand-drawn stuff.

This is actually Millia's third redesign. Fourth if you count the beta version. What's more surprising is that they basically inverted her palette. Anyway, I sprited up some new Venom balls just for fun: :KY: → → →

If they keep revealing them in groups of 7 (and there's really no reason to think that will be the case), we might be looking at a final roster of 28 characters. Which, incidentally, would be equal to the combined casts of GGXXACP + GG2, minus Order-Sol, Kliff, and Justice, if you include That Man, who was an unplayable boss. Of course, 28 is a hopeful number, but perhaps not realistic, given this is a ground-up rebuild of the game engine. If it were GGXXACP+GG2 that would also leave little room for new characters (perhaps drop That Man and Valentine?). Still, it's hard for me to imagine a new entry in a fighting game franchise without at least three or four completely new characters.

I expect that he'll take his helmet on and off in-game, like he used to do with his slave collar.

It's really not so weird. It's basically a militarized version of the Zepp uniform he wore in A Butterfly and Her Gale, with a stereotypical German spiked helm. The overall design may well be a tribute to Panzerfaust, as well. I imagine not too different, honestly. Something along the lines of his original, scrapped designs (which served as the inspiration for Bullet), minus the oni features.

You're right, I didn't notice the different kanji at first. It's actually Kabe-hasei Genyō Zan, or "Wall-based Phantom Hawk Slash." His Force Break was Genyō Zan: Yō, roughly "Phantom Haze Slash: Yang" or "Phantom Haze Slash: Sun" depending on their intent with the name. Fixed.

The cool thing about Potemkin's new design is that he's actually decked out in a Zepp military uniform. He's no longer dressed like a slave.

The character pages were already uploaded but they're not linked to yet, and the website is, as you say, barely even functioning at the moment.

Yeah, they unveiled the results back in May, during the 25th Anniversary event. And, actually, Raven was a DLC character in GG2.

Magnolia Eclair is written on the blade, but that isn't necessarily the name of the sword, which looks pretty much identical to Thunderseal. Sol's blade in GG2 was a remodeled Fireseal, even though it looked absolutely nothing like the original.

No, it means he's the first king in their history. If he was no longer king, it would say "former king," or more likely they wouldn't have included an occupation section at all.

Ky's also using the Thunderseal Sword again, which can probably be taken as tacit confirmation that Paradigm was indeed unable to break the seal.

Not likely. They have absolutely nothing in common design-wise or playstyle-wise. I'd be surprised if Sin doesn't make it into the game, seeing as how he was GG2's marquee character, but Dizzy will probably make it in, too, given her popularity. Anyway, my prediction for the next four character reveals are: - Eddie - May or Jam - Potemkin - Sin or a new character My biggest wish, though, is for Raven to join the playable cast this time around. If he gets revealed, I'll lose my shit.

Emblem Descriptions BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Material Collection Tsubaki Yayoi: Tsubaki's emblem is a camellia flower with three petals embellished into feathers. The design perfectly suits Tsubaki's eye-catching garment, Izayoi, with its winged hat. (p.67) Hazama: Hazama's emblem has a motif inspired by his Nox Nyctores, Geminus Anguium: Ouroboros. This can clearly be seen in the upper portion of the design, which depicts a serpent eating its own tail. (p.73) Mu-12: Mu's emblem is decorated with eight swords, like that of another Murakumo Unit, Lambda. At its center is a gigantic sword, which represents Mu. (p.79) Makoto Nanaya: As a humanoid squirrel beastkin, Makoto's emblem evokes the imagery of a tree. The completed design gives the impression that she is still untamed. (p.83) Valkenhayn R. Hellsing: Valkenhayn's emblem has a cross motif. It is adorned with the roses that grow in the Alucard family's castle, and the figure of a wolf appears in the center of the design. (p.87) Platinum the Trinity: Platinum's emblem is decorated with a large bell at its center. The triangular pattern connected to the bell represents Luna, Sena, and Trinity, her three personalities. (p.91) Lambda-11: Lambda's emblem has a motif specifically based on her appearance, modeled after the eight swords that float behind her back. The emblem is similar to that of another Murakumo Unit, Nu, but the middle section has a different design. (p.95) BlazBlue: Chronophantasma Material Collection Amane Nishiki: Amane's emblem is reminiscent of the mizuhiki used during special occasions in Japan. It includes lines representing the obi of a kimono and a scattering of cherry blossom petals, and the mizuhiki is entwined around the auspicious image of a crane. (p.7) Bullet: Bullet's emblem has a female leopard motif, a design which appropriately symbolizes her rough and tumble nature. The overall silhouette closely resembles her gauntlet, as well as a burning flame. (p.19) Azrael: Azrael's emblem incorporates an abundance of spikes and skulls into its design and uses thicker lines than many of the other emblems. It both exemplifies Azrael's inherent aggression and parallels the numerous tattoos on his body. (p.29) Izayoi: Tsubaki's emblem includes feather designs, but in Izayoi's emblem the entire wing becomes the motif. The weapon in the middle is a huge sword, and the emblem's overall form also mirrors Izayoi's silhouette. (p.39) Relius's emblem unfortunately doesn't have any notes, though I suppose it's fairly self-explanatory. I'll do the ones in the Calamity Trigger Material Collection some other time.

