Unraveling the Epic Lesson that Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Has in Store for Kingdom Hearts Fans

The beloved Kingdom Hearts franchise, known for its epic crossover of Square Enix and Disney properties, has captivated fans for over twenty years. Now, with the highly anticipated release of Kingdom Hearts 4, the series is poised to embark on an exciting new direction. While the franchise's intricate chronology and diverse formats may be challenging to navigate, this complexity has not deterred the dedicated fanbase from embracing the series. The unique blend of Disney, Square Enix, and original content has proven to be a winning formula, despite the overwhelming amount of lore to absorb.

As gamers eagerly await the next installment in Sora's adventures alongside his multitude of friends, the announcement of Kingdom Hearts 4 brings both excitement and a sense of apprehension. With thirteen previous games in the franchise and an upcoming sequel that will introduce the world of Quadratum and kick off 'The Lost Master Arc,' players may already feel a bit overwhelmed. Given the multitude of established characters and the likelihood of more to come, Kingdom Hearts 4 would benefit from taking a page out of the recently released film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse's playbook. This means effectively managing a massive cast to ensure each character receives proper attention and development.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse's Cast

The recent release of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse showcased the remarkable talent of the creative team behind the first film. Not only did the sequel exceed expectations, but it also skillfully handled a vast array of characters. While many of the Spider-people appeared briefly in the background or during the intense chase sequence, there were several new characters that received attention. Alongside the central characters of Miles, Gwen, and Miguel, figures like Spider-Woman, Spider-Man India, and Spider-Punk had their own storylines and underwent significant character development. Spider-Punk, in particular, quickly won over fans and set a precedent for future sequels, such as Kingdom Hearts 4, to follow.

How Kingdom Hearts Could Learn From Across the Spider-Verse

In Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, new characters were seamlessly integrated into the narrative, allowing audiences to develop a genuine investment in their stories. Despite having limited screentime, characters like Spider-Punk were well-defined and their roles in the overarching narrative were clear. This successful execution stands in contrast to other ensemble films and games where certain characters can feel unnecessary or forced into the story. The Kingdom Hearts franchise, while benefiting from familiar faces from established properties, has sometimes struggled to effectively incorporate them into the games' narratives.

A prime example of this is Kairi, an original character in the Kingdom Hearts franchise who many fans perceive as lacking purpose. As Kingdom Hearts 4 progresses, it is crucial for the game to avoid such pitfalls, ensuring that all characters serve a meaningful role. While some may argue that Kairi still has value and willingly puts herself in danger for her friends, players do not desire characters who feel superfluous amidst an already extensive cast. As Kingdom Hearts 4 potentially expands with additional properties and introduces new original characters, striking a balance between an intriguing cast and individual character development becomes paramount.

Kingdom Hearts 4 is in development.