GT and KHInsider take a closer look at what makes Sora so special to Kingdom Hearts. www.KHInsider.com For all the latest videogame news, reviews and commentary including all episodes of GT Originals, check out GameTrailers.com.
I think you guys answered you own question. Sora isn't special, he isn't "chosen", he's not the strongest & certainly not the brightest. He's just really nice, a genuinely good guy. His newborn self (how's that even work?), like his older self, saw someone and reached out and that is his strength. If anyone else had done the same, they'd be having this fantastic adventure and he'd be home studying. Lucky bum.
Zed Shen Sora was never supposed to receive his powers in the first place though. A series of "happy" accidents gave him his power. Naruto, according to the Toad Sage anyway, was always destined for greatness.
+Zed Shen Naruto was just a normal boy who happened to be the son of the man who sealed the Nine Tails. Just like Sora, it was a coincidence that he gained his power.
+- BChart2 - To be fair, even without the ninetails he was born as the son of one of the most talented shinobi ever born along with a kunoichi who was part of a clan so special that the other major powers banded together to destroy it. So without the ninetails, Naruto would most likely have been special regardless. Certainly nowhere near as powerful or as useful, but still special. Sora, without the keyblade, is just a normal kid albeit with some minor combat skills and a very powerful heart.
For those who don't know about Vanitas' backstory, he is the saddest character in the series by a landslide. The Unversed come from Vanitas's body, and when he saw the first one, he killed it. What he didn't know was that it would cause extreme mental and physical pain to him to the point of him keeling over. This would make him upset and irritated, which in turn would make more Unversed from his negative feelings. He was disgusted by this, and at one point he just killed a bunch of them himself to the point he screamed and cried in agony as he was lying down on the ground from pain. Not only that, but whenever he is far from Ventus, he feels depressed for no reason, yet he feels jealous that people give Ventus better treatment than himself. When Ventus was saved with Sora's heart for the first time, Vanitas also was freed somewhat from the control of darkness, and this is when he had gained Sora's face. This is all true info from the Birth by Sleep light novels.
farhanpwns Just thought of something that may be slightly insane, partially inspired by this backstory: supposedly Vanitas was obliterated when Ventus beat him for the last time, but what if he's not entirely gone? What if he's the thirteenth darkness Master Xehanort will use? Consider a few elements. Now I'm no Kingdom Hearts expert, but remember Vanitas was made from at least 50% of Ventus's heart itself, which is why Ven's heart was so heavily damaged that it has taken at least ten years to heal. We know the hearts of the three original heroes (Ven, Aqua and Terra) are especially strong, what with all the shit they've gone through, and Vanitas has survived some shit with the Unversed. Experiences like that would have surely made even a fraction of a heart like Vanitas build up some muscle. Also, for some reason in the world of Kingdom Hearts, injured beings' parts seemingly tend to subcounsciously seek each other out, kinda like Sora and Roxas and Naminé and Xion and holy crap Sora GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER! I'm thinking Vanitas somehow survived in an extremely weakened state and somehow began tagging along with Sora, completely unnoticed by anyone, since Sora is still carrying Ven's heart and in the end Vanitas was still born from Ven's heart. Hell for all we know, Vanitas's presence may be what is causing Sora to not be such a badass recently. I mean, Sora's heart is notoriously powerful, then all of a sudden it just starts yielding. I think there was a tiny crack in there, one that under normal circumstances would have healed with a heroic speech, but Vanitas somehow latched on to Sora's heart through that crack and is now tagging along, somehow not setting off any darkness detectors since in the end Vanitas still holds a tiny chunk of Ven's heart. ... holy crap we need Kingdom Hearts 3 STAT...
