Ok, if you could pick a character that could be unlocked by doing some kind of special stuff that wouldn't appear in the story mode, who would it be?
I'd pick Kisame. Why? Because I think he's cool. Yep, that's basically my only reason. Plus, he's not really what many would consider to be a "main" story character, so adding him wouldn't matter all that much.

Kyuubi and/or Shukaku, although those would be pretty cheap characters.

Have they confirmed the playable characters yet? Considering how far the story goes, Kyuubi and Shukaku are pretty valid characters. In fact, considering it's supposed to end with the big Gaara fight, I'll be dissapointed if it doesn't include some form of Shukaku.

Doubt they'll be characters.

The combat system doesn't look like it could manage those forms. I could see them as being special techniques, but nothing else.

Wouldn't be too surprised to see Genin downloads.

Couldn't it at least do half Shukaku? I mean, there's not gonna be any point to the final Gaara fight if it doesn't have either one.

It'll probably count as transformed Gaara.

Kimimaro

quote blind sniper

Couldn't it at least do half Shukaku? I mean, there's not gonna be any point to the final Gaara fight if it doesn't have either one.

I wouldn't be surprised if they did it similar to Prince of Persia:Two Thrones,the last boss fight had platforming in it to get him.

quote Tenken

quote blind sniper

Couldn't it at least do half Shukaku? I mean, there's not gonna be any point to the final Gaara fight if it doesn't have either one.

I'll say it again, balancing issues.

They couldn't. In order to actually make him play like the anime counterpart, they'd have to make him powerful and with some pretty damn good moves.

They just couldn't do it without screwing with the entire setup. The final Gaara fight will be probably come down to some platforming followed by a cutscene where Gaara is reawakened and Shukaku falls apart, and Gaara/Naruto fight it out.

One of the more powerful henchmen under Orochimaru.

Orochimaru really seems like a take off on Voldemort. I was gonna label it as a bizzare coincidence (especially since the two series aren't even made in the same country) but when he started talking about the Elixer of Life...that kinda got me suspicious...

I think that Kakuzu would be an awesome addition.... But we probably won't see him until they do a shippuden version of the game. I think I remember reading somewhere that depending on how well this game does ubisoft may make a sequel.

So far I believe the confirmed characters are:

Naruto
Sasuke
Sakura
Kakashi
Shikamaru
Rock Lee
Neji
Haku
Zabuza
Orochimaru
Gaara

and I know I'm missing one..

You're probably missing Choji or some other generic character that's included in every Naruto game.