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Square Enix has finally published the Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Event Recap video, chronicling the live reactions that took place regarding the Kingdom Hearts IV reveal and more. Additionally, the remainder of Kingdom Hearts Dark Road was confirmed to be releasing on August 26th, 2022, with a new tweet from the official Japan PR account sharing new screenshots depicting Master Xehanort and Vanitas, most likely during the Birth by Sleep era. Further, the end of the Anniversary Event recap video depicts a new scene with baby Xehanort and the mysterious blue-hooded figure on Destiny Islands that was previously shown to be watching over the future antagonist during the conclusion of Kingdom Hearts Union χ [Cross]. You can view the Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Event recap video below: An English version of the video is viewable below: Lastly, a voice actor panel video was uploaded, viewable below. Unfortunately, no English subtitles are available: View full article

Earlier this year, Kingdom Hearts music was confirmed to be played during the BBC Proms on August 1st, 2022, alongside several other video game franchise songs, such as from Final Fantasy VIII and The Legend of Zelda. Recently, the audio performances have been made publically listenable online, and the Kingdom Hearts tracks have been given their own section. At 49:35, an orchestral rendition of the iconic "Hikari" can be listened to. What are your thoughts on this excellent Kingdom Hearts tribute and the other video game-dedicated performances that took place? View full article

Sony Japan has announced that the Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Wearable Headphone Speakers Model: SRS-WS1/KH20 are available for pre-order via their digital storefront. Costing ¥30,500, with an estimated shipment date of August 18th, 2022, various warranty types are selectable. One can choose between two different warranty services: Basic and Wide. Basic solely protects the device from manufacturing failures, but the Wide warranty also safeguards the Headphone Speakers in situations involving physical harm, water damage, electrical discharges, and more. By default, the Basic 3-year warranty is choosable at no added cost. However, the 5-year Basic warranty costs ¥2,200. Alternatively, for a Wide-warranty of 3 years, an additional ¥2,200 to your price is needed. Lastly, for 5 years of Wide-warranty, an additional ¥3,300 is required. It is also worth noting that this item is only purchasable for a limited time, with its availability concluding on October 3rd, 2022, at 10:00 JST. If you're interested and able to do so, you can pre-order the Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Wearable Headphone Speakers Model: SRS-WS1/KH20 via Sony Japan. You can view images of this upcoming product via our gallery below: Sony Japan previously revealed celebratory Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Walkman and Airbuds. View full article

Shop Disney Japan has updated its schedule for upcoming merchandise in August 2022. Of the scheduled information, Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary nuiMOs and Tsum Tsum will be on the way. Still, this news is always subject to change. Thanks to Twitter user @t_bisco for sharing this development. We'll keep you all informed of any future occurrences regarding this matter. The Kingdom Hearts franchise has a rather extensive history with Tsum Tsum, with our coverage of those instances listed below: Sora & Riku Join LINE Mobile Disney Tsum Tsum Game 2017 Halloween Town Sora, Donald & Goofy Join LINE Disney Tsum Tsum Game 2017 Sora, Riku, Kairi, Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Shadow, Soldier Tsum Tsums Plushes 2018 Sora, Riku Kairi, and Aqua Join LINE Disney Tsum Tsum Game 2019 Terra, Chirithy & Ventus Join LINE Disney Tsum Tsum Game 2019 Young Xehanort & Pirate Sora Join LINE Disney Tsum Tsum Game 2020 Kairi, Sora, Riku, Mickey, Young Xehanort, Lea, Roxas & Aqua Tsum Tsum Plushes 2020 View full article

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 View full article

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: View full article