During the Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary trailer for the reveal of Kingdom Hearts IV, there are five shots of a forest reminiscent of California's Redwood National Park. What looks to be just a regular forest at first shows a small glimpse of what seems to be the foot of a vehicle from Star Wars.
Seven years ago, Gamesbeat interviewed Tetsuya Nomura about the possibility of a Star Wars world in Kingdom Hearts III, and after some time, Nomura was allowed to discuss the topic. Nomura went on to say that both companies (Disney Interactive and Square Enix) would have to contact both Disney and Lucasfilm to request permission to use any of the characters and locations. While it seemed impossible at the time, it appears that a deal might have indeed been agreed upon with this small tease.
The second shot of the forest clips shows a small set of three waterfalls. While these waterfalls were not featured in Star Wars Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, they are featured in the video games Star Wars Battlefront (2015) and Star Wars Battlefront II (2017)
Below are some comparison shots of the recent Kingdom Hearts IV reveal trailer and Star Wars Battlefront (2015):
While not precisely the same, they are similar enough. At this point, you're probably thinking, "Well, two separate properties ARE allowed to use the Redwood National Park's likeness, you know." And while you may be right, this following point is where things get interesting.
The third shot of the forest's clips pans up to reveal a metallic-looking object in the top right corner. Now, this blew past many heads because it blends in perfectly with the ground around it, but it's just clear enough to identify!
For those who aren't familiar with Star Wars technology, this foot belongs to the Galactic Empire's All Terrain Scout Transport, or AT-ST for short. It's a two-man, lightweight, bipedal walker used by ground forces within their military. At first, this just sounds ridiculous until you put both of them side by side.
Below are comparisons of the metallic object in the trailer and the foot of an Imperial AT-ST from an official plastic model based on the vehicle.
Right away, you can tell they're the exact same. The backplate that allows the foot to bend, the half circles on either side, and the pieces that come out on either side of the foot are just about identical.
While Square Enix hasn't officially confirmed Star Wars is in Kingdom Hearts IV, by the small tease of this foot, we can tell that Tetsuya Nomura has likely gotten permission from Disney and Lucasfilm to use their property.
Do you believe these assumptions to be true, or is it just a mountain over a molehill? Let us know in the comments!
Famitsu recently published an early look at an interview they conducted with Tetsuya Nomura regarding Kingdom Hearts IV and Kingdom Hearts Missing - Link. Prominent community translator, Audrey, translated significant information from this interview pertaining to Kingdom Hearts IV, so immense credit to her.
We will be updating this article when the information surrounding Missing - Link is translated, and when the full interview releases on April 28th, 2022. For now, the summations of Audrey's work are listed below:
Quadratum is entirely unrelated to the Shibuya found in The World Ends with You. There are no connections to speak of. Further, this is a new world unrelated to any we've seen before.
Sora's apartment is located in Aoyama, Tokyo, and it will act as the base/hub for the game's early stages.
The Reaction Command mechanic from Kingdom Hearts II will be returning.
The fourth option of the command menu says "Build," relating to the concept of the "Scrap and Rebuild system" that will be discussed more at a later date. Translator Xenosaga states this to be the concept of destruction and reconstruction.
One of the central story ideas will be exploring how Sora's home realm is fictitious to Quadratum natives and vice versa.
The message Nomura left at the Anniversary Event venue containing the "x" symbol has not been fully deciphered yet.
Our team's Ryuji has translated the currently available Kingdom Hearts Missing - Link segment of the Famitsu interview, viewable below:
UPDATE: The anniversary message riddle has been solved by user @kh_skrvat and several other Japanese fans.
Our translator, Ryuji, provided the following image for visualization.
This means that the narrator for the Kingdom Hearts IV and Kingdom Hearts Missing - Link trailers is Sigurd, a character introduced in the epilogue of Kingdom Hearts Union χ.
The explanation for how this was solved is below, via our team's Ryuji.
Gilbert Gottfried, the English voice actor for Iago in the Kingdom Hearts series, has passed away on April 12th, 2022 in Manhatten due to complications with Type 2 myotonic dystrophy. He was 67 years old when he passed.
Gilbert Jeremy Gottfried was born on February 28th, 1955 in Brooklyn, New York. He started his acting career in the early 1980's when he appeared in the 6th season of Saturday Night Live. In 1992, he took the role of Jafar's bird servant Iago in Aladdin, and continued to voice him in sequels, media, and video games until his passing. Gottfried voiced Iago in both Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts II and had archived lines for Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories as well as Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD ReMIX and Kingdom Hearts 2.5 HD ReMIX.
