Kingdom Hearts Series to END - Tetsuya Nomura's Retirement

[@Kira1Lawliet]

As much as I hate the thought of KH ending, I would much rather it end conclusively than be dragged through the mud like so many other series have been by greedy studios. I hope Nomura stays on board to the end though, because KH is so much HIS vision.

[@xinf3ctdx]

I’m just hoping it actually ends conclusively and he doesn’t finish off the series with a ton of plot holes and then run off to retire with a lackluster ending.

[@Kira1Lawliet]

@@xinf3ctdx I just hope that when he ends it, Disney/Square Enix just leave it the hell alone and don't try to milk its corpse.

[@tubguinace]

I'm cool with it ending and then getting a reboot or soft reboot with new characters, if it's done well of course. I just don't think the series is anywhere near reaching its full potential.

[@HunterStiles651]

@@Kira1Lawliet Oh they 100% will milk its corpse. Kingdom Hearts will continue with or without Nomura. But thanks to a little something called "Death of the Author" you don't have to treat those as canon.

[@HunterStiles651]

@@tubguinace The series reached its full potential 18 years ago with a little game called "Kingdom Hearts 2 Final Mix". You're not getting much better than a game that is commonly held as one of the best JRPGs of all time alongside the likes of Final Fantasy VII, Persona 4 Golden, and Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne.

[@goldsocks9999]

Honestly Nomura deserves a break, but man I hope KH gets sent off lovingly

[@O_Ciel_Phant0mhive]

heavy on this

[@FirstOdin420]

Having grown up with Kingdom Hearts, I can't and don't want to imagine a world without it. But, it was always inevitable. I'm just thankful Nomura brought this amazing franchise to the world.

[@nerdwholikestodraw8480]

I SWEAR, this series better not end with young Sora in his room, waking up! 😂 Having all the events from every game be a damn dream!

[@smoothsoulbrotha]

At least his mom will be real then 😂😂😂

[@mrphauker]

With way the KH story works this might actually happen lol

[@SylDragonia]

I mean it will probably happen but with a deeper story reason. He is probably suffering as he always does and every main cast realize that sora always suffers so they decide he should live happily. And makes his mind warp to make it look like a dream. But in the end, tears roll from his eyes. The end.

[@grandon183]

​@@SylDragoniaI doubt it I don't think they'll give kingdom hearts a proper ending. It will carry on after Tetsuya Nomura leaves.

[@grandon183]

​@@SylDragoniawe'll probably see Sora's story come to an end I think there will be another protagonist after Sora's story wraps up.

[@twilightwalker8826]

I just read it, it is kind of sad but look at it this way.....if he wants to retire in the next 5-7 years, we WILL be getting KH 4 AND FF7 remake part 3 in that time frame

[@Kaitri]

Yeah lol... thats not something id say.

[@twilightwalker8826]

@@Kaitri what do you mean?

[@Kaitri]

@twilightwalker8826 just cause someone retires doesnt mean the game gets published. Games can be abandoned for many reasons

[@karstenh3381]

@@Kaitribrother there is about less than 0% chance that the 2 games FF7 part 3 and KH4 don’t come out in bare minimum some capacity, what kind of crack are you smoking?

[@Exzimius]

​@@KaitriI doubt they'd cancel either of those games. He'll probably stay on til those are completed at the very least.

[@MrThunderstruck1515]

Even when Nomura retires, there's still a possibility that he'll consult on future projects

[@ohitischris2119]

Just like naruto creator for boruto

[@andryhrakotoniaina7437]

He may just wrap up the story with kh5 but if he doesn’t then for sure he’ll retire first before finishing it

[@smoothsoulbrotha]

KH5 when tho? Since he hasn't even made KH4

[@REDEEMERWOLF]

Personally I don't want nomura anywhere near Square anymore and get someone who actually knows how to write a story without his convoluted time travel trash. I do love kingdom hearts though, don't get me wrong on that.

[@O_Ciel_Phant0mhive]

agreed!

[@LewisJones-sj1lm]

I think it’ll continue in some fashion. It’s too valuable not to. But without Nomura’s special spark, it might be better off ending.

[@celesticnova]

Once the main story wraps up, we should start getting one-off adventures to give other characters more time to shine. Imagine Xion and Roxas exploring new worlds together, or the BBS trio saving worlds that have fallen into darkness.

[@jacknickels6231]

Whats sad isnt that nomura said the series will end, but that he doesnt even know if he wants to finish it. I sense a lot more pessimism in nomura than before. A few years ago they revealed a roadmap for the next arc of kingdom hearts games and there was a lot more optimism in the air about the future for the series. My guess is something happened behind the scenes that changed that, and disney brought down the hammer on kh in some way we dont know about. He basically confirmed this at the orchestra concert last year when he said something happened behind the scenes.

[@magnainsomnia]

Why would disney stop it? It has an existing fanbase that will pay money

[@j_freak-1327]

Well if anyone can mess something up, disney is the one.