While you might think thats just a theory you just made up, believe it or not, its actually true. Vanitas is in a scene in Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance, and in it, he taunts Sora along with Young Xehanort, you can look it up. And he is indeed a candidate for one of the 13 vessels. This implies he will indeed return in KH3
farhanpwns I know that scene, but it has never been clarified whether that Vanitas is the true one, or merely a sort of projection or vision or afterimage Sora is seeing. Furthermore, as far as I've found it's never been clearly stated whether or not he truly is the future 13th member. Anyways, I think we can both agree that if he really is the thirteenth member, then the series will just be that much more awesome.
farhanpwns I still think Xion is a little more sad and tragic. Because in all the kingdom hearts games, memory plays a HUGE role, and the fact that Xion disappears and no one remembers her is one of the saddest things even. As lea says. As long as someone remembers him he can live forever.
This video made me shed a tear, because I once more realised why I love the Kingdom Hearts series so much. It's the complex, yet fulfilling and awesome story that has captured so many hearts of the fans, along with the unforgettable characters and emotions connected to it. Thank you so much for creating this series in coorporation with KHInsider. It really means a lot to me and probably all other Kingdom Hearts fans as well! :')
So is Metal Gear Solid. It was a straight line from MGS1 to 3, until MGS4 came along and completely bullshited on the whole series with "The System" and "Nanomachines." And MGS5 furthers that with "Parasites." Kojima wrote himself into a corner, too.
King Scheiber MGS4 was fine there was nothing wrong with it just because people like using meme for Nano machines doesn't mean it's convoluted, Nano machines is just a form of enhancement that's it nothing more to it. MGS55 was a bit more difficult but that's only because Konami was screwing Kojima over.
Zen Razor No, it is not. The game doesn't even explain what is the full extend of the nanomachines. What power do they really have? Apparently, they are magic now and can do everything, even though they suppose to be realistic and down-to-earth objects, in a series trying to be realistic and fails. It's a good game, gameplay-wise, but story-wise it isn't good. And MGS5 doesn't do anything to the overall plot. It just shows how Big Boss dies and that's it. Everything else can completely ignored, because you know what happens to them in the other games already. It leaves me wondering what Kojima was going for there, and now it's a contradictory mess.
King Scheiber It does explain Nanomachines have been a thing since the 1st MGS it's exactly what gave all the member so much special abilities,Nanomachines pretty much just manipulate celluar activity, It's the reason why Vamp was able to be essentially immortal, Why Naomi was able to stop cancer spread and many more things in the MGS timeline technology is highly advanced so they have perfected Nanotechnology. It's a real thing it just isn't perfected like in the MGS verse, MGS is far from being realistic it's very much a sci-fi type of game very similar to the movie Blade Runner. Also Big Boss doesn't die in MGS5 just saying.
Zen Razor It's still an unsatisfied answer to Vamp's immortality and Fortune's ability to deflect bullets without the electromagnetic device given to her by the Patriots. Nanomachines can't be use to explain everything, otherwise it's lazy writing. And of course, Big Boss doesn't die in MGS5. But it does show us how he was able to die twice, once in Metal Gear and once in MGS4.
Evil Candy No, Sora became a heartless, so there is darkness in his heart. Ventus could be called an "artificially created" Prince of Heart, since Master Xehanort took all his darkness away.