Surviving are his wife Dara and 2 children, Max and Lily. He was preceded to death by his parents and a sister Arlene.
Rest in Peace, Mr. Gottfried. Thank you for all the laughs (and saving Al in Kingdom Hearts II) and May your Heart Be your Guiding Key.
Square Enix has announced that Kingdom Hearts Art Can Badges depicting Sora, Riku, Roxas, Axel, and Aqua are available to pre-order from their digital Japan storefront. Each product is ¥990 and they ship on April 28th, 2022.
You can view official images of each Art Can Badge via our galleries below alongside respective store links:
Sora
Riku
Roxas
Axel
Aqua
Square Enix has announced that previous Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary cafe exclusive merchandise, a postcard set, is now available to pre-order via their digital Japan storefront for ¥1,650 ahead of a provided April 28th, 2022 release date. Additionally, an Aitai Kuji store link is available at this article's conclusion.
You can view official images of the Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary postcard set via our gallery below:
Square Enix has announced that previous Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary cafe exclusive merchandise, a Pin Badge Set depicting Sora and Kairi atop their thrones, is available for pre-order via the Square Enix North American ($17.99) and Japan (¥1,650) stores. The product is releasing for the former storefront in November 2022, while the latter is shipping it on April 28th, 2022.
You can view the Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Pin Badge Set via our gallery below:
Square Enix has announced that previous Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary cafe exclusive merchandise, a metal keychain and pin badge are available for pre-order via their digital North American storefront. The keychain and metal pin badge are currently sold out on the Square Enix Japan store.
You can view both of these products via our galleries below alongside their respective North American store links.
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Metal Keychain - $26.99 - November 2022 release window
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Metal Pin Badge - $12.99 - November 2022 release window
Aitai Kuji (Only the Metal Pin Badge is available):
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Metal Pin Badge - ¥1,600 - April/May 2022 release window
Square Enix has announced that previous Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary cafe exclusive merchandise, a die-cut memo pad set, is now available to pre-order via the Square Enix Japan store.
Costing ¥2,640 and releasing on April 28th, 2022, these items are essentially note pads that purchasers can place atop various surfaces, like fridges.
You can view official images of this product via our gallery below:
Eventually, someone will be able to make a Kingdom Hearts-themed household with all of this merchandise...
Square Enix has announced that a Kingdom Hearts 20th anniversary bath towel and face towel are available to pre-order from their Japanese digital storefront ahead of their collective August 27th, 2022 release date for ¥11,000.
Aitai Kuji and AmiAmi store pages are listed at this article's conclusion.
You can view images of this product via our gallery below:
Aitai Kuji - ¥10,500 - August 2022 release window
AmiAmi - Discounted price of ¥10,450 - Late August 2022 release window
Adding on to the onslaught of Kingdom Hearts 20th anniversary merchandise that was announced are several pieces of jewelry and watches. As usual, each product is viewable via our gallery below alongside respective Japanese Square Enix store page links. Alternative store links are available at this article's conclusion.
The rings all ship on October 1st, 2022, while the watches ship on November 19th, 2022. Additionally, both Monogram rings have 4 chooseable color options.