[@Ammy-q4w]

@@magnainsomnia I don't think "stop" is the right word. Of course they'd want to continue something that profits. Disney will instead try to control the IP in some way, which Nomura clearly doesn't agree with if this speculation is true.

[@hoohoo431]

It was definitely not Disney. They've been loosening up with every entry. Square either lit a fire under the KH team's ass, or they're putting it even further on the back seat because of financial troubles

[@alexandercolengelo8418]

Just be like JJR Martin and like have a say on the story but let others do everything else

[@GlerpidyGlarson]

Just remember that everything that begins needs to end at some point so that way it can carry on that legacy through other games. Inspiration for new things. Don't be sad because it's ending, be happy because it happened.

[@newagehero9605]

We need a kingdom hearts documentary with Nomura at the helm similar to grounded 1 & 2 the last of us. The whole team deserves it

[@SisProx]

You were, are, and you will be the best Kingdom Hearts creator content. You were an idol for my sister and for me since very begining of your youtube chanel, even if kingdom hearts ends, you will be remembered. Thanks for making my sister and me smile in our bad days, and for everything too, our dearly beloved Jared 🤗💚🖤 I wish you read this comment, because you were such an important part in our lifes. We wish the best for you.

[@dubbie7879]

I've always thought that kingdom hearts would end with this next saga, if only just because we have one spot left to fill in the backstory which will be filled by Missing Link, but Tetsuya Nomura has gone on record to say that he has a very specific visual for the ending in mind, which tells me he knows how he wants the story to end. i also think this next saga just feels very final, as it just has such heavy set up that it feels like it would kind of be a betrayal if they were to have another saga after this one. i think Soras story is about to end as well, i don't think there would be much possibility to work on Sora and Riku as the main characters after this whole arc.

[@rosies69]

"Jump interview" you cut off a bit at the beginning bro

[@orionperez4985]

Boosting this so we have the uncut video 🙏

[@Brycemoney999]

Boosting as well!

[@ValedTime]

We're in the endgame now....

[@GabePlaysYT]

It's sad but ngl Nomura has gone from being "just" a character designer for so many iconic video game heroes and villains to basically BEING Final Fantasy at times. The dude has taken on SO MUCH responsibility these days and that's on top of running his own hecking video game series - Kingdom Hearts - which has equally become iconic! I hope it doesn't happen soon, but the man does honestly deserve to retire at some point.

[@lucasthegamemasterporterfi84]

I truly love his art style… without him, the literal art of tetsuya nomura dies😢 unless there is somebody here who knows how to completely recreate his art style perfectly here, right?

[@KHhero]

a.i.

[@lucasthegamemasterporterfi84]

@@KHhero which kind of AI can do that? And how?

[@KHhero]

@@lucasthegamemasterporterfi84 idk if any can right now, but there used to be a.i. image generators that could make images from your prompt "into the style of Pixar characters" or "into the style of Tangled/Frozen/Moana/Raya/Wish characters" before Disney lawyers got said hellno, So it's conceivable a.i. could be programmed/taught the same for Nomura artstyle someday

[@garnetspades]

@@KHhero​​⁠im sure Nomura would hate the idea of AI doing that shit.. stealing his work and all to recreate what only he can do.

[@tigerfestivals5137]

​@@lucasthegamemasterporterfi84 AI could easily do it. I would hate that though. There's no intentionality behind it, so it would make me lose interest.

[@eboninkdeathliquidnecrosis]

I will cry my eyes out when it ends.

[@luq.9905]

Well deserved retirement, Nomura Sensei💙

[@TrailblazerProductionsLLC]

I'd rather the series end with Nomura. I don't trust Disney and Square enough to keep it going.

[@Volcanic_Eruption]

Same to be honest. Kingdom Hearts would not be the same without him.

[@gamestation2690]

⁠@@Volcanic_Eruption Just like how the Metal Gear series should end with Kojima, right?

[@poleon2003]

@@gamestation2690 Or like how Final Fantasy should end with Sakaguchi

[@Scrubthirty]

​@@gamestation2690 this is Disney we're talking about, completely different. Look how well it's going with Star wars and marvel. (Deadpool 3 is all credited to Reynolds and Jackman so don't go there.)

[@gamestation2690]

@@Scrubthirty Can we please stop treating Disney like it’s the worst thing ever?

[@LewisJones-sj1lm]

For me personally I think when KH wraps up that will be me out of the video game sphere. Growing up I only ever really bought all the new consoles and kept up to date with gaming to keep up with Kingdom Hearts. I played other stuff and I have a few other series I adore but KH was really what kept me invested in the hobby. With the state of gaming these days, there’s barely anything new coming out that inspires me much, I got a PS5 and have barely used it, just waiting on KH4. I can’t see myself buying a PS6. If KH is done I think it’s probably over for me too.