The Material Collections actually have design notes for all the character emblems, for what it's worth. I can work on translating them when I have some time. I'm fairly confident that the text on the crests is at worst random jibberish and at best copied and pasted lorem ipsum.

That's cool. For what it's worth, I've gone back and made a few minor tweaks to them since posting to make them more consistent with the most recent official translations by Aksys Games. I've also linked to the SRK article in the system post -- it's always good to give people alternate translations to look at.

Potemkin CV: Takashi Kondō I will fulfill my duty. Fiercely proud and pure of heart. His giant, overpowering mass conceals a warm, gentle character, in love with all of nature. Justice is his creed, and he cannot bear to see other people suffer—even if he himself suffers the most. Always faces up to any adversity in his way, but never fights merely for the pleasure of hurting others. Profile Height: 245 cm Blood type: O Weight: 656 kg Birthplace: The floating continent, Zepp Birthday: October 18 Hobbies: Drawing pictures Likes: Indestructible imperial pencil cases Dislikes: Pencils that can't endure four tons of weight Eye color: White Affiliation: Scientific Empire of Zepp Command List Special Moves ① Heat Knuckle ----------- + 　→ Heat Knuckle Extend ---- + during ① Mega Fist: Zenpō ---------- + Mega Fist: Kōhō ----------- + Sliding Head -------------- + ② Hammer Fall ------------ briefly, then + 　→ Hammer Fall Break ------ during ② F.D.B. -------------------- + Potemkin Buster ----------- + near opponent Trishula ------------------ + I.C.P.M. ------------------ + during a jump Overdrives Heavenly Potemkin Buster -- + ③ Giganter Kai ----------- + 　→ Gigantic Bullet Kai ---- + during ③ Notes: Zenpō (Forward), Kōhō (Backward), Kai (Modified). Source: http://ggxrd.com/character/potemkin/

Venom CV: Junichi Suwabe As deep and purple as a requiem for a gentleman... Although he works as an assassin, his mind is pure and he has trouble hiding things from others. His actions are calm and scientific, but his thoughts are more on the romantic side. Raised in a cold environment, he has few desires in life other than to preserve his own while he searches for some meaning to his existence. His hatred of murder comes from the heart, and taking human lives outside of work is tough for him to bear. Profile Height: 179 cm Blood type: A Weight: 66 kg Birthplace: England Birthday: Unknown Hobbies: Reading, Chess Likes: Zato, sympathy Dislikes: Blood, those who oppose Zato Eye color: Blue Command List Special Moves ① Ball Seisei ------------ + or or or Shunkan Idō --------------- + or hold the button during ① Stinger Aim --------------- briefly, then + or (can be held) Carcass Raid -------------- briefly, then + or Double Head Morbid -------- + or QV ------------------------ + or or or (can be held) Mad Struggle -------------- + or during a jump Overdrives Dark Angel ---------------- + Red Hail ------------------ + during a jump Bishop Run Out ------------ + Notes: Seisei (Formation), Shunkan Idō (Warp). Source: http://ggxrd.com/character/venom/