Evil Candy Probably not, but I know theories state that he is probably the key to Kingdom Hearts, or is the Soul of Kingdom Hearts. At the same time, I have a feeling that he’s not going to be THAT important, but still important in the fact that he has the ability to ((probably)) grant Roxas ((and maybe Xion? Is she even in his heart?)) their own beings and body along with their own heart, and awaken Ventus. He’s a normal boy, but with an extremely powerful heart, and in the game, the heart is like this divine thing everyone has. And Sora’s is one of the most powerful ((again, probably)). It may be a stretch, but the reason why Sora is main character and is still relevant plot wise ((without going into “plot armor” territory)), is because of his ability to connect hearts together. Especially with himself. He also has the ability to house multiple hearts within himself and repair them. The only instance being Ven, though I think it’s possible he can do it with anyone. He’s also seen sheltering Kairi, and then after rejoining with Roxas, Roxas’ “heart” still existed inside him, which was why he could feel everything Roxas felt, and also why Roxas was able to materialize in front of Sora and fight him in his own heart. I don’t know if that’s just Sora and Roxas, or if all Nobodies and their Somebodies can do this. I’m gonna assume they can’t, but then again, we still don’t know if Nobodies actually never had a heart in the first place. So...we actually don’t know that much about the way Nobodies work. Anyway, going back to the Ven thing and hearts and connections and whatnot, I think even as an infant, they’ll need an exceptionally strong heart to reach out and heal someone’s heart enough to prevent them from dying. ((Eh. Might be a stretch.)) So Sora’s special in a way not because of the Keyblade, but because of his heart. He may not be a Guardian or Prince if Light, but he’s probably something really close to it. Or completely different. We also know Organization XIII wants Sora as the Thirteenth Seeker of Darkness, and become Xehanort’s vessel. So...this can happen. We’ll just have to wait and see.
+Vince Oppa xD I just presumed that Disney is being reflected here. Sora looks like a Disney version of the guy from Bouncer, another Nomura game. They just gave him Mickey's trademark shoes to finish the look.
Uhhhhhh...well, you know what they say about a guy with large feet...and, I mean, it’s said that Sora has a strong heart, also known as the “love muscle...” ;~P OMG, NO, I’M JUST KIDDING, HOLY SHIT
I am very hyped for Kingdom Hearts 3, but I wish they wouldn´t have made it so complicated that we need videos to fully understand what happened. Since Birth by Sleep it just continues to go more into detail with everything until Dream Drop Distance. I would have never guessed they would come up with time travelling?! I miss games like Chain of memories and KHII where you could just play, enjoy the wonderful music and cutscenes and kick some heartless and nobodys asses.
Well, no. I mean, that's what happens with famous actors. We get sad when we won't be able to see them fulfill our favorite roles anymore, because that's how they entertain and inspire us. Like Monty Oum with RWBY. (I know he was the animator but he was also the creator and played Ren)
Love these videos! Seriously, they are so well done and the perfect way to understand the story more. Ive gotten one of my friends to get into KH from watching the Timeline video and these Mysteries videos. Well done, Game Trailers and KH Insider!
"SORA IS NOT THAT SPECIAL?" If it weren't for him, countless lives would be lost by now... heck for all i know the series might have ended a long time ago if he wasn't there to help everyone. You can say he's pretty much the KEY element in the series! get it? xD
KH1 was about defeating the Disney Villains and saving the worlds. KH2 was about defeating the Organization 13 members, and discovering all the major plot points of the series, so I think KH3 is going to be about saving everyone who's been lost, such as Aqua, Tera, Ventus, Xion, Roxas, Namine, Axel, ect. as well as defeating the 13 incarnations of Xehanort, and Sora becoming a keyblade master.
I really like Sora as a character even though he isn't my favorite in the series (Mine is Roxas just because I felt like he was more of a real person than Sora is) but what I love about Sora is that in the world of modern gaming where everything needs to realistic, dark, and depressing, he is one of the few genially good characters. There is no doubt that Sora will always do the right thing no matter what the odds are, he's kinda like Goku in that sense but debatably slightly smarter. I just feel there is a lack of truly good characters in general now a days and it's nice to see someone who is truly a guiding light.
+Vorance Surves Exactly. Sora's my personal favorite, because of how incorruptible he is, because he has his bonds with others and won't hesitate to turn to them.
soo... When sora was turned into a heartless did ven's sleeping heart go into Roxas? It would make since as to why Roxas looks like Ventus but Roxas is still Roxas, heart or not. "My Heart Belongs to me!" -Roxas "You are still you." -Sora
Kingdom Hearts by a razor thin margin. Metal Gear trails closely behind for second place as being convoluted or overly complex. Now when I say KH and MG are too convoluted/too complex, it's a big negative of course. With that being said, I do like both franchises. I'm just pointing out that particular flaw found in those two.
