Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX - Vector to The Heavens | Reacting To Video Game Music!

[@smugsneasel]

10:53 This is a hilarious statement on so many levels. Levels that he won't understand. I love this franchise.

[@alsaiduq4363]

I can see Roxas or Xion having the flashbacks to KH1 and saying.. "Is that.. sora ?" Lmao

[@TheTruestZero]

That's one of those 4D level jokes that you wouldn't believe would transcend the franchise itself.

[@kevin13cabello]

Dearly Beloved is the main theme of the kingdom hearts series but every game has a different rendition of it. Its not the only other theme referenced to in Xion's theme. There's a different character's theme referenced in her theme as well and it is due to connections she has to other characters, but I won't go more in depth to avoid spoilers. The character you saw in the 2nd video is Xion. La Musique pour la tristesse de Xion and Vector to the Heaven are basically the same theme, but the first is the regular character theme while Vector is the battle version of the song. Then kh3's version is just a more ramped up version of Vector to the Heaven.

[@azuredeath]

In a Kingdom Hearts concert, Yoko Shimomura came onstage to play the piano. It was awesome seeing it live.

[@Leonsbane]

I saw the show in New York. It was amazing for her to come out and play.

[@Fuzunga]

I went to the one in LA in 2017, and not only was Shimomura there but Nomura was too! He presented a new trailer for KH3 after thanking everyone for coming out.

[@azuredeath]

@ That’s the first one I went to. There were other Square Enix developers there too. They sat in the same row. I also went to the KH3 concert where they revealed the Re:Mind dlc. Still, most unforgettable concert was Distant Worlds. Got to shake hands with Nobuo himself. Autographed copy of FF9 OST.

[@atew8277]

Hello, requester here. What a nice Christmas gift! This version of Vector to the Heaven is the story relevant one, playing during a climactic and emotional boss fight against Xion near the end of the game while KH3s is for a difficult superboss that's more for a fun challenge against Xion. Musique pour la tristesse de Xion is her regular theme. These songs are one of the most impactful themes in the whole series not just because it's beautiful but the tragedy of the story too, so it gets a lot of love in these different arrangements. I believe the Memoria! Arrangement is the one that gets played during the KH World Tour orchestras too. Yoko Shimomura is like the heart and soul of KH. She has a way of being able to perfectly portray what's happening in the moment and make connections to story beats and characters in the games with her music.

[@2dat115]

Maybe add spoiler alert bro

[@nachot6592]

​@@2dat115 The story is such a mess that this might actually not be a spoiler.

[@kevinnguyen4711]

Funny thing about how you mentioned you liked that specific part in the Memoria reaction... that part is another leitmotif, one of another important character in the series, which is Kairi's theme. As you already guessed, KH has a TON of leitmotifs, often representing certain characters. And what's neat about each track incorporating many leitmotifs together is that they're very much indicative of associations and dynamics between the different characters, to the point that fans have long speculated on how characters are related to each other just based on hearing their themes. It's a great touch that makes an already amazing soundtrack stand out even more among KH fans. Even a decade later, I still think Xion's theme (and her story) is one of the greatest the series has put out, so seeing a triple reaction of her theme is a triple treat for my ears.

[@LexioLTG]

I vividly remember me spoiling myself just by hearing KH3D's OST before I could play the game and just knowing EXACTLY who I would be fighting at every boss battle.

[@fnsiii7975]

The story with the older man was really cool. I like how he was open to even listening to the song despite his initial impressions of what VGM sounded like, and him actually liking the song is the “cherry-on-top”. Thanks for sharing that and Xion’s theme is one of my favorite pieces from Kingdom Hearts.

