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Kingdom Hearts 3D website updates with Premiere Event footage

Update 1: Square Enix have updated the website again with two more videos from the Premiere Event. Click the link below and go to "Special" to watch it.
Official Kingdom Hearts 3D website
Or, if you prefer, you can watch them below from our YouTube channel.


They will both be added to our video archive to be watched/downloaded later.
Square Enix have updated their official website for Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance]. This update is an update to the special section, and contains footage of the Kingdom Hearts 3D Premiere Event that occurred on March 3, 2012. Click the link below and go to "Special" to watch it.
Official Kingdom Hearts 3D website
Or, if you prefer, you can watch it below from our YouTube channel.

DChiuch

Kingdom Hearts 3D in March 22 issue of Famitsu Weekly

Update 3: We now have a full translation that you can read below.
Interview translation thanks to SQEX.INFO and goldpanner
PART 1 (Page 165) — Please tell us where you began with the conception of this title, ‘Dream Drop Distance’.
Nomura: With KH3D, first of all, I was getting colour imagery. I thought, black and pink.
— It’s surprising that colours were what you imagined first.
Nomura: We do decide on a thematic colour every time, but it was quite rare for it to have happened the way it did this time.
— How did things develop from there?
Nomura: We revealed that we were going to depict the Mark of Mastery Exam in ‘Re:Coded’, and we had decided roughly on the contents of the story, but at that point we were worrying over where to set it. We thought about what Sora would have to do now, and about how ‘sleep’ was a key word in the second last title in the series, KH Birth by Sleep. ‘Sleep’ and the ‘dreams’ that follow replaced ‘black and pink’ as our inspiration broadened, and then we thought of the keyword ‘drop’, as in how you ‘fall into dreams’. (Translator note: Or ‘drop off to sleep’.)
— In this title, the way we see flashback scenes (regarding things like the journey and the residents of those worlds) when alternating playing as Sora and Riku is incorporating a directing style we haven’t had up until now, isn’t it.
Nomura: People who want to forge into the game can choose to skip those and watch them later. That’s an influence from the drastic change to non-interactive cutscenes we are including in ‘FF Verses XIII’, which we’ve been developing side by side. It’s a result of us keeping tempo in mind, and trying to make as much as we can interactive. Although, in the end the game finishes with the longest cutscene in the series (dry laugh).
— It would need to be that long, to explain so many mysteries (laughs). With things such as the introduction to the story beginning with a sudden battle, the plot felt like it moved pretty fast.
Nomura: As for that introduction section, I thought it would be best to enter the exam from the start. It would have been tiresome to make Yen Sid give a long explanation summing everything up right at the start, so we wanted to try breaking it up into flashbacks (laughs).
— The ‘memoirs’ feature, where we can check flashback scenes and the series summary, is so thoughtful.
Nomura: It’s a feature we wanted to have for a long time, but couldn’t do for various reasons, and it’s not much, but we finally introduced it. The number of titles in the series has increased too, and there are parts that new players wouldn’t really understand. I’m sure this will help the understanding of anyone who is worried whether they can play the newest game without playing all the others up until now.
PART 2 (Page 167)
— Please tell us the reason for implementing the “drop” mechanism which causes the character you are playing as to switch out suddenly.
Nomura: It’s difficult to balance, but it’d have been uninteresting for the players if the game was too generalized. For example, in the job system of FFV, you could only choose one ability set. You were restricted to make choices where you would toss out something in order to gain something, how you made these decisions was an important factor. Above all else, what sort of game will I make? That’s always on my mind. In Chain of Memories and Birth by Sleep the playable characters were switched up as well, however people said that having the character’s scenarios split made the games feel like short stories and they wanted to play one whole story in one game. So I made the system where you can switch between Sora and Riku’s story in one work, where the only thing restricting your play is the “drop” device.
— Now the concept for KH3D was “bold action”, can you tell us about the process for this?
Nomura: If from here on out, I were to leave the operation systems of the series titles as is, then I wanted to make a distinction from FF Versus XIII which I am currently developing. I think we spoke about it previously, but from the very beginning Final Fantasy Reishiki Type-0, Final Fantasy Versus XIII and Kingdom Hearts are each action based RPGs, and working on them simultaneously, I wanted each of their differences to be clear. To indicate in what way KH was different, I came up with the “bold action” concept.
— The coop play with the Dream Eaters is very showy and “bold” indeed. I was surprised at how Riku’s fighting style turned out.
Nomura: You could play as Riku in Chain of Memories, but since this is the first time you can do your actions freely, the link styles are each fairly distinct. I thought of showing his personality different from Sora’s and I think it turned out interesting.
— Sora cooperates with the Dream Eaters directly, but Riku combines with them and fights as an individual. Why is that?
Nomura: The difference between them was something I decided on from the very beginning, but how the styles would be; I knew it’d have to be clearly defined. From the start, I wanted the system and the story to link, so their difference too has meaning and a reason for it regarding the story. The last scene will have a lot of impact. Various connections are developed upon and it ends just in prelude to the final battle.
— I can’t wait! Lastly, a message for the fans?
Nomura: Finally, the plot that has been in the works throughout the whole series is being developed, so for people who are experiencing the series since the beginning or for those who haven’t touched it before, I think that you’ll be happy to get your hands on it. It may be a title for a portable gaming device, but it isn’t at all inferior to the titles before it. So please by all means enjoy it.
Magazine article translation thanks to goldpanner via KHInsider
2.
