Vini is another competitor from South America this series presents to you. Being one of the head of Brazilian SC community, tournament organizer and competitor you see placing high often, all this marks him as a person who’s name you should remember!

Twitter: @ViniMendonca_
Twitch: justframeman
Youtube: Vinyears80s & SoulCaliburBR
Birth Year: 1986
Country: Brazil

If you had to introduce yourself in three sentences to some SoulCalibur player who didn’t know you, what would you say?

Hello, I’m Victor Vinicius Mendonça, AKA “Vini” or “JustFrameMan” Soul Calibur competitive player. Also, Soul Calibur Brazil Community administrator and offline tournament organizer. Let’s join our community.

What is the origin or meaning of your nickname?

“Vini” came from my scond name “Vinicius”, that some friends use to call me.

“Just Frame Man” came from an age I used to have a good command performance, especially just frames, and uploaded some videos teaching them on Youtube.

How did it happen that you ended up playing fighting games?

I’m a fighting games enthusiast since I was a kid, first playing Mortal Kombat 1 and Street Fighter 2 on Sega Genesis (called “Mega Drive” here in Brazil). On 1997 to 1998 I bought a Soul Blade (Soul Edge) copy for my Playstation, and Iit was passion on the first sight.

Who do you main in SC6 and why?

Since Soul Edge I main Mitsurugi. Well, he is a badass samurai, who doens’t love it? (kidding)

I really like his gameplay, 50/50 and mind games. Also, I like his lore, the path of the warrior, who loses the battle against his strongest enemy (Tanegashima), but tries to come back stronger. Never giving up. It’s a path I follow too.

Also, I used to play as other characters in the past, like Ivy and Algol and, now, I also play as Azwel.

What is your opinion regarding SC6?

Soul Calibur VI is so important to the franchise that basically resurrected it. It has it’ flaws and some patches mistakes, but the overall is positive. I really hope Bandai Namco bring us a season 3 in the future.

If you could change one single thing about SC6 what would that be?

Reversal Edge. Althought is visually beautiful, especially for those who don’t play the game, it’s almost a disaster on versus mode. It breakes the dynamism of the versus, entering a mini game over and over. Also, I think it’s too strong and doesn’t require command skill to use it (like old SC5 just guard, for example).

O think SC franchise already has a fair and perfect parry system, the guard impact.

What do you consider to be your greatest SC6 achievement and why?

As a competitor, winning 8 national offline tournaments from 2009 to 2019, on three generations of Soul Calibur (3x SC4, 3x SC5 and 2x SC6).

As a tournament organizer, making 7 national offline events and other smaller ones. I’m really proud of that and I did my best on each of them.

Please answer a single question that you were not asked but you would like to answer!

It’s more and advice. I was not good in Soul Calibur and lost on most of my early tournament attempts. I don’t consider myself talented, but just a well trained player. Losing is frustrating some times. But, never give up. Go to trainning mode, watch some videos and improve your gameplay. Take some break, if it’s necessary. Soul Calibur is a deep game and still rewards the player who studies and practices the most.

Thank you for the interview!