The Future Direction of the Kingdom Hearts Series

[LeYenrz 276]

So the other day I came across this video from a gaming Youtuber I follow, DarkPixelGaming
 

 
And it made me really think about the current direction of the Kingdom Hearts series. Is how things are right now okay? Is Kingdom Hearts as a series strong enough to have all of its appeal depend on the original characters and story alone? Is the current methodology and direction in the writing of the story and characters good enough to satisfy fans in the short and long term? Does Kingdom Hearts NEED the original draw of its premise: Disney and Final Fantasy?
 
So here's the answer I came up with after reflecting over the history of the fandom as well as the actual objective quality of the writing in the series so far.
 
So to answer DPG's original question: Kingdom Hearts doesn't NEED Final Fantasy, but it NEEDS a main gimmick in order to keep it alive. Despite the optimistic answer DarkPixelGaming gave at the end of his video, I believe, as well as many other's iIve discussed with, that the original story and characters are not written well enough to hold up the series on its own. KH is a series whose lifeblood is made of gimmicks. Its combat is and has always been experimental, its plot elements and characters are haphazardly pasted together, and the original draw of the series was its elements of Final Fantasy and Disney.
 
However, nowadays, FF and Disney cameos are slapped in without much effort. The only main reason it's been able to stay alive at this point is due to fan investment and its aesthetic. Disney worlds and characters used to have a very significant role back in the first game, enough to be actively involved in the plot. But it is also true that following that game, Disney worlds have become side attractions, becoming second to the main original story with the game's original characters. (personally I feel that the series should reintegrate the story structure of the first game but maintaining its current status quo. a sort of hybrid) The same goes for Final Fantasy, although its presence in the series was weak from the start.
 
Kingdom Hearts's original cast does have a pull and charm that has managed to engage its many fans. However it's a fact that most of the writing of the story is kind of done by the seat of its pants. Although Nomura did say once that he plans two games ahead when he writes out the story, Kingdom Hearts has been called out for being a convoluted mess, which is a direct result of the lack of thorough planning put into the writing of this series. I'm not saying that there is none to be had, but it is definitely not great.
 
When placed under the magnifying glass, this series's story fails to have much substance and the draw of many of its characters is mostly based on concept alone and not execution. (eg. the writing in BBS and DDD is prime showcase of this). Many of the characters lack a distinct personality (I don't mean no personality at all) asides from cookie cutter friendship do-gooders, and most lack any character development whatsoever. The only ones I can recall that get at least one of those right are Roxas, Riku, Axel, and Xion. The first three are the only ones that get both down. (again this is all debatable depending on who you ask, but those 4 stand out the most) On the surface, they are very well designed and have the appeal to draw players in, but beneath that surface there is simply not enough to satisfy those who are looking for more depth. 
 
You might read this and might totally disagree with me. And that's fine. BUT I encourage you to look back on the cutscenes on the previous games (if you have the time) and think to yourself: "are these actually interesting characters beyond their friendship?"
 
A very good video that goes over the weaknesses of BBS's story can be found here: 

 
So where am I going with all of this bashing of the series that I actually still love very much? Look at the current direction of the series: over the years, more and more focus has been put on the og story and cast. This is not inherently bad. But if you look at all of the flaws that I had pointed out earlier, the story and ocs are not strong enough in construction to be spearheading the appeal of Kingdom Hearts. This is especially problematic because as the franchise began to age, the fanbase aged along with it. Most KH fans are either in their late teens or twenties. Some in their thirties. As minds mature, they desire more substance to chew on. Of course, this is a cheesy JRPG series along with the rest of them, and some might not have high expectations for this series and that, compared to the writing of other JRPG series, this is actually above average the quality of some other games of the same genre. However, because Kingdom Hearts has become so focused on the story, it cannot stick to having its cake and eating it too. If a series is going to put heavy focus on the story, it must have substance. 
 
I have to admit this at least: I am still very invested in the Xehanort saga and what will happen to the characters. This series has so much heart (heck it even involves the heart) and that earnest core of the series is what makes me love it to this day. Nostalgia goggles probably have something to do with it also, but there is something else that is at play here.
 
