Today, retailer Super Groupies announced their collaborative Kingdom Hearts apparel lineup for the franchise's 20th anniversary. Each member of the Destiny, Days, and Wayfinder trios has their own products with their themed items, release windows, and respective pricing listed below:
Watches ¥25,300 (January 2023 shipments)
Bags ¥19,800 (December 2022 shipments)
Wallets ¥14,300 (December 2022 shipments)
Umbrella ¥8,250 (End of February 2023 shipments)
Jackets (Sora, Riku, Kairi, Xion, Ventus, Aqua, and Terra) ¥18,700 (Roxas) ¥19,800 & (Axel) ¥22,000 (January, 2023 shipments)
Additionally the available sizes for each jacket are listed below:
Sora, Riku, Kairi, Roxas, Axel, Xion: Small, Medium, Large, or X-Large
Ventus, Aqua, Terra: Ladies Medium, Large, or Mens Medium & Large
You can view our galleries as well as each character's themed apparel below, which will be updated as more official images are provided:
SORA
RIKU
KAIRI
ROXAS
AXEL
XION
VENTUS
AQUA
TERRA
New Tetsuya Nomura artwork depicting Sora, Roxas, and Ventus was also teased, viewable via our gallery below. Each purchase from the Super Groupies and Aitai Kuji retailers will gift customers with a postcard of this collective illustration:
Every product's Super Groupies Japan store link is listed below and organized by character:
Sora:
Watch
Backpack
Wallet
Umbrella
Jacket
Riku:
Watch
Backpack
Wallet
Umbrella
Jacket
Kairi:
Watch
Backpack
Wallet
Umbrella
Jacket
Roxas:
Watch
Backpack
Wallet
Umbrella
Jacket
Axel:
Watch
Backpack
Wallet
Umbrella
Jacket
Xion:
Watch
Backpack
Wallet
Umbrella
Jacket
Ventus:
Watch
Backpack
Wallet
Umbrella
Jacket
Aqua:
Watch
Backpack
Wallet
Umbrella
Jacket
Terra:
Watch
Backpack
Wallet
Umbrella
Jacket
Every product's Super Groupies United States store link is listed below and organized by character. Additionally, new information specific to this store's pricing and shipments were provided, also viewable below:
Pre-order Period:
Available from July 25 until Aug. 14 at 8:00 PM, 2022 (Pacific Time)
Release Month:
Watches in Late February 2023
Backpacks and Wallets in Early February 2023
Umbrellas in Early April 2023
Jackets and Coats in Late February 2023
Prices:
Each watch available for $230 before tax
Each backpack available for $180 before tax
Each wallet available for $130 before tax
Each umbrella available for $75 before tax
Each jacket and Xion Model Coat available for $170 before tax
Roxas Model Reversible Jacket available for $180 before tax
Axel Model Coat available for $200 before tax
Sora:
Watch
Backpack
Wallet
Umbrella
Jacket
Riku:
Watch
Backpack
Wallet
Umbrella
Jacket
Kairi:
Watch
Backpack
Wallet
Umbrella
Jacket
Roxas:
Watch
Backpack
Wallet
Umbrella
Jacket
Axel:
Watch
Backpack
Wallet
Umbrella
Jacket
Xion:
Watch
Backpack
Wallet
Umbrella
Jacket
Ventus:
Watch
Backpack
Wallet
Umbrella
Jacket
Aqua:
Watch
Backpack
Wallet
Umbrella
Jacket
Terra:
Watch
Backpack
Wallet
Umbrella
Jacket
Every product's Aitai Kuji store link is listed below and organized by character. The prices and shipment windows here mimic the Super Groupies Japan store:
Sora:
Watch
Backpack
Wallet
Umbrella
Jacket
Riku:
Watch
Backpack
Wallet
Umbrella
Jacket
Kairi:
Watch
Backpack
Wallet
Umbrella
Jacket
Roxas:
Watch
Backpack
Wallet
Umbrella
Jacket
Axel:
Watch
Backpack
Wallet
Umbrella
Jacket
Xion:
Watch
Backpack
Wallet
Umbrella
Jacket
Ventus:
Watch
Backpack
Wallet
Umbrella
Jacket
Aqua:
Watch
Backpack
Wallet
Umbrella
Jacket
Terra:
Watch
Backpack
Wallet
Umbrella
Jacket
Ben Hanson of MinnMax recently conducted a lengthy interview with Pixar's Creative Director of Theme Parks, Tasha Sounart, about a vast variety of topics. One of these detailed discussions regarded the development of the Toy Box world in Kingdom Hearts III.