[@joshuaBrooks.nicholas]

Facts same here I grew up the series since the first one

[@mrjonjohnny7919]

Riku would be a natural "new" poster boy for KH, after Nomura ends with Sora arc, teoretically. BUUUUUUT... I would love a Kairi focused saga, ngl

[@empressofcreativity]

@@mrjonjohnny7919 I lowkey think the next saga will focus on Ventus

[@mrjonjohnny7919]

@@empressofcreativity Oh Man, you mentioned Ventus, It would be Nice! SE, please Remake 358/2! Roxas is my favorite KH character 🥲

[@KrimsonKattYT]

This is even further proof that the series should have ended with KH2 or KH3, and in the case of KH3 had a much more satisfying conclusion. KH3 didn't feel like a conclusion, it felt like another side game building up to some "big thing". While the gameplay and world design was the best the series had ever seen, its story being a disappointment is a MASSIVE understatement. I HIGHLY doubt that just one game, KH4, can conclude the entire series is a satisfying way, if at all, after the TONS of unanswered questions left after KH3 and all the previous games. I have an INSANE fear that the Kingdom Hearts series will be left forever incomplete, that KH4 will end on a major cliffhanger, and we would never get another sequel with Nomora gone as Disney begins to milk the series for all it's worth. Kingdom Hearts will end up like the many mega man series (X, ZX, and Legends), Sly Cooper, Half Life, or Shenmue as a series without a definitive conclusion to its storyline for all time. None of it's deepest questions answered, no satisfying conclusion for any of the characters, ending the series on a cliff hanger that will never be resolved. For your reference, here is every plot point that has not yet been explained: -What's in the black box? -Who is the Master of Masters? -What is the backstory of a large majority of the organization? -What is Luxord's wild card, and what is its purpose? -What is Ventus' deal? Is he a princess of heart? How did Venitas get sealed inside of him? -Who is Yozora? What is his deal? -What is Terra and Aqua's origin? -Why did Xehanort change his goals last minute? -What is the relationship between the regular KH universe and "unreality"? -Why did Sora end up in unreality when he died? -How much of Terra really was in Xemnas? -Is Venitas darkness incarnate? Is he not related to Ventus at all? -Who are the new seven hearts? -What is the deal with Yen Sid's book? Is it the book of prophesy? -Where is the book of prophesy? What happend to it? -What is Schala Ad Caelum, really? What is its relation to daybreak town? -Why did Scala appear inside Kingdom Hearts? What is so special about that world? -When did Xigbar get possessed by Luxu? Was he always Luxu? -Why are future versions of Mickey, Donald, and Goofy in Daybreak Town 200 years into the past? -What is the OFFICIAL official kingdom hearts timeline? (with actual dates?) -Why are heartless appearing in unreality? -What is Quadratum's relationship with the cancelled FF Verses XIII? -Why are the foretellers in the future? Why are they evil? What are their goals? -What even IS kingdom hearts? -Will Kairi EVER get her time in the spotlight? -Why was Namine inside Sora in KH3? Shouldn't she disappear when Kairi died since they're the same person? -Is Axel self-aware? -How did Sora remember Xion, especially since he didn't have Roxas at that point? -Why didn't Sora lose the ability to wield the keyblade when Ven was awakened? Sora was never bequeathed! -How did Aqua do the bequeathing ritual with Kairi only touching the hilt of her keyblade? How is that supported to work? -How are the foretellers related to the 7 deadly sins? Is there secretly a 7th foreteller? Is it Kairi? -How can Riku use the darkness without being corrupted? Does it have something to do with Ansem the Wise's machine? -How did Ansem's heart vaccuum machine restore Riku to his regular appearance? -Why did Kairi's letter open a portal to the realm of light? Why didn't Mickey try that to rescue Aqua? -Why didn't Sora and Riku encounter Aqua at the Dark Margin? According to BBS Secret Episode she was literally right there. -Why did Ansem the Wise get teleported to the dark margin when the heart machine exploded, but Riku got returned to normal? -What is the reclusent's sigil? What is its origin? Why is it magically able to track anyone who wears it? -Why did Vanitas briefly manifest in the cathedral when YX spoke? And didn't Sora see his face there? So why did he not react to it in DDD but did in KH3? -What is the Black Coat Nightmare? It comes out of nowhere in DDD and then is never mentioned again. -How was Sora able to blatantly break the rules of time travel in KH3, but Xehanort wasn't? Why did Malificent not suffer any consequences for breaking the rules of time travel twice in KH1/UX/KH2? (she traveled in time with a body and tried to change fate) -Why did Riku and Kairi's appearances not change in the 3 year timeskip between KH3 and LimitCut/MoM/KH4? You tend to grow a lot between the ages of 16 and 20. -Why did Sora only appear 3 years later in Quadratum, and not right away? Is Streliztiza involved in his revival? -Speaking of Streliztiza, how did she come back? Shouldn't she be dead for 200 years? Why hasn't she aged at all? Are both her and Sora undead? -What ultimately happened to the Lingering Will? Against popular belief he seems to be a separate being entirely from Terra. -How was Donald able to use Zetaflare, a world-destroying magic? Did he ever use it before? Why did Goofy seem to know about it and it's cost? -Why did Mickey never save Aqua in the YEAR between KH1 and KH2 or the ADDITIONAL YEAR between KH2 and KH3? He had plenty of time. -Why did Yen Sid quit being a keyblade master? -Will Sora ever become a keyblade master? -Why was Yen Sid's mark of mastery so much harder than Ereques? It's impossible to address all of these questions in just one game. Unless KH4 is some 500 Hour supergame with like 30 disney worlds and 8 original worlds and every single major character having their own story campaign and then a "final story" like Sonic Adventure or BBS, I don't see KH4 ending the series in any sort of satisfying way.