I always thought MGS wasn't that convoluted until MGS4 (yeah, MGS2 was "weird" but easier to have an idea of the overall story on your own) while KH was convoluted since the beginning. Add to that all the portable games that are actually necessary to understand the story of KH, while MGS only has one cannon portable game (Portable Ops doesn't count). And, while MGS has clones in it, it doesn't compare to the clusterfuck that are the heartless and nobodies. (Btw, i love both franchises)
Metal Gear! Metal Gear has goddamn 3 clones of one guy, and they are all genetic clones, and not carbon copies, there are even clones of the villains! *Spoiler*: One snake shoots himself, but it's not the snake you think it is, and he doesn't actually shoot himself. *Spoiler over* There are people with superhuman powers, and goddamn cyborg ninjas, but only the States and Russia are capable of these feats, the rest of the world sucks. Also, snake calls himself something else in MGS2 and you don't really know if its one snake or the other. I can go on and on, but I understand the Kingdom Hearts story, especially after the Timeline video here on GT. I apologize for my rant.
I say Metal gear because the only reason kingdom hearts is confusing is because of how the world works. In metal gear they explain every detail and it is still very confusing. That said both series are incredible and would replay every game any day of the week.
Kingdom Hearts by a large margin, even though people claim MGS is convoluted, it really isn't and it doesn't start to get crazy till MGS 4 and even then, it's pretty easy to follow. Plus Kingdom Hearts is more fictional so they have to create their own rules to the game's universe (Example: Time Travel) where MGS is still grounded to a more realistic world, sure there are some weird technology in it, but it's still more realistic than characters sharing hearts and a completely different way to travel through time, MGS is simply more grounded in reality where as Kingdom Hearts has to get more creative with literally everything in its world. Where you can be a fan of this series since its inception back in 2002 (like me) and play through all of them, only to be still confused and find yourself playing the whole series again, not just because this series is fantastic, but because you want to try to figure out the whole story up to its current state.
wolffoetowtech according to KH's creator, it's only the end to Zenort's (I know it's misspelled) saga. It will continue and I think Sora will still be in the next game
I love these episodes. I understand the series, but this helps to see it as a whole with all of its connection and give everything a spot in the timeline of the game.
man i love this. but one thing bugs me... look how much effort goes into this story and people are still ripping on it? sure it's a little far fetched and complex (ok maybe not a little) but even through all that the writers have still found a way to tie it all together and bring the story to life in ways that make complete sense as far as a fiction about hearts and connections goes. i think its a beautiful story and makes for an excellent gaming experience. to me this is how a series as broad as kingdom hearts' story should be, its deep and complex and full of mystery but if it wasn't people would complain that it's simple and childish. STOP COMPLAINING! it's a great story and one I wouldnt change for the world (except maybe 358/2 Days, That was waaay too sad... almost made me cry :'( )
it's a great story and very detailed! The story isn't bad, it's just so much information to take in. There should be a PHD for Kingdom Hearts knowledge. I'd say it beats Metal Gear Solids lore.
HUGE and Glaring misinformation here GT Sora can wield the Keyblade because of Ventus' Heart within him. Wielding a Keyblade is a special ability that is only granted to those that are Chosen, and those who inherit the weapon. As Sora is neither of those cases, his predicament is special has his heart connected with that of Keyblade Wielders heart, however it does NOT grant nor promise Sora a Keyblade. The events at destiny islands in which Sora touches Riku's light and takes up his Keyblade only happened because Sora had the ability to wield it. Not anyone can wield a weapon, without having the ability to wield a Keyblade, the Kingdom Key would not gone to Sora's hands, adding to the notion that he IS a regular boy, not chosen or anything. The Keyblade permanently becomes Sora's at Hallow Bastion, but the whole reason why Sora was even able to hold it was because of Sora's Heart connecting with Ventus.