Journey to the Dreaming Worlds left Asleep First, let's check out the Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance (from here referred to as KH3D) story and key terms and figures. This time, the journey begins when Yen Sid summons Sora and Riku, and announces that they are to undertake the "Mark of Mastery Exam". The two set off in order to face the trial and become masters.
~Story~
Dreams are all connected... and if one drops into a dream, through that dream one connects to the "Sleep-bound Realm".
In their first journey, they restored the worlds that had been swallowed by darkness. However, among those there were worlds that were not completely restored, and even now remain asleep. No gates lead to them, and none are able to trespass there, not even the Heartless who make up the vast majority of darkness of the Realms.
Therefore, a different darkness exists in this sleep-bound Realm.
They are the creatures that devour dreams, Dream Eaters.
It is said that there are two kinds of Dream Eaters: the Nightmares, who devour dreams and sow nightmares, and the good-natured Spirits, who only eat bad dreams.
[YMX: You're still afraid of the dark, aren't you.]
----The First Journey: In the journey of 'Kingdom Hearts', Sora faced a being that went by the name 'Ansem', and saved countless worlds that had been swallowed by darkness. However, that did not mean every world was returned to the light; some worlds still lie in sleep. Those sleep-bound worlds serve as the setting for this title. It's a special place, very different from the worlds of Sora and his friends.
----Heartless: Heartless are creatures formed from the darkness of hearts. Although they are beings born from hearts they don't have them, which is why they are called Heartless. These existences of darkness lurk in every world, however, it seems they are unable to penetrate the 'Sleep-bound Realm' that serves as the setting for this title.
----Dream Eaters: Dream Eaters are mysterious creatures residing in the 'Sleep-bound Realm' which are divided into two types: Nightmares, and the good-natured 'Spirits'. Nightmares and Spirits will have different body and eye colours even within the same species.
3.
THE THREAT
-----Master Xehanort: He was a brilliant Keyblade Master, but his thoughts leaned towards the value of the darkness, and he tried to begin a war that would engulf the Realm.
There’s a reason Yen Sid is setting a trial for Sora and Riku: he has judged that the two must become stronger in order to face the coming threat he has foreseen. That threat is Master Xehanort, who no-one has heard anything about recently, but once brought about a calamity in the Realm. He has said he has several schemes circulating…
[Yen Sid: I am afraid that soon, a new threat will come about.]
SORA AND RIKU
----Riku: A Keyblade Wielder who harbours darkness in his heart, and Sora’s best friend. He has a cool personality, but there are passionate feelings locked inside him.
----Sora: The protagonist of the series. A Keyblade Wielder like Riku. He has a bright and optimistic personality, and cares deeply for his friends.
Sora and Riku are heroes who have been chosen by the key-shaped weapons called ‘Keyblades’. However, unlike Sora who walks the path of light, Riku carries darkness in his heart. Taking the Mark of Mastery exam is part of proving to himself that he has the right to wield the Keyblade. Seeing this in his best friend, Sora’s resolve to take the exam strengthens, too.
It is necessary to prepare to face the coming threat. For that purpose, Sora and Riku are to undertake the Keyblade Master Mark of Mastery Exam together.
By opening the Keyhole of Sleep, it is supposed that new power will be gained, and the worlds bound by sleep will be freed. By freeing ‘Seven’ Keyholes of Sleep, equal to the number of pure lights, and returning them to this plane once more, they will be marked as Masters.
----Aqua: (Scan too blurry! Sorry!)
PURE LIGHTS
Appearing in this series are seven princesses who have hearts of pure light. In the first title, dark influences were pulling strings behind the scenes to gather those princesses and use them to open the ‘keyhole’ connecting to the centre of the realm, and conquer all the worlds. There are also seven of the ‘Keyholes of Sleep’ that appear in KH3D. Could there perhaps be a connection?
KEYBLADE MASTERS
Well-versed in the art of the Keyblade, and protectors of the Realm of Light. Those are the Keyblade Masters. Once there were many of them, like Master Eraqus and Aqua from KHBBS. However at the present time, the only one in all the worlds who holds that right is King Mickey.
4.
The Worlds Waiting for Sora and Riku to Release Them
Let’s check out the characters that appear on the stage of Sora and Riku’s adventures! There are many worlds appearing for the first time in the series, and, even in worlds that already appeared in past titles, you can visit new areas!
In past titles, characters from the Final Fantasy series such as Leon, Aeris and Cid lived in Traverse Town. Sora and Riku visit this town shortly after beginning their Mark of Mastery Exam. In KH3D, Neku and the others from ‘The World Ends With You’ for the Nintendo DS appear, and you can visit never-before-seen areas such as ‘4th District’, ‘5th District’, and ‘the botanical gardens’.
The journey starts at Traverse Town, the mystery-filled town where those with no place to go gather.
----Shiki: A bright girl who lives in the now. ‘Mr Mew’, a plush toy, is her special friend.
----Neku: A boy who doesn’t really have much to do with other people. Will he be bewildered by the boisterous Sora!?
----Joshua: It seems he has some sort of information on the worlds bound by sleep.
----Rhyme: Beat’s partner. Despite losing her memories she is bright and positive.
----Beat: Good at skateboarding and bad at losing. He’s looking for Rhyme, who has become separated from him.
This world also appears: Radiant Garden
[Lea: I see. So I’m human again.]
[???: Dilan, Eleus, Even, Ienzo…]
In cutscenes, you can get a glimpse of happenings in Radiant Garden, a place that appeared in earlier titles. The humanoid members of the group ‘Organisation XIII’ have been reborn as humans, and are seen doing something new. However, there are some members who haven’t been seen…
---Lea: A young man who was known as Axel in Organisation XIII. He sets off on a journey, searching for something.
La Cité des Cloches
The motif for the world of La Cité des Cloches is ‘the bells of Notre Dame’. You can adventure through the great church and the streets of the city appearing in this title. Sora and Riku end up searching for the reason why the Nightmares that appeared all of a sudden in this town, as they fight their way through them. Here, the two of them meet a young man who was banned from leaving the great church, Quasimodo. How will his love for the beautiful gypsy Esmeralda turn out?
Waiting in La Cité des Cloches is the faint premonition of love and the preacher with the warped sense of justice.
[Quasimodo: Is this okay? Let’s go.]

