I just started playing it and I do like the way slayer feels right now. I just got to figure out how to move around the screen appropriately with him. I know that Jam plays a lot like a boxing rush down character minus the boxing, but she ain't in the game.I just thought Slayer fights like Akihiko, so I just assumed you would main him.
For that matter, I'd say I-No and Chipp are kinda like the Rise and Yosuke of this game. You can totally tell the same company made both series.