Sorry but you're wrong on this. We based the script largely on what Tetsuya Nomura has said in interviews, along with facts already confirmed in game. He has clearly stated that Sora didn't inherit anything like the ability to wield the keyblade from Ventus or anyone.
Nomura has gone on to contradict himself on multiple aspects of the Kingdom Hearts series, including the origins and differences of the various Kingdom Hearts, Kairi's Origin on destiny island, and yes Sora's Keyblade. Nomura stated that he didn't inherit abilities from Ventus which is left ambiguous and many have interpreted them as the shared abilities that Sora and Ventus have such as Strike Raid and Ars Arcanum. In DDD it is even confirmed by Sora himself that the Keyblade didn't choose him but he rather part of something bigger, the people it did chose highlight his connection to Ventus, Riku, Kairi and the others. While I would normally consider Nomura's statements on many aspects of Kingdom Hearts as word of God, he nor the games or ultimanias specifically back the claim that Sora did not get obtain the ability of Keyblade from Ventus.This combined with the nature of the Keyblade, and Sora's ability to summon Ventus' heavily contradicts the statements by Nomura and the notion of the origin of Sora's abilites.
I'm starting to think that Sora himself is like some sort of mock Kingdom Hearts. Which would explain why he can harbor hearts into his own all at the same time. Also why Aqua saw potential in him upon meeting him.
+Brenton Lampkin When Mickey and Sora closed Kingdom Hearts, I was under the impression that their Kingdom blades were especially unique. Kind of like the ring to rule them all situation.
ronneemazukin Well. Retaining to Ventus's heart which is residing within Sora's. Vanitas being the dark half of that damaged heart could eventually return and somewhat have a more dark influence over Sora in the future. Similar to how Sora's memories or Roxas can allow the two to influence each other. Vanitas could potentially resurface and begin to taunt Sora at any given turn. Eventually forming some kind of inner battle sort of like Ichigo vs Zangetsu//Hollow Ichigo. Kinda like the Sora vs Roxas fight.
Well Vanitas seems to be at his lowest point since Ventus curbed stomped him in BBS. This would make Ventus the one in control. We also know at some point Sora will have to meet Ventus body to return his heart. I don't see Van playing much of a role unless he is going to interfere at that point to stop Sora from returning Ventus heart, well aside from the fact he wants to be the dominant control of the body again, that's also considering Vanitas can actually return after becoming the undominant force in Ventus being. I would probable compare it more to Ichigo vs Hollow Ichigo battle more simply because any battle between Sora and Vanitas would probable have to be a battle of control. If something like that happens Vanitas would have a really short role in Kingdom Hearts 3
ronneemazukin I'm speaking of it as a internal battle within Sora's heart. Similar to his fight against Roxas, and Ventus final fight against Vanitas. Despite being born from Vanitas's Heart; Vanitas can easily take a will and form of it's own since it created from negativity. Even in a Heart full of life; the Darkness will always exist and will always be there for that essential duality. Vanitas could somehow feed on Sora's Negativity; and actually start a sense of doubt within Sora. Or hell even attempt to possibly even want to take Sora's body for himself. Without Vanitas portion of his heart; Ventus can't possibly return as a fully complete being without being on Sora life support. If something like that does happen then Vanitas will actually have a very long role in this game; constantly causing doubt for Sora at every given turn until Sora actually battles him.
Sounds plausible but most likely unlikely. I don't see another inner battle like that for Sora. Vanitas and Ventus are one heart now, so if Ven heart goes Van heart will follow. Given Vanitas lost I doubt he would have the power in him to take root in Sora and hinder Ven resurrection. Still nice theory, too bad it's unlikely Nomura will go this angle or even a similar angle.
I played KH1 and KH2 in the PS2 days, I know it's a been a while, but hot damn what a convoluted story. I'm surprised Disney okayed this, considering how protective they are of their mascots.
Also in the trailer for Kingdom Hearts 3 the keyblade that Sora finds is the same Keyblade as the one Aqua had when she entered the Chamber of Awakening at Castle Oblivion where Ventus was sleeping.