There is a certain magic of KH's story as to how it's specifically constructed in just the right way for fans to be able to fill in its holes with their enthusiasm and still find a lot of fulfillment, no matter how mature the fan is. This is an observation, not a criticism; hell, even I do this. Technically, this can be done with any series, no matter how good or bad they are in quality. Despite what I said before, most of the characters have a lot of potential for development. They all have good character designs visually, the voice acting for each of them is solid, and what writing exists for each character is decent to pull anyone in. There is so much we do not know about organization 13 despite Days existing and there are characters that have the potential for an amazing character arc (Saix is a prime example). The concept is there. It's just that nothing is executed. 
 
To quote a friend of mine: "It's almost the vagueness to it all that keeps us involved (I think) and loving the characters. bc we can see the potential, it's just not there yet"
 
To me at least, Kingdom Hearts has become a sort of frankenstein of a series as the years have gone by. Its pieces are all haphazardly glued together by the convoluted story that is KH, but nonetheless it is still a lovable frankenstein at that. I don't know what it is, the aesthetic, the odd mishmash of gimmicks, etc. that make me love this series still despite all of its flaws in its writing and world construction. But I have to admit at this point, if no further development is put into its og cast, its direction as a series is going to fall apart as its roots in Disney and Final Fantasy wither away, which really seems to be where this series is going. 
 
I've heard from many fans that the past few entries in the series have been trying their patience as the story has gone by, and have been very forgiving of its shortcomings, such as the mess that is DDD's story. This is directly the result of Nomura relying too much on the main story's self importance.  Yes, it is the main story, but the ignoring of its Disney and Final Fantasy ties is starting to make the series lose its momentum. 
 
I am not asking that KH rebuild its tone and construction in Kingdom Hearts 3. It's too late to abandon ship with the focus on the og cast leading up to the end of the Xehanort saga, so for the time being, Disney and Final Fantasy isn't needed in Kingdom Hearts 3. But in the long run, beyond the Xehanort saga, it is absolutely critical that they be more integrated into the series instead of being treated as side attractions, or you risk series burnout with its original fans. 
 
At this point I see two options:
 
Keep the heavy emphasis the original story and characters but actually put in the effort for them to become more fleshed out. Disney continues to be fun side attractions for the story but has no main significance in the plot while Final Fantasy is phased out of the series entirely. 
 
Or
 
Kingdom Hearts goes back to its roots and starts fleshing out Disney worlds and characters' involvement in the plot and starts incorporating Final Fantasy characters and themes into its story. Og cast and characters can remain as they are.
 
Either way, if the series continues as it is, I am regrettably sure that the series will lose my as well as other's investment in the series. I still love the series as it is despite being aware of all of its flaws. But I am invested in only a few of the characters, and that is not because the actual characters are actually any good... I've become attached to what the concept of those characters have become in my head, gradually pieced together over the course of many years. And it has caused a lot of dissonance when I go back to the source material and notice that in the actual games, there actually isn't much to these characters I care a lot for. 

 

For some of you, that might be enough to keep you invested and involved in this series. But many other fans and I want more out of this series. For the chance for Kingdom Hearts to become something truly great and timeless. The potential and pieces are already there. It just needs a little more love and a lot of effort for it to happen.

Edited July 29, 2018 by LeYenrz

[Tyranto Rex 277]

I love this series but I am heavily critical of it at the same time. I am to most of the things that I love. So I really hate the mindset that if you love something you are blind to it's flaws. That's not really healthy. 

 

Your comment about most of the characters having a great concept but bad execution made me think about not just Kingdom Hearts but other franchises as well, cause this could be said about a lot of them for at least one character. And some of these characters are fan favorites due to concept alone because fans then fill in the blanks by themselves without it really being in the canon.

 

I really do think the Disney stuff and Final Fantasy stuff should have more of a presence. Disney takes up like 85% of the game so it really should not be filler. Final Fantasy characters could have more of a role too. I feel they could have both complex and interesting original characters with an interesting, not confusing plot while also expanding on the Disney and Final Fantasy side if they set their minds too it. It does seem like KH3 is at least somewhat improving on Disney worlds it seems like Final Fantasy is gonna keep up with just having cameos. 

[LeYenrz 276]

I love this series but I am heavily critical of it at the same time. I am to most of the things that I love. So I really hate the mindset that if you love something you are blind to it's flaws. That's not really healthy. 

