I'd say Dante right now has more than just the bandwagon with him. I'd never call him a lock or anything like that, but when you consider:
1) Devil May Cry on Nintendo was something has potentially transpired because of an interview that specifically asked the director of the series about Dante
in Smash. This was, I think, 2-3 months prior to the announcement of DMC 1 on Switch. I could very well mean nothing, but I
do think it's worth considering the context of the interview being "Dante should probably be in Smash only if there are DMC games on Nintendo consoles". Then you have DMC 3, which has Dante with his most iconic design, which extended content. This is similar to DQXIS, though not pushed nearly as much (though that may have to do with SE wanting to really push DQ in the west).
Circumstantial evidence? Perhaps. I still think it's worth keeping in mind.
2) Devil May Cry 5 has brought the series back into the mainstream and is considered one of the best action games in the at least the last few years, if not the generation. There's attention on the franchise again and with the franchise being on Switch, that bodes well for continued support.
3) Dante oozes personality and is widely recognizable throughout the industry. He's flashy, and brings plenty of potential for a stance changer, combo based moveset. He's a great fit for Smash. Granted, I realize this particular point just sounds like somebody trying to sell the character, but he'd be absolutely excellent for Smash at this point in time.
Granted, I don't even think Dante is likely because of any particular rumor. That's just the Smash fanbase for you. The character and series itself doesn't need a rumor, nor should it, to be considered in contention for 1 of the 6 DLC slots. Dante has a good shot here.
---
On 2B, I don't think the dress is even that bad. Take a look at this screenshot from Soul Calibur 6.
If we use our imagination and envision that open area to be closed, the dress itself is just above her knees. Despite this, Palutena also has an open space in her gown, and it works just fine if you ask me. I don't know that Mai Shiranui is really the same thing here anyway, because in regards to Smash she'd be only considered for a cameo which...it's a lot of work to edit her significantly for a cameo that only happens part of the time, whereas 2B would be basically playable or nothing. They're not on the same plane.
View attachment 264174
As
N3ON
mentioned, though, it's not really that deep. Censorship can easily be applied in this case, as it has in the past with Smash. I don't know that it would really hold Nintendo back from adding NieR Automata to Smash. Make the gap in the dress 2B has a bit smaller, and keep doing whatever they did with Palutena to make it difficult for folks to go looking under there, and you're basically set for success.