[@BaoKimshi]

You're legend.

[@FredMaverik]

wigga

[@FredMaverik]

Lingering Will returned to Terranort's body, and it is indeed, Terra's heart bro. Just play Remind when it expands that scene. lmao More than half if not all your questions could be answered in a new game. Some dont even matter and were never a problem like Yen sid's stuff

[@FredMaverik]

You also seem to have missed several stuff. The 7th deadly sin could refer to the Master of Masters himself, duh.

[@knightofanguish7399]

This is perhaps the addition to why the KH4 news and missing link remained silent. He's probably mapping out the plans maybe into the retirement years to trusted team members to carryout the planned ending of this saga. Its probably similar to James Cameron's Avatar series. He's making sure his vision meets his expectations while probably considering some liberties the company probably wants to adjust when he finally retires. So safe to say, KH4 would be the most heavily analyzed for fans to see where the future holds.

[@brannycedeno6823]

Remember when he said KH would be going on for several decades in 2016, and now his plans seem to have changed in the span of 8 years and 2 main games only? I ain't lying. Jared made a video on it too.

[@jossephskeyblade9198]

Nomura planned on keeping kingdom hearts going on for generations but what exactly changed his mind on this? We don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes.

[@duplocs5726]

As somebody who got into Kingdom Hearts around the age of 5 or so, the series stuck with me. The biggest thing to know about the Kingdom Hearts series is that it was a massive gamble with Disney at the time. But now we have the best series to date, with so much lore to dive into. With Nomura saying he wants to retire I 100% understand since he's stretched himself so thin I bet he doesn't even use his vacation days he's that dedicated. But once he does we should at least know he left us off with a bang

[@Artimes.]

Tetsuya Nomura is considered one of the OG's of square enix pretty much. He started work as a debugger on FInal Fantasy IV, before working as character designer in various other FF titles and major video games like Front Mission, Parasite eve and the Chrono series and then finally, full on director. He has been working in this industry for 33 years. As much as we would love for our beloved franchises to continue forever under the helm of these creators, that is never going to be the case. As we get older in our generation, these guys are going to be pushing 50 or even 60 and its going to be the end. Its sad because they are what established this multi-faceted industry with so much ambition and level of talent. But on the bright side of things, having new fresh creators to work on a series, you never know could actually be a good thing. For Kingdom hearts in paticular, lets not be in denial that this series has had its a very bumby and rocky publishing schedule. So maybe we can get back on a more consistent track. Obvously now we don't have to jump around so many different platforms like we did back in the day because of handhelds and the release schedule could be more straightforward.

[@hyper_tex9834]

I agree with you, once Nomura retires, Sora's story should be finished, but the series should continue. I can see the end of the Sora saga to be the start of a new golden age of keybladers that emerges. Actually, in that sense, KH could be a perfect setting for an mmorpg like ff14, and all the new keybladers going on their little adventures with us being that new generation. I know I would be interested, but that's just me, although it's funny they brought someone that worked on the heavensward portion of 14. But anyway, that's my opinion

[@Volcanic_Eruption]

I'm not sure Kingdom Hearts will be the same without Sora, but I do believe if they were to continue the series after Nomura this will make the most sense. Sora's story should end with Nomura, a new main character comes with a new director, new writers

[@danzoEX]

A Kingdom Hearts MMO is a dream of mine… going world to world…

[@Raximus3000]

"keybladers?!" It sounds wrong to me.

[@danzoEX]

@@Raximus3000 I believe he meant Keyblade wielders lol

[@empressofcreativity]

Idk why but I feel like Ventus may be the series next protagonist moving forward

[@O_Ciel_Phant0mhive]

I almost cried when I heard the news. I felt my heart breaking .... I grew up with KH and it is still my number one story and has always been. Thinking about ending in the near future scares me. Although, what you said is true...all good things come to an end. For now anyway, I will enjoy the new HK content and continue embracing it as the years go on. Thank you gamer's joint for always updating us ! You are an amazing soul for that, and If I knew you personally I would give you a big ol' hug haha keep doing you!

[@joeybrandin]

I like both the idea of an actual Ending to Kingdom Hearts, but I also don’t hate the idea of a post Nomura reboot of sorts. It’d be interesting to see an IP that was originally an FF spinoff become essentially its own FF; with several installments and separate spin-offs. But honestly, if they ever decide to continue Kingdom Hearts after Nomura’s retirement, they absolutely need future installments to have their own story that doesn’t necessarily connect to the main Sora arc. I love the crazy convoluted plot of KH, but it can’t get more twisty turny than it already is or I will start blowing up buildings.

