Makai Kingdom, warning, very very very LONG!

[taiga_ameca]

Well, I had some time to waste, and sore thumbs after playing too much Katamari Damacy, so I decided that it was the perfect time to analyze Phantom/Makai Kingdom's secret characters.

But before we start, let me remind you that this is a personal analysis, it doesn't reflect the reality of NIS's future choices. And this is based on possible story insertion based on the character's original canon. There is a high possibility of chances that NIS will not follow the pre-establish canon for the cameos, and this is completely normal, hell, this is just a cameo. If the choices are to be voted by popularity, well, then all bets are off. And if you feel like telling me that I wasted my time, don't, I already know.

And as a second warning, the following is to be considered IMO. If you people feel like adding to what I say, go ahead, but keep in mind that this is my opinion. Also keep in mind that the following contains SPOILERS for all games, and big ones if you must know…

And for this analysis, I will voluntary ignore the characters that do not belong in the Marl Kingdom/La Pucelle/Disgaea/Phantom Brave category since I do not know anything about them, and the fact that they will probably not be chosen. And since my knowledge of Little Princess and Angel Present is limited, I will not mention them unless I know about them.

First of all, I don't think the game will really contain nine playable cameo characters. It would be almost impossible, especially if they all get a small intro like in Phantom Brave. I think it is possible that some of those characters will be introduce as secret bosses (like Vulcanus perhaps) or maybe as a hidden class (Putties and Nyankos). Speaking of these two, it seems rather odd to have one Putty and Nyanko in the entire game so it is very possible that they will be introduce as a hidden class, like the Archer back in Phantom Brave. Also, there is a chance that there will not be nine, but for that, we need to take into consideration that two characters have their "alter-ego" in another ballot (Eclair/Dark Eclair, Cherie/Doll Kururu).

Also, if NIS wants to follow its pre-establish time-line, some characters cannot be in the running. It would screw up the canon if Cornet, Etoile, Doll Kururu would meet up with Cherie, Human Kururu, and Cello. Not to mention that following the La Pucelle canon, the Little Princess cast would be in their 30s (minimum) so the Puppet Princess/Rhapsody cast would be really old. Sure, I wouldn't mind a Granny Etoile carrying a rocket launcher, but it would be awkward.

Some characters will also need to be modified since they are canonically dead. We are aiming Cherie, Alouette, Mid Boss (although in his case, it is debatable), Walnut, and Sprout. Cherie would be hard to fit in, considering it's almost as if she died twice. But she could appear as an angel, just like Alouette. Walnut and Sprout… Prinnies perhaps?

You also need to consider the games they appear in. Since I haven't played Little Princess or Angel Present, I can't really say, but there is not a big Netherworld presence (there is one, but it's not very explained) in Puppet Princess/Rhapsody, so it could be odd to have some characters pop up in the game. Ditto for Phantom Brave for Ash, Marona, and Castile. Minus some hidden stages (I think, I haven't been able to access them yet), they don't really have a connection to the Netherworld. Sienna, Walnut, and Sprout on the other hand could be fitted in easier.

And finally, you have to consider that some characters cannot possibly (or will fit awkwardly) be in the game without an other character. This especially applies to the cast of La Pucelle. With the exception of Croix, it is almost canonically impossible for the characters to appear if Prier isn't in the game. Why would Culotte, Eclair, and Salade be in the Netherworld? They don't just enter the Netherworld for the heck of it, it leads to "accidents" like Prier. Alouette could appear as an angel, but it would be hard to fit without Prier. Only Croix could fit in given the fact that he is a demon hunter who is ready to do anything to pay for his sins, maybe somebody gave him a job? And personality wise, Croix is much more likely to barge in the Netherworld as a job then, let's say suspicious little Culotte, who would probably ask his employer about one million questions before even considering his offer. This also applies to Phantom Brave where Marona and Ash are impossible to separate. Marona cannot fight by herself and Ash cannot be summoned without Marona, so having one without the other is impossible. Castile is also in this category, she cannot appear in the game without Marona given that she is pretty much helpless and stuck to a wheelchair. It seems to be the opposite for Disgaea though, you could very well have cameos by Etna and Flonne (although for Flonne, it would be harder) without Laharl. Etna is still trying to be the Overlord even though she is loyal to Laharl, so she can very well go off on her own, or with Flonne. In fact, that could be a nice intro.

Ok, now for the slot by slot analysis. Please note that most of these comments are rated IMO.