May CV: Satomi Kōrogi Johnny, I'll do my best for you! A mischievous and happy-go-lucky young girl. Her values are based completely around her consuming love for Johnny. (If Johnny was on one side of a scale and everyone else in the world were on the other, Johnny would still weigh more in her eyes.) This pure and childlike exterior belies untold strength; she can hoist up a ship's anchor by herself. Simple-minded and selfish, nothing can stop her once she gets an idea into her head. Profile Height: 158 cm Blood type: B Weight: 47 kg Birthplace: Unknown (Japan) Birthday: May 5 (the day Johnny found her) Hobbies: Thinking about Johnny Likes: Johnny Dislikes: Baldness Eye color: Black Affiliation: Jellyfish Pirates Command List Special Moves Iruka-san: Yoko ------------------------- briefly, then + or Iruka-san: Tate ------------------------- briefly, then + or Overhead Kiss --------------------------- + near opponent ① Hakushu de Mukaete Kudasai ----------- + or or or Iruka Tōjō ------------------------------ Touch the dolphin from ① during a jump ② Ominogashinaku ----------------------- + or Ball Jump ------------------------------- Any near the ball from ② during a jump Ensenga? -------------------------------- + during a jump Overdrives Great Yamada Attack --------------------- + Kyūkyoku no Dadakko --------------------- + ③ Chōzetsu Monzetsu Kirimomi Daisenpū -- + Deluxe Goshogawara Bomber --------------- during ③ Notes: Iruka-san: Yoko (Mr. Dolphin! Horizontal), Iruka-san: Tate (Mr. Dolphin! Vertical), Hakushu de Mukaete Kudasai (Applause for the Victim), Iruka Tōjō (Hop on Dolphin), Ominogashinaku (Don't Miss It!), Ensenga? (Swallow's Pecking Beak?), Kyūkyoku no Dadakko (Ultimate Whiner), Chōzetsu Monzetsu Kirimomi Daisenpū (Super Screaming Ultimate Spinning Whirlwind), Goshogawara (Tile) Source: http://ggxrd.com/character/may/

Ky Kiske CV: Takeshi Kusao Allow me to teach you the way of the thunderclap! He is honest about everything, including his work, people, and his morals. His personality is nothing but serious. He loves the ideals of justice and is dedicated to protecting the weak. However, he is easily disgusted by those who disturb the peace. In other words, he has a hard time dealing with freedom, a fact he has yet to realize. Profile Height: 178 cm Blood type: AB Weight: 58 kg Birthplace: France Birthday: November 20 Hobbies: Collecting tea cups Likes: A smile on everybody's face Dislikes: Sol Eye color: Blue-green Affiliation: United Kingdom of Illyria (as its First King) Command List Special Moves Stun Edge ----------------- + Stun Edge Charge Attack --- + Kūchū Stun Edge ----------- + or during a jump Stun Dipper --------------- + Greed Sever --------------- + Vapor Thrust -------------- + or (midair) Split Ciel ---------------- + Grinder Seisei ------------ or or perform Split Ciel Durandal Call ------------- Launch Grinder with any Stun Edge variant or Sacred Edge Overdrives Ride the Lightning -------- + (midair) Sacred Edge --------------- + Notes: Kūchū (Aerial), Seisei (Formation) Source: http://ggxrd.com/character/ky/

Protagonist: The Flame of Corruption Sol Badguy CV: Jōji Nakata Are you prepared? Outline A superhuman whose body was modified to serve as prototype for the creation of biological weapons known as Gears. During the Crusades he stood with mankind as they raised their swords, and twice they defeated Justice the Destroyer, the greatest calamity the world had ever known. His undisputed fighting skills likewise halted the attempted eradication of the human race during the Baptism 13 Incident (also known as the Illyrian Invasion) as well as its mastermind, Valentine. Now he continues his pursuit of That Man—the individual responsible for his Gear conversion and the instigator of the Crusades—while roaming the world as a bounty hunter and fostering Ky's son, Sin. Story Though most of the public regards the destruction wrought during the Baptism 13 Incident to be the result of a meteor strike, for Sol it was truly the culmination of a chain of events involving the origin of the Gears, the Crusades, his own conversion, and their link with the mysterious Valentine. Upon hearing Ramlethal's decaration of war, Sol receives a request from the King of Illyria, Ky Kiske, and heads to the former site of Japan where Ramlethal lies in wait. Personality He's rough around the edges and hates to work hard. A man of few words, he only speaks when it’s absolutely necessary. He's not good at giving explanations or expressing himself, and as a result tends to speak in a blunt and aggressive manner. Though he could generally be regarded as self-centered and violent, his friends and companions have come to accept the behavior as something he just can't help. Profile Height: 184 cm Blood type: Unknown Weight: 74 kg Birthplace: America Birthday: Unknown Hobbies: Listening to Queen Likes: Queen's "Sheer Heart Attack" record Dislikes: Exerting himself, trying his best Command List Special Moves Gun Flame ----------------- + Gun Flame (Feint) --------- + ① Volcanic Viper --------- + or (midair) 　→ Tataki Otoshi ---------- + during ① Bandit Revolver ----------- + (midair) Bandit Bringer ------------ + hold Kudakero ------------------ + during a jump Bukkirabō ni Nageru ------- + near opponent Riot Stamp ---------------- + Grand Viper --------------- + Fefnir -------------------- + P.B.B. -------------------- + during a jump, while in Dragon Install state Overdrives Tyrant Rave ver. β -------- + Dragon Install ------------ + (midair) Notes: Tataki Otoshi (Knockdown), Kudakero (Break Down), Bukkirabō ni Nageru (Wild Throw) Source: http://ggxrd.com/character/sol/