Wow, the last game I played in this series was Birth By Sleep for the PSP I think. The story was already confusing back then, but now with all this updates info, the overall KH story seems convoluted and overly complex to the point it feels like the writers and good ol' tetsuya are just winging it. Hopefully KH3 can finally make things crystal clear.
In fact it isn't that confusing .. The issue is that u played the games of KH like any other one after other means kh1, KH 2 etc. due to the release dates and different stories it seems complicated. Would u have played birth by sleep as first game then it would be way easiert to get it ... Kinda irritating must admit but there is a complete timeline for KH games and plot :) btw game trailers made a video bout this long ago (like 40min)
Animesh Ghosh After having either played or watched all of the KH games multiple times (with the exception of "Coded" and "χ") the story is still really convoluted in certain areas. The reason being is that the narrative is built around a set of rules that constantly change to convenience the overall plot. It's becoming more and more apparent how sloppy the storytelling actually is as the series progresses.
Jordan Cora It's very possible that Nomura and his team are just winging it (making it up) as they go along. That's probably the reason why the storytelling is sloppy as time goes on.
He keeps saying "trying to create a key blade" but there's like a billion key blades in the grave yard and aren't terra aqua and Ventis using key blades? Why the need to create one?
Mhm, X as in "CHI". The keyblades are just smaller versions of the one "X (chi) - blade", which is the only thing that can be used to unlock Kingdom Hearts.
Keep in mind, a person who has been split into a Heartless and Nobody, can only return after the Heartless and Nobody have been destroyed. The only exception to the rule is Sora, as Roxas still existed after Sora was purified of being a Heartless, and didn't return to Sora until the start of Kingdom Hearts II.
I think what they mean by the Heartless thing is; only two guys kept their human minds and feelings AS a Heartless. They are Sora and Xehanort. And all I remember on this subject from 3D is Ansem the Wise saying Sora was the only one to regain human form WITHOUT the destruction of his Nobody.
So ready and excited for KH3!! I wanna see Ven, Terra, Aqua, Xion, Roxas, Namine, Axel, Vanitas, and all the lost characters!! And of course, I miss the Guardians of Light gang. Totsuya Nomura, I CANT WAIT FOR MUCH LONGER!!
I have played every game in the series, and it is still sometimes incredibly hard to understand all of this. Made it over half way through this video before my head started to hurt.
Something that I would love to see in KH3 (that I don't think will actually happen) is if Sora chooses to give into the darkness but refuses to accept Xehanort. That way he can defeat Xehanort while also preventing the X-blade from being made. Also, it would give an excuse to include Anti Form as something that can actually be leveled, which would awesome.
I've always loved the KH lore. Nothing beats playing an epic story, especially since you actually PLAY it unlike other games that are all story and no play
Slight correction at about 1:00. Sora wasn't the only person to return to his human form after becoming a nobody, but the only one to return without destroying his nobody.
All I really like about this video is that it explains that Ven has the potential to come back, and maybe just maybe he can save Aqua from the dark beyond the same way Kairi did with Riku and Sora. Speculation is dangerous...
this explains a lot thanks i always thought Sora we the legendary Xblade reincarnated as Sora this explains so much i wish i played dream drop distance i never played that or the other one with Roxas thanks for the enlightening
To be honest Sora would have become a wielder had Aqua reached him before Terra reached Riku in BBS. She hesitated in 'initiating' him because Terra had already done so with Riku and didn't want to create conflict between the two friends. So in that sense if Terra hadn't reached Destiny Islands before Aqua did Riku would probably never have become a keyblade wielder. Funny how things turned out really.
Wow, Sora's a pretty tough guy... he was carrying three hearts inside, and two of pure light!! No wonder he survived falling through the space between worlds all alone!
Out of every piece of entertainment, there has to be someone special or at least a main protagonist. Not everyone can be a leader, and not everyone can be a follower.