[@The-Polarcool]

Yeah and if they can't just give up sora, the could just make him like a teacher to the new or something along those lines.

[@zephyrias]

A new story with a new cast of characters set in the worlds of KH would be best. I wouldn’t mind that. I would love to see Sora and his company get the finality it needs. 🎉

[@musubi8885]

I looked up some info about retirement in Japan. Most companies set the retirement age at 60, but citizens don't receive pension until 65. Because of this, it's common for employees to be rehired under a different contract, often in a lesser role, until age 65. I could see the possibility that if timings are a little off and the Lost Masters arc won't finish until Nomura is like 63 that he would probably work past 60 to make sure Sora's story ends how he's envisioned it. We're getting towards the end, but we still probably have over a decade left of Sora.

[@HeroOfLight13]

The ideal scenario for me is that we get 3 main games for this saga, KH4-6, with Nomura sticking around till the end (keeping in mind that depending on dev time he might retire before or after that 7 year mark), Sora’s journey coming to a close with Nomura’s departure, but the remaining leadership and talent left behind can continue to build the series out following a new protagonist in a new era. …and also that we finally get those god damn Days, ReCoded, and Union Cross remakes at long last lmao! 🤣 But seriously tho, by the time Nomura retires he’s gonna have the conclusion to Kingdom Hearts, the completion of Final Fantasy VII Re-trilogy, and likely the realization of his original vision for Versus XIII under his belt, not to mention all his other accomplishments over the years. Dude has earned his retirement 10x over.

[@bengisu1998]

I’m so devastated! Cant believe both of my favorite franchises (Kingdom Hearts and The Elder Scrolls) are gonna end and the creators of both series are saying things like these games will be their last 😭

[@gallaxseizor9216]

It's not ending. It's a household franchise. Expect more games and spinoff after Nomrua retires, just not from him though

[@TheFroman11]

When I found this out I was taken back. I feel this is the hugest news we've gotten about KH since the review of kh 4. Defiantly difficult to swallow but it is inevitable. The man deserves to ride off in the sunset. I wish I can just shake his hand or give him a hug for making my childhood amazing. I have seen Disney put franchises through the ringer so I'm a little apprehensive about it continuing with out Nomora. I guess time will tell and every thing is subject to change. Let this soak for a while and see if my opinion changes through the next coming years.

[@CasualChris247]

im way more excited for these next few games knowing there is a REAL ENDING LETS GOOO

[@kooxii]

This honestly explains a lot of the “direction changes” he probably was restructuring the story to better fit everything

[@tubguinace]

This feels like Eiichiro Oda saying One Piece is close to ending for the past decade. I think KH has plenty of time left.

[@Volcanic_Eruption]

Or Hayao Miyazaki who has been off and on retirement for the last 20 years 😂😂

[@Diogo85]

Tetsuya Nomura is the Eiichiro Oda of Kingdom Hearts.

[@NoctLightCloud]

exaclty. why panic? it's Japanese creators😂 when they say it's nearing its end, that means another few entries and couple of years.

[@Sir_Slimbread]

I could actually see Disney(or at least Square)respecting Nomura's wishes if he wanted the series to end, but I don't think that'd stop us from getting Kingdom Hearts. I think that Nomura's retirement would bring us into the era where we get Kingdom Hearts Remakes, and finally get the Kingdom Hearts Anime. I'd also like for the series to continue even without Nomura, but I'd still hope that Nomura would be a consultant for the series and/or provide a rough idea of where he'd take the story if it had to continue. As long as Kingdom Hearts doesn't get mishandled like Star Wars(where most of the Movies/TV Series are decisive at best), then I don't care if it continues without Nomura. As long as Nomura provides us with a good "this is where the story could end" ending, then Square/Disney can continue it even if it's not nearly as good or straight up bad(I'd hope it remains good, but it wouldn't hurt as bad if we have a good "ending").

[@ultimaUmbreon]

Kingdom Hearts will never be the same without Nomura's Unique input as the creator of the franchise, but life goes on I guess. I hope Nomura starts preparing a successor like Takumi Isobe or Tai Yasue or someone else who nomura deems worthy. It's too sad to even think about stuff like this but man...

[@OhKayEl]

What the hell happened to "the next saga"? Didn't Square chart off an entire multi-year plan for the so-called "phase 2" of the franchise?

[@Nightcore_Paradise]

Nothing happened to it. Nomura is retiring but the franchise is still going to continue after he retires.

[@Zetra7]

I do feel a little sad we are coming to the end but I more feel assured that KH will have a conclusion. Also I want Nomura to take care of his health as Remake and Rebirth have taken a toll on him. He looks so tired now. Let my Papa rest! 🥱

[@KatOwO2235]

this day was to be expected but as a new fan, I didn't expect it so soon

[@Diogo85]

He's not retiring now, he's retiring years from now.

