ok just when i thought i was settling into a shiny new hyperfixation while SF6 was simmering away on the back burner, our lovely director Nakayama-san has graced us with some lore morsels to devour
i will do my best to translate them from Japanese to Korean to English, and i hate that so many translators probably use artificial-idiocy which is getting harder and harder to avoid, that's a different rant, anyway:
(my personal thoughts are in parenthesis)
[JP's Habits - 1]
In a pretentious way, as if he were being friendly, he starts his sentences with "oya". (I think in the English it's conveyed as "ah yes", or "oh")
"Oh, what a strange coincidence."
"Oh, that must be difficult for you."
But it's said without a lot of emotion, so it doesn't really sound like he's actually surprised to have run into you on the street, or that he's concerned for your well being.
This is one of his few habits, a verbal tick he does unconsciously...
In fact, he's buying himself a brief moment by pausing with an "ah yes", so that he can tell the most appropriate lie for the situation.
Basically everything JP says is a lie, but when he starts off with an "oh", it's even more of a lie.
[JP's Habits - 2]
-- is it not?
-- don't you think?
He asks these questions to another person, precisely at critical moments to take control of the conversation.
"Whether you're alive or not, it's the same thing, isn't it?"
"Love is a paraphrase of selection and exclusion, isn't that right?"
He has no intentions of continuing the conversation, nor does he expect an answer. They aren't questions that are controversial (outrageous), but rather ones that make sense if you take a moment to consider them.
It's a technique to sway the other person's thoughts by making them think about the question, if even for a brief moment.
[JP's Habits - 3]
Sometimes he'll suddenly drop a bit of trivia that's shocking, and totally irrelevant to the situation at hand.
"If you compress together every human being on Earth, it can fit into a sphere 1 km in diameter."
Similar to how he asks thought provoking questions, this too is a technique to stall your flow of thoughts.
Likes: Terrine de canard (duck terrine) / gibier cuisine (wild game) / okróshka (окро́шка, a type of cold Russian soup)
Dislikes: None
and as usual, my thoughts:
Terrine de Canard, or duck terrine
More or less french meatloaf. Distinguished from a pâté by being less uniform in texture, and cooked in a rectangular earthenware (what a 'terrine' is).
Originally developed for preserving meats and such for long periods of time, eventually became more elegant and sophisticated of a dish.
This is a running theme for all his favorite foods, where the dish originally had rustic, provincial, or 'out of necessity' origins, yet later on adopts the image of being sophisticated or of expensive tastes.
Gibier cuisine, or wild game and game meats
The most obvious example of the mentioned "rustic cuisine that turned into a symbol of Wealth".
Wild game is often gamey and tough, with strong, unpleasant odors, not to mention it needs to be hunted for. Originally it was what everyone ate when everyone Had to hunt.
But then hunting itself became a rich nobleman's past time, so gibier cuisine became a symbol of the aristocracy. It's a catch all term though, so it can range from rabbit to pheasant, boar, deer, or even raven.
I'm still learning about why wild game had such a resurgence in Japan specifically (apparently a mix of policies and general cultural promotion), but it's got a reputation there. There's even a cute mobile game themed around hunting, cooking, and serving wild game, aptly named "Hunt Cook: Catch and Serve~!"
Okróshka
A type of cold Russian soup, that I'm quoting Wikipedia on:
The classic soup is a mix of mostly raw vegetables (like cucumbers, radishes and spring onions), boiled potatoes, eggs, cooked meat such as beef, veal, sausages or ham and kvass, which is a low-alcoholic (1.5% or less) beverage made from fermented black or rye bread.
Okroshka is mostly served in summer because the soup combines the refreshing taste of kvass and the lightness of a salad.
We also know for a fact (from the SF6 World Tour Guide Book) that JP's Slavic in origin, though this is basically all that we can be sure of regarding his identity.
So it's quite likely that this is something he likes from home, as unspecific 'home' is for this guy.
And again, okroshka was traditionally a means of combining all available ingredients, making a meal out of leftovers and preserving as much of it as possible. But it's become much more than that as a staple and cultural cornerstone meal.
Apparently the kvass used can be rather. Strong. Or distinct, if you prefer. Might not be for everyone (I've probably only had a much more watered down version of it in restaurants).
