>thinking that the plant is such a big crime that saying anything in its defense is being an "apologist"

That is not how that word works.

It's a super Sakurai thing to do to include a character as a "What the fuck" pick. Honestly, making him free DLC was probably for the best, as any other character no doubt would've come up with salt, given the roster. Plus he doesn't even get into the other five "Slots" so he's entirely separate.