So we'll have the entire Imperial cycle soon so if we are going to have any fun speculation on this subject we better get going on it. I would assume all clans are getting a new 5 cost character in the new cycle. Isawa Kaede was a pretty high profile character from the old timeline so I would also assume these will all be high profile historical characters. Any educated guesses who might be appearing for the other clans and/or wishful thinking. For Crab I'd like to see Kuni Yori I think. He would definitely be clan champ power level and it would be nice to see someone who is very different than Kisada. I would be okay with Yakamo, but I think I'd prefer Yori. For Lion I think it would be nice to see Matsu Tsuko since they are pitting her against Toturi. She seems like she should be on the same level as him. I think Kachiko for Scorpion is a no brainer. For Unicorn I would think Utaku Kamoko and for Dragon maybe Hitomi is a safe bet since they were both Thunders. I have no idea who would be a good guess for Crane.

Crane 5 coster was already revealed, it's Kakita Yoshi. Can see him here:

https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2017/10/11/the-imperial-cycle/

41 minutes ago, phillos said:

I would be okay with Yakamo, but I think I'd prefer Yori.

I think I'll wait 'til Shadowland gets cards before I make an appearance.

As for Scorpions: Even though I do agree that Kachicko is the most likely high cost character to show up next - especially after already being introduced in the story - I'd like to throw in Yogo Junzo. I think a mighty shugenja like him could be a nice addition. As for Dragon, I'd rather see Mitsu right now. We don't really need another powerful bushi and Dragon definitively needs more monk cards (and tattoos).

I want more 3 cost Uniques personally. I think they tend to be at the sweet spot of the costing mechanics for the game, and I hope to get 1-3 more per clan in Imperial.

1 hour ago, Zesu Shadaban said:

Crane 5 coster was already revealed, it's Kakita Yoshi. Can see him here:

https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2017/10/11/the-imperial-cycle/

I did not notice him. I am sorry Crane players. I guess my eyes just zoomed right past him I wonder if he's still cursed. I'm guessing not considering he has a military skill.

Yogo Junzo

Kuni Yori

Mirumoto Hitomi

Kitsu Okura

Iuchi Shahai

1 minute ago, Ishi Tonu said:

Yogo Junzo

Kuni Yori

Mirumoto Hitomi

Kitsu Okura

Iuchi Shahai

Quite a suspicious bunch of characters I would be pretty jazzed if they all showed up in the game. Particularly in less villainous forms at least at first. That way we can get to like them and if they become villainous again their fall will be more interesting.

13 minutes ago, phillos said:

Quite a suspicious bunch of characters I would be pretty jazzed if they all showed up in the game. Particularly in less villainous forms at least at first. That way we can get to like them and if they become villainous again their fall will be more interesting.

Oh did I do that?

With the exception of Okura, all of them have been mentioned in the fictions so far.

We may not actually see a 5 fate character for every clan...........which would really open up a lot of possibilities. However, it looks like that's the direction that things are going with both the Phoenix and Crane having a new 5 fate character. If I'm being serious I'd probably guess:

Tsuko - I don't think there are any big enough named characters for Lion that would carry the same wow factor

Mitsu - monk to work with new monk card

Aramoro - with Shinobi trait to work with new scorpion card

Yakamo - with Zerker trait to work with new crab card

Kamoko - the clan needs a real champion

1 hour ago, phillos said:

Quite a suspicious bunch of characters I would be pretty jazzed if they all showed up in the game. Particularly in less villainous forms at least at first. That way we can get to like them and if they become villainous again their fall will be more interesting.

If there is no coup, Junzo loses his motive. I want to get to know him before he becomes a bearded skelaton.

I don't think she'll be a 5 coster, but we need Hida O-Ushi in this game.

As a Unicorn player, I really hope our one has a more useful ability than current champ.

1 minute ago, Hos said:

As a Unicorn player, I really hope our one has a more useful ability than current champ.

It'd be pretty hard for it not to.

44 minutes ago, Joe From Cincinnati said:

It'd be pretty hard for it not to.

But FFG could try.

I would be fine with Hitomi, but I'd really like to see Mitsu

2 hours ago, Hos said:

As a Unicorn player, I really hope our one has a more useful ability than current champ.

Or they could up the ante. The new 5 coster kills one of your own characters instead.

11 hours ago, phillos said:

Quite a suspicious bunch of characters I would be pretty jazzed if they all showed up in the game. Particularly in less villainous forms at least at first. That way we can get to like them and if they become villainous again their fall will be more interesting.

Hitomi wasn't villainous when she first appeared in the CCG. Obsessed with revenge on Hida Yakamo who killed her brother, but nit villainous. Yeah, she cut off Yakamo's hand, but at the time, Yakamo was part of Crab's arguably treasonous actions, and was leading forces that included Shadowlands creatures.