-----
At this point I want to add that, one of JP's hobbies is listed on his profile as "local cuisines"
which is like, a little bit funny. cause it isnt saying he likes travelling to try local cuisines, or that he likes cooking local cuisines.
it's just. Local Cuisines. lmao;;; anyway,
there's actually a whole official bi-weekly comic series with JP visiting various countries and eating something local. it's so cute and honestly i love it so much
the # is #おいしいJPさん on the website-formerly-known-as-Twitter
in order, of all the ones we've gotten so far (1 ~ 8)
also also: this is trivia that i sadly no longer have a direct reference for since i deleted my twitter argh. i might still have audio recordings of this somewhere still though,
but there were some SF6 devs Q&A interview things streamed on twitter livespaces, and one of the questions if i remember, had to do with characters and whether they knew how to cook
(it was either during this live stream, OR, it was just a tweet/ post that Nakayama-san made at some point i just really can't tell sorry;;)
the interesting trivia bit:
is that Nakayama-san claimed JP was "someone who doesn't cook, but eats out at restaurants"
i wasn't sure if it was implied it was because he was bad at it, that he didn't know how to, or that he was rich enough to afford eating out all the time or something in between idk
But my head canon is that he knows how to cook, probably can do so well enough, but is too busy to do so regularly
And also he can afford expensive chefs and restaurants to cook for him anyway.
Plus I imagine he's not a fan of how messing things can get in the kitchen.
-----
I also have to talk about his dislikes being none.
Other characters for this favorite food trivia, had stuff like fish (Jamie, he can't stand it).
But interestingly for Juri, it was that she liked spicy food, but disliked sweets.
This is interesting because Juri is seen with a lollypop in her very own win animation. And I think? it's in her World Tour content, where she makes a big hoopla about saying spicy food is great and that she hates sweets since it's such a pansy thing to enjoy.
Pretty much the point im getting at is that Juri lies about her favorite foods to seem tough. And it's relevant, because it suggests even this trivia we're getting from word of god (developers) is layered with some level of character perspective.
It's all to say that: I think JP is totally lying about not having any disliked foods.
I think it's mostly a way for him to seem agreeable and non-confrontational, which is his whole M.O.
He claims he hates nothing, and is willing to try anything (local cuisine). He might even be lying about his favorite foods also? who knows?? i hate his unreliable narrator ass he's ruining all my analysis aaaAAAA--
ahem.
In closing, I'll offer some head canons of my own:
He might also like bouillabaisse
which is french seafood stew originally made by and for fishers, using the fish that wouldn't sell in the market. But then chefs added really expensive ingredients to it and made it a very Expensive Dish. I also happen to like it so I'm making JP also like it, fight me
In general he's something of a germaphobe (also relatable)
So realistically he might dislike "anything made in unsanitary conditions".
Projecting a bit, it might include it's stuff that someone's already taken a bite or sip out of. Or touched with their unwashed hands. Or talked over. Or made in a kitchen that Gordon Ramsay might look at and go "Oh fuck me" at.
SF6 has a website called Buckler's Boot Camp, that updates with game news and such, including frame data and profiles of the characters too
it also has a feature where you can log in, and be greeted by your selected character of choice, who'll say a few quotes referencing what you've done recently in game
i've tried to collect as many quotes as I could, since i havent found a way to dig through the site code for an exhaustive list:
this is what it looks like when you get the quotes from the site btw
quotes are meant to be in character, so I take it as pretty much canon for how JP would speak to you
--- Battle Hub ---
The Battle Hub? I'm not a fan of crowds, really. Feel free to enjoy it, though.
You've enjoying the social scene at the Battle Hub...? Good to hear.
People are social creatures. They seek out connections.
Sometimes with close affection, sometimes with cold deception...
Not that I mean anything by it. Just something good to know.
--- Fighting Ground ---
You've notched up quite a number of battles. Bison was the same way, I think you'll find.
Sometimes, people instinctively seek out battle like that. Fascinating, really.
Oh? Are you back from challenging someone? How nice to see.
I'd advise you to keep taking people on like that. I'm sure that's what you're most suited for. Myself, I'm not suited for competition very much.