Millia Rage CV: Yuko Sumitomo No time to blink! A cold, reticent woman, nothing ever appears to interest her. Indifferent towards her feminine side, perhaps because of her assassin upbringing. Sees everything in terms of black or white, and rarely makes a wrong decision. Although her mind is like a machine, there is still a little human left in her, and she is tormented inside by the recluse she has become. Profile Height: 169 cm Blood type: B Weight: 48 kg Birthplace: Russia Birthday: Unknown (Millia is an orphan) Hobbies: Playing with cats Likes: Virtue Dislikes: Zato, losing hair Command List Special Moves Bad Moon ------------------ + during a jump Kōsoku Rakka -------------- + during a jump Tandem Top ---------------- + or Lust Shaker --------------- + or tap Iron Savior --------------- + ① Zenten ----------------- + 　→ Sai Zenten ------------- during ① 　→ Lust Shaker (Hasei) ---- during ① 　→ Digitalis -------------- during ① Silent Force -------------- + during a jump Secret Garden ------------- + tap , aim with joystick + Overdrives Emerald Rain -------------- + Winger -------------------- + Chroming Rose ------------- + Notes: Kōsoku Rakka (Maximum Velocity Fall), Zenten (Forward Roll), Sai Zenten (Another Forward Roll), Hasei (Derivation) Source: http://ggxrd.com/character/millia/

Chipp Zanuff CV: Yoshihisa Kawahara I'll perform your eulogy! Short in patience and long in fighting spirit. Takes a survival-of-the-fittest approach to life, and looks for the easy way out of everything except fighting, where his strategies are always exceptionally well thought out. Often flies into rages over trifling matters, although he's been working hard to hold his temper in check under his former master's admonitions. Wishes he could get himself to help others more often. Has a keen interest in Japanese culture from his former master, and possesses an image of that country that has little to do with reality. Profile Height: 183 cm Blood type: B Weight: 67 kg Birthplace: United States of America (he insists on Japan) Birthday: February 9 Hobbies: Dreaming Likes: Sleeping pills Dislikes: Nightmares, the Mafia, gangs, the Yakuza Eye color: Red Command List Special Moves ① α Blade ---------------- + (midair) 　→ α Plus ----------------- during ① β Blade ------------------- + (midair) γ Blade ------------------- + Genrō Zan ----------------- + Tsuyoshi-shiki Meisai ----- + Tsuyoshi-shiki Ten'i ------ :d: + or or or ② Resshō ----------------- + 　→ ③ Rokusai ------------- + during ② 　→ Senshū ----------------- + during ② or ③ Shuriken ------------------ + during a jump Shinkirō ------------------ + (after ② or ③) ④ Kabe Haritsuki --------- near corner 　→ Jōge Idō --------------- or during ④ 　→ Yoko Idō --------------- or or during ④ 　→ Tobi Ori --------------- during ④ 　→ Kabe-hasei α Blade ----- during ④ 　→ Kabe-hasei Kunai ------- during ④ 　→ Kabe-hasei Genrō Zan --- during ④ 　→ Kabe-hasei Genyō Zan --- during ④ Overdrives Zansei Rōga --------------- + Ryū Ryū ------------------- + during a jump Banki Messai -------------- + Notes: α (Alpha), β (Beta), γ (Gamma), Genrō Zan (Phantom Haze Slash), Tsuyoshi-shiki Meisai (Tsuyoshi-style Camouflage), Tsuyoshi-shiki Ten'i (Tsuyoshi-style Transition), Resshō (Cold Palm), Rokusai (Foot Crush), Senshū (Piercing Heel), Shuriken (Throwing Star), Shinkirō (Mirage), Kabe Haritsuki (Wall Cling), Jōge Idō (Vertical Movement), Yoko Idō (Horizontal Movement), Tobi Ori (Jump Down), Kabe-hasei (Wall-based), Genyō Zan (Phantom Hawk Slash), Kunai (Throwing Knife), Zansei Rōga (Slashing Star Wolf Fang), Ryū Ryū (Dragon Willow), Banki Messai (Ten Thousand Demon Annihilation) Source: http://ggxrd.com/character/chipp/