Unlocking characters in classic mode

[sanicdude246]

In classic mode, theres a chain of unlocks (Photo from smash subreddit)

Imagine beating classic mode with Mario. Then you beat sonic and get him. Then you beat classic mode with sonic and beat bayonetta.
Each character has it's own ways. I'll call them paths. Personally i'll be doing it in order. So once i'm done with Mario, I'll do donkey kong.

 

[Arymle Roseanne]

I took the path of Dk so I can get Diddy early.

 

[HypnoMaster372]

Why exactly did these folks list that Sonic is unlocked at the end of six of the chains? Like, looking at what is listed, shouldn't K. Rool be the last one on DK's Chain? Same for Inkling for Link, Lucario for Samus, Ness for Yoshi, Captain Falcon for Kirby, & finally Villager for Fox. If all of these characters were the last of these respectable chains, then ultimately all the chains would all form together into one singular chain of unlocking characters for Classic Mode, so why isn't this seemly the case?