--- World Tour ---
You've been traveling around the world? I'm real glad to see that.
Speaking of travel, there's a place called Nayshall. A tiny, obscure nation, but it's notorious as of late.
A lot more people coming there lately. It's troubling.
A journey isn't about the destination, after all. That's like saying the goal of life is to die at the end.
Not that I know what you're after, of course...
--- Departure (Pockest) (when you successfully mature and send off a pockest fighter) ---
I suppose a lot of people take care of pets. I have a cat back home. Her name's Cybele. Very cute.
Me, I don't have anyone to raise. It's too much work.
--- Together (Other) ---
What else are you up to? ... Oh? Well, wonderful.
Well, well... You've been putting a lot into your work.
Having that much focus is a talent in itself. You should be proud.
--- Everyday ---
Ah, you've paid another visit? Welcome back.
You come here a lot... Oh, but that's a fine thing.
Persistence is never a bad thing, no matter what.
as additional info, here's what i managed to find regarding each 'scenario' for the quotes to happen in response to
interestingly, there's a trigger for "tweet", saying "Tweet the members card!"
i've tried to get this to happen through a variety of means, including share from console, but none of it worked
note that this was after many 'share to Twitter' features were bugged and axed after... i forget the specific reason why. basically it cost more? or needed a subscription to use that feature in your products?? idk man, all i know is it doesnt work sadly
In World Tour, once you get high enough skill levels for each Master, you'll unlock the ability to call them in during fights as an assist. The higher the skill level, the longer they stay in the fight for.
During their assistance, Masters will call out quotes and quips depending on the situation of the battle, such as if your Avatar is doing damage, taking damage, winning, not doing anything, etc.
These are some of JP's quotes during his assist, now updated based on what I transcribed of the ripped audio from game.
Trigger conditions for quotes may NOT be 100% exact. I did group the ones I know almost certainly though. Everything else is at the bottom;;
On calling in assist:
Quite the rabble you found.
If I must, I suppose.
Defensive/ taking no actions:
What are you doing?
Is this beyond you?
Lost interest have you?
It's too early in the day for resting.
Have your nerves deserted you?
Getting KO'd:
Was that your best effort?
Surely you have more.
There's always next time.
Winning:
That went as one would expect.
That made for some light entertainment.
It would seem you're improving.
Leaving assist:
That will be all.
I must depart now.
I leave the rest to you.
Do excuse me.
Attacking (low enemy health):
Bring an end to this.
This must be the last one.
You've settled it?
But one remains.
-Ones I'm not sure which category they go in for certain-
Hm, this presents an issue.
Capable, aren't you?
Hm, very well.
A trifle.
A fair contest.
Now then, how to proceed.
A formidable foe.
This will do.
We arrive at the crucial point.
Favorable progress.
That was sufficient.
I expect great things.
Impressive.
Did that harm you?
You have it.
Very good.
It's but the beginning.
I didn't foresee such a delay.
No cause for alarm.
We've no exhausted our options.
Adequate.
We hold the advantage.
Keep at it.
Insufficient.
Self belief is everything.
Well, well.
Continue.
Let's not get mired down here.
Astounding.
All form today.
Keep your wits about you.
Now, return the favor.
all the characters have an arcade mode! it's like a personal story mode that's relevant to their, well, story and narrative
the last fight will be against what i am called the 'boss' character for each arcade run, usually someone with narrative significance
JP is the boss for the following characters, which i'll also update with any relevant DLC:
AKI, Cammy, Ed, Ken, Kimberly
JP's own arcade mode is vs Kimberly
these are the quotes both characters will say out loud, at different points in the match (upon match start, when you're winning, when you're losing, etc)
they don't get any subtitles, so they're transcribed from the mp3 files i found :
--- AKI ---
AKI:
I'm no bully, but this will hurt.
A treasurer should stick to what they know.
JP:
I see. Still just a little chick.
Shall I do the honors?
I hope you're not one to bully the elderly.
Time to end this.
This old man is tired. Could we stop now?
--- Cammy ---
Cammy:
Why do you have Psycho Power?
I won, but, something's amiss.
JP:
How annoying.
Shall we end this, now?
Oh. Does this mean your investigation is over?
