The official YouTube channel of Utada Hikaru has been uploading several 4K versions of previous music videos, with one of the most recent being "Hikari."
For those unaware, "Hikari" is the Japanese theme song of the first Kingdom Hearts, with the English version being "Simple and Clean."
“Hikari” was first released in Utada’s 2002 album "Deep River" before being used for several Kingdom Hearts entries. This iconic song has also been remixed multiple times, namely PLANiTb and -Ray of Hope MIX-.
A 4K version of the “Passion” music video is scheduled to be uploaded on March 30, 2024, at 8 AM ET/ 5 AM PT.
You can view the 4K music video of "Hikari" below:
Five new Kingdom Hearts II Ultra Detail Figures are now available for pre-order on AmiAmi. The figures feature Sora, Riku, Mickey, Pete, and Chip n Dale as they appear in Kingdom Hearts II. Currently, the Sora, Riku, Mickey, and Chip n Dale figures are available for ¥1,570 (approx. $10.37 USD) and the Pete figure is available for ¥1,870 (approx. $12.35 USD). Each figure is set to release November 2024.
Previously, figures of Sora, Riku, Donald, Goofy, and Mickey have been revealed as part of the Ultra Detail Figure lineup.
You can take a closer look at each figure in our gallery below, alongside their pre-order links
Ultra Detail Figure Kingdom Hearts II Sora
Ultra Detail Figure Kingdom Hearts II Riku
Ultra Detail Figure Kingdom Hearts II Mickey Mouse
Ultra Detail Figure Kingdom Hearts II Pete
Ultra Detail Figure Kingdom Hearts II Chip n Dale
Will you be picking up any of these figures? Let us know in the comments below!
In a recent interview with IGN, Kingdom Hearts composer Yoko Shimomura discusses about her previous work not only in the Kingdom Hearts series, but with many other series including Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, Live A Live, and more as she is the recipient of this year's Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 Game Developers Choice Awards.
In addition, Shimomura has begun work on the soundtrack for Kingdom Hearts IV. You can read the entirity of the interview here.
UPDATE: IGN's story was updated to say the following:
Correction: A previous version of this story said Shimomura was working on several songs for Kingdom Hearts 4. That was a misunderstanding, and this article has been updated to reflect that Shimomura instead meant she's working on various tracks for several different games.
The official Disney Pins Blog has announced that a new Kingdom Hearts pin is now available at Disney Theme Parks via Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and the Disney Store.
Fans can purchase this item and several other recently launched premium pins for $21.99. However, only 3,000 of these pins were produced.
You can view the new Kingdom Hearts pin below. It features Mickey with the Kingdom Key D, which has one of his end quotes from the original game stating, "There will always be a door to the light."
You can view the other newly made available pins via the official Disney Pins Blog.
The Japanese Kingdom Hearts Twitter account tweeted a new piece of artwork commemorating the launch of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. This artwork depicts Sora in Quadratum watching Sephiroth, who is wearing his Kingdom Hearts attire, on multiple screens, similar to the advertising Square Enix did in Shibuya over the past couple of days. You can view the artwork in the gallery below.
Congratuations on Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on their release launch!
The Square Enix North America Store has revealed nine new Kingdom Hearts Acrylic Stands now available for pre-order, releasing in August 2024. Three of the stands featuring the key art for Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, Kingdom Hearts II, and Kingdom Hearts will cost $34.99 each, while the other six stands featuring Sora, Kairi, and Roxas will cost $14.99 each.
You can take a closer look at each of the Acrylic Stands in our gallery below, alongside their product links:
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days Acrylic Stand - Boundary - $34.99
Kingdom Hearts II Acrylic Stand - Heart - $34.99
Kingdom Hearts Acrylic Stand - Premonition - $34.99
Kingdom Hearts III Acrylic Stand - Kairi - Promise - $14.99
Kingdom Hearts III Acrylic Stand - Sora - Promise - $14.99
Kingdom Hearts II Acrylic Stand - Late Summer - $14.99
Kingdom Hearts II Acrylic Stand - Ocean - $14.99
Kingdom Hearts Acrylic Stand - Wind - $14.99
Kingdom Hearts Acrylic Stand - Beach - $14.99
Will you be picking up any of these acrylic stands? Let us know in the comments below!