[@KatOwO2235]

@@Diogo85 I know but it feels too soon, I just got into the series recently in the past few years and we're already discussing this XD

[@Diogo85]

@@KatOwO2235 He worked on Kingdom Hearts games for over twenty years and on Final Fantasy game designs before that.

[@KatOwO2235]

@@Diogo85 I know and the man deserves his retirement, it's just all so fast for a newcomer like me, but still Tetsuya Nomura deserves his retirement as he's a great man

[@Diogo85]

@@KatOwO2235 He sure does.

[@brannycedeno6823]

Honestly, KH is a series that means so much to me, and I'd be broken to see it end, especially since the story hasn't wrapped itself very well (more and more confusing plot points are put in the table with each successive entry, and more questions arise instead of being answered), but I also want it to stop at some point. It wouldn't hurt to have another KH-like franchise at some point, though. Maybe a parallel series stemming from it.

[@glink9641]

Omg thank you!!! Well said. That's me and my GF thoughts. I'm 36 and still so heavily invested. But feels like it's not being handled well, especially with 3😢, The characters are misrepresented and mishandled from what I saw in 3. Plus lack their of screen time and moments that's should have really mattered and been given that utmost care, instead was rushed and felt as if they had no idea what to do with anyone.

[@JcsUniverses]

I'm actually really excited that we are getting new writers because the potential of new reactions and scenarios happening within this brand new saga! Not to mention possible remakes of previous Kingdom Hearts Games... Maybe. I'm sad that Tetsuya Nomura is stepping down soon but I have hope for the future and it's making me excited for both Missing Link and 4!

[@randomrandomson4855]

I’m excited to see what new writers would bring to the table for KH as well in the future

[@KingdomheartL0V3R]

Gosh.. I'm approaching my 30's and have followed this series since kh1 and was 9-10 yrs old when I first picked up the game on sale at a closing toys-R-us because it looked interesting... I already feel old in the field, but like a good book, I can't step away from this series until it reaches a satisfying conclusion. The series has had such good character growth and nostalgia that I am just so happy to have been able to follow it through the good years of Disney story telling. I have been disappointed that in Kh3 they didn't bring in many of the FF characters, but at the same time, the worlds and development have been great enough to standalone. Sora, Riku and Kairi are the best trio of friends, and the inclusion of all the others - roxas, namine, axel, xion, Xemnas, Master Xehanort (How many times do we have to teach you old man?!) has just made the series so amazing.. I can't. Just beyond happy that this series ever existed at all 😌

[@TheGrouchiestPotato]

I hope the series ends on a high note with him at the helm. I feel that’s what the series deserves and it’s be fitting for it’s legacy to be a game series that chose to end and did so well. Not very many series can say that

[@JayThePhoenix91]

I just hope it doesn't mean the ending will be rushed. I understand the series ending (as much as it saddens me) before it goes downhill, but i hope he doesnt force out ALL of the story that needs concluding in, like, 2 games. Itd be too cramped. I could see Verum Rex being its own series after KH is done

[@yo371]

4:31 i love the idea of kh getting a new cast and protagonist, i always thought that would make for a great reboot and a way to go back to the first games simpler storytelling.

[@Techno-Tanuki]

Sakaguchi is still a consultant and has helped with games at square even though he now has Mistwalker Studios. I can see Nomura taking a “creative fellow” role where he’s not directly working on it but still giving guidance on the story. I personally would like to see this saga be another trilogy but please let missing link be the only side game for the series. Perhaps give us a book if needed to tie it up.

[@heartlesscomatos3458]

Yeah only way I stick around for more KH is if Nomura ends sora’s arc, and new director starts with fresh cast.

[@omicronalpha8827]

I would like it continue, there's so much potential specifically in the gameplay side that I want to see; however, I would understand if Nomura stepping down marked the end. Do I think it WILL end? Most likely no because of how successful it is. All I want is for the successor to be decently competent while staying true to the kingdom hearts identity.

[@sora_2342]

Nomura retiring is such a sad thought… he’s been apart of so much video game history from oh ffvii to kh and so much more. It’s hard to imagine Kingdom hearts without him especially any story with sora riku and Kiri, I matter if Disney technically owns them they are his creation and I don’t think their story should continue without him. It’s hard to say if Kingdom Hearts should continue in any capacity without him or just past this saga, to quote a wise man “all good things must eventually come to an end” and also another quote that can apply here and any franchise “you ether die a hero or live long enough to become a villain” there have been so many game franchises that I love dearly, uncharted being one of my favorites of all time. Would I love another uncharted game? Yes but Nate’s story has been told to perfection and I am happy to let it rest. I think I can say the same about kingdom hearts and sora. If Nomura finishes sora and this next saga and gives Kingdom Hearts a satisfying conclusion I will be happy to let it rest in peace. Don’t drag it out after he retires to where it ether because a shell of its former self or it ruins his work and the story he told though it

[@danzoEX]

I think Nomura is DEFINITELY setting up for a small group of people within Square Enix to take over the KH series once he retires due to the fact he’s letting them write scenarios with him Annnnnnd the fact he quizzes them on what happened in the old games despite them never working on it before

[@KissoneKinoma]

imagine wanting kingdom hearts to last as long as one piece

[@Nix_Abyss]

I wish it ended sooner tbh KH3 should’ve been the conclusion

[@NTsiya]

If KH2: Final Max was the finale of the series I’d be more than okay with that. 358/2 days would be included because it completes the KH2 story.