Kingdom Hearts Monogram Silver Ring - ¥19,580
Kingdom Hearts Monogram Silver Ring Wide - ¥21,780
Kingdom Hearts Icon Fork Ring Paopu Fruit - ¥18,480 (Silver) / ¥71,500 (18k Karat Gold)
Kingdom Hearts Icon Fork Ring King - ¥18,480 (Silver) / ¥71,500 (18k Karat Gold)
Kingdom Hearts Icon Fork Ring Heart - ¥18,480 (Silver) / ¥71,500 (18k Karat Gold)
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Quartz Watch Black - ¥38,500
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Quartz Watch Silver - ¥38,500
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Watch Round Open Heart - ¥107,800
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Watch Open Heart - ¥107,800
Square Enix North America (The Icon Rings and Watches are unavailable. All monogram rings possess November 2023 release windows. Further, the normal sized ones cost $177.99, while the wider variants cost $197.99)
Kingdom Hearts Monogram Silver Ring
Kingdom Hearts Monogram Silver Ring -18k Rose Gold Plated
Kingdom Hearts Monogram Silver Ring -18k Yellow Gold Plated
Kingdom Hearts Monogram Black Silver Ring
Kingdom Hearts Monogram Silver Wide Ring
Kingdom Hearts Monogram Silver Wide Ring - 18k Rose Gold Plated
Kingdom Hearts Monogram Silver Wide Ring - 18k Yellow Gold Plated
Kingdom Hearts Monogram Black Silver Wide Ring
Aitai Kuji (Monogram Rings are unavailable. Silver ring variants are all ¥19,800 while Gold ring variants are ¥76,300. Further, each ring possesses an October 2022 release window. Lastly, each watch possesses a November 2022 release window):
Kingdom Hearts Icon Fork Ring Paopu Fruit Silver
Kingdom Hearts Icon Fork Ring Paopu Fruit Gold
Kingdom Hearts Icon Fork Ring King Silver
Kingdom Hearts Icon Fork Ring King Gold
Kingdom Hearts Icon Fork Ring Heart Silver
Kingdom Hearts Icon Fork Ring Heart Gold
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Quartz Watch Black - ¥36,570
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Quartz Watch Silver - ¥36,570
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Watch Round Open Heart - ¥102,400
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Watch Open Heart - ¥102,400
AmiAmi (All rings are unavailable. All watches possess a Mid-November 2022 release window):
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Quartz Watch Black - Discounted price of ¥36,570
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Quartz Watch Silver - Discounted price of ¥36,570
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Watch Round Open Heart - Discounted price of ¥102,400
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Watch Open Heart - Discounted price of ¥102,400
UPDATE: Square Enix has published a video showcasing the construction of the Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary watches, viewable below:
Square Enix has revealed even more celebratory Kingdom Hearts 20th anniversary merchandise, this time comprising a variety of flashy silverware. You can view each product via our gallery as well as respective Japanese Square Enix store page links below.
Additionally, Aitai Kuji and AmiAmi store links are listed at this article's conclusion.
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Tea Bowl - ¥2,750 - June 18th, 2022 shipment
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Soup Bowl - ¥2,750 - June 18th, 2022 shipment
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Tea Cup Set - ¥3,850 - June 18th, 2022 shipment
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Glass Set - ¥7,700 - August 27th, 2022 shipment
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary x Edo Kiriko Glass Blue - ¥77,000 - December 24th, 2022 shipment
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary x Edo Kiriko Glass Red - ¥77,000 - December 24th, 2022 shipment
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary x Edo Kiriko Glass Black - ¥77,000 - December 24th, 2022 shipment
Aitai Kuji:
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Tea Bowl - ¥2,300 - June 2022 release window
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Soup Bowl - ¥2,300 - June 2022 release window
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Tea Cup Set - ¥3,270 - June 2022 release window
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Glass Set - ¥7,300 - August 2022 release window
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary x Edo Kiriko Glass Blue - ¥80,000 - December 2022 release window
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary x Edo Kiriko Glass Red - ¥80,000 - December 2022 release window
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary x Edo Kiriko Glass Black - ¥80,000 - December 2022 release window
AmiAmi (Edo Kiriko Glasses are not available):
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Tea Bowl - ¥2,330 - Mid-June 2022 release window
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Soup Bowl - ¥2,330 - Mid-June 2022 release window
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Tea Cup Set - ¥3,270 - Mid-June 2022 release window
Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Glass Set - ¥7,300 - Late August 2022 release window
UPDATE: A video showcasing the construction of the Edo Kiriko glasses was shared via Square Enix's official Youtube channel, viewable below:
During the Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary stage event, a lengthy Q&A session was held between fans and crucial staff members of the series.
These questions and responses have been shared by event participants, and we have translated them below. Twitter users Aibo and toro_cocoron0te are among the most prominent posters of these questions and answers.
The translation work throughout this article has been done by our team's Ryuji.
Further, we will update this article accordingly when more translations are provided, and more questions are found:
Q1. Does the finale of Dark Road imply that the Player's heart is now inside Xehanort's?
A1: Play Dark Road and you will find out.
Q2. This is the first time in KH that there is a story branch (the Yozora battle). What is the meaning behind this?
A2: Since Yozora is so strong, I thought it would be better to put something in the game "if he loses".
Q3. Was Ephemer aware of the player's true intentions in Union Cross' finale?
A3: It was a pretty sad farewell, but there's more to Ephemer than meets the eye. A "Missing Link", if you will. All of the questions will be answered once you play Missing Link.
Q4: When did Naminé and Ansem first meet?
A4: In Castle Oblivion.
Q5: Riku's hair was cut in Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance. Who cut it for him?
