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Man... I had totally forgot about this place after almost 8-9 years since I last logged in. I remember it use to be booming with all kinds of posts years ago. I guess it died down a bunch since then. 1.) Introduction and Explanation Anywho, for those who don't know me. I'm the crazy guy that attempted, Raged hard, raged some more, almost lost my sanity, completed, and proved to everyone on gamefaqs over 8-9ish years ago that it's 100% possible, and legit to be able to complete BOTH (Well... Now 3 is added as well, so more than 2)(NAMELY 2.5, and reasons will be listed next) Kingdom Hearts games at Level 1 Proud Mode for KH1.5(which, if you DIDN'T know, because of the way the mechanics work, Proud mode is actually the harder difficulty for a Level 1 run in KH1.5 instead of Critical because you ALWAYS do chip damage in Proud. Critical is actually a little easier because Sora can do more damage in that difficulty) and Critical Mode(2.5 + 3), but not just complete them at Level 1; (that's been done by a handful of people. However, everybody that has completed the Lvl 1 run always labels their run "complete" Yet, they all stopped at SILVER Crown.) But, I decided, and wanted to take it all a step further, and be the standout of them all. As well as debunking the most ridiculous, yet shockingly widespread belief beyond the masses: the before thought "Impossible" Holy Grail of Kingdom Heart challenges: Completing Level 1 critical mode... AS WELL as obtaining 100% completion in the Jiminy Journal, including completion of EVERY Mushroom XIII challenges, and actually having the GOLD Crown! Which was considered literally impossible. (Yeah, I know. Insane, isn't it?) 2.) The False Rumor And The Mission To Prove The World Wrong To actually 100% the Jiminy Journal, and Obtain Gold Crown in 2.5 which involves the Mushroom XIII challenges. Everybody, and their momma back then swore, and pushed the notion of "You can't complete atleast 1 or 2 of the mushroom challenges (most notably, Agrabah mushroom, Twilight Town, and Port Royal mushroom, respectively) without leveling up, it's totally impossible" As well as the old fable of "It's impossible to get Ultima Weapon in 1.5 at Level 1 because you don't get lucky strike abilities to grind synthesis materials without leveling" etc. Nah, it's all do-able. A huge pain in the ass? Yes. Definitely. But, achievable. 3.) Hype Yourself Up/Believe In Your Ability Like myself before attempting, I'm sure most people would just shake their head, and say to themselves "nope. Never. Cant do it" I was that guy. Then one day, I told myself "Hey... they put the option to void any EXP gain.. I'm gonna try it.. Let's see what happens, and how it goes at level 1. I mean, it can't be IMPOSSIBLE; They obviously added it as a feature for a reason." 4.) The Beginning of Doubt Of course, I begin. I start treading along, beginning my journey into my first attempt into a Kingdom Hearts game without leveling up. Everything goes smoothly, up until you start getting demolished left, and right every second, and the bosses annihilate you in a single hit. Making you re-evaluate, and question your ability, and if you can do it. 5.) Opening Your Perception/Total Realization The KH series, AND the series' difficulty as a whole; drastically, and dramatically changed for me once my eyes opened, and I seen the blatant "slap you in the face" obvious, and stopped trying to play Kingdom Hearts like an Action/Adventure RPG like a normal/casual playthrough would basically literally be. Instead, gaining the Square Enix perspective, and knowing their past; made me realize that it's supposed to actually be played like, (and get ready for a mind blown moment) a friggin' Turn Based RPG... Honestly, I think once you guys get this realization, and mindset in your head like I did while you're playing through; every one of you, and I mean EVERYONE of you guys, no matter how "gud" you ARE or AREN'T at the Kingdom Hearts games in a casual, normal playthrough. You can be absolute dirt at the (falsely assumed random, seemingly "unpredictable", ever-constant flow of combat) but start trying to take a slightly different approach/('s) towards the way you actually play games like this, and even open up your mind, and perceive, and acknowledge the gameplay in a different way altogether than what you, and probably, most people normally would have absolutely no idea or even fathom that there's more to, and many more ways to go into a Kingdom Hearts game than the basic, "normal" DmC-esque style combat that we all experience/('d) and most of us, are even conditioned to. 6.) Breaking Old Habits/Adopting New Ones However, once you change the perception/habits you have of the game already, and change the rules ever so slightly, and subtly to merely change towards a playstyle that of the old-school, traditional turn based views, and start planning strategies, and changing your playstyle around a "turn-based rpg mindset" instead of our pre-conditioned, already accustomed, and comfortable free flow combat that most of us are already "comfortable" with or use to. 7.) Acknowledge Game Mechanics/Learn Everything Any of you guys without a doubt in my mind would be able to Level 1 the game as it then becomes almost trivially easy once you decide to perceive KH in just a slightly different way (Turn Based instead of Free Combat) and start to play in an entirely different way accordingly (Having a turn based view/play style really helps not only by helping you learn to better/more accurately time your attacks, guards, dodge rolls, reflects, and etc. But, also makes you a lot more aware, and attentive as you're going to be learning to take it slow, and not rush battles, but to stay on your toes, closely watch for any, even if very subtle visual clues: motions with an enemy's hands, AND their body language. As well as listening for any audio clues or catch phrases; these are everything you are looking for to expect, and anticipate the next move of your opponent. Get a hit in when you can, and defend all the counter attacks that will be delivered back afterwards. Learn the timing to perfect guard; it's going to be the key to your survival, and the timing of each attack you learn never changes. So you don't have to ever expect or assume that a certain attack is ever going to be slower/faster than when previously used. You finally learn the timing for perfect guarding an attack, and you'll always be able to perfect guard it, as it will never be change the rate of speed. 8.) Truth of Developer's 100% Intended Game Design And The Public's Blindness So yes. After stating this, and the way certain mechanics work. Know it or not, even believe it or not. Even though it does EVERYTHING to make you "think" it's an action RPG. Which is semi-true, and fully the case to the masses. It was fully meant, and intended as a Turn Based RPG, and I'm going to open your eyes, and convince you. 9.) How The Kingdom Hearts Series Hides It's True Intended Design, and Disguises Itself As An Action RPG Any casual player gets the action RPG style in a normal playthrough. Just as every first time, 2nd time, etc. player always does. Nothing about the gameplay comes off as "turn based". And is more than often considered the polar opposite of a Turn Based game. Which, was presented this way to appeal to a wider audience such as younger aged, Disney lovers who didn't grow up with RPGs, or just jumped into the game world. As leveling makes it where you literally never have to learn or even use guard, reflect or parry the counters you receive if you really never even wanted to. As taking damage is hardly worrisome, or trivial, and easily tended to with a Cure, and Potions. You can even just carelessly attack, and attack anytime you want. Even if it isn't the best time, and you take a hit. You can still beat the game, and everything in it regardless. - No Turn Based Elements seen/felt whatsoever 10.) Awakening Into Reality/Acknowledging The Hidden Truth: Turn-Based Gameplay In comparison, Level 1: Any hit you take can 1 shot you. If you get caught in a combo attack, you WILL die. There's no possible way to constantly spam attacks, and tank hits. You gotta learn how to properly utilize things that you probably hardly, if ever even used: Guard, Reflect, Dodge Roll, Aerial Recovery, etc. and to learn timing. All this coupled along with the Revenge Counter mechanic (Which, I will explain in more detail below) is how it becomes a Turn Based game; as there is only a certain amount of attacks you can deliver before the enemy counters. - Turn Based RPG 11.) Notice The Signs/Process Everything/Uncover The Veil The first mentioned; is the game probably 90% or more of the masses experience, and perceive. People just don't see the alternative, and it's funny because I just seen a thread on another forum where the OP literally posted "I absolutely love Kingdom Hearts, because it's not just another cliche Turn Based RPG. I despise them." That was almost laughable, and cringe to read, and goes to show just how many people can overlook major things that are hidden in plain sight. However, if one is to attempt a Level 1 run, and play Kingdom Hearts the true way the developers intended; fact is, it's nothing more than a regular Square-Enix FF style "TURN BASED RPG" with complete movement, and control of character at all times. 12.) The Main Mechanics And Physics: The Enemy's "Revenge Counter" Seriously, when you get down into the physics, mechanics, and all the equations that go into every single boss fight, you begin to see it. Just ONE example is this: You're in the middle of a fight, let's say with Data Roxas; just for an example. Soon as the battle begins, and you gain control of Sora, you need to cast a reflect to counter Roxas' Keyblade Spin. After the successful reflect you are granted a small window where you're allowed to attack, and land up to (and let's just say for instance in this example, maybe 3-4 hits) 3-4 hits on Roxas before he is scripted to automatically counter attack. These counter attacks are termed "Revenge Counter" or just simply "RC" abbreviated. if you ever see the term in guides or posts, or in future research, but didn't know what it meant. 