Update 2: Kotaku have translated some details from the article, which you can read below. Thanks to atheist123 from KH13 for the find.
With the latest installment to the Kingdom Hearts series, the conception of the game came from two parts: The thematic colors, and the terminology. In terms of the color, Nomura said, "For Kingdom Hearts 3D, I started off with an image of colors. I thought to myself, ‘Black and pink.'" Nomura added, "We always chose a thematic image color, but this time, interestingly enough, that was where we started." For the terminology, the creators looked back to one of the previous games, Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep, and took one of the keywords to that game to formulate the stage for their newest story. "In Birth by Sleep, ‘sleep' was one of the keywords we focused on, and we talked about what the main character Sora must do. We took the word ‘sleep' and moved beyond it to the realm of ‘dreams.'" Nomura explained.
One new feature of the game Nomura focused on was the ability to skip cutscenes and to view them later (a feature not seen in very many Square Enix games). "This was due both to a change we made with the non-interactive cutscenes in Final Fantasy Versus XIII, and because we wanted to maintain a tempo of the game where the player could limit the amount of time where they weren't in direct control."
The game also features a memoir function where players can see the overall plot of the entire Kingdom Hearts series, a feature Nomura expressed he had wanted for a long time. "With so many games in the series, a lot of unfamiliar players can get confused. This way, newer players who might be nervous about starting from the latest game can jump right in."

