Inkling

"Inkling Claims Her Turf!"

Inklings are the primary playable species in the Splatoon series, being playable in all three installments since the first game's 2015 release.

A female Inkling is featured as a playable character in Nexed.

Real-World History
Splatoon was first concieved in 2013 by Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development, starting life as a simple four-vs-four territory control game set in a simplistic arena. Early on, the team decided to add the ability to hide within ink, planning to incorporate squids in the game somehow. However, they found difficulty in working the game into something simple and fun, with Shigeru Miyamoto telling the team that their project had "no appeal" in its current state.

When designing player characters, multiple designs were considered, including various animals (most notably bunnies), robots, and even Mario. However, the team eventually settled on playable squids, with their ability to shift between a humanoid and squid form added out of fear that a squid-human hybrid "wouldn't sell".

The now-dubbed Inklings would go on to become the face of the Splatoon franchise, being the main playable species in all three games. Outside of the series, Inklings would also appear in various other games, most notably as playable characters in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Gameplay Information
"Inklings are a fun-loving, simplistic species, constantly pursuing the latest trends in an attempt to ‘stay fresh’. One such trend is the sport of Turf Wars, in which Inklings compete to ink the most amount of ground in three minutes. It’s become a way of life in the city of Inkopolis, with Splatfests being held every so often to encourage competition!

Due to the emphasis on Turf Wars, Inklings regularly train to be the best in the sport, for to win is to be fresh. Some Inklings, however, have decided to take their training to the next level, enlisting in the Nexus Tournament to gain experience beyond what Turf Wars could give them. It’s ink or sink for them in this competition!"

Inkling excels with fast and slippery movement, being able to get in and out of situations at high speed. With great dodges and mobility, Inkling is able to evade attacks until she gets an opening to use her own. This is amplified by her Side Special, Splat Roller, which allows her to create an area where her speed and evasion become some of the best in the game. As such, Inkling players should focus on using her high speed to rush into openings and take advantage of them.

However, Inkling does have a number of flaws. While she can be hard to hit, her low weight makes every hit she takes a concern. In addition, while she can cover opponents in ink to make them more suspectible to damage, her output without it is rather low. This forces Inkling to whittle away at the opponent by dodging and getting in weak blows rather than getting quick KOs.

Moveset

 * Crawl: Inkling is able to crawl.
 * Wall Jump: Inkling is able to jump off of walls.
 * Hydrophobia: Inkling takes damage while swimming.
 * Ink: Some of Inkling's moves apply ink to their target. While inked, opponents take more damage from attacks for a short time.

Grounded Attacks

 * Jab: Inkling throws a chop.
 * Dash Attack: Inkling jumps forwards with a corkscrew battering ram.
 * Forward Light: Inkling swings the Splattershot forward.
 * Up Light: Inkling throws a backflip kick.
 * Down Light: Inkling throws a breakdance kick.
 * Forward Strong: Inkling swings an Inkbrush forward. This move can apply ink.
 * Up Strong: Inkling fires a Blaster above herself. This move can apply ink.
 * Down Strong: Inkling empties a Slosher on both sides of herself. This move can apply ink.
 * Counter: Inkling throws a roundhouse kick.

Aerial Attacks

 * Neutral Air: Inkling throws a tornado kick around herself.
 * Forward Air: Inkling throws a dropkick.
 * Back Air: Inkling throws a reverse headbutt.
 * Up Air: Inkling throws a 540 kick.
 * Down Air: Inkling swings the Splattershot beneath herself, being able to spike opponents.

Grabs / Throws

 * Grab: Inkling grabs the opponent with one hand.
 * Pummel: Inkling headbutts the opponent.
 * Forward Throw: Inkling shoots the opponent at point blank with her Splattershot, launching them forward. This move can apply ink.
 * Back Throw: Inkling turns into her squid form, wrapping the opponent in her tentacles before throwing them behind her.
 * Up Throw: Inkling throws the opponent upwards before headbutting them in her squid form.
 * Down Throw: Inkling performs a body slam, launching the opponent forwards.

Stage Intro
Inkling appears from a miniature Respawn Point, flailing her arms in a manner similar to her entrance animation in Splatoon's Hero Mode before entering her battle stance.

Taunts

 * Inkling fires her Splattershot into the air.
 * Inkling raises the Splattershot into the air, resembling the “This way!” signal animation from Splatoon.
 * Inkling spins her Splattershot in her hand before posing with it.
 * Inkling jumps in place happily, resembling the “Booyah” animation from Splatoon.

Victory Animations
Inkling's victory theme is the victory theme from Splatoon 2. The usual results music is overridden by the results music from Splatoon 2.
 * Inkling hops in place before posing with her Splattershot, resembling a victory animation from Splatoon.
 * Inkling swings the Splat Roller before posing with it, resembling a victory animation from Splatoon.
 * Inkling tosses her Slosher upwards before catching it and spinning it on her finger, resembling a victory animation from Splatoon.

Colors / Costumes
 Unlike most characters, Inkling's default costume has a number of model swaps within it as opposed to them being seperate costumes. Every odd numbered costume has Inkling use the "Hippie" hairstyle which debuted in Splatoon, while every even numbered costume has her use the "Haircut" hairstyle from Splatoon 2.

Trivia
N/A

Gameplay-Related

 * Inkling turns into a squid for her dodges and airdash.
 * When a Nexus Attack is ready, Inkling’s hair can be seen glowing, resembling what happens when a special is ready in Splatoon.
 * If Inkling is KO’d in Stamina mode or by an Insta-KO attack, her spirit can be seen flying out of her body.