Frankly, I think it's entirely plausible that we see Inklings as DLC. They're easily one of the most unique characters that Sakurai (or the DLC team) could pick, and the series is receiving quite a bit of hype since it's reveal at E3.
Now, Sakurai COULD wait for Smash 5 to add content from Splatoon. But here's my problem with that. That's a LONG TIME. We're looking at half a decade until the next Smash. DLC is a perfect way to introduce new characters/series to Smash. It all depends on what the approach with DLC is. I doubt we'll see much more until next year, or at least further into the holiday season. Mewtwo starting DLC out the gate was a perfect way to begin the concept. But who comes next?
Here is my thought process, and why I think Inklings are a likely/good choice.
1) I doubt every character chosen would fit the same archetype. By that, I mean a number of things. Gameplay style, series role, veteran series newcomer, etc... So basically, they wouldn't all play the same, they wouldn't all be the same thing (so not all villains, not all protagonists, etc...), and I don't think they would all be characters from veteran series. So for example, I doubt we'd see Mewtwo, K.Rool, Dixie and then say, Impa. There's no new series there and to me, that's kinda boring.
I get that DK got the short end of the stick. But for ANY series, even DK, I feel like it should be limited to 1 character. So not Impa + Vaati, K.Rool + Dixie, Wolf + Krystal. They'd want to give you a reason to buy a full pack of characters. If it's all the same thing among them, I feel like that would be boring. Truthfully, the only series I COULD see getting two is DK, but even then I'd still like to see other series get characters as well.
2) Characters who already are in the game as something significant will not be DLC characters (at least I don't think). So Ghirahim, Ridley, or any character who is more than a trophy probably won't be DLC. That eliminates a LOT of choices.
So how do Inklings factor into this? Well, consider these factors.
>hype for the series, big push made by Nintendo
>not a whole lot of characters left in serious contention
(I mean think about it...Lucas could happen, but could also be ignored by Sakurai for a few reasons, Snake is 3rd party and we don't know how that will go, Ridley is a goner, K.Rool and Dixie together may not happen, Pokemon is hard pressed to get ANOTHER character, Wonderful 101 may get ignored based on the fact that it bombed...only a few characters have absolutely nothing going against them. Really,only Wolf and arguably Bandanna Dee escape unscathed.)
>so basically, arguably few characters to choose from for several reasons. Little competition
>original design and unique gameplay possibilities
Not a whole lot to side with my rationale I suppose, but it makes sense. I don't see much negativity with Inklings besides them not releasing yet, but I don't see the problem with that myself.
Thoughts?
!! 
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