Update 1: High quality, complete scans have been uploaded to 2ch. Thanks to aibo_ac7 for the find, you can see all of these below, in our gallery. (Remember to click for larger images!)

Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] has appeared with an article in the March 22, 2012 issue of Famitsu Weekly. While we do not yet have any scans or the Tetsuya Nomura interview, we do have this small piece of information from sqexgal: "Famitsu rates KH3D 10/9/10/9". This, of course, gives Kingdom Hearts 3D a rating of 38/40 from the magazine.
DChiuch

New Kingdom Hearts 3D commercial shown on campaign website

Square Enix have updated their [Dream or Drop] campaign website for Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance]. This update includes a new commercial section, which will eventually contain 4 commercials. So far, only the first commercial, "TVCM 01", has been added. This commercial contains footage from the Kingdom Hearts 3D Premiere Event. You can see it below. We have also added the commercial to our video archive for you to view/download.

DChiuch

Dream World Navigation cover and details revealed

Update 1: V Jump have updated their website with a preview of the Dream World Navigation guidebook. This includes a look at various pages from the book, which you can see below. Thanks to Gabranth from KH13 for the find.


The cover for Dream World Navigation, the unofficial guidebook for Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance], has been revealed. Thanks to BOOKNAVI's online system, we now have the cover of the book, as well as various details about it. You can see all of this below. Thanks to bKvEBVAvUq for the find.
The book will be A5 in size (half the size as a normal sheet of paper), be 176 pages long, and release on March 29, 2012 (the same day that Kingdom Hearts 3D releases in Japan).

DChiuch

David Gallagher & Haley Joel Osment confirmed for Kingdom Hearts 3D

Thanks to Miminezz from KH13, we have footage from a panel at Anime Conji in San Diego, CA that confirms David Gallagher as the voice actor for Riku and the Mysterious Figure for Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance]. He also confirms that Haley Joel Osment will be reprising his roles as both Sora and Vanitas. The video that contains David Gallagher's confirmation can be seen below. (He confirms his role at 08:45 and 11:20, and confirms Haley at 41:40.)