A5: Well, you all wanted his hair to be cut, so I answered your prayers...
Q6: Please tell us about the return of Roxas and Xion.
A6: There were some doubts on whether to bring them back or not, but everyone had such strong feelings for them, so we decided to bring them back.
More Missing - Link information was also revealed during this Q&A:
About Kingdom Hearts: Missing - Link
Smartphone game, to be released for Android and iOS
Promises to have action elements to be as faithful as possible to the main series
Max of 6 players can play together.
Screen orientation can be switched between portrait or landscape.
The story, chronologically speaking, is between Union Cross finale and before Dark Road's start.
All of the mysteries we've had so far will be explained.
Keywords: Scala Ad Caleum, Founding Father Ephemer, Keyblade Wielders of a Secret Society
Closed Beta Test is scheduled for Fall of this year (Details on how to enter are still unknown, however)
Two systems: A story mode where you progress through quests, and a mode where you walk around (Comparable to Pokémon Go, but with ways to play it even without having to walk around in real life)
In this walking mode, you'll collect pieces and strengthen your Keyblades.
Q&A Corner tweeted out by @toro_cocoron0te
There are however, these two questions: "Several questions regarding Demyx's true identity sparked among multiple attendants. Answer-wise, they just said: "Well, if I answer them NOW, I won't be able to draw their true potential, now will I? There are two people whose identities are not yet known in the Organization, all of which will be revealed in the future." "Human Nobodies are not marked. They're like pure-blooded Heartless, whereas the others are marked at birth."
About Kingdom Hearts IV
Not much can be said from it. More information will only come at a very later date, way after E3’s period. (We only revealed this much to avoid it being leaked early.)
All of the footage in the trailer is rendered in real-time by the game engine.
Trailer’s engine is in Unreal Engine 4, but KH4 will be developed using the new Unreal Engine 5.
The logo style has changed because we’re done with the Seekers of Darkness saga.
A new world is currently in development.
Nomura was uncertain on whether to call it Verum Rex or KH4, but ultimately decided on KH4, due to concern that the name Verum Rex would not connect to Sora.
The narration on both trailers (Missing - Link and Kingdom Hearts IV) is done by a character you have known for a long time. (@toro_cocoron0te speculates it might be Young Xehanort)
UPDATE( 4/11/2022): Audrey of Aitai Kuji has provided translations for information we did not yet cover, viewable below. This information is sourced from the coverage of Japanese publication, Gamer.
Square Enix has announced that a handheld 14-inch-sized Kingdom Hearts Light-up Keyblade is available to pre-order to celebrate the franchise's 20th anniversary.
You can view images of this upcoming product via our gallery below, as well as its Japanese Square Enix store page ahead of its September 17th, 2022 release. Additional store pages are at this article's conclusion.
Kingdom Hearts Light-up Keyblade - ¥6,380
Square Enix North America - $59.99 - January 2023 release window
Square Enix Europe - €59.99 - January 13th, 2023 shipment
Aitai Kuji - ¥6,000 - September 2022 release window
AmiAmi - Discounted price of ¥6,060 - Mid-September 2022 release window
Japanese luxury fashion brand, Samantha Thavasa has announced a collaboration with Kingdom Hearts for the franchise's 20-year anniversary.
You can view the tweet announcing this collab below. More details will be shared in the future:
"Announcing a collaboration with Kingdom Hearts and Samantha Thavasa (Japanese luxury fashion brand) to celebrate the 20th anniversary! More details will be disclosed soon, so keep an eye out on our Instagram and Twitter pages!"
Square Enix has announced more celebratory Kingdom Hearts 20th anniversary merchandise; plate collection blind boxes comprising key art from the franchise. Due to these packages being blind box sets, purchasers may recieve duplicates in their order(s).
You can view each of these products via our gallery below as well as their respective Japanese Square Enix store pages ahead of their June 24th, 2022 releases. Additional store links are at this article's conclusion.
Plate Collection Box Vol. 1 - ¥6,160
Plate Collection Box Vol. 2 - ¥6,160
Square Enix North America (January 2023 release windows):
Plate Collection Vol. 1 - $80.00
Plate Collection Vol. 2 - $80.00
Square Enix Europe (September 30th, 2022 release dates):
Plate Collection Vol. 1 - €69.99
Plate Collection Vol. 2 - €69.99
Aitai Kuji (June 2022 release windows):
Plate Collection Vol. 1 - ¥6,160
Plate Collection Vol. 2 - ¥6,160
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