I'm loving the new intro <3
Thoughts (reposted from SRK) :
-Sakura's finally moving forward in her life! I like the new outfits!
-Blanka, (my original main!!!) looks mostly unchanged, just fuzzier, but I like that him and Sakura are still pals. It's cool to see his fierce look is back, I hope he's a nice mix of SF2 tough Blanka, with a good natured softerside.
Can we also take a minute to talk about how BEAUTIFUL the intro is? Man, the setup, styling, colour, it's all so beautiful!
-I love the Chun Li part. She looks graceful and her surroundings are amazing. The textures and everything really sell the extra visual punch this season has. I like that it shows her fashionable, lighter, normal gal side and then also shows her warrior side. If my speculation hat is on, and I think it is, it could also be symbolic of her taking on a different side of life. Less, combat over her ability to live a normal life, and maybe a "Shadaloo's gone, I can take care of my daughter, have a somewhat lighter life, and forge on!"
-Kolin entering almost in a "model on a catwalk" manner shows the faux sweet girl side, and also, shows "I'm here and oh, you've seen nothing yet, dear! The Illuminati's time to shine is here and now...you wont see us coming."
-Interesting that Rashid's segmet was an inversion; same entrance rectangle, snow piles replaced by sand, kind of catwalk, entering stage aesthetic. Charming and swashbuckling as ever! I hope he sticks around for a looooooong long time.
-Interesting that they had Laura and Ryu side by side, I dig the rain and the background of Rio. I hope that if there's a storymode 2 it gives Laura a second shot and fleshes her out more. I don't mind zany and wacky, but I'd like to see a bit more, I can see potential in her.
-Aaaaaah, the colour transition from the Laura scene to the jungle was beautiful! Always a pleasure for me to see Jimmy back, and hey, Sakura too! Travelling from the Jungle to the city! Gotta get the airmiles, eh? I love the city portion and the little call backs to SF1 and II. Diggin' the chibi Blanka banners. I wonder what he's up to this time around? I'm going to keep coming back to this scene, because I feel like something could be hidden somewhere in the background. Shadaloo sign is definitely in the centre of the buildings.
-Menat rocking and looking cute, but also holding up a clue to the future???
-We see Grandiose G! Interesting, he's got golden patterns on his body and around his eyes, as
ES_Curse pointed out, he's doing an Uncle Sam pose and as
ruthless_nash said, he looks like Lincoln. The rumours did say the president would be in. So, looking at the grand stage and his arms raised to Uncle Sam pose, maybe he's a man running for president and saying "Shadaloo's left the world hurt, and a lot of politicians are out due to their connections. I've got the might and muscle to lead the world! Vote me in!" I'm hoping that with the single letter name, he's tied to Q. Could they be rivals, could they be from some similar program? Is G (G-man? Government Man?) part of the Illuminati? Could G be made into Q? I dunno! I'm just happy to have speculation fuel! Also, could he be another boss-like figure? He's got that globe in the background with all the V's on it. Last time someone had a V was Necalli, so I'm not gonna hold my breath.
-I love the RGB spheres giving special focus to the Final Fight boys! Zeku looking cool, Abi having destructive fun, Cody beautiful and redeemed?! I'm ready to eat crow, while I Wanted Cody to finally move on I was not buying the mayor thing, but this could be interesting! I recall
Cestus saying that maybe the people gave him a chance since Metro city has a way of having heroes use a might makes right method to clean up their city. It's cool, Cody's found something to care about, he's not just cleaned up, he's got swagger, and is having fun; he's shaved, hair slicked back, but he's sporting a noble expression. Also, loved the symbolic evolution. Walking through the jail cell, busts down the wall, but BREAKS the cuffs, lets one fall and one remain.
-Ryu vs the KIiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing! Cool to see Sagat with a slightly modded outfit. OUCH, that SRK looks brutal, interesting he's got more scars on his arms and around his chest. What's interesting is that the battle looks to be taking place on a soundstage and once Ryu replays his greatest hit (hah) lights go out and he's seized and wrapped in PURPLE and a surprisingly ticked and menacing Ed seems to be work him over? Ryu seems to be dealing with the SNH, but can push it back.
-Ryu looks on and sees the sunlight breaking through the rain and clouds, new hope? His grimace says otherwise. Something's out there....something....
GOLD.Notice how there's a golden swirl, sparkles and from what we've seen of the hud so far? Lots of Gold and there's a more "showy" aspect to things, the lights, soundstage feel in the VS screen and Sagat stage? I think this all ties to the gold and showman ship aspect of G.