[@Much_Ado]

"is that sora? doesn't look like sora" oh no guys, he's asking the correct questions

[@ryapowa]

To summarize it in a single word, Nyes or Yeno

[@ALeafOnTheWind42]

Xion my beloved

[@ALeafOnTheWind42]

Oh, and I don't think the original Days version is enough to warrant a separate reaction. It's essentially the difference of going from a MIDI on DS to the version you listened to here being orchestrated. Maybe listen to it on your own time, or maybe I'll throw it at you during Marbles sometime.

[@absoutezeo2126]

The part that you mentioned you like the most is actually Kairi's leitmotif! A different character with a whole different theme. I do agree that it is a nice touch musically, but it also works for connecting her to Xion.

[@Tarrot]

10:53 "Is that Sora?" That character is Xion. Her resemblance to Sora is intentional, leaving the rest spoiler free if you ever dive into the dozen or so games that make up the series.

[@EsporHB]

Great Story about that guy. Great that he was open to a videogame song and actually looked it up. And for some reason the more complex vsrsions make me apreciate the simple version even more. (Not that i dislike the complex Arrangements

[@kev1nno]

That second version of the theme (Memória) is one of my all-time favorite pieces of music. It's such a beautiful song. And the character in the video for that one is Xion - she's the character whose theme this is

[@arkdetective]

This song is my favorite song in all of video games. Just something about the song just covers all the bases of music I love: violins and especially piano, a powerful emotional core, leifmotifs for days, and how it moves me. And the fact you're also listening to the memoria! version, my favorite rendition of said song! Viewtiful!

[@DarkHaseo21]

This song is heart wrenching when you first hear it in the game. Most of the character's themes in these games kind of have this... sadness in them but at the same time, you sense hope. Yoko Shimomura is genuinely my favourite composer because she can give you the hype badass "Imma mess you up" feel, but also hit you in the feels on the damn title screen like Dearly Beloved... But what if she combined that? A final boss that tugged at your heart strings while also powerful to let you feel like you have to fight? Yoko Shimomura accomplishes that with this song for me.

[@lanonyme-vod8090]

Colony 9 theme in the back fits this Shimomura-focused video. Such a treat for Christmas 😎

[@ixfalia]

At this years Game Developer's Conference, Yoko Shimomura was awarded with the Game Developer Lifetime Achievement Award. The first composer to attain that honor. Dearly Beloved was a song selected to represent and mark her legacy, with a live orchestra playing an arrangement by fellow game composer Austin Wintory for her. I genuinely believe she deserves that award. She has thrown her heart and soul into her work. As high profile as she is, there's always this humility I hear in her work that captivates me. Like recently I've listened to Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope, a surprisingly fantastic soundtrack collaboration of composer powerhouses Grant Kirkhope, Gareth Coker, and Yoko Shimomura. Even this strange game title, Shimomura brings her all, and if I recall correctly, she pushed that it was deserving of orchestration. Anyone who's a fan of her work will probably enjoy that album too

[@NeroDracolith]

It's cool to see so much appreciation for this song. Xion is honestly my favorite character from Kingdom Hearts and probably all of gaming or all of media even. The song embodies her well and it's been great hearing you enjoy these pieces as well.

[@ZorDonofDoom]

KINGDOM HEARTS! This brought so many feels for me... :')

[@seltsu]

This theme still gives me the chills... so beautiful. This makes me want to get back into my Kingdom Hearts hyperfixation.

[@zanderlaitinen7109]

Her name is pronounced like "She-own". Some say "She-on" so as long as you are somewhere between those two, you are golden.

[@gavout1511]

I don’t think there’s been a character who has so effortlessly made me cry like Xion. I have characters who I love far more, and characters who have made me cry harder, but no character has so effortlessly made me cry.

[@JonnZth]

Hell yeah! I was wondering if you were going to listen to the Original Version(kinda) to have a way for comparison or not. Vector to the Heavens (and by extension the variations of it) is by far the Kingdom Hearts Song that marked me the most: for one its a freaking banger and also because the narrative context in which this song appears is always just... wow.(Not a bunch of times, by the way! It appears always in VERY specific situations) Good to know you liked it so much, even if mostly the KH3 version.