13.1) Explaining "Revenge Counters" And "Revenge Values"/Looping Bosses And Minimizing Danger Ah, Revenge Counter. The key to winning, and main mechanic of a level 1 run tbh. Every enemy has always been scripted to counter attack after a few hits, and this was so everybody at level 100 with Sora couldn't just endlessly wail on an opponent non-stop, and make it even easier than what it already was to begin with. Now, once you actually learn about, and study the revenge counter mechanic, and how each enemy works; you actually can use it 100% in your favor in completing, hell, I'd even go so far as to say even almost cheesing a Lvl 1 crit run. As in, learn to read the small signals before attacks. Nothing is unpredictable. There's ALWAYS a signal/warning. Learn how many hits you can throw before they counter attack Sora. 13.2) Deeper Breakdown Of "Revenge" Mechanics/Examples Of "Baiting" Attacks These hits, the attacks, the number, whatever you're most comfortable calling it; for future reference or research of your own are termed "Revenge Values" or simply "RV" if abbreviated. After you learn how many hits you can land (the number of hits it takes to bait an RC is the opponent's RV) learn the timing to guard the counter attack/(s) after, and retaliating in the enemy's small, brief recovery window. All you do is, count your hits, after you land that 4th hit (or whatever number of hits the current boss' Revenge Counter activates) you need to automatically hit guard so you can negate his RC, and guard his other 2-3 hits he dishes out before leaving another open window to land another 3-4 hits on him. It's literally rinse, and repeat: Attack 3-4 times to force or "bait" the enemy to counter attack-> Guard incoming revenge counter attacks from the enemy -> Throw another 3-4 strikes to hit his Revenge Value again to force another auto-counter. And it's just repeat steps over again. Essentially, what you're trying to do is put an enemy into a neverending loop that you can fully predict. You will see evidence of this in every fight in every video I'm going to post below. You pay attention, and you'll notice that I'll always hit an X amount of times (factor of X is the actual RV. Determined differently with each enemy. Could be 6 hits, like Marluxia's RV. Could be only 4 hits like Roxas' RV) but I ALWAYS land no more, and (hopefully) no less than the exact number of attacks needed to bait them into a RC, and guard it. 14.) Always Land The Exact Revenge Values. No More Any attempt to, or if you accidentally deliver an extra attack that is higher than the actual RV, you might as well retry; because you're not going to be guarding that counter, get caught in a combo you can't escape, and face the 1 hit death. Just follow those simple steps, and it then repeats the pattern if you're doing it correctly, and won't be unpredictable. What you're really trying to do is just try to keep everything in a never-ending loop so any unpredictability, and danger is eliminated. 15.) Explanation of "I-Frames" and How To Use Them For An Advantage Also, another biggie is learning I-Frames. Or, "Invincibility Frames" meaning the tiny few frames where Sora is invincible for instance: when you use a Drive Form, there are a few brief seconds of frames where you will not take any damage in the middle of using a form. Or using a skill like Donald's Duck Flare, and using it to your advantage, as you will see me do a bunch against Lingering Will at Level 1 to avoid being skill/attack/item locked, whip locked, and to stay safe during his DM or "Desperation Move" (Every boss has a DM which is expressed by the screen going dark, and the boss does their "finisher" per se.) 16.) The Biggest Slept On/Underestimated Skills In The Game: Reflect/ra/ga And Guard To probably over 90% of the KH community that sleeps on, and probably have never once used the spell Reflect-Reflectga. You have no idea just how busted, how necessary it is, and how brokenly powerful that spell is. Especially in a Level 1 run. It's pretty much an absolute MUST in it to do any real damage at that level. Not only that, but if you're not a master or not use to timing your guard precisely yet, Reflect/ga is an alternative that is safe, and don't need to be facing any particular direction to guard anything. Only downside to spamming reflect constantly instead of mixing up guards, and reflects is that if you don't rely on using guard, and spam reflect instead; you're going to be struggling to keep, and have MP when you want/need it. 17.) Short Summary/Review Of Everything So Far/Convinced Yet? Convinced yet? Literally. Turn-Based RPG. Except think of each of your 3-4 chain attacks as a "turn" and you know that as soon as you land your 4th keyblade hit, your turn is over, and it's automatically going to be the opponent's "turn", and since you're expecting this, and know this, you block perfectly in time with his counter attacks, and learn their pattern. The key is to try to just keep it in a constant, simple, loop-ish kinda fight. Making sure to force the counter attack yourself so you know precisely when to guard; rather than having to randomly guess/pray when their next attack is going to be, and if you're going to be able to read it quick enough. 