JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean Stand User Narciso Anasui is a mid-range fighter with great pressure options from his offensive throws in both Stand-On Mode and User Mode, as well as from traps he can place to create plays in All-Star Battle R. Anasui is able to carry much of his own weight regardless of the mode he is in through good range and knockdowns that can provide him with advantageous situations in neutral.
You have access to easy damage by successfully landing a hard knockdown (he has several) and then using your special move in Stand-On Mode to hit your opponent while they are OTG (on the ground). To make things even better, once the opponent is on the ground, your trap special move in User Mode can let you damage the enemy while they get up and to start a combo. Where Anasui suffers is in his few answers to zoners, projectiles, and his trouble reaching the opponent with his less lengthy normals that he has in User Mode.
User Mode
Narciso Anasui (or Narciso Anastasia in the English localization) has the unique ability to set a trap on the ground with his Stand Diver Down. This can be used in combos and applying pressure, especially for when the opponent is getting up from the ground. Combine the potential for setups through traps with his long range grab and option that he has available for OTG damage when he switches to Stand-On Mode and uses “Dive!” Anasui doesn’t have any specials or supers that really help him in the defense department, but his kit is still balanced enough to condition the enemy into opening up their guard. If their guard is up, the grappler in Anasui has grabs as an answer.
“You’re In Range!”
“You’re in range!” from 623 (or forward dragon punch input) has Anasui summon Diver Down for a standing attack upwards. This special can not be Flash Canceled, and it has no invulnerability. The light version launches opponents on hit, and the medium version provides a second hit to the attack. The heavy version is where the special shines due to the cinematic that plays and increased damage, but the hard knockdown does not happen if the cinematic doesn’t play.
“And…RELEASE!”
“And…RELEASE!” from 214 (or backwards quarter circle) is a core special move for Anasui where he sets a trap that attacks the enemy on making contact on the ground. The trap causes the opponent to crumple (or slowly fall down) on hit, allowing for an extension of combos or a hard knockdown. You can charge the special by holding the button down. Get use to relying heavily on this unique special he has access to while only even in User Mode.
The defensive abilities here are not really existent because of opponents being able to just dodge to another axis on the field before they approach you. Nonetheless, you can condition the enemy to watch out for each play you make from giving them a hard knockdown. Once they are nervous about you setting a trap right next to their body on their ground, you can always change things up and create a situation that allows you to run up and land a grab, command grab or otherwise.
“Meat And Bone Suspension”
“Meat and Bone Suspension” from 41236 (or forward half circle) has Anasui summon Diver Down to travel forward and grab the opponent before attacking them from their insides and launching them up. This move can not be Flash Canceled, but all versions can be followed up with a combo without the use of any meter. This potential for creating a combo is essential for Anasui because of his lack of available Flash Cancel routes, and he needs as much meter he can build up in a fight, so you can use it for tools like Quick Stand-On or defensive mechanics.
“Meat and Bone Suspension” is a go-to special move you should get comfortable with, especially with the heavy version due to its surprisingly long range. The damage is the same for all versions, but the speed and range differ.
“Give Me Your Blessing”
Heart Heat Attack (or level 1 Super) “Give me your blessing” is a little bit of an underwhelming or weird option for Anasui due to his high need for meter to provide him with defense or combo extensions from where he can Flash Cancel. You can delay the release of the super by holding the button, but it would be odd to catch an opponent with this anyway. One way to try and take advantage of the delay ability would be to activate the super while your opponent is already on the ground or in the process of getting up. Observe their aggression in the match, and you just might be able to pull off a hit with this delay option due to them trying to press buttons to beat your super input. Be safe and don’t try the delay option if you know they might launch a projectile at you when they wake up.
Stand-On Mode
You will want to switch back and forth between your User Mode and Stand-On Mode due to the utility of damage from the OTG hit combined with the trap special move. Anytime you put the opponent into a hard knockdown state, it is worth using your OTG hit if you’re in range — until you figure out some longer combos. Your stubby normals in User Mode are made up for in Stand-On Mode, and all your special moves provide a hard knockdown. This allows you to control neutral pretty well and maintain momentum.
“Dive!”
“Dive!” from 236 (or quarter circle forward) has Anasui’s Stand Diver Down go into the ground perform different attacks based on variations as it resurfaces. All versions of the move provide a hard knockdown and are Stand-Rush compatible. The special serves as this character’s main combo tool. The light version hits mid and low and can hit OTG, but it can not be Flash Canceled.
The medium version hits mid and overhead, can’t be Flash Canceled, and causes a ground bounce on hit. The heavy version has Diver Down perform a barrage of punches from resurfacing, does more damage with a launch on hit, and can be Flash Canceled.
“How Awful!”
“How awful!” from 63214 (or backwards half circle) is Anasui’s other command grab tool. The damage increases by the order of stronger buttons, and the grab provides a hard knockdown. You can combo into the light version of “Dive!” to hit the enemy on the ground.
“Go To Hell!”
“Go to hell!” from aerial 214 (or backwards quarter circle) has Anasui send Diver Down downwards to perform an overhead punch. The hit causes a ground bounce and provides a hard knockdown. You get more damage off depending on which button you use too. There are few options after this special besides comboing into a light “Dive!” or calling in your preferred assist.
Just like with the above two specials and Anasui’s trap, use the light version of “Dive!” after a normal throw to add extra damage. Anasui’s options are aggressive due to the nature of his OTG hit coming from Stand-On mode, which features better overall range anyway.
“Diving In”
Great Heat Attack “Diving in” finishes off Anasui’s kit with an unlimited range activation. This will hit characters from full screen, further increasing your viability in a match from applying pressure over and over. You can end juggle combos with this super to confirm a kill. Be careful using it to from afar even with the teleport — projectiles can still beat you. The invulnerability is only there from initially having the Stand Diver Down go into the ground.
Grade On The Tier List
With useful specials in either mode and great damage output, Anasui is reliable for playing with pokes, grabs, hard knockdowns, or long combos. Use his ability to set a trap to better control the neutral while you stay safe sending long range grabs or attacks. Anasui suffers from some moves not being able to be Flash Canceled, as well as his Heart Heat Attack and Great Heat Attack having low invulnerability. These weaknesses add to Anasui lacking in the defense department, which leave him relying on base game mechanics like Stylish Evade and Stylish Guard. Because Anasui also has restrictions on Flash Cancels, you may have to resort to learning longer and harder-to-perform combos. You may have to be more accurate and committed with your combos as well.
The offensive options that this JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean Stand User has do ultimately pay off, placing him in the higher end of the tier list — at the A tier category. He has great speed and range, while forcing his opponents to answer to his pressure in both Stand-On Mode and User Mode.