 

Your comment about most of the characters having a great concept but bad execution made me think about not just Kingdom Hearts but other franchises as well, cause this could be said about a lot of them for at least one character. And some of these characters are fan favorites due to concept alone because fans then fill in the blanks by themselves without it really being in the canon.

 

I really do think the Disney stuff and Final Fantasy stuff should have more of a presence. Disney takes up like 85% of the game so it really should not be filler. Final Fantasy characters could have more of a role too. I feel they could have both complex and interesting original characters with an interesting, not confusing plot while also expanding on the Disney and Final Fantasy side if they set their minds too it. It does seem like KH3 is at least somewhat improving on Disney worlds it seems like Final Fantasy is gonna keep up with just having cameos. 

 

Definitely agree with you on the first one. However, I didn't say that the characters were executed badly...it's just that there hasn't been any execution for most of them. Just blank friendly slates that are put in sad situations for the audience to cry at because it's a sad situation. 

 

Yeah it's odd that Disney takes up so much of the content in the game, but in the story it's treated like filler. Also what you said about maybe square just doing both sounds absolutely great. That would probably be the best outcome for everyone. However, that would be the option that would take the most effort. But for the bare minimum, Square has to do one or the other in order for the series to still work in the future. 

 

Is KH3 improving on Disney worlds? How is that? Not that i'm refuting your claim, just curious what you mean.

[Tyranto Rex 277]

Definitely agree with you on the first one. However, I didn't say that the characters were executed badly...it's just that there hasn't been any execution for most of them. Just blank friendly slates that are put in sad situations for the audience to cry at because it's a sad situation. 

 

Yeah it's odd that Disney takes up so much of the content in the game, but in the story it's treated like filler. Also what you said about maybe square just doing both sounds absolutely great. That would probably be the best outcome for everyone. However, that would be the option that would take the most effort. But for the bare minimum, Square has to do one or the other in order for the series to still work in the future. 

 

Is KH3 improving on Disney worlds? How is that? Not that i'm refuting your claim, just curious what you mean.

 

Yeah I might have phrased that wrong. I don't think the characters are bad either, just a lot of them are not going to their full potential and they come off as weak because of it. I think BBS is a great example of this for multiple characters (like I don't necessarily hate Terra but I have a lot of issues of how he is written).

 

It looks like to me that they are intertwining the original plot more with the Disney plots at least a little more with this installment. We actually see the main bad guys there instead of just seeing cut scenes of them between worlds. But we shall see how that plays out.

[The Transcendent Key 12,109]

As someone who has loved Kingdom Hearts my entire life, I can understand your worries and concerns regarding the future of the series. Like you said, it's managed to remain as popular and beloved as it is because we've been invested into these characters and the world and the lore of the series since we were young, and as such, we have an emotional attachment to the games, ya know?

 

I'm surprised at how well Nomura has managed to juggle his original characters, making them stand on their own! I surely do believe that Disney must continue to influence a part of what Kingdom Hearts is, because that's one of the halves that comprises this series! The Final Fantasy half should definitely have more of a presence, and they don't have to be fatally important to the story of Kingdom Hearts, per se, but they can be more prominent in the series, ya know? I'm also welcome for any crossovers with Square's other franchises like Chrono Trigger and Dragon Quest! The World Ends With You worked, so these other properties could work as well!

 

I do believe, though, that we'll get to see the most character development in Kingdom Hearts III, since as you also said, Kingdom Hearts III will focus on resolving the issues the original characters have, therefore, they'll have more screentime! So I think we'll get enough development that we can rest easy when it comes to the future of all these characters we love in the Kingdom Hearts series, ya know?

 

I can't wait to see what the future holds!

[LeYenrz 276]

As someone who has loved Kingdom Hearts my entire life, I can understand your worries and concerns regarding the future of the series. Like you said, it's managed to remain as popular and beloved as it is because we've been invested into these characters and the world and the lore of the series since we were young, and as such, we have an emotional attachment to the games, ya know?

 

I'm surprised at how well Nomura has managed to juggle his original characters, making them stand on their own! I surely do believe that Disney must continue to influence a part of what Kingdom Hearts is, because that's one of the halves that comprises this series! The Final Fantasy half should definitely have more of a presence, and they don't have to be fatally important to the story of Kingdom Hearts, per se, but they can be more prominent in the series, ya know? I'm also welcome for any crossovers with Square's other franchises like Chrono Trigger and Dragon Quest! The World Ends With You worked, so these other properties could work as well!