18.) Opening Up Your Mindset/Perception/Planning Strategies Toward The Hidden Turn-Based Gameplay Is Key This was the biggest, and most obvious "eye-opening" realization that helped me tremendously once I started looking at it as a Turn Based game. Respectfully like most of Square Enix's works prior. Which, I believe if most people started having that mindset of playing it like it's turn-based, just about everyone that truly wanted to would be able to complete the level 1 challenge a lot easier than ever initially thought. Literally every boss has their own respectful number of attacks they can receive before being scripted to auto-counter attack. Don't matter who you're facing. Don't care if it's a regular ol' Heartless, and Nobody, or if it's the friggin' One-Winged Angel, Sephiroth or the "Seemingly impossible, even at Level 100" Lingering Will himself... They all can be read, and baited into an auto-counter. All of them. 19.) Outro/Final Messages/My Video Proof If anyone is interested in watching a few of my Level 1 Crit 2.5 Organization fights for entertainment or maybe to study for your own future level 1 run, I'm going to be posting links to them below. I just wish like hell that I had a good camera back then... I'm so sorry, and apologize from the bottom of my soul about the quality, but... It's literally all I had. My crap phone camera, and setting it up to point directly at my TV while I'm actually playing live in the moment, as you can probably tell by the noise of all the button mashing but, at that time, all I was worried about was having proof so all the board back then stopped saying that I was a liar, and showing that I actually did it... Recorded most of the highlight battles anyway Level 1 Crit Run .vs Sephiroth - https://youtu.be/GtBcldOxgIg Level 1 Crit Run .vs Marluxia - https://youtu.be/mDz2O8CZxFo Level 1 Crit Run .vs Larxene (THIS BITCH RIGHT HERE...) - https://youtu.be/nf684D52Mwc Level 1 Crit Run .vs Axel (w/ Restrictions) - https://youtu.be/vztQYNIeT4U Level 1 Crit Run .vs Lexaeus (No Damage) - https://youtu.be/ad58PWJmt80 Level 1 Crit Run .vs Roxas (w/ Restrictions) - https://youtu.be/TTaMJpxxxJM Level 1 Crit Run .vs Lingering Will + Silver Crown (Evidence of me using I-Frames to my advantage, and how you can utilize it) - https://youtu.be/dTm215sIhmI Obtaining Crown From All Data Battles Lvl 1 - https://youtu.be/IydQ7qub5-w Obtaining The Elusive and "Impossible" Gold Crown Lvl 1 Proof - https://youtu.be/YdbUuJd5JM8 Then the creme de la creme. 100% Jiminy Journal At Level 1 Proof - https://youtu.be/I0d1_Ec_UdY Bonus: My proof of getting Ultima Weapon on Level 1 PROUD Mode (Ultra Difficult) in KH 1.5 (Was hilariously, also considered impossible at first) - https://youtu.be/ye2ZsgQWI_Y 20.) Final Words Of Encouragement/Faith In You All Hope others may find help, and for others, even courage to attempt this challenge. If anyone is interested in trying it, and maybe have questions, I'd be more than happy to help out in any way that I possibly can, and any feedback, comments, questions, and anything is welcome, and wanted. Thanks guys! Like I said earlier, don't ever doubt yourself in anything. If myself, of all people can beat every KH game at Level 1; then I KNOW for a FACT anybody at all can. I promise you. As for the brave souls that will be attempting this seemingly impossible task anytime in the upcoming future, I leave you all with 1 final, and important message: "May Your Heart, Be Your Guiding Key"

Square Enix have updated their E-Store with two new music boxes featuring the theme for Kairi and Traverse Town. Each box will cost ¥2,750 (about $20.00) and will be available on November 25, 2023. You can check out snapshots of both music boxes in the galleries below. Kingdom Hearts Music Box - Kairi ¥2,750 Kingdom Hearts Music Box - Traverse Town ¥2,750 UPDATE [June 15, 2023]: Aitai Kuji are now accepting pre-orders as well. Each box will cost ¥3,500 (about $26.00) and will begin shipping in November 2023. You can pre-order them in the links below. Kingdom Hearts Music Box Kairi ¥3,500 Kingdom Hearts Music Box Traverse Town ¥3,500 View full article