[@jairekambui7738]

@@NTsiyaFacts, KH1, CoM, Days and 2 is the only part of the series I recognize as canon.

[@kbraven7007]

With all the properties Disney owns, they could do it if they really want to.

[@Diogo85]

Is there a problem with that?

[@DoctorWhosThat]

I’m still waiting for Nomura to leave us a very special surprise to say thank you and goodbye…especially, if it’s hidden in kingdom hearts 4 as the way of a secret boss. Just literally throwing everything at you and not backing down without a fight pulling moves and attacks drawing deep from the essence of his favourite characters, enemies and bosses from the whole series! I would imagine this would be post-game content and there would be clues of how to find him, also that it wouldn’t actually be a timed event either.

[@harrysgirl101]

I really hope he realizes his vision with FF versus 13, even if in a roundabout way in KH.

[@azsam22]

It also sounds like he might have a conclusion in mind, which is really exciting. The moments where we got overarching answers were some of my favorite.

[@Silent_Mochi]

Whether the kingdom hearts series ends or not is up to disney and to an extent square enix However, I do hope they let nomura finish soras story at the very least

[@divider928]

I think its a good time to have new writer to step up for new entries. Dont get me wromg, Nomura is a great artist, always love his design with unique artstyle that anyone seeing it people will know its from SE. He a good director however not a good writer. A major complain for KH3 is the story itself not a gameplay, hopefully he got a writer that can understand this game to continue his legacy

[@RiderZer0]

Give Nomura a paopu fruit so you’ll be connected with him forever 😂

[@adrianemanuel7121]

Everything from KH1 to the eventual last Nomura game in The Lost Master Arc: Nomura Era. Everything afterwards to a certain stopping point: Yasue Era Everything after that: [insert next lead] Era, and so on and so forth. As long as we live to see how Nomura would finish his story, I'm good with whatever Disney/SE/remaining development team wanna try with the series. If we don't like it, we'll at least definitively have and know the OG's swan song 🥲.

[@DeadSkullable]

As we look to the future of the Kingdom Hearts franchise, it's important to appreciate the journey that Nomura has taken us on. Whether the series continues for another 6 or 7 installments, or if new characters and spin-offs are introduced, let's embrace the possibilities. While some worry about the series being overworked, there's hope for a bright future if Nomura entrusts the legacy to someone new. And if he does conclude the series, let's cherish the memories we've made. For now, let's continue to enjoy the franchise and look forward to what lies ahead for Kingdom Hearts.

[@rezievil4ever]

Even of he retires he may be around like Nobuo Uematsu as support and guidance for the new development team if Kingdom Hearts continues

[@josegregorioafonsocurbelo7237]

I hope that after Kingdom Hearts 4 I make more new installments of the Kingdom Hearts sagas with or without Nomura I want Kingdom Hearts to continue living and make new stories, new beginnings like all Final Fantasy sagas, but I don't want Kingdom Hearts to come to a definitive end.

[@theorycraft7138]

The kingdom hearts universe is quite young, the worlds were only just forming when xehanort was a kid u see this in dark road. The ones from union x are just from the book of prophecies. After soras story,the last game where nomera closes the story on sora, we could time skip a few hundered years or even a few thousand years and have new worlds and new characters to explore. A brand new cast all with the same rules and logic around rralms and keyblades we currently have. It will be both familiar and new. That way the new writers cant ruin our current cast and if the new games turn out bad we can just choose for it to not be cannon to the kh that nomura has worked on. Similar to the ben 10 reboot, how some think its cannon and how i along with many others believe its not cannon. A timeskip and new cast with no connection to the characters we currently have is the best way forward. Perhaps we can have a vauge legend that is told about the great hero sora who saved the universe or whatever as a reference to the current kh. I dont want to see any of our characters being used though. U could even have a world reset so all the disney characters could be reset along with their worlds so u can use the same worlds with the new characters. Maybe after the reset mickey doesnt become a keyblade weilder or something and stays a king. U could really play with those changes to subvert our expectations and stuff

[@angryjack7963]

Never really got the full experience of Kingdom Hearts and I only played part three and didn’t really finish it but whoever made the idea of Kingdom Hearts deserves an award or to be in the hall of fame, it is kinda sad that it is coming to an end cause I do feel like they could’ve kept going but some things do gotta come to an end at some point

[@FrogWizard224]

Kingdom Hearts is my favorite series of all time. I would love for it to end nicely than to keep going and get too dragged out. Although, I wouldn't mind seeing side stories with Sora not being the main protagonist.