Slot 1
First, let me give a big hand of applaud to the genius who decided to shove our two demon Overlords and the main character of their latest game in the same slot. Bravo! Ok, I really can't see Marona in this game, I'm sorry, but in a game about a demon Overlord who managed to get transformed into a book, I can't see our sweet innocent Marona busting in… As for Laharl and Prier, both could easily fit in: one is our favorite megalomaniac who is set on proving he's the best, and the other is our other favorite megalomaniac who is set on proving she's the best. It becomes either a matter of story or popularity. But in my own personal opinion, I think Prier would be the best out of those two if they feel like inserting others from La Pucelle, but since that has little chances of happening, who knows? Both could be chosen, and I don't really mind…

Slot 2
I think it's a given than Etna will be chosen. Call it a gut feeling. Well, as said earlier, Culotte would probably need Prier to appear in the game and in a way, he wasn't exactly an unforgettable character of La Pucelle, so the chances of him appearing are limited.

Slot 3
If the Putty gets chosen over Marjoly or Croix, I think a lot of people will turn evil and bomb NIS's headquarters… Ok, as for the competition between Marjoly and Croix, I think both have en equal chance of appearing. Of course, my fangirl side really wants Croix, and possibly Prier too, to show up, but hey, NIS doesn't listen to one person. Although Croix, being a demon hunter, might have more chances of appearing, Marjoly did appear in Disgaea meaning that she can be fitted in a Netherworld setting. And anyway, it's Marjoly! Come on!

Slot 4
The weird thing is, I think they could fit in that head (Debido Ears, I think) as a stupid little cameo: there could be a TV somewhere and he would be on it. No line, no nothing, just the talking head on TV. Instant cameo that fixes the nine characters problem. Ok now, seriously, I don't really see Dark Eclair in this. Sure, in a way, she's cool, but she didn't really have a big role in La Pucelle meaning that she wouldn't have a exploitable reason/story to be in the Netherworld, especially not if Prier is absent. Walnut could be brought in, he did sacrifice himself thus meaning that he will become a Prinny. This is a nice way to insert him.

Slot 5
As I said, I have no problems with an old, AK-47 toting Etoile, but, does she really belong in the Netherworld? Alouette has even less chances of appearing except if she's there to chastise Prier. Mid Boss… sure why not… Sienna, well there's a character I secretly wished to appear but never thought she would. She could fit in with the game given the Scarlet story, so I think it's a race between Mid Boss and Sienna. The winner depends on if NIS feels like inserting more Phantom Brave references since it is their latest game.

Slot 6
Ok, why Myao again? How about Gao or Crowdia, they exist too. Frankly, I think Flonne will get the spot given the fact that she fits better in a demonic setting. I mean, she is from Disgaea…

Slot 7
Wouldn't Vulcanus be a nice hidden boss? He still hates demons with a passion and I don't think he's very happy about being turned into a flower. I can actually see Father Salade better then the rest of the cast of La Pucelle without Prier, but it would be a stretch. Sprout is a Phantom Brave favorite and could be bought back as a Prinny, although I would probably laugh for five minutes if I see Sprout as a Prinny… It depends on what they feel like, a character or an enemy; I'm rooting enemy.

Slot 8
Ash and Cornet… Well, I can't really see them in the game, but between these two, I think Ash will come out the winner… which kinda tells you who will win the first slot too… But then again, Cornet could wander the Netherworld… maybe. She could search for another Ancient Weapon to destroy? Oh, I don't know, I'm pushing my luck here.

Slot 9
Kururu and Eclair… Are they trying to tell us Cherie and Dark Eclair are going to appear? Well… I wouldn't mind miss hyperactive doll, but how could they fit Cherie in doll format again? Eclair, again, not a big role. I guess Castile if my suspicions of Marona and Ash are correct. Or maybe that Nyanko as a special character class, I would actually prefer that to the other character choices…

And now the final word…

Marona and Ash will probably appear in Makai/Phantom Kingdom because they are the Phantom Brave main characters. Prier appeared in Disgaea and our demonic trio appeared in Phantom Brave, it is natural to establish that the Chroma and the phantom will pop by. And anyway, even though I said that some characters fit in badly, you can always insert them. Who knows, maybe Marona and Ash come to the Netherworld in search of a mystical herb/potion/Makai version of Kinoko Jiru to help Castile walk and then you could get an ex-crippled, katana wielding, Putty controlling, badass.

… Hey, that actually wouldn't be half-bad!

So… comments, disagreements, flames?

Comments

[rugimaru.livejournal.com]

ALl I have to say.. Makai Kingdom is on my list this year. Damn.. I can't wait for that game.