Sora's Fate in Kingdom Hearts 4: Retirement or Reign?
As Kingdom Hearts 4 approaches, fans wonder if it's time for Sora, the beloved protagonist, to step aside after two decades of leading the franchise While Square Enix has chosen to keep Sora at the forefront of the new saga, it might be time to consider passing the torch to a new hero
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Kingdom Hearts 4 is looming on the horizon and the franchise appears to be taking a new direction following the conclusion of the Xehanort Saga. Sora, the series' protagonist, has been on countless adventures over the past two decades and will once again don his role in Kingdom Hearts 4. While the previous entry would have been the perfect opportunity to bring Sora's story to a close, Square Enix has opted to start a new saga with him still at the forefront. Kingdom Hearts is known for its intricate plot, but it may be time to consider passing the torch.
The complexity of Kingdom Hearts was not initially present when it first debuted in 2002, changing the gaming world while introducing Sora to fans. As an unusual protagonist with a mix of Final Fantasy and Disney aesthetics, Sora's boyish charm quickly made him a fan favorite. His journey in the original Kingdom Hearts could have been a standalone tale, as he traveled through various Disney worlds before the intense and emotional finale against Ansem, Seeker of Darkness. This led to Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, where Sora's time in Castle Oblivion resulted in him saving the day again in a vague story about losing his memories, hyping up his return.
Kingdom Hearts 2 was the End of Sora’s Story for Years
Kingdom Hearts 2 is widely regarded as the pinnacle of the series, marking the conclusion of Sora's journey for several years. This epic adventure surpassed its predecessor in many ways, as Sora visited all of Kingdom Hearts 2's Disney worlds twice over. He strengthened his bonds with many friends, vanquished the malevolent Organization 13 and their leader Xemnas, and even reconciled with a fragmented aspect of himself by the end. Although the emotional climax could have served as the perfect finale for the character, a vague post-credits scene hinted that there was more to come.
However, the numerous spin-off titles that followed made the wait for Kingdom Hearts 3 excruciatingly long. Between the release of Kingdom Hearts 2 in 2005 and the release of the third installment in 2019, at least five unique games were released to bridge the gap. Square Enix bravely experimented with other playable characters, and this era would come to define the Kingdom Hearts series and its timeline. Roxas solidified his status as a fan favorite in 358/2 Days, while the Birth by Sleep trio offered the most innovative vision for the games at that time.
Kingdom Hearts 3 Legitimately Concluded Sora’s Arc
Dream Drop Distance brought back Sora and Riku, but Kingdom Hearts fans had to wait seven years for the highly-anticipated Kingdom Hearts 3. In the meantime, several remasters helped fans revisit the intricate storyline. Sora remained on the minds of fans, and Kingdom Hearts 3 finally brought all the pieces together as an older Sora led the fight against Xehanort. However, the game ended on a cliffhanger that was resolved by DLC, concluding Sora's story.
The Kingdom Hearts 4 trailer revealed that Sora was now in the real world, Shibuya, after waking up from a much-needed rest. Despite the new direction, Sora remained the same hero he's been since 2002, and some fans felt a new protagonist might have been a better fit for the bold shift. With Riku, Roxas, and newcomer Yozora all beloved by fans, a new era of Kingdom Hearts could allow Sora to pass the torch to a fresh new face. Fans still hold out hope for the opportunity to play as multiple characters in Kingdom Hearts 4.
Kingdom Hearts 4 is in development.