DChiuch

Square Enix launches "Dream or Drop" campaign for Kingdom Hearts 3D

Square Enix have launched a new promotional website for Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance]. The website, known as "Kingdom Hearts [Dream or Drop]" can be seen here. The website features a quiz game (unfortunately, in Japanese), that will allow you to answer questions, and gain points if you answer correctly.
Kingdom Hearts [Dream or Drop]
The campaign will run from March 21, 2012 to April 27, 2012. By gaining enough points, it is possible to unlock new Kingdom Hearts 3D wallpapers. If you get even more than that (and have a Japanese address), you will be able to enter the draw to win various prizes. 350+pts will allow you to enter for a Wonder Meow plushie, 500+pts will allow you to enter for a Nintendo 3DS console, and 650+pts will allow you to enter for the Kingdom Hearts 10th Anniversary 3D+Days+Re:coded Box.
Both sqexgal and Oishii from KH13 have unlocked all three of the wallpapers, which you can see below. SD versions are thanks to sqexgal, and widescreen versions thanks to Oishii.
It is worth noting that the first image reveals the Kingdom Hearts 3D world bubble for The World That Never Was. This strongly suggests that The World That Never Was is the 7th world of the game.
The website also contains two unreleased tracks for Kingdom Hearts 3D, in addition to the Dearly Beloved track that we already have. The first of these two tracks was previously heard on the Jump Festa 2012 trailer. You can listen to the two new tracks below.

DChiuch

Second commercial for Kingdom Hearts 3D has begun airing

Update 4: The video has now been added to our video archive.
Update 3: We have updated the video below to contain English subtitles, thanks to both sqexgal and Oishii from KH13.
Update 2: The 30 second commercial has been recorded and uploaded to YouTube, thanks to FF-Reunion.

A second commercial for Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] has begun airing in Japan. Unlike the first commercial, which was 15 seconds in length, this new commercial is 30 seconds in length. While we do not have a video of it yet, we do have some screenshots thanks to FF-Reunion. You can see these below.

Update 1: Oishii from KH13 has translated FF-Reunion's impressions of the commercial. You can read this below.
Stained glass keyhole→ KH3D style Sora→ Mistaken Pinocchio→ Minnie in the treasure chest→ Pete→ Quasimodo leaping with the rope→ From Sam to Officer Rinzler→ Gepetto hugging Pinocchio→ Three Musketeers “One for all~”→ “Tron Legacy” striked down Sora→ Sora and the King→ Some meteor→ Sora link with a hedgehog (dream eater presumably)→ Riku→ Tron Legacy Riku→ Three Musketeers→ Spirit Training→ Sora Aasura(?) beam→ Sora→ Riku→ Notre Dame Boss→ Notre Dame Riku→ Tron Legacy Sora→ Donald, Goofy, and Sora→ Riku and Jiminy→ Lea close-up→ King in white room→ “Your heart~”→ Green light (Avada Kedavra /shot)→ Tron Legacy Riku→ “A world that didn’t exist” 12 lights→ “KH3DS” Riku and Sora close with key*→ Title
DChiuch

Kingdom Hearts 3D appears in Nintendo Dream with Nomura interview

Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] has appeared in the latest issue of Nintendo Dream magazine. This article contains an interview with the director of the series, Tetsuya Nomura. While we do not yet have a complete translation, thanks to ArikaMiz, we are starting to get some interesting details.
Update: Complete translation by Oishii of KH13.
+ This time the story’s development doesn’t change the story so much to be numbered. Nomura’s final task this time was remembrance. The story in KHII was spread to unfold little by little, but as for all the foreshadowing retrieved, the sequel is looking to be a fun installment. + There is a lot of meaning put into “Distance” and the distance taken in the next KH work. I think the player can feel they are somehow or other getting closer to the meaning as they play. In the end, whether they are successful or have failed will become clear. “Just as with ‘Drop’, there is a pattern of both of them dropping.” (trolololo) (laugh)
+ I think what is a dream and what is reality will be clear in the end, but not everything that unfolds is a dream. (About the guests from TWEWY) Similarly to how I have assembled several of my FF projects, I wanted a surprise in a different form. With the extended Slide Pad Pro, you can control the camera movement with the right stick, but even without it it is comfortable to play.
+ (About using the touch panel for Reality Shift,) It may be better to think of using your finger for the touch panel. The exhilarating feeling the Osaka team made is to the same degree as BBS’s. I think it wouldn’t feel as exhilarating if you couldn’t kick off the walls.
+ Until now the actions in KH couldn’t be performed seamlessly. With the Free Flow Action, I think you can make clever use of the substantial gameplay. I want player to have fun testing out the various actions in the game.
+ Thus far, I think the action RPG hasn’t been as dynamic. The story is also dark, and I hope even a person who has become interested in the series for the first time will want to play. To the TWEWY fans as well, because it’s the same staff, I think they can receive an intimate and touching feeling from the game.
Remember, the next issue of Famitsu Weekly, which releases about 24 hours from now, is also set to contain an interview with Nomura! This will likely be much longer.
DChiuch