Sounart first talked about how the D23 fan reactions to the Toy Box world were immensely positive, fueling her with a genuine sense of accomplishment and relief considering the stigma of negativity that gaming communities are generally perceived to have.
As for how this Pixar collaboration for Kingdom Hearts III even came about, Sounart was an integral voice in making it happen. She talked to the Pixar executives hesitant about the idea, forever altering the initially shaky prospect of Toy Story's utilization. Other topics she speaks about are cultural differences with Square Enix's team and the difficulties finalizing the Toy Box casts' animations with English voice work to make it all feel natural.
Lastly, she reveals her dream ideas of how Kingdom Hearts implementation would work in Disneyland.
You can listen to the full Tasha Sounart interview below, with helpful timestamps specifically labeling the Kingdom Hearts segments:
Additionally, Tasha Sounart has previously shared several comments about Pixar's involvement in Kingdom Hearts III over the years. Our prior articles containing those instances are listed below:
Toy Box World Reveal
Remy Cooking Minigame
Several comments pertaining to Disney incorporation
Tasha Sounart informing Pixar Animation Studios Story Supervisor about Kingdom Hearts
Super Groupies has announced that as part of the Kingdom Hearts series' 20th Anniversary celebrations, they will be hosting a Pop-Up Store from July 29th through August 2nd, 2022, on the third floor of Seibu Ikebukuro. Participants can look forward to 45 items depicting Sora and his close allies.
Additionally, if an individual purchases a special, currently unspecified item at this venue, they will receive a large-sized Sora, Roxas, and Ventus postcard. However, there will also be two versions of this product available.
One is drawn by Tetsuya Nomura and will be offered by all vendors in the venue, while the second is a "live-action" version (likely just implying real people cosplaying Sora, Roxas, and Ventus) that will be exclusively offered by the online Sogo & Seibu storefront for a limited-time. Unfortunately, no images of these postcards have been shared yet.
Moreover, the image of Kairi's Melody of Memory throne shown via our gallery above will be a spot for fans to be photographed.
Lastly, prominent Kingdom Hearts community member Audrey of Aitaikimochi has announced that she has been invited to the Pop-Up-Store press release event and will provide coverage of the products displayed there.
We'll be sure to keep you all updated regarding this event's artistic reveals and product arrivals as it occurs next week.
UPDATE 7/29/2022: Following Super Groupies revealing their extensive collaborative lineup of Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary apparel, the company shared official images from where the press event occurred. Audrey of Aitai Kuji also attended the event and shared her own photos.
If you're interested in the Super Groupies lineup of new Kingdom Hearts merchandise, check out our dedicated coverage elucidating pricing, shipment times, and countless product images. Additionally, Aitai Kuji has each new Super Groupies collab item available for pre-order via their digital storefront.
Moreover, Super Groupies posed a behind-the-scenes featurette for those especially intrigued about the photo-shooting process.
Lastly, the gallery below (also pasted above) contains each of these newly added images:
Square Enix has revealed that the ever-elusive Kingdom Hearts III Alba & Ater Chess Set has been delayed across all regional storefronts.
Each delayed date is listed below:
Square Enix JP Store - August 27th, 2022 (Initially April 30th, 2022)
Square Enix EU Store - November 18th, 2022 (InitiallyJuily 29th, 2022)
Square Enix NA Store - October 2022 Release Window (Initially July 2022)
We'll be sure to keep you all contintually updated regarding the shipment status of this Chess Set.
View our announcement coverage.
You can view images of this upcoming product via our gallery below:
Thanks to prominent Kingdom Hearts community member Churro for sharing this significant information.
Square Enix has listed new Kingdom Hearts-themed room fragrance mists available for pre-order via their Japanese digital storefront. Based on Roxas, Xion, and Axel, each of these scents is distinct while also altering depending on how much time has passed.
You'll notice that each mist has three notes attached to them. Their meanings are as follows:
Top Note: These are the scents you'll smell during the first 15 to 20 minutes after the fragrance is applied.
Middle Note: These are the scents you'll smell from 20 minutes to 2 hours after the fragrance is applied.
Last Note: These are the scents you'll smell after more than 2 hours have passed since the initial application. Depending on the provided quality, these last note scents can potentially last as long as half a day.