[@komurmaldeb]

So I actually own the sheet music from the Kingdom Hearts piano collections, and spent a while learning Musique Pour La Tristesse de Xion even not having experienced it in-game just because I enjoyed the melody so much. Also, in that first minute of the track there it has an extended section of 3-against-2 rhythms between the left and right hand that took a while to nail down, but that feels so satisfying to play properly. It's a beautiful piece, and I should honestly pull the music back up and re-learn it, it's been a while.

[@Pascll]

13:59 that melody is actually a leitmotif from another kingdom hearts theme, that being kairi.

[@LexioLTG]

Vector to the Heavens has always been one of the most painful and tragic themes in the whole series (even the name kind of implies someone's death), you just heard the cathartic and optimistic version first! The first iteration was the final boss theme for one of the games, and it is a very tragic boss. As others have mentiones it has like three or four motives that weave into the narrative, and it is also a battle version of the character(Xion)'s theme, called Musique pour la Tristesse de Xion. It doesn't really appear that often, there are other battle themes that are more recurrent, motives that appear way more, songs that have been reused, but not Xion's. It says a lot about her and her music that it was included both in the Memòria Album and in the Piano Collections. The version you heard in KH3 was like a love letter to it, meant to sound way more epic, optimistic, triumphant, victorious, etc, to make a catharsis of all the tragedy implied in the original.

[@hamzahax]

I'm not crying..........😢 Organization XIII is cutting onions

[@smugsneasel]

All part of the plan to control Kingdom Hearts.

[@exorcistintraining13]

Oh god, I did not expect the feels to come rushing back so quickly 🥺😭

[@Caterfree10]

Square Enix still sometimes does remix albums like this! I tend to notice the ones for XIV like the Pulse albums or The Primals albums, but there are a bunch more. Likely bc afaik, Japan is still bigger on physical media that us in the US (well, on average, I prefer physical myself where I can), so anything in that arena wouldn’t affect the probability of remix albums. And that’s not touching the myriad of pop artists who make 3-5 or more different color vinyl albums with exclusive track(s) for each to make more money off an album lmao. But those aren’t really remixes and I have to wonder how many ppl actually listen to the vinyl albums or just use the download codes that come with them and the vinyls are collectors items (I think, idk I favor CDs still and don’t have a record player haha).

[@jonathanrobinson198]

Xion is deeply rooted in a lot of characters so her theme and Vector to the Heavens has several motifs from them and the Dearly Beloved theme.

[@ArcturusDeluxe]

Dearly Beloved is a recurring tune on the title/menu screen on all the KH games, it's kind of like the equivalent of the Prelude from FF. There are different main themes for each of the numbered games sung by Hikaru Utada. The spinoff games tend to re-use those songs or remix them.

[@GeekMasterGames]

"Is that Sora?" Oh, no. It's Xion (pronounced "she-onn") but... that's a really funny question if you know the story (Xion is a complicated character, and one of the most difficult to explain out of context)

[@ryapowa]

A perhaps easier way to describe how it's pronounced would be "She-own"

[@GeekMasterGames]

Dearly Beloved is ONE of the main themes of the franchise, and the theme for the main menu for the games.

[@Vinylmelody1517]

Oooh you need to hear every version of dearly beloved, the evolution of that theme is beautiful

[@SuperHexer123]

Yippee, return of vector to the heavens,and emotional devastation. I still can't get through certain cutscenes when these tracks play without getting misty eyed, KH is still one of a few franchises that have that grip on me where just a few notes can evoke such a strong emotional reaction.