Chapter 17 and 18 of 358/2 Days manga scanned and translated

So far, 24 chapters (spread across 3 volumes) of the Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days manga are on sale in Japan. However, these chapters take a while to get scanned and translated, and appear online. Chapter 17 and Chapter 18 have finally appeared online, thanks to taime and the people she works with on these. You can see these below, in our gallery.
Manga → 358/2 Days → Chapter 17

Manga → 358/2 Days → Chapter 18

DChiuch

V Jump reveals Dream Eater AR cards for Kingdom Hearts 3D

Update 2: While V Jump initially announced that Seal Juggler would be given away with the issue of V Jump releasing on April 21, 2012, they have now released a statement to amend that. Thanks to sqexgal for the translation, we now know that "The revision says the AR card contains Vacation Seal (bakansu seal) Dream Eater instead. Seal Juggler will still be available in KH3D."

V Jump have started advertising the special editions of their magazine, which will focus on Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance]. Dream World Navigation, their guidebook for the game, will release on March 29, 2012 (the same day that Kingdom Hearts 3D releases), and contain an AR card which unlocks the Dream Eater called "Artillery Beetle". The June issue of V Jump, which releases on April 21, 2012, will contain an AR card which unlocks "Seal Juggler". Thanks to bKvEBVAvUq for the photo below, and to sqexgal for the Dream Eater translations.


Update 1: A larger version of this image was uploaded by an anonymous user on 2ch. This image appears to be a part of a Kingdom Hearts 3D article appearing in V Jump. A couple of screenshots can be seen. We may see full scans of this article appear later on.

DChiuch

Kingdom Hearts 3D screenshots on Famitsu.com

Update 1: andriasang have translated the article, and you can read this below.
The latest update on Kingdom Hearts 3D from Famitsu.com shows the game's Visual Works opening, and a couple of areas of gameplay: Special Portals, where you face off in battle against rare Dream Eaters, and a Flick Rush mini game. The Flick Rush game, which is compatible with local wireless play, has you create a team of three Dream Eaters to face off against an opposing team. Battles are fought by sliding numbered cards, shown on the bottom screen, at the top screen. Win, and you'll earn medals which can be exchanged for new commands and recipes.

Famitsu.com have posted an article containing many screenshots from Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance]. These screenshots are high quality versions of what we received in the recent Famitsu Weekly article, including scenes from the game's opening and Dream Eater training. In total, the article contains 8 screenshots and 1 avatar. All can be seen below, in our gallery.
DChiuch

Kingdom Hearts 3D title screen & game icon revealed by Nintendo Japan

Nintendo of Japan have created a page for Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance]. This page contains 5 images of the game, shown on the Nintendo 3DS, including our first look at the game's title screen! It also confirms that Kingdom Hearts 3D will support two-player activities. You can see all images below, in our gallery. Thanks to bKvEBVAvUq for the find, and to RobertOrri from KH13 for coming across one of the images yesterday.
Update: Thanks to Beta from KH13 for pointing it out, we now realise that Nintendo of Japan have also revealed the game's official icon on this page! As you might know, all Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS games have an icon which is shown before you enter the game. Kingdom Hearts 3D's icon is below.

DChiuch

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