After much anticipation, it was confirmed that there would be a follow up to the Nintendo DS Shonen Jump fighting game classic Jump Ultimate Stars, that game is the PlayStation 3 exclusive J-Stars Victory VS. So far several characters have been confirmed as playable from the extensive history of Shonen Jump manga series, including Monkey D. Luffy, Son Goku, Naruto Uzumaki and even Gintoki. The game is slated to feature the greatest Shonen Jump all-stars in the magazine’s 45 year history. So who should make the cut? Here is a list of characters who we feel must be in J-Stars Victory VS:
Gon Freecss (Hunter x Hunter)
While not as well known in the West, Gon is an iconic Shonen Jump hero in Japan and with the immense popularity of the currently airing Hunter x Hunter anime series, Gon Freecss is a natural choice to be a part of J-Stars Victory VS. His ‘JaJanken’ nen abilities would make for an interesting combat style that could very well make him a fan-favourite character if he is playable. Gon is undoubtedly a true J-Star and must be in this game.
Kuroko (Kuroko’s Basketball)
Unless you have been living under a rock for the past few years you probably are quite familiar with the phenomenon that is Kuroko’s Basketball. The basketball manga has become insanely popular with both men and women for some very different reasons, but it has made a star out of the series protagonist Kuroko. With a number of basketball style attacks being possible for him to use, the shadow baller would fit right in with the crazy cast of J-Stars Victory VS and therefore must be in the game.
Kinnikuman/Muscleman (Kinnikuman)
Kinnikuman, also known as Muscleman, is a Shonen Jump icon. The galactic muscle-bound wrestler with a bad flatulence problem was one of the first real ‘stars’ the Shonen Jump magazine had. The character clicked on with fans almost immediately and the series has spawned several anime adaptations and even more manga series all based around the muscle bound star Kinnikuman. His wrestling ability would make him a unique type of character in J-Stars Victory VS and one that must be in the game.
Yugi/Yami (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
It’s time to duel! Yugi has become an iconic Jump star around the world. Known for his physically weak yet strong willed human side and badass card-games playing pharoah side, Yugi is an interesting character to say the very least. You never know what side of Yugi you will get, whether it is kind-hearted Yugi or the wrathful Yami Yugi. This makes him a great choice for a fighting game, as his abilities and behaviors are completly unpredictable. Not only that but the dude plays card-games and can summon his Exodia to kick your ass. He would be a strange yet fun character to play as and for that alone he must be in this game.
Bossun (SKET Dance)
Bossun is the star of a more recent Shonen Jump manga by the name of SKET Dance. The series involves Bossun and his helper’s club known as the SKET-dan as they set out to help various people at their school. Sure he doesn’t exactly scream ‘fighting game’ but over the course of the SKET Dance series Bossun shows that he would make for quite an eccentric fighting game character, with a bizarre array of comedic attacks being possible for him. He is a more recent Jump star and for the uniqueness he would bring, he must be in the game.
Pegasus Seiya (Saint Seiya)
What makes you more qualified to be in a fighting game than to already be in several of them? With the upcoming fighting game Saint Seiya: Brave Soldiers on the way, it only makes sense for Pegasus Seiya to make the jump into the crossover mayhem of J-Stars Victory VS. Saint Seiya in and of itself is one of the most popular manga the magazine has run and Pegasus Seiya an unforgettable character in his own right. He is yet another true Jump star and must be in the game.
JoJo – Any of them (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)
There are 8 JoJos in the series JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, each of them has etched their own unique legacy over the 25 year history of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure and their individual runs in Shonen Jump have all been memorable. It would be difficult to choose just one, but the entire Joestar Dynasty deserves a place in this game. At least if they don’t all make it in, there is JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle to make up for it. Regardless there must be a JoJo in this game.
Yusuke Urameshi (Yu Yu Hakusho)
He is the original Shonen Jump bad boy, the high school delinquent with a heart of gold and fists of steel. Yusuke is still to this day one of the most popular characters ever produced from Shonen Jump magazine and an icon of both manga and anime. Yu Yu Hakusho was one of the only manga that ever truly competed with Dragon Ball in terms of popularity and many consider Yusuke to be one of the great Jump stars ever. He is undoubtedly an ass-kicker of the highest order and it is really a no-brainer that he must be in this game.
That wraps up my list of characters who must be in the upcoming J-Stars Victory VS game. For now, we must wait and see who will be confirmed as the information on the game’s characters comes to light. Is there any character you think must be in this game? Let us know in the comments section below.