Welp, this feeling came up while I was finishing up the PlayStation version of Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory: I want to see Kairi have something worthwhile, like her own game or novel. As an individual, Kairi has had the least amount of screen time to show us who she is. All we got was her past as a little girl in Radiant Garden and with Sora. It’s like she is the third wheel when it comes to Sora and Riku’s bond and their adventures, which stinks for her. With Kingdom Hearts IV as the start of a new story arc, I would like Kairi to have her adventures that EXCLUDES Sora, by a lot. Let Kairi be a person without a man! Also, let Kairi be a person without falling into Disney tropes and clichés like the Disney princesses. Kairi deserves better! Am I done with the demands? Yes. I can say I want a Kairi story as much as I want. But I’m not sure how possible it will be with Square Enix’s current productions. It may take a long time for Kairi to have her own standalone if Square sees potential in telling a story with her front and center. Instead, I might end up sticking to fanfiction. It’s been a long time since I read any fanfiction, so I don’t know any recent takes on Kairi aside from my own piece, “Of Light and Darkness – Chaos.” I only have one problem with that, though: it’s more of a Jack Garland introduction to me than a Kairi piece. The only other idea I have for a Kairi fanfiction comes from the latter half of 2022. The few key points about it were that Kairi would get separated from Aqua on an investigation mission, there would be a lot of original characters, and it would have a different direction from Kingdom Heart IV’s Quadratum and the concept of reality. Kairi’s adventures could function parallel to what was described for Sora’s in Kingdom Hearts IV (and how Roxas explored worlds in 358/2 Days). Kairi would visit a world for a while and return to the hub world and go about her daily life before going back to the field. If it were possible, I would also include costumes for Kairi to wear. Some of them are outfits from the previous titles (Kingdom Hearts I and II) for nostalgia. Other outfits are new costumes to reflect Kairi’s life and events. And finally, there could be outfits that are like Sora’s formchanges, each outfit reflecting a bond from the Guardians of Light (sans Sora and his counterparts). Throughout the story, there could be flashbacks that show Kairi’s life in both Radiant Garden and Destiny Islands. Who are Kairi’s parents and what were they like? How was Kairi as an Islander and as a student? How did she, Sora, and Riku develop their friendships? Currently, in my idea space, I don’t have many original characters for a possible fanfiction. Honestly, I don’t have a full scenario for how Kairi’s story could play out. What I do have is two major original characters: a queen/empress who stands out differently from Kairi, and a former Dark Keyblade Master who protects her for the genuinely good. One of the key ideas is that the worlds surrounding the hub world are aware of each other and go against the known world order. So, there is an issue for Aqua and a moral conflict for Kairi. The core idea, though, is how Kairi handles being on her own without anyone she knows to guide her. Who is she without the Guardians of Light, the Keyblade, or Sora? That’s the story premise I would want to be explored in a Kingdom Hearts title about Kairi. What do you guys think about this? Let me know in the comment section. Until then, thank you for reading this post.

I might have already asked this before; I maybe should ask this on the Kingdom Hearts general forum, but I'm going to ask: How would you write Kairi as an actual character or a living person? Kairi may have an inconsistent character based on the source material. The numbered titles were written by different writers, and the spin-offs rarely showed Kairi. So, how would anyone do justice when writing Kairi?

Sacrifice. What a despicable thing, Kairi thought to herself. How can anyone be okay with doing such a thing? This question has been trapped inside her mind since she left the Final World. Every time she thought about him disappearing, not once, but twice, doesn’t just give her sorrow. It provided her with anger. The anger she didn’t know she could have. Why did he smile when he left her? Left them? Didn’t he think things through? How much it would hurt everyone? He didn’t save her. He just gave grief to her and everyone else. Perhaps learning from Master Aqua could give her a chance to release her pain. Kairi didn’t think about it when she announced her decision to Master Yen Sid. If she had, would he permit it? Would he understand? Would the others? Maybe they just wouldn’t care. … It was sometime after she arrived and started her training with Master Aqua that Kairi came to regret it. Even though she knew he wasn’t Xehanort, Kairi couldn’t shake off the resemblance Terra had to the man who took her away from her grandmother. Ventus was so much like Sora, with his smile and his gestures, Kairi wasn’t sure if she wanted to ask Ventus about Sora. Or if she could use him as practice for when she screams her grief at the real deal. Then there’s Master Aqua. She seemed so absolute