Descriptions for the Roxas, Xion and Axel room fragrance mists are provided below alongside images viewable via our galleries:
Roxas
Top Note: Orange, Grapefruit, Lemon, Bergamot, Petitgrain
Middle Note: Clover, Jasmine, Lily of the Valley, Sea Salt
Last Note: Musk, Amber, Balsam, Vetiver, Patchouli
Axel
Top Note: Lemon, Apple, Bamboo
Middle Note: Jasmine, Peach, White Rose, Sea Salt
Last Note: Musk, Amber, Cedarwood
Xion
Top Note: Grapefruit, Bergamot, Lemon
Middle Note: Tea Fragrance, Rose, Jasmine, Orris Root
Last Note: Sea Salt, Labdanum, Musk, Tonka Bean, Cedarwood
Thanks to our team's Ryuji for translating certain terms.
Each fragrance mist of the Days trio is ¥5,940, and shipments are expected to occur on October 8th, 2022.
Lastly, store links for the Roxas, Xion and Axel fragrance mists are accessible below:
Roxas
Xion
Axel
NOTE: These items cannot be shipped overseas due to them being marked as flammable.
Room fragrance mists themed around Sora, Kairi, and Riku were revealed earlier this year.
Final Fantasy VII Remake has received many unique mods, comprising cosmetic alterations to gameplay changes. Recently, one standout mod that can be seen as a fusion of both umbrella avenues is by user ColossalCake, depicting protagonist Cloud Strife with the iconic Kingdom Key.
This weapon was actually made from scratch to fit Final Fantasy VII Remake's world better, as its size should reflect. In fact, the sheer difference in size between this recreation and the Kingdom Key in Kingdom Hearts proper has to do with it mimicking the hitboxes of Cloud's weapons in-game. However, the sound effects emitted from the Kingdom Key here are cleverly taken from Kingdom Hearts III.
Regarding gameplay incorporations, the Kingdom Key houses four unique Materia slots, which, for those unaware, are essentially ways to customize weapon builds. Additionally, it can replace either the Buster Sword or Mythril Blade weapons for Cloud.
Lastly of note is that aside from ColossalCake performing the mod's texture and modeling work, the following individuals also provided noteworthy contributions of their own:
matyalatte for their FF7R-mesh-importer, FF7R-DDS-tools, and Blender-Uasset-Add-on tool.
Yoraiz0r for their AudioMog tool.
spiritovod for their Umodel tool.
FluffyQuack for their unrealpak tool.
If you'd like to download this impressive mod and/or view additional screenshots, check out its dedicated Nexus Mods page.
Square Enix has announced that they are collaborating with Japanese 7-Elevens to sell exclusive Kingdom Hearts-related merchandise. Fans will be available to purchase these items physically from stores on July 15th, 2022, while digital pre-orders can be made now for pick-ups later.
Each item is described below, alongside provided store links and galleries.
The newly unveiled merchandise partially comprises 20th Anniversary eco-friendly bags by shop LOVELESS for ¥2,819, containing pouches depicting either Chain of Memories Dive to the Heart Sora or Sora and Mickey from Dream Drop Distance atop a Station of Awakening.
Moreover, Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary LOVELESS Coffee Cup Tumblers will be available for ¥2,409. The Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix title screen artwork is viewable on one Tumbler, while the other shares the iconic Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days clear art.
Lastly, a LOVELESS branded bifold wallet engraved with iconic Kingdom Hearts symbols will be purchaseable for ¥2,640.
Genesis would surely love these products.
Chapter 25 of the Kingdom Hearts III manga is now available on Gangan Online and from Yen Press. "Lea and Kairi" can be viewed in Japanese on Gangan Online or bought in English as a digital download from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Walker, Google Play, iBooks, and Kobo. The issue's price varies from $1.99 for the United States to $2.99 in Canada.
You can check out preview scans of the chapter in the gallery below.
You can also check out the articles for the previous chapters by clicking on the links below!
Chapter 0 Prologue Japanese English
Chapter 1 The New Departure Japanese English
Chapter 2 Olympus Coliseum Part 1 Japanese English
Chapter 3 Olympus Coliseum Part 2 Japanese English
Chapter 4 Olympus Coliseum Part 3 Japanese English
Chapter 5 Olympus Coliseum Part 4 Japanese English
Chapter 6 Olympus Coliseum Part 5 Japanese English
Chapter 7 Olympus Coliseum Part 6 Japanese English
Chapter 8 Olympus Coliseum Part 7 Japanese English
Chapter 9 The Dark World Japanese English
Chapter 10 Unbreakable Connection Japanese English
Chapter 11 The Self inside the Mirror Japanese English
Chapter 12 Reunion Japanese English
Chapter 13 Warmth Japanese English
Chapter 14 Destiny Island Japanese English
Chapter 15 Remaining Light Japanese English
Chapter 16 Tracking the Bond Japanese English
Chapter 17 Following the Heart's Guidance Japanese English
Chapter 18 Twilight Town [1] Japanese English
Chapter 19 Twilight Town [2] Japanese English
Chapter 20 Tox Box [1] Japanese English
Chapter 21 Toy Box [2] Japanese English
Chapter 22 Toy Box [3] Japanese English
Chapter 23 Toy Box [4] Japanese English
Chapter 24 Toy Box [5] Japanese English
Square Enix has unveiled new Kingdom Hearts apparel via their Japanese digital storefront, comprising a hoodie themed around Roxas. This item is fully made out of cotton and costs ¥9,680, with an expected shipment date of October 8th, 2022. It certainly looks quite rad. Perhaps I'll consider purchasing it if it becomes listed on the North American storefront.
