Arc System Works’ upcoming Guilty Gear Strive has posed itself as a fresh start for the long-running fighting series, as the title features fast-paced anime visuals as well as an increasingly vibrant array of characters. New and returning faces have already packed the game’s roster with 12 so-called “daredevils” thus far, with the latest being revealed as part of the game’s recent livestream event. In addition to an extended bout of gameplay and developer tidbits, the all-new character of Giovanna was formally revealed to be fighter number 13.

The introduction of Giovanna in Guilty Gear Strive took place in the form of a gameplay showcase, showing off the lawwoman’s unique hand-to-hand moveset as well as her trusty wolf spirit companion Rei. As per the official Guilty Gear website, Giovanna’s super-powered fight prowess has put her in charge of protecting the President of the United States as a special forces officer. In addition, she’s described as being “careful with her words, but still manages to come off as rude and irreverent due to her attitude. Deep down, though, she means well. She’s especially friendly with children and animals.”

While Giovanna was front and center for the proceedings, returning character Anji was also confirmed to be on the way to Guilty Gear Strive. The classic fan-wielding fighter didn’t receive any dedicated gameplay, but the shadowy reveal did serve as a tease for what’s to come. Anji’s announced return to the series was punctuated with the date of January 1, 2021, suggesting the character’s gameplay reveal would happen at the top of the next year.

Giovanna is your new daredevil!#GuiltyGearStrive

P.S. Anji pic.twitter.com/WA1MUEZ3bV

— ArcSystemWorks ➡️ Staying Inside (@ArcSystemWorksU) October 11, 2020

If that wasn’t enough, Arc System Works also announced a release date for Guilty Gear Strive, with the fighting game now set to hit PC, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 on April 9th, 2021. This launch will see the release of three separate editions: Standard, Deluxe, and Ultimate. Standard is just the base game, the Deluxe Edition adds the game’s first Season Pass, and Ultimate collects the game, Season Pass 1, a digital soundtrack, artwork, as well as a number of bonus in-game cosmetics. These include five additional colors for every fighter in the game in addition to two exclusive colorings for characters Sol Badguy and Ky Kiske. As another bonus, Deluxe and Ultimate Edition owners will also get to access the game early starting on April 6th, 2021.

This new date comes after a recent delay pushed the launch of Guilty Gear Strive out of this year, with only a simple “Sping 2021” acting as the game’s vague release window. However, it now appears that fans will finally begin their brawls in just under six month’s time. On another note, the roster also appears to be shaping up very nicely, with the addition of Giovanna and her magical doggo Rei making for a pretty diverse lineup of new and returning characters. The promise of Anji’s return, the game’s mystery 15th fighter, and the upcoming Season Pass 1 seem sure to keep the excitement alive for many months ahead.

The biggest takeaway from the night… #YouCanPetTheDog#GuiltyGearStrive #Giovanna pic.twitter.com/AmRviGIbxz

— ArcSystemWorks ➡️ Staying Inside (@ArcSystemWorksU) October 11, 2020

What do you think? Are you impressed with the addition of character Giovanna, or are you just happy that Guilty Gear Strive finally has a release date? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to follow Don’t Feed the Gamers on Twitter and Facebook to be informed of the latest gaming and entertainment news 24 hours a day! For more headlines recently featured on DFTG, check out these next few news stories:

• Jeff Goldblum Recreates Iconic Pose From Jurassic Park
• Sackboy: A Big Adventure Trailer Reveals Story Details (VIDEO)
• Doom Guy’s Name Confirmed To Be Doom Guy By Doom Co-Creator

If you enjoy this writer’s work, please consider supporting them by tossing a Ko-fi their way! Every little bit helps and aims to keep DFTG independent and free of bias. Thank you so much for your support! Eric Hall @ Ko-fi