in her teaching and philosophy; Kairi felt a chilling resemblance to Sora. That selflessness hurts. Then she was told their stories… Kairi had to turn away from the three. She had to go to the training grounds. She didn’t remember what happened next, except for a heavy scream. When she came to, she saw the poles torn to pieces and the shocked expressions of her teachers. The return to the castle was in silence. … Maybe she had darkness in her heart. Yet, she didn’t care. She hated it. She hated sacrifice. She hated them for sacrificing themselves. She hated him for sacrificing himself. She didn’t care if she had darkness. She wanted it. She wanted it to grieve. To cry, to scream, to rage, and to fall. What would everyone say about it? Darkness was the ultimate evil in their eyes. Well, maybe not Roxas and the others in Twilight Town. But Kairi didn’t want to think about Axel and Xion right now. They made the same choice as everyone else she knows with the Keyblade. All but Roxas. He didn’t get the choice. He was forced to give up. … Master Yen Sid called before Master Aqua could call him. He had a task for her. Some worlds were behaving oddly as if they are connected. Such interaction between worlds shouldn’t be possible, nor is it allowed. The task was to investigate these worlds and determine if the World Order needed to be restored. Just what is the world order, Kairi wanted to ask. What was the point of it anymore? She had been in Traverse Town, and she had seen Hayner, Pence, and Olette on her Island’s beach with the others. Too bad Master Aqua was the only one to talk to Master Yen Sid and no one else. Kairi volunteered to go with her to these worlds. Kairi needed to leave the Land of Departure. She reasoned to everyone that if the only Master went, she should follow and learn further from both Master Aqua’s teachings and experience. Terra seemed to have agreed with her argument. Ventus was silent. Perhaps he was afraid of her? Kairi saw it on Master Aqua’s face – she didn’t believe Kairi’s words. But Terra’s support and Ventus’ fear must have convinced her. Master Aqua nodded slowly and told Kairi to gather what she needed. Kairi only sighed in relief when she left the master’s harsh gaze. It was only when they were outside Master Aqua give Kairi a cold, stern glare. She told her student that she must follow her orders at ALL times and disobedience would immediately send her off to Master Yen Sid for discipline. For the first time since she met the woman, Kairi fear her. So, she wisely and formally replied yes. … Despite the fear Master Aqua imposed on her, Kairi felt she needed to do this. She wanted to journey to different worlds with Riku and Sora once upon a time. Now, she was finally going to see these new places with her own eyes. Not from reading or through someone else’s eyes. This was her chance to begin anew, and Kairi won’t let anyone, or anything, stop her this time.

Hello, In case any Kingdom Hearts fan has missed it: the online fan event, March Caprice, is coming back around next year. I already signed up to be an illustrator and a writer. Although I have time to create my contributions, I don’t fully know what they will be about. Right now, I have an idea about drawing Sora with Final Fantasy Versus XIII in mind. It’s the writing part that I want to figure out. So far, I am thinking about writing something for Kairi, whether it’s a story or a discussion piece. Maybe if I bounce off some ideas, I can come up with a base plan to work off of. If I take the story path, I want the time setting planted in-between Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory and the upcoming Kingdom Hearts IV. The current ideas for the actual story are to focus on Kairi’s mentality and her opinions about her history, or rather her “weakness.” Would Aqua be a good mentor for Kairi or would Aqua end up restricting Kairi’s growth? Will there be a problem that requires the Guardians to deal with? Aside from Sora’s disappearance and the Lost Masters/Foretellers. If I take the discussion path, I might end up talking about what I would like for Kairi’s future post-Melody of Memory. I may have already mentioned a few ideas for a Kairi game (click here for reference), but I wouldn’t mind talking about it more as a conversation. All while coming up with new ideas that add up. There are already some concepts worth exploring, like the World Order. Ultimately, I want to see a game story that is about Kairi as the active protagonist. I want to know more about her as a human being, and none of the magical damsel role from the previous games. Who is Kairi without relying on Sora in any form? Who is she on her own and with other people? What does she like and dislike? Here is the question I should ask: how do you write Kairi as a person? Thanks for reading. (Also on DeviantArt)