The Square Enix Japan e-Store has revealed three new Kingdom Hearts themed plushes of Sora, Riku, and Kairi based on their appearances in the original Kingdom Hearts game. The plushes are set to release June 8th, 2024 for ¥4,180 (approx. $28.00 USD).
UPDATE (Feb 9, 2024): Pre-orders are available on Aitai Kuji. Each plush will cost ¥3,340 (approx. $23.00) and will be available in June.
You can view each of the plushes alongside their store links in our gallery below.
Kingdom Hearts Series Plush KH Sora
Kingdom Hearts Series Plush KH Riku
Kingdom Hearts Series Plush KH Kairi
Will you be picking up any of these plushes to add to your collection? Let us know in the comments below!
UPDATE 2/13/2024: Square Enix North American store links are listed below. Each plush is $39.99 and expected to ship in October 2024:
Kairi
Sora
Riku
Additionally, the plushes are available for pre-order via AmiAmi, with each costing ¥3,550 ahead of planned June 2024 releases:
Kairi
Sora
Riku
Kingdom Hearts composer Yoko Shimomura will be this year's recipient for the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 Game Developers Choice Awards. Shimomura will be the first composer to receive the prestigious award.
This award recognizes individuals that impact not only the games they work on, but the gaming industry in general. Previous winners include Shigeru Miyamoto, Hironobu Sakaguchi, Todd Howard, and John Carmack among others.
The 2024 Game Developers Choice Awards will be during the Game Developers Conference week, which will be happening March 18-24, 2024 at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, California. The awards will be on Wednesday March 20th at 6:30 PM PDT (9:30 PM EDT) and will be broadcast on Twitch.
Congratulations to Yoko on her latest achievement and we wait for more music for Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link and Kingdom Hearts IV!
The Square Enix Japan e-Store has revealed a new line of fluffy loungewear sets and slippers based on Sora, Kairi, Riku, and King Mickey. The Sora, Riku, and Kairi loungewear sets are two piece sets based on their outfits from Kingdom Hearts III and can be pre-ordered for ¥13,200 (approx. $88.99 USD). The King Mickey set is a one piece set and can be pre-ordered for ¥11,000 (approx. $74.16 USD).
Additionally the matching loungewear slippers are available for pre-order for ¥3,850 (approx. $25.95 USD) releasing on February 29th, 2024 as well.
UPDATE [Feb 8, 2024]: Pre-orders are available on Aitai Kiju! The prices are the same as listed on Square Enix Japan e-Store and the release date will be February 29th, 2024.
You can view each of the loungewear pieces in our gallery below, as well as their pre-order links.
Kingdom Hearts III Fluffy Loungewear Set - Sora
Square Enix e-Store || Aitai Kuji
Kingdom Hearts III Fluffy Loungewear Slippers - Sora
Square Enix e-Store || Aitai Kuji
Kingdom Hearts III Fluffy Loungewear Set - Kairi
Square Enix e-Store || Aitai Kuji
Kingdom Hearts III Fluffy Loungewear Slippers - Kairi
Square Enix e-Store || Aitai Kuji
Kingdom Hearts III Fluffy Loungewear Set - Riku
Square Enix e-Store || Aitai Kuji
Kingdom Hearts III Fluffy Loungewear Slippers - Riku
Square Enix e-Store || Aitai Kuji
Kingdom Hearts Fluffy Loungewear Set - King Mickey
Square Enix e-Store || Aitai Kuji
Kingdom Hearts Fluffy Loungewear Slippers - King Mickey
Square Enix e-Store || Aitai Kuji
Will you be purchasing any of these loungewear sets? Let us know in the comments below!
Sega Plaza have announce a new Kingdom Hearts plush coming to Sega Plaza crane game. This plush is King Mickey wearing his iconic Kingdom Hearts II outfit. Kingdom Hearts II King Mickey will be available at the plaza starting March 15th.
Square Enix has announced that the Android closed beta test for its upcoming free-to-play mobile game, Kingdom Hearts Missing–Link, has been delayed to Spring 2024. It was originally planned for January 2024.
The development team apologized for the delay, explaining that they have more adjustments to make in order to ensure it can be played more comfortably.
The iOS closed beta test of Kingdom Hearts Missing–Link was held in November 2023. At the same time, Tetsuya Nomura participated in a Special Focus Group Event in which several story, character, and gameplay details were discussed.
