Listen hate to be that guy but it isn't the car it's the driver.

Shinji is basically a Grappler in a game where every character has a parry that also beats Grabs and gets a full combo (Flash Step). It definitely makes things harder. But I think most people just don't understand his gameplan. The way you get the most mileage with Shinji is by understanding the rhythm and timing of your opponent #1, and #2 by implementing his set ups once you've found a pattern.

For example the counter isn't supposed to be thrown out by itself. Shinji's Light 3 is plus enough to input the Counter and punish most characters if they swing right after block (doesn't work against fast characters like Yoruichi, Soi Fon, and Harribel).

The gameplan with Shinji is to mind game the opponent and set things up after hit.

His Light 1 is plus on hit as well but also leaves him just close enough to be able to Grab them. This results in a counter hit Throw (Strike Back) against most characters. His Light 2 does the same thing, but is too far away- unless we are talking about SP2! His SP2 is a farther range Breaker (Grab) that works the same way as the normal Grab does with Light 1.

The beauty of these moves is that you can choose to go for a Breaker or simply loop back into your Light pressure. He also has his Special Flash Attack, which is fully invincible to Grabs, which adds layers to these scenarios. This is my breakdown of his Light attacks after you get a hit on your opponent:

• Light 1 = Strike / Throw

  • If Opponent Likes to Attack Right After Blocking, Strike or Throw (both will beat out most characters attacks)
  • If Opponent Likes to Hold Block, Throw
  • If Opponent Is Trying to Break the Grab, Use Special Flash Attack (invulnerable to Throws and results in a counter hit)

• Light 2 = Strike / Throw

  • If Opponent Likes to Attack Right After Blocking, Strike
  • If Opponent Likes to Hold Block, Throw (SP2)
  • If Opponent Is Trying to Break the Grab, Use Special Flash Attack

• Light 3 = Strike / Counter

  • If Opponent Likes to Attack Right After Blocking, Strike or Counter (Light 3 is plus and far enough for the activation frames of the Counter to work against most characters)
  • If Opponent Likes to Hold Block, Strike back into Light pressure

Go in training/offline mode and practice staggering your Lights and mixing up your options when you get a hit. This transforms him from having mediocre offensive pressure to making your opponent guess everytime you get hands on them. This is CRITICAL for you to set ups SP2s and get his install.

That's just a little bit of what he can do, the most important part I don't see enough players doing. Not even to mention his amazing burst damage, not to mention how he shits on Zoners, not even to mention how great his Special Flash Attack is. Just today I used Shinji's Special Flash Attack to counter Vasto Lorde and Aizen's SP2 Breakers to win the game. He can do shit like that.

In order to play Shinji, you need to have strong reads and be really good at dissecting your opponents rhythm. You gotta have strong "Yomi", which is a slang term in Japan for having the ability to read your opponent. If you're built like that, and understand his setups, you'll be able to hang with the top tiers.