 

I do believe, though, that we'll get to see the most character development in Kingdom Hearts III, since as you also said, Kingdom Hearts III will focus on resolving the issues the original characters have, therefore, they'll have more screentime! So I think we'll get enough development that we can rest easy when it comes to the future of all these characters we love in the Kingdom Hearts series, ya know?

 

I can't wait to see what the future holds!

 

I'm fine with Final Fantasy taking a seat from the series. But it would be a real pity to see it completely disappear, as is what is probably close to what we will be seeing in KH3. If that were the case, this could be turning out to be a sort of bait and switch.

 

As for what KH3 will do to improve the character writing...I would say it's a bit optimistic to say that everything will be fixed. One wouldn't expect a quality of a fanfiction to go from a C+ to an A in a fortnight. Of course we'll get resolutions which will put the overall story arc to a close which in itself will be quite satisfying. For now, I'm probably going to be satisfied with whatever KH3 gives me because my expectations are at what are appropriate for Kingdom Hearts. lol I really only care about seeing Roxas and Xion happy again  But it would be really wonderful for Kingdom Hearts to step it up a notch in its character writing. I'm not asking for it to become conventional in its methods of storytelling. I'm fine with it being abstract and arbitrary with its concepts, but as for the actual structure of the plot and characters they could really use a lot of reformation. 

 

Also the fact that KH3 has so many character's stories to resolve is probably what will be the bane of its ambition. Resolution is priority, so we probably won't see much development. Rather just making sure that everyone is happy in the end and that the methodology behind the bringing of that ending is sound.

 

Like-you know that feeling when you're carrying your groceries all fine and dandy and then it just gets all jumbled up in your arms. And then you open the door to your

house and it just takes all of your effort to settle all of the groceries on the kitchen counter without dropping and destroying everything? That's sort of how I see it.

 

But I'm definitely still hopeful for the future o/

[The Transcendent Key 12,109]

I'm fine with Final Fantasy taking a seat from the series. But it would be a real pity to see it completely disappear, as is what is probably close to what we will be seeing in KH3. If that were the case, this could be turning out to be a sort of bait and switch.

 

As for what KH3 will do to improve the character writing...I would say it's a bit optimistic to say that everything will be fixed. One wouldn't expect a quality of a fanfiction to go from a C+ to an A in a fortnight. Of course we'll get resolutions which will put the overall story arc to a close which in itself will be quite satisfying. For now, I'm probably going to be satisfied with whatever KH3 gives me because my expectations are at what are appropriate for Kingdom Hearts. lol I really only care about seeing Roxas and Xion happy again  But it would be really wonderful for Kingdom Hearts to step it up a notch in its character writing. I'm not asking for it to become conventional in its methods of storytelling. I'm fine with it being abstract and arbitrary with its concepts, but as for the actual structure of the plot and characters they could really use a lot of reformation. 

 

Also the fact that KH3 has so many character's stories to resolve is probably what will be the bane of its ambition. Resolution is priority, so we probably won't see much development. Rather just making sure that everyone is happy in the end and that the methodology behind the bringing of that ending is sound.

 

Like-you know that feeling when you're carrying your groceries all fine and dandy and then it just gets all jumbled up in your arms. And then you open the door to your

house and it just takes all of your effort to settle all of the groceries on the kitchen counter without dropping and destroying everything? That's sort of how I see it.

 

But I'm definitely still hopeful for the future o/

 

Well, we'll see what happens! I'm sure that we're going to get a healthy, bulky story that'll give each character a chance to shine, and like you, I'm particularly looking forward to seeing what happens between Roxas and Xion, because those two deserve each other! :')

 

And well, in terms of the game's theme being resolution, you are right. It will bring to a close all arcs, or at least try to bring them to a close as much as possible without leaving loose ends. I believe Nomura and his team will succeed on delivering a good conclusion for us while opening up potential future arcs for the existing characters that will carry on into the next saga! I can't wait to see what happens next!

 

And yeah, I get what you mean! With the grandness KHIII carries, it also has an equal amount of risk, but we'll see how it pays off in the end, ya know?