You won't get far if this is all you're capable of.
Cybele, my apologies. You'll have to wait a little bit longer.
--- Ed ---
Ed:
I don't want any part of you, old man!
I dunno what the hell you're planning!
JP:
You are nothing like the former lord.
I am not your enemy, Ed.
I suggest you listen to reason.
I have the same Psycho Power, as you.
This experiment, is a failure.
--- Ken ---
Ken:
Hrmmmgh…
I… will finish this.
JP:
Oh my. Did I strike a nerve?
Satisfied yet?
Are you alright there, Mr.Champion?
I'd recommend you stay down.
Let's put an end to this.
--- Kimberly ---
Kimberly:
Ready to talk now?
You're going to tell me everything you know.
JP:
How unfortunate.
Seems like you're done.
You're quite formidable.
Please. Do as you must.
I suppose it's my turn.
--- JP ---
(JP's own boss fight is vs Kimberly)
JP:
Will defeating me satisfy you?
Is there any meaning in this battle?
Is this the strength you've been searching for?
Good bye, Miss Jackson.
Hm, I'm afraid I don't recall.
Kimberly:
Don't underestimate me!
You're going to tell me everything you know!
My uncle used to work with you, didn't he?
Now you know about the ninja way!
I know you remember Al Jackson.
SF6 director, Nakayama, was at some sort of in-person panel thing? As far as I can tell, it was for a collab between Capcom and Osamu Tezuka, so it's got a ton of art on exhibit n such.
He shared some unused outfit concepts for JP that i wanted to share here.
The original tweet: https://x.com/takaNakayama/status/1842535775411622058?t=lg85Lihig5M_w-_ukoX-sw&s=19
And this is from their dev log, a bit about the actual Outfit 3 made for the game:
This is a dump of all the master quotes that JP has in World Tour. It includes stuff like his responses to different gifts, or different answers depending on dialogue options for the conversations you have with him.
Did my best to group them into sections that made the most sense!
! Note !
It's a bit hard to tell -when- exactly the quotes trigger, since none of that information is in the raw text file. I'm doing my best to remember + context clues to try an contextualize each scenario, but sorry if they get mixed up a bit!!
I also tried to format them so that his different responses to what your avatar chooses to answer with are also distinguishable. Again, posting this as a tumblr post might not have been the best but argh i hate google docs more, so.
ENJOY:
Upon first speaking to him
When the fog clears, you can see the old district from here.
It's a far cry from flourishing, but it is nonetheless a place the teeming masses of Nayshall call home.
To build a fighting arena while leaving such a teeming nexus of humanity to languish is...twisted.
I suppose that's what you're thinking?
It doesn't sit well with me.
I'm not sure how I feel about it.
......
Such debasement is the very nature of growth itself.
For something to thrive, something else must wilt and wither.
A fact of life easily understood to a fledgling fighter such as yourself.
For now, who you are seems of little concern to me.
If it is power you seek, in power I will instruct.
Teach me.
I have but a single request. No need to worry. It's quite trifling.
I don't need your instruction.
......
Unlocking new specials
Very well.
Commit to memory the following move.
///
I have a new kind of power for you.
Go ahead. Try it.
Prompting him to spar
You wish to test your mettle?
(Agreeing): Very well. Be my guest.
(Upon declining): By all means, think on it.
(After match): Well, that's that, then.
///
2. How is your Psycho Power progressing?
Show me, would you?
(Upon declining): Not quite ready, are you?
///
3. Hm. It seems to be time.
Allow me to test you.
(Upon declining): Perhaps my expectations were misplaced.
///
4. I believe you may now prove a match for me. Would you agree?
That I do.
I'm...not so sure about that.
Is that so? Very well, then.
(After sparring, either one of the two):
Very good.
That will do.
(Note: Not quite sure where these belong, but it might be after you spar with him?)
Very well.
Seeing one's own moves wielded by others is quite fascinating.
Unlocking JP as an assist in battle
Practical hands-on combat experience is a splendid way to learn.
Let us study together, if you are so inclined.
Misc. dialogue. They change as you gain more bond points with him.
"Master"?
If that is what you wish to call me, by all means, go right ahead.
///
Physical combat is such an irrational thing.