Kingdom Hearts: A World Without Sky Artist(s) commissioned: Ai-noHikari www.deviantart.com/ai-nohikari ozkh www.deviantart.com/ozkh AlpacaCarlesi https://www.deviantart.com/alpacacarlesi Story by: laika6 / laika665 After Sora's disappearance at the end of Kingdom Hearts 3, Kairi (feeling responsible for Sora's fate & driven by her love for him) sets out on a journey to - hopefully - bring him home. The events of this comic occur between the Ending and Secret Ending of Kingdom Hearts 3. Cover α (art commissioned from https://www.deviantart.com/ozkh) Page 1 (artist commissioned: https://www.deviantart.com/ai-nohikari) Kairi's Skills: Fire, Cure (Music: Destiny Islands – Kingdom Hearts II) Page 2 (artist commissioned: https://www.deviantart.com/ai-nohikari) Kairi's Skills: Fire, Cure, Blizzard, Water, Thunder, Reflect (Music: Destiny Islands – Kingdom Hearts II Lazy Afternoons - Kingdom Hearts II Blast Away! Gummi Ship 1 - Kingdom Hearts) Page 3 (artist commissioned: https://www.deviantart.com/ai-nohikari) Kairi's Skills: Fire, Cure, Blizzard, Water, Thunder, Reflect (Music: The Dark Crystals – Final Fantasy III Dearly Beloved – Kingdom Hearts) Page 4 (artist commissioned: https://www.deviantart.com/ai-nohikari) Kairi's Skills: Fire, Cure, Blizzard, Water, Thunder, Reflect (Music: The Launch – Treasure Planet) Page 5 (artist commissioned: https://www.deviantart.com/ai-nohikari) Kairi's Skills: Fire, Cure, Blizzard, Water, Thunder, Reflect (Music: The Launch – Treasure Planet Silver – Treasure Planet) Page 6 (artist commissioned: https://www.deviantart.com/ai-nohikari) Kairi's Skills: Fire, Cure, Blizzard, Water, Thunder, Reflect (Music: Silver – Treasure Planet) Page 7 (artist commissioned: https://www.deviantart.com/ai-nohikari) Kairi's Skills: Fire, Cure, Blizzard, Water, Thunder, Reflect (Music: The Launch – Treasure Planet)

Following the onslaught of Kingdom Hearts 20th anniversary news, Square Enix announced new upcoming Play Arts Kai figures of Sora, Kairi and Riku. Riku’s Deluxe figure comes with “two face options, including a smiling face and a battle face, the Keyblade Way to the Dawn, and the broken Way to the Dawn.” Additionally, Sora’s Deluxe figure has “two extra face parts, one with a smiling face and the other with a battle face, as well as the Shooting Star and Ultima Weapon Keyblades.” You can view each figure via our gallery below, alongside their respective Square Enix Japan store pages. NOTE: Square Enix North American, European, AmiAmi, and Aitai Kuji store links are listed at the bottom of this article. Each figure on the North American store front possesses a September 2023 release window. The European store pages provide no estimated release times. Sora Play Arts Kai Version 2 (¥19,580) & DX (¥21,780) - May 27th, 2023 shipments Riku Play Arts Kai (¥19,580) & DX (¥21,780) - June 29th, 2023 shipments Kairi Play Arts Kai - (¥20,680) July 28th, 2023 shipment Square Enix North American (all possess September 2023 release windows): Sora Version 2 - $189.99 Sora Version 2 DX - $209.99 Kairi - $199.99 Riku - $189.99 Riku DX - $209.99 Square Enix Europe (no provided release windows): Sora Version 2 - €164.99 Sora Version 2 DX - €174.99 Kairi - €174.99 Riku - €164.99 Riku DX - €174.99 AmiAmi store links: Sora Version 2 - Discounted price of ¥16,600 - Late May 2023 release window Sora Version 2 DX - Discounted price of ¥18,500 - Late May 2023 release window Kairi - Discounted price of ¥17,500 - Late July 2023 release window Riku Version 2 - Discounted price of ¥16,600 - Late June 2023 release window Riku Version 2 DX - Discounted price of ¥18,500 - Late June 2023 release window Aitai Kuji store links: Sora Version 2 - ¥16,500 - May 2023 release window Sora Version 2 DX - ¥18,500 - May 2023 release window Kairi - ¥17,500 - July 2023 release window Riku - ¥16,500 - June 2023 release window Riku DX - ¥18,500 - June 2023 release window View full article

Following the announcement of 5 types of Kingdom Hearts III suitcases being in development to commemorate the franchise's 20th anniversary, Square Enix has now launched the store pages for each variation. Each suitcase is priced at ¥52,800 (approximately $461.85), and they are based on Sora, Kairi, Riku, Axel, and King Mickey. Additionally, they all have a release date of June 25th, 2022. Further, each suitcase can be viewed via our galleries below alongside links to their respective Square Enix E-store pages: Kingdom Hearts III - Sora Suitcase Kingdom Hearts III - Kairi Suitcase Kingdom Hearts III - Riku Suitcase Kingdom Hearts III - Axel Suitcase Kingdom Hearts III - King Mickey Suitcase Do you see yourself purchasing any of these suitcases for some fancy traveling? Let us know in the comments below! UPDATE: Each of the aforementioned suitcases are currently available to pre-order via Square Enix's North American digital storefront for $549.99. Further, they all possess September 2022 release windows. The suitcase store links are listed below: King Mickey Axel Riku Sora Kairi View full article

Which member of the Destiny Islands Trio is most likely to survive a zombie apocalypse?

