During the final livestreamed presentation for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, it was revealed that the last DLC character to be added to the game will be Sora from the series Kingdom Hearts. While many different characters could have been included as the roster's final fighter, there are numerous factors that make Sora a worthy final pick to close out Smash Ultimate's Fighters Pass 2.
Sora's inclusion in Smash Bros. has been a topic of conversation among fans for many years. His absence from the franchise sparked talk that Nintendo had negotiated with Disney for Sora, but had not been able to reach a deal. The confirmation that Sora will come as part of Challenger Pack 11 seems to resolve this years-old topic. The Keyblade wielder also makes sense from the standpoint of gaming history, as well as character popularity.
Like many of the fighters chosen for Smash Ultimate's roster, Sora is an iconic character in the world of gaming with a storied history. Since the release of the first game in 2002, Kingdom Hearts has become a popular, long-running series, with its latest entry Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory releasing in late 2020. As the series' primary protagonist, Sora is a worthy candidate to represent nearly 20 years of Kingdom Hearts history in Smash Ultimate. His inclusion is also a historic one in the legacy of Smash Bros., as he is the first character owned by Disney to become a selectable fighter. Sora's addition potentially opens the door for further Disney-owned game characters in future Smash titles should the series continue.
Sora's Popularity In The Smash Bros. Poll Helps Explain His Inclusion
Sora's inclusion in Smash Bros. Ultimate seems natural given the support he received in the Smash Bros. Fighter Ballot. As Masahiro Sakurai revealed during the character showcase for Sora streamed on YouTube, he was aware that Sora was the most requested character for Smash six years ago when Sora ranked as the most voted-for choice on Smash's Fighter Ballot. Since then, support for Sora's inclusion in Smash Ultimate has remained present among fans. It seems fitting that the most highly-requested character be added as part of the game's final DLC.
With the announcement of Sora, the nearly three-year development of Smash Ultimate's DLC has come to an end. The future of the series, as well as Sakurai's involvement in it, is at present largely unclear. Regardless, having a well-picked character like Sora close out Super Smash Bros. Ultimate marks a high point in the series.
Source: Nintendo/YouTube