Ok, why is 35 character reasonable, and 40 is not?
I personally, don't believe that list that GP linked to. It just is too convenient with no surprises, and the formatting looks too much like they are trying to copy the look of the Brawl design and not doing it properly. It just looks fan made.
Now, what is interesting is this supposed game leak. This feels legit. The character select screen shown is what you would expect...and I wouldn't be surprised if that character select screen actually already has some hidden characters unlocked. Also, people asking how they will put additional characters in the game beyond the obvious spots...I believe that Melee actually shrank the icon boxes later when they added more characters. I seem to remember that, but it might have been my imagination.
Also, by keeping some veterans unlocked it gives gamers more characters to have in the new challenger approaching battles, that are always enjoyable.
I think Krystal will show up in the game, because she would be a great random surprise character from Nintendo. I do not see ROB as being playable sense he is already represented in the game in the adventure mode.
I hope if this leaker truly has the Smash Bros. Brawl game that he sets it up to play with 4 people and leaves for like 24 hours so we can unlock most characters soon. If I remember how the Gamecube worked. 4 people and 24 hours would mean 96 hours of gameplay...that should unlock quite a few characters.