Super Groupies have announced several Kingdom Hearts III Herbariums based on Sora, Riku, Roxas, Axel, and Kairi! These items are interior decorations filled with mixes of dried and artificial flowers and unique oils. Each of these specific Herbariums is also outfitted with the iconic Kingdom Hearts crown. The Herbariums are delivered in custom packages and are recommended as gifts for those close to the buyer, such as friends and loved ones. All of these Herbariums are priced at ¥7,480 ($68.71) and are only available for pre-order from now until May 10. Mid-September is the current delivery window for these products. You can view each of the Herbariums via our galleries below: In addition to these products being listed on their store page for purchase, there is also a video uploaded by the official Super Groupies Youtube channel that briefly showcases each of the Herbariums! You can view this video below: Do you have any intention of purchasing these unique products as either ornate wonders or as gifts for those close to you? What are your thought on each of the designs? Let us know in the comments below! View full article

Good Smile Company has revealed the Kingdom Hearts III Kairi Nendoroid, which is currently available for pre-order on their regional stores! This Nendoroid features Kairi with her Destiny's Embrace Keyblade, Paopu Fruit, and Sea-Salt Ice-Cream accessories. The Japanese store has the Nendoroid available for pre-order for ¥6,200 and a December 2021 release date, while the US store has the Nendoroid available for pre-order for $61.99 and a January 2022 release date. You can view the Kairi Nendoroid via our gallery below. Kingdom Hearts III Riku, Sora, Roxas and Axel have also been available for pre-order and will arrive later this year. Good Smile have also revealed a prototype for Aqua back in February and should be available for pre-order in the next upcoming weeks. Do you intend on purchasing this Nendoroid for your Kingdom Hearts collection? Which other characters from the franchise do you want to see Nendoroids of? Let us know in the comments below! View full article

Other than the series always thematically showing that love is the ultimate answer and power, even more so than the power of light or darkness, here are some quotes: From Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep: Aqua: "A pure heart filled with light... It's strange, the Master taught me darkness needs to be destroyed. But how, if not with light?" Fairy Godmother: "Oh, my dear, you're too young to know. Experience more things, and you'll find the answer. Just trust in your dreams." (Fairy Godmother implying the only way to defeat darkness other than with light is with love.) From Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep: Yen Sid: "I will tell you what your friend needs right now. It is not your protection. He needs you to believe. You see, Ventus's heart hangs in the balance. It sleeps in the place between light and darkness. From all I can perceive, that means he will be looking for a friend--one who believes in him, to show him the way home. Just as long as you love him...then Ventus will be able to find you when he wakes. He can follow that love back to where he belongs--the realm of light.” (Yen Sid implying the balance between light and darkness is love and that love is the only thing that can lead Ventus' heart home.) From Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories: Riku: "What are you making me choose now?" DiZ: "Between the road to light and the road to darkness." Riku: "Neither suits me. I'm taking the middle road." DiZ: "Do you mean the twilight road to nightfall?" Riku: "No. It's the road to dawn." (Riku not choosing light or darkness, but choosing what he calls "dawn.") From Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance: Riku (to Ansem, Seeker of Darkness and Young Xehanort): "I walk the road to dawn!" Riku (to Ansem, Seeker of Darkness): "Consume the darkness, return it to light.” Young Xehanort (to Riku): "I don't know how you did it, but you really have found a way to trap darkness inside your heart. And a boy who's immune to darkness is of no use to us." (Riku reaffirming that he wields both light and darkness, and that he turns the darkness into light. That is the state he calls "dawn." And Young Xehanort confirming that by walking the road to dawn, Riku has somehow become immune to darkness.) From Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance: Data-Ansem the Wise: "The heart has always been quick to grow. Each exposure to light, to the natural world, to other people, shapes this most malleable part inside of us. Nobodies are not different from us in that manner. Sora was the only one able to return to his human form without destroying his Nobody. That is a statement to the love in his heart for other people, and the bonds that tie them together. Perhaps...he has the power to bring back the hearts and existences of those connected to him—to recreate people we thought were lost to us forever. Our most precious treasures—even an empty puppet—the trees of the forest, and the petals on the wind—there are hearts around us everywhere we look. And it does not take superhuman powers to see them. Surely we remember as children the way our hearts made everything seem so shiny, and perfect. Sora has a heart like that—uncorrupted, willing to see the good before the bad. When he sees the heart in something, it then becomes real. When a connection seems broken, he may have the power to mend it. He has touched countless hearts, he has accepted them, and he has saved them. And some of those hearts have never left him—whether they fell into darkness or were trapped there—whether they sleep in the darkness of Sora's heart, or were welcomed into its warmth—they can be saved. All Sora needs to do is be himself and follow wherever it is that his heart takes him. It is the best and the only way." (Data-Ansem the Wise saying that Sora's uninhibited undying love for people and his willingness to always see the good before the bad in anyone or anything is the ultimate answer that could solve everything and save everyone.) From Kingdom Hearts III: Ventus: "I didn't ask for this. To be sifted apart nice and neat. We should be free to choose. Not just light, not just darkness. We decide what we are." (Ventus implying light and darkness are choices and you can choose to be both or neither.)