In attempting to strike down your foe, you open yourself to attack as well.
If your goal is to see another human laid low, there are far better methods available, and yet.
///
Looking for meaningless banter, are we?
///
Ask, and I'll be the first to tell you.
I do not believe my skills in combat to be particularly exceptional.
Of course, I don't believe them to be entirely lacking, either.
///
What would I do if someone asked me to teach them my techniques...so that they could best me with them?
I would teach them, of course. Do you take issue with that?
///
My apologies, but I'm not one for small talk.
I struggle to keep track of the topics of gossip, you see.
///
Ah, yes. Victory.
The masses delight in victory, do they not?
Those who ruminate upon what victory truly means, however, are a far rarer breed.
///
I don't particularly care what manner of individual you are.
So long as you don't impede me, that is.
///
Why do I fight?
Amusing. I don't consider what I do "fighting," per se.
But if that's how you perceive things, I suppose I may be a fighter after all.
///
You came to me seeking strength.
A rapacious greed motivates you. I suggest you acknowledge that.
You are a heretic, driven by greed, living entirely within obsessive extremes.
///
We may have discussed this before, but it bears repeating.
Physical combat is an irrational act.
You work tirelessly to master that irrationality.
It's all quite alien to me, I must concede. But if this is what you want, I won't stop you.
///
You said you...wanted to grow stronger, yes?
You have Psycho Power now. Use it to your heart's desire.
///
I believe his name was...Bosch?
His grasp of Psycho Power was far greater than yours.
///
The desire to become stronger is a curious thing indeed.
For living things, it may very well be a natural inclination.
Strength is outwardly useful for survival, for one.
That being said, it is not necessarily the strong who survive.
In reality, to survive...is to adapt.
///
There was a man who went by the name M. Bison.
Those who sought strength inevitably encountered him.
Such was his power.
He wished to bring all things on this Earth under his control, entirely of his own strength.
He earnestly believed he could attain this goal.
This force I command—this so-called Psycho Power...
Bison researched it, seeking a means to amplify his own strength, you see.
Conversation - 1
I have a question for you.
Do you believe this world to be just?
I do.
Then we are in agreement. The world is a good and righteous place.
I do not.
Ah, so you're a realist? A noble perspective.
There are exceptions, of course. But I believe man is fundamentally good.
By trusting each other and building mutually supportive societies, humanity has prospered.
Goodness inspires amity and trust in others. It is a survival tactic employed by the human race.
Which raises the question—what is evil?
Perhaps evil refers to expropriating the goodness of others for one's own ends.
Myself?
I am merely one of the world's minuscule many, striving every day to do good.
Not unlike everyone else. Heh heh.
Quest - 1
Have you ever given any thought to this thing we call "the economy"?
Formless though it may be, its very existence drives the lives—and deaths—of billions.
To know what drives others to action is one of the fundamentals of combat.
Now go on. Consume. Consuming...is knowing.
(Upon quest completion)
Well done. So? Any impressions?
I think I've made a realization.
I'm not sure I understand.
Splendid.
Whether you've gained something from this matters little.
At times, an expected profit exerts more power over individuals than the profit itself.
And the world's economic engines are no different.
Quest - 2
You're aware of the insurgent group within this country, are you not?
Intel I've acquired suggests money to fund their operations will be changing hands...
What do you suppose we should do about that?
For now, allow me to show you where the exchange will be taking place.
(Upon quest completion)
You found the scene of the exchange? Goodness.
So. How much was there?
200,000 zenny.
Quite the impressive sum.
You can go ahead and keep it. It's only fair compensation for a job well done.
Zero zenny.
(I can't find the quote!!! but he says something like "oh you let them get away that's unfortunate, I would have let you keep the money too but oh well")
A Memory from JP - 1
Was there something you wished to ask me?
Tell me about the terror attacks in Nayshall.
Ah yes. The terror attacks.
An organization financing The Suval'hal Martial Arts Tournament sought to make fraudulent financial transactions.
To do so, they worked with anti-government forces to cause a bombing scare in the city.
I suspect you already know this, but the organization in question is the US-based Masters Foundation.
In the midst of all that chaos, it seems Ken Masters, the foundation's vice chairman, resigned from his position.