Hitomi only started to become genuinely crazy and eventually villainous after Kachiko gave her the Obsidian Hand (to replace the hand Yakamo mangled..by using the claw of an Oni that has been grafted to him as a replacement for his hand that Hitomi lopped off). She had the whispers of Onnatangu the mad Moon god and Shosuro, imprisoned servant of the Lying Darkness, trying to erase Hitomi's own identity. That made her vulnerable to the manipulations of Kokujin, and things got messy for awhile, to put it mildly.

6 hours ago, Chron73 said:

I would be fine with Hitomi, but I'd really like to see Mitsu

Yup. We need more genuinely good monks, please (and I say this as a big Hitomi follower).

1 hour ago, Togashi Gao Shan said:

Hitomi wasn't villainous when she first appeared in the CCG. Obsessed with revenge on Hida Yakamo who killed her brother, but nit villainous. Yeah, she cut off Yakamo's hand, but at the time, Yakamo was part of Crab's arguably treasonous actions, and was leading forces that included Shadowlands creatures.

Hitomi only started to become genuinely crazy and eventually villainous after Kachiko gave her the Obsidian Hand (to replace the hand Yakamo mangled..by using the claw of an Oni that has been grafted to him as a replacement for his hand that Hitomi lopped off). She had the whispers of Onnatangu the mad Moon god and Shosuro, imprisoned servant of the Lying Darkness, trying to erase Hitomi's own identity. That made her vulnerable to the manipulations of Kokujin, and things got messy for awhile, to put it mildly.

That's fair. Though that is putting it very mildly

My guesses:

Phoenix - Isawa Kaede*
Crane - Kakita Yoshi*
Crab - Hida Yakamo
Unicorn - Utaku Kamoko
Lion - Matsu Tsuko
Dragon - Togashi Mitsu
Scorpion - Bayushi Kachiko

* - We have already seen the cards for these two, so these are not guesses so much as restating fact.

I think the Dragon shown in Tears of Amaterasu, Kitsuki Yamura, might be the high coster of the Imperial Cycle for dragon, probably a character that hasn't appeared in the story fully yet.

I don't think they need to rush yet, especially because we have to remember that this is the IMPERIAL CYCLE. As a result the story will involve the capital.

Look at the unique characters we already have seen.

Isawa Kaede: The representative of the Elemental council to the Imperial Court.

Kakita Yoshi: The Imperial Chancellor

Kitsuki Yamura: A courtier sent by the Dragon to practice their art in the capital.

Seppun Ishikawa: Captain of the guard who has affections for Isawa Kaede.

I don't think this cycle of unique cards are just famous characters, I think its SPECIFICALLY characters that are associated with Otosan Uchi. Based off that I would guess a couple of them.

Phoenix: Isawa Kaede (Spiritual Advisor)

Crane: Kakita Yoshi (Imperial chancellor)

Dragon: Kitsuki Yamura (Artist)

Crab: Yasuki Taka (Yasuki Daimyo desperately seeking aid)

Scorpion: Bayushi Kachiko (Imperial Advisor)

Unicorn: Iuchi Shahai (Taken as hostage/teacher to Otosan Uchi's Forbidden City)

Lion: Probably the Ikoma Daimyo or a high ranking Ikoma in his stead

Imperial: Seppun Ishikawa (Captain of the Guard)
Probably a powerful Otomo as well
Maybe even a member of the Imperial Family

This is what I'm expecting to see. Characters that are not at court, Yakamo, Mitsu, and others probably wont be in this story and thus probably wont get cards at this time. Maybe later in a different cycle.

Very good point. I suspect you are right considering what has been spoiled so far. I would be pretty jazzed to see Yasuki Taka. I honestly wasn't expecting him and now he seems likely by that logic.

Surprise! Emperor Hantei is getting a card. The twist?

While this card is in play, the player controlling it cannot claim the Imperial Favor. If the controlling player already holds the Imperial Favor or would normally claim it, the Imperial Favor becomes unclaimed instead and the player gains 1 Fate.

Action: While an opponent controls the Imperial Favor, bow this character - the Imperial Favor becomes unclaimed.

Crab: Yori/O-Ushi/Yakamo/Sukune/Taka

Dragon:Hitomi/Mitsu/Mirumoto Satsu

Scorp: Kachiko/Aramoro/Dairu/Junzo

Unicorn: Tadaji/Kamoko

Lion: Motso/Hitomi/Tsuko/Gohei/Kage/Agetoki

Will Neutral get a 5-cost, too? If so, I want Tsuruchi! (Though I expect Captain Yellowtoto will probably come out, first).

I think Itsy is correct. If the characters were chosen simply by how iconic they are I think Toshimoko would come before Yoshi.

I’m curious about the possible Yasuki character, because, while it will probably support Crab’s attrition theme, it likely won’t be militarily strong, so it will be hard to cut Kisada for it if both end up costing 5.