[@popcudson4820]

I got into kh a year ago and I was really excited to see this franchise that I love grow with new games and its said to finally start something when its ending but Im happy I played it in the first place.

[@GabrielHello1]

The only thing can think about: let’s enjoy the ride. There will be an end, but it’s far from over. KH4 is gonna be huge, I can feel it and we still have more titles with more mysteries and theories to craft.

[@antexrulerofdarkness5517]

Dang! Hard to believe that so much time has passed and now Nomura is getting ready to consider eventual retirement. I know that it was inevitable (for crying out loud, even my dad is getting ready for it!), but I can still recall the time I first found an interest in KH back in Elementary I believe?😮 Dang!😂 Anyway, I have to agree with you that despite Nomura eventually going to take his leave, there’s still high potential and possibility of a new saga/future for KH under a new writer/director; it’ll also help that the whole team that has experience with working with Nomura provides a bit of an advantage too. But yeah. KH has been something that has left its Mark on Fate (lol😂) for many. I hope that as this saga ends with KHIV, a new future for KH as a whole begins. ❤😊❤

[@TheEclipsedLock]

It has been incredibly fantastic being a fan of this series ever since the time of the first game up to where we are now. However... in my heart of hearts, I cannot see the series continue for 20 more years without some kind of reboot happening along the way. As sad as it is, I am glad we will see a definitive conclusion, maybe not permanently for the series, but at least a conclusion of sorts with the characters we have grown up with.

[@LiLTiTan914]

I always thought about the direction of kh after Nomura retires. Part of me wants it to end with his retirement, like a final swan song to his career, but another sees the possibilities of how the series could move forward. I would love if they made Fantasy star online type of game set in the distant future of KH. That way the story could continue but without messing up what came before. It'd be cool to create your own character, go on missions to different worlds and learn different keyblade styles from schools founded by keyblade weilders like Riku or Roxas. It could have an emphasis on online, but also have an option for singler player. Just one possibility I'd be down for.

[@Enclave.]

As you very briefly mentioned, Missing Link is largely devs new to Kingdom Hearts. I can't help but feel he's putting out feelers for a potential successor.

[@Alfrodo8]

Even tho I KNEW Nomura was """old""" his retiring never crossed my mind for some reason. But to be honest, I'd rather he managed to finish KH before that (any likely Disney/Square Enix reboots aside), because if he doesn't, then unless they leave the rest to someone HE TRUSTS with the series and its story, I'll be very judgemental about anything that comes after. And this is not to say that I wouldn't like any new games in that situation. I might genuinely love them, but my initial reaction would be "how dare you stand where he stood?!"-ish

[@jordanmichael2192]

Im getting old if we comming to an end i remember changing disc with ff7 ff8 i remember the day kh1 came out this is gonna be saddest day of my life i hope you stay broadcasting

[@chaoslacky1585]

I'm glad that the main story will get a conclusion by the main author. It doesn't have to been the end of Kingdom Hearts. The most obvious thing Disney and Square Enix can do is do remake on newer systems. Maybe Coded and Days can finally get a remake. They could also make spinoffs centering on some of the other characters such as the Sea Salt Trio or the Wayfinder trio. Maybe even use Data-Sora as a stand in for Sora. Or just to a time-skip and have the children of the previous characters be the new main characters.

[@tsumetai_kaze]

Seems the start of the video got cut off. The video overall wasn't affected too much, though. Missed the usual "Welcome back to another Kingdom Hearts video. Today-" On the topic of the video, however, the sweetest of things must always come to an end eventually. Whatever is is store for Kingdom Hearts after Nomura's metaphorical passing of the torch, I hope it is respectful to the originals that started it all.

[@ReixiaXIII]

And I am grateful for his works on kh, heck he showed up at the very end of the orchestra they had in LA in 2016 like everyone was leaving and here comes took and her translator freaking out cause he showed up unannounced 😂 everyone stopped where they were and sat down so fast. Felt bad for those who were already out the doors

[@Cloud-dt6xb]

I also doubt that when Nomura leaves that's it for Kingdom Hearts, mainly because both Square and Disney can't afford for it to not keep going right now. I'm sure there's developers out there who'd love a chance to steer the ship of this series so the likely scenario is that Nomura picks someone to take over when he's done. I don't have a problem with him retiring the man's been at Square since before even Final Fantasy 7 came out, we've gotten the best he has to offer and still likely will by the time he retires. Right now I think it's best to take it one game at a time because that's still a ways off into the future.

[@forthelion1354]

My main question from this is if they do more Kingdom Hearts games, how many worlds can they realistically add in before they run out? They’ve already touched on basically every significant film, with only a few remaining.

[@Archangelneos]

The man is a fucking legend in my book. If it wasn't for him and that crazy game on the PS2 I would have never fell for the series in the first place. I am still against mobile games, BUT for him I may MAY cