The world of anime and manga has been considered an art form in Japan for many years filled with feeling and cultural depth that draws on mythos, sometimes not known in Western culture. It's a form of story telling that can go over the heads of many simply because of the "traditional" ratio that cartoons = for children. And for me personally, it just can't be ignored that the animes once slated for seasonal broadcasting for the last couple of years has now become greatly dimmed. Not atrociously horrible just slightly clouded. There's a glut of low end animes on the net that will continue to stigmatize the general appeal for newer audiences with your average comedies, slice of lifes' and the utterly brainless romance harems.
I take my mind back into the time when life was good. When life was all about the action, the action that meant something. Where I'd hungrily devour a series in a span of three days without a single break except to answer to mother natures adherent calling in everyone. If you were anything like me, than you enjoyed yourself a good shonen manga. Or anime.
Where I currently stand on my hobby is between a limbo of nostalgia of older series that are just not keeping consistent at their current updates and a mixture of recognition for the great successes of newer additions with great newfangled ideas. I have come to accept the fact that the face of Shonen Jump is ever evolving, ever changing. Yet there is something in common between the new and the old that will always transcend time. The feeling when reaching the pinnacle of an amazing fight scene, fingers streaming across waxed pages filled with tension and anticipation. Or the awareness of your eyes dancing across the screen, absorbing every moment of every second. In a way you almost feel your senses heightening to something unexplainable.
And this is where my mind strays. Combining the love of my two hobbies together. Now I'm not saying your average videogame based on one single series, I'm thinking about a collage of sorts that could become a collectic piece in Japanese gaming history. A Japanese Shonen Jump Ultimate Alliance of sorts, and here are my reasons why such a game would blow my brains out. I'm usually one to start from least to greatest but I'd make an exception for this topic and yes, I am making reference to Marvel Ultimate Alliance.
1. Pays Homage to New and Old
Whether you are a veteran reader way back from reading Dragonball in your earliest days, a newcomer getting into the anime reboot series of Hunter X Hunter, a manga addict currently enjoying Blue Exorcist or just your average anime freak with a soft spot for Yu Yu Hakusho and some Gintama on the side. There's something for everyone, it bridges the gap between new and old. Between big name icons and interesting late arrivals, they all unanimously represent the melting pot of tales Shonen Jump has released for our enjoyment. It's a chain of continuity, a succession that proves that Shonen Jump still has it's mojo.
2. Character Mechanics/Gameplay
The gameplay I imagine pretty much works like MUA so if you haven't played the game before here's how it works. Players can select teams of four from a range of characters (although some characters are not initially available and need to be unlocked), allowing them to create their own teams or recreate famous teams from the publications. Bonuses are also available if forming certain groups such as (The Mugiwara Pirates, Soul Reapers, etc) I imagine that players can then play into the story where they may be forced to have a certain character within the group to in order to continue the story. Each character has it's own a set of individual powers that are different in relation to each persona, some with more long ranged attacks, healing abilities, etc, etc you get the point. There is character upgrading (where certain character are able to health rejuvenate or have increase speed when a certain attack is activated) and special combo duo attacks that you can use when certain characters tag to each other. Something about Goku and Luffy creating a combo together just sounds too epic.
3. Potentially Epic Storyline
With many places to go and people to meet seeing to the fate of worlds can make for an epic storyline. There's unbridled potential for mixing series tones together, taking twists and turns no one would suspect because the person behind the problems is not the only one up to trouble. Heck if a villain decided to team up with the heroes midway through the story, it would be so kickass! Bakura and the good old shadow realm anyone?
4. Alternate Endings
With your choice of where to go and where to explore, I think this explains itself.
5. Villains
When it comes to critiquing any series, whether it be a video-game, movie, TV show or anime the first question I always ask is "Who or what is the opposition?" Villians are just as, if not more important than heroes. Cloud from FFVII would have never be the person he is without Sephiroth to build him up. They are instigators, are the first ones to roll the die and tend to have plans setup usually ten miles ahead of their competition. And while some fight for themselves, others fight for their own ideology and misplaced intentions. Nevertheless wicked boss fights should ensue.
6. Character Roster/ Dialogue and Interaction
With such a grand amount of mangas to work from, the obvious fact comes into play that such a game would not fall short of vibrant characters to choose between. From the widely known to the point of celebrity status, impulsive Naruto against the newer raged and edgy, "King Of Ishiyama", Tatsumi Oga, add to that the classic wisdom of the great Yami Yugi. There are just so many protagonists and side characters too diverse not to mention. Characters like Goku, Kenshiro, Ichigo Kurosaki, Inuysha, Toriko, Monkey D. Luffy, Gintoki, Allen Walker, Hiruma Kenshin, Kazuki Muto, Neuro, Train Heartnet and Sawada Tsunayoshi are only the tip of the iceberg. With side characters like, Roronoa Zoro, Lenalee Lee, Gokudera Hayato, Killua Zoldyck, Kurama, Anna Kyoyama and Sesshomaru to acts as foils to bring in the sense of familiarity between certain characters belonging to the same series.
The potential for developers/writers to create interesting and refreshing dialogue between leads that you wouldn't normally expect will not only add to the experience but provide proper ingredients for both humor and downright judgmental conversations. I could definitely picture many a memorable conversations to be had from literally anyone interacting with Gintoki, that's for sure.
7. Graphics
Seeing that this is all hypothetically speaking, if such a game were to ever come out I'd imagine the graphics to be phenomenal. From distinct backdrops to fighting animations, there's a lot to be desired and its one I actually believe can be fulfilled. From great landscapes in Inuyasha to the world of the Soul Society in Bleach, it's all there! Who knows even a visit to the demon world of Majin Tentai Nogami Neuro would be such a treat for fans of this unlikely series.
8. Classic Feel - Good VS Evil
Sometimes what people don't realize is that simpler is better, and in this case the tell tale story of Good VS Evil will definitely resonate with most shonen-fanatics. Just like in every single manga/anime an antagonist is already causing trouble and by magnifying it to include other worlds/other villains, it can make for an explosive engagement of outer proportions. Defeating villainy never gets old and stays true to the genre of ass-kicking Japanese heroes.
9. Co-op
Much like the games of 'Marvel Ultimate Alliance', I could see co-op being a fun addition to gameplay mechanics and even better if you can invite your friends into the fray via online.
10. Replay Enjoyment
Every game should have a factor that has you coming back for more, and with the abundance of unique characters, engaging interactions and alternate endings; it's hard not to see myself, giving this more than an extra run.
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And here ends one of my dream videogames albeit where it will stay, laying in the deep recesses of my mind where it will never see the light of day. I thank you very much! Ciao.