Is Kingdom Hearts 1 canon?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

Kingdom Hearts 1, originally released in 2002 for the PlayStation 2, is considered canonical within the Kingdom Hearts game series according to multiple gaming news sites. As the first game in the series introducing iconic characters like Sora, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy, it established core story elements and gameplay features that later entries built upon.

Overview of Kingdom Hearts Game Canonicity

Determining canonicity in the Kingdom Hearts franchise is complex due to the vast number of games released on various platforms over the past two decades, with different levels of involvement from director Tetsuya Nomura and giant entertainment companies like Disney. However, the following games are widely accepted by gaming journalists to be essential canonical titles within the main series in their initial releases:

  • Kingdom Hearts (2002)
  • Kingdom Hearts 2 (2005)
  • Kingdom Hearts 3 (2019)

Spin-off games like the mobile title Kingdom Hearts Union χ [Cross] have connected storylines, but their canonicity status varies among fans. Games most often described as non-canonical by the gaming press are experimental side projects like Kingdom Hearts V CAST.

Where game events fit within the elaborate Kingdom Hearts fictional timeline is also frequently debated among fans. But core games receive extensive oversight from director Nomura prior to release, solidifying their canonical status.

Disney‘s Influence on Canonicity

As Nomura once stated, "Disney was the one that was like, ‘Go ahead!‘" when it came to approving Sora‘s inclusion in the non-Kingdom Hearts title Super Smash Bros. While Disney‘s permission is required for the use of their characters, the company generally provides wide creative latitude to Nomura and development studio Square Enix according to interviews.

However, Pixar has imposed more specific storyline restraints surrounding their properties. For example, several news outlets described limitations imposed around portrayals of Woody and Buzz Lightyear in Kingdom Hearts 3‘s Toy Story world. The final implementation aimed to keep events feeling inline with Pixar‘s envisioned canon according to developers.

The Outlook for New Canonical Games

With Kingdom Hearts selling over 35 million games internationally as of 2020, Square Enix has many incentives to continue expanding the series. While only director Nomura and internal developers know whether currently unannounced titles are in development, Disney properties like Star Wars provide countless possibilities if new canonical entries are pursued. One gaming site even described the 2023 release Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link as the potential "start of a new canon".

Whether focusing on the mysterious Kingdom Hearts 4 or entirely new concepts, core titles in the beloved franchise will likely continue receiving canonical status for the foreseeable future. But fansite debates around canonicity in such a complex intersecting fictional multiverse seem guaranteed as well.

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

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