Was he driven to commit such heinous acts out of a blind lust for power?
Tell me about the alleged money laundering.
My, straight to the point, I see. Allow me to provide a straight answer, then.
Nayshall's financial infrastructure is built upon cryptocurrency technology.
If you're inquiring as to whether it's possible to use such a system to launder money...the answer is yes.
Regrettably, what I've told you is the extent of my knowledge on the subject.
All I can say for certain is this: People seek the answers they wish to hear.
A Memory from JP - 2
The Suval'hal Martial Arts Tournament?
What of it?
Tell me about Bosch.
Ah, you refer to the individual who brought a bomb to the awards ceremony.
He detonated himself while the entire world looked on. Truly shocking.
Tell me about the Champion Belt bomb.
The bomb was likely intended for the master of ceremonies. That is to say...myself.
Anti-government forces believe that eliminating me will return Nayshall to its former glory.
They are mistaken.
That incident spurred further pressure against the anti-government forces.
Hardly surprising, considering innocent children almost became collateral damage.
Such acts cannot be condoned.
But what's done is done.
This may very well be the end of the tournament. Or perhaps it will continue.
Either is fine by me.
A Bond with JP - 1
Have you ever owned cats?
I have one by the name of Cybele.
When he was a kitten, so winsome and charming, he picked up a curious habit.
He would chase his own tail endlessly. Around and around in circles.
And what do you suppose Cybele did one day?
He caught the tail he had been chasing all that time...and bit it clean off.
Indeed, his own tail.
His thought process in this endeavor confounds me. Did he not realize the tail was his own?
Or perhaps he was keenly aware, and continued in the act regardless?
......
A bobtail he may have become...
But he remained winningly handsome. Stunningly so.
A Bond with JP - 2
As its name suggests, Psycho Power is influenced by the strength of one's psyche.
Without a strong mind to support it, great power will always remain out of reach.
A heart subjected to power beyond its control will shatter.
We discussed M. Bison, leader of Shadaloo, did we not?
I worked under him, managing the organization's financial matters.
A financial officer hardly requires martial prowess. And yet...
I desired Psycho Power. And I attained it.
Why, you ask?
I suppose I wanted to see the world through the same lens as Bison.
But what of you?
Bison sought to rule the world through violence and fear. Once you make his power yours...
How will the world look to you then, I wonder? Hahahaha...
A Bond with JP - 3
You selected me as a teacher of your own volition.
Or so you think. Isn't that right?
Reflect upon the human will for a moment. To what extent are your actions conscious acts?
There's a famous experiment. A person thinks, "I wish to move my arm," and does just that.
But in reality, it is only after moving your arm that your brain thinks upon it.
Fascinating, is it not?
The sensation of willfully choosing something only occurs after the choice has been made.
In which case...what do you believe you've chosen by studying under me?
"I wish to become stronger," perhaps? Was it truly you who thought that?
A Bond with JP - 4
Once, there was an organization called Shadaloo.
They ran an experiment. It attempted to imbue a large number of test subjects with Psycho Power.
By force, in most cases. Goodness, Shadaloo was simply dreadful.
Subjects without a propensity for Psycho Power were broken by it utterly, and perished.
Only a select few had this aptitude, and even fewer endured the training necessary to master such power.
You are one of those lucky few.
Or perhaps... Perhaps Psycho Power chose you.
But you are free to interpret things as you please.
Gifting him stuff!
(One of the three upon prompting gifts)
Why, thank you.
Thank you. I humbly accept.
Appreciated. I suppose I should thank you.
(Given a generic gift)
Yes, quite impressive.
I'm sure there's someone out there who would enjoy this.
(Given Antique cards)
Oh? You're giving me trash?
A good luck charm, you say? Hrm.
In any card game, using old cards is forbidden.
That's a fundamental rule, I'll have you know.
(Given an Absurd Check)
You're giving me a check?
I used these all the time for work, once upon a time.
A check can be used in all manner of ways... Even if it bounces.
Attaining skill mastery
I'm hardly an expert when it comes to Psycho Power. With that said...
I sense in it something akin to bloodlust.
To wit, your savagery outstrips my own.
This I impart unto you: Strength... is meaningless.