[@DonaldFromKingdomHearts]

As you've pointed out, the songs always shift from pretty and melancholic to dramatic and intense. It basically illustrates her life story. Our character meets Xion, they become best friend, through ups and downs, and downs and even more downs until you're finally being forced to strike her down in battle. And the beautiful theme you heard throughout all your heartfelt interactions and precious memories has now become her battle theme, as you erase her, and those memories, literally from existence with every hit. It feels as awful as it sounds.. You can just hear the sheer amount of love and respect for Xion in all these arrangements. And you can immediately tell she was a fandom darling, for a very good reason.

[@Ngrizz4899]

There is one more motif that I know of in this song that is almost as important as Dearly Beloved but it’s a lot more integrated into the song and used a lot more throughout the song.

[@franciscojaviermendezrinco1902]

The first version of Vector to the Heavens is a soundtrack that plays during a tragedy. Roxas and Xion, two friends, are forced to fight and kill each other against their will. What is worse is that in the end of the fight, though Roxas wins the fight, there are no real winners in the end of everything.

[@vintoplad]

I don't think the original is worth making another video for, but it's a vastly different sound quality. If you ever wanna hear Vector to the Heavens but "nostalgically crunchy", then the "358/2 Days" version is the way to go.

[@CasualGamerDude]

You should check out the Dearly Beloved theme on all the Kingdom Hearts Games, they're basically the Main Menu theme, and one of the most recognizable motifs in the series. Each game throws a different spin on the theme, its super interesting musically and thematically

[@NekomatchaJun]

The Memoria orchestra album came out in 2014, the Field and Battle piano collections album was released in 2010. So the orchestra arrangement is based off the piano collections arrangement. Both are great. Also, the original version of Vector to the Heavens has a strong midi sound to it due to KH Days being a DS game. The remaster version is nice but I have powerful nostalgia for the original DS game sound. I would pause the fight to let it play out a few loops before playing again.

[@Fuzunga]

The original DS version from 358/2 Days is probably my favorite. It may sound crunchy, but I think it's still the best arrangement.

[@Kyouske_42]

For y'all kh fans: I really like the 10th anniversary soundtrack CD best, all great pieces with an extraordinary level of re-orchestration. The version of Vector to the Heavens is similar to the one Jesse listened to, but just that bit more detailed. The CD is called: Kingdom Hearts 10th anniversary Fan selection -Melodies & Memories-

[@UltimateCerberus]

Wow! Didn't expect you to listen to the OG version! 358/2 days was my first Kingdom Hearts game. Even tho I didn't fully get what was going on, Xion was by far such a tragic character because even in the Kingdom Hearts universe it felt like there was no way she would have a happy ending, and the sheer nod to her in later games would tear me up. Then it came KH3 and kinda ruined it.

[@IStoleYourCookie1]

More KH songs yessss

[@alsaiduq4363]

I'm pretty sure you can hear Kairi theme , a character that's connected to Xion, in one of her themes too. In vanitas themes you can hear Sora and Ventus theme because they're all connected. And in Ventus theme you catch Roxas ans Sora themes.

[@Xagzan]

We love Xion here. Have you heard The Other Promise yet? Once you hear both themes, you should listen to KH3's "Hearts as One" for more greatness. You know, I had a similar Vector to the Heavens experience with an older person, but it was my uncle. Same reaction as your guy had lol.

[@Vinylmelody1517]

Vector to the heavens and musqiue n are themes for a the character xion. In kh, many character themes will have references to other characters' themes to show the connection they all have. I hope you eventually react to the different character themes and hope u can pick up on the many ways they get reused throughout the series.

[@davesinsanestudio8072]

Ok, so imagine the first one, but sound coming out of Nintendo DS. That's how it originally sounded.

[@KnucklestheEcidna]

it's Xion on the cover

[@sararapotata]

10:54 oh man 😅

[@nashk358]

its so funny to me that this song is from/for a ds game! 😭🤣

[@samuelperez2223]

Xion! ;-;

[@EmrysMerlin8807]

@10:56 Yes, but in a resounding way, no.

[@PenguinsAreColdish]

imagine how hard the soundtrack would hit if the game was better