The hoodie is also available to pre-order from reliable retailer Aitai Kuji for ¥8,500.
You can view officially provided images of this upcoming product via our gallery below:
Retailer Sega Plaza has revealed new Kingdom Hearts merchandise. The first set of items is Kingdom Hearts Premium Cushions, which are... certainly something. Two pillows simply boast the series' traditional logo, while the other two share iconic key visuals. Additionally, there is a Stainless Steel Bottle depicting Sora in his Kingdom Hearts III attire.
These products are planned to be obtainable on July 15, 2022 via crane games.
You can view the Kingdom Hearts Premium Cushions and Stainless Steel Bottle via our galleries below:
Merchandise retailer U-Treasure has announced that celebratory Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary watches are available to pre-order via their digital storefront. Sora's iconic crown symbol is on the frontsides, while the backsides are engraved with the 20th Anniversary logo.
The watches are choosable in black and white varieties, costing ¥36,300, with shipments tentatively occurring on December 20, 2022. Additionally, the pre-order windows will close on August 15, 2022.
You can view officially provided images of these two watch color variations via our galleries below:
Square Enix has listed a new Kingdom Hearts plush, a Shadow Amigurumi. Amigurumi are essentially Japanese crocheted or knitted items, except crafted as 3D models.
The Shadow Amigurumi is available for pre-order from Square Enix Japan's digital storefront for ¥4,180, and shipments are expected to occur on October 29, 2022.
You can view officially provided images of this upcoming product via our gallery below:
UPDATE (6/24/2022): The plush, officially translated as Knitted Shadow, is now available for pre-order via Square Enix North America's digital storefront for $44.99 ahead of a February 2023 shipment.
Square Enix has unveiled the fourth Kingdom Hearts Acrylic Magnet Gallery Blind Box set. There are 10 different magnets depicting specific segments of box art throughout the franchise, though since it's a Blind Box, there's a likely chance that a customer won't receive all magnets with one purchase.
The collective merchandise is currently available to pre-order via Square Enix North America's digital storefront for $100.00, and an October 2022 shipment is expected.
You can view the Kingdom Hearts Acrylic Magnet Gallery Vol. 4 Blind Box set via our gallery below:
While this news isn't strictly Kingdom Hearts-related, we feel that it is significant enough to discuss. Recently, several interviews with Naoki Yoshida, the producer for the upcoming Final Fantasy XVI, were shared via countless outlets. Of those interviews, two stand out in correlation to Kingdom Hearts.
Firstly, Washington Post's interview with Yoshida shared the following statements:
Additionally, Japanese publication Game Watch conducted an interview providing a notable Kingdom Hearts-centric response:
Thanks to our team's Ryuji for translating the aforementioned passage.
This news is quite thrilling as Kingdom Hearts III Re Mind's boss design was phenomenal. The Limit Cut Data battles and Yozora fight are genuinely remarkable, and knowing that that talent is fueling Final Fantasy XVI can only be a stellar sign.
What are your thoughts on Naoki Yoshida's statements?
Square Enix has unveiled new merchandise on its Japanese digital storefront; this time comprising Kingdom Hearts Bright Arts figures of the Shadow Heartless and King Mickey. The former item costs ¥3,520 while the latter product costs ¥4,400, though they are both expected to ship on October 15th, 2022.
You can view images of these upcoming models via our galleries below:
Kingdom Hearts Bright Arts Gallery - Shadow
Kingdom Hearts II Bright Arts Gallery - King Mickey
UPDATE (6/26/2022) : Both products are now available to pre-order via Square Enix North America's digital storefront with an expected shipment window of February 2023. The King Mickey figure costs $44.99 and the Shadow Heartless figure costs $36.99.
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