Our team's Kimpchuu shared his impressions of the Kingdom Hearts Missing–Link iOS closed beta test, which you can check out here.
A translation of the latest tweet from the official Kingdom Hearts Missing–Link account announcing the Android closed beta test delay can be viewed below via our team's Ryuji:
A new Kingdom Hearts themed Ichiban Kuji lottery has been announced titled Kingdom Hearts -Linking Hearts- set to release in May 2024 which will feature various Kingdom Hearts themed prizes including but not limited to character statues, towels, tumblers and various other Kingdom Hearts themed merchandise. You can view the prize list below thanks to KH13 Staff Member Ryuji.
Prize Tiers
♦ Tier A - Sora Statue
♦ Tier B - Visual bath towel
♦ Tier C - Cushion
♦ Tier D - Glass plate
♦ Tier E - Selection of towels
♦ Tier F - Design Tumbler
♦ Tier G - Keyblade Charm Collection
♦ Last One Prize Tier - Roxas Statue
♦ Double Chance Campaign Tier - Sora Statue
Kingdom Hearts themed prizes have featured in three other Ichiban Kuji lotteries over the years including the first Kingdom Hearts Ichiban Kuji, Kingdom Hearts Ichiban Kuji ~Second Memory~ and the Kingdom Hearts 20th anniversary Ichiban Kuji.
Utada Hikaru's official website has recently announced the tracklist for their upcoming Greatest Hits album, Science Fiction. The album is set to release April 10th, 2024 and will contain a total of 26 songs including newly mixed and re-recorded songs from across the singer's discography. Of the re-recorded tracks it is confirmed that Hikari, a theme featured prominently throughout many of the games in the Kingdom Hearts series will be receiving a re-recorded version featured on the album as well.
You can view the full tracklist for Utada's upcoming Science Fiction album below:
Flowers with no Color
New song (title undecided)
Addicted To You (Re-recording)
Traveling (Re-recording)
Hikari (Re-recording)
Automatic (2024 Mix)
Beautiful World (2024 Mix)
Can You Keep a Secret? (2024 Mix)
COLORS (2024 Mix)
First Love (2022 Mix)
Flavor of Life -Ballad Version- (2024 Mix)
Goodbye Happiness (2024 Mix)
Letters (2024 Mix)
Prisoner of Love (2024 Mix)
Sakura Drops (2024 Mix)
You
I'm Crazy About You
Gold ~Until we meet again~
Time
2 Hours Vacation featuring Ringo Sheena
First Love
BAD Mode
Give you a Bouquet of Flowers
Road
One Last Kiss
[Bonus Track] Somewhere Near Marseilles - Marseilles Festival- (Sci-Fi Edit)
Will you be giving the re-recorded version of Hikari a listen when it releases? Let us know in the comments below!
The fan-led Kingdom Hearts online convention, March Caprice, has announced new information ahead of its arrival in March 2024.
For those unaware of what March Caprice is about, the following passage summarizes its premise:
The theme of March Caprice 2024 will be "data," as communicated by the announcement trailer and associated promotional artwork.
Sans the livestreams and Melody of Memory Tourney, sign-ups for the event will close on January 13, 2024. On the other hand, livestream sign-ups will close on February 17, 2024 and Melody of Memory Tourney sign-ups will close on March 10, 2024.
March Caprice 2024 proper will occur between March 24 and March 30, 2024.
You can view more information about March Caprice via the Caprice Release or its official website, where one can also submit via various categories.
Aside from the above, participans can make art, cosplay, merchandise, music, pre-recorded video, writing, and Smash Bros. tournament submissions.
You can view the March Caprice 2024 announcement trailer below:
The Square Enix Japan e-Store has revealed a new Kingdom Hearts music box featuring the theme Dearly Beloved. The music box is set to release April 27th, 2024 for ¥2,750 (approximately $20.00 USD).
You can take a look at the music box in our gallery below
Previously music boxes based on Kairi and Traverse Town have been revealed.
Will you be picking up this new music box? Let us know in the comments below!
Update 12/21/2023: The Kingdom Hearts Dearly Beloved music box is now available for pre-order at Aitai Kuji and AmiAmi English for ¥2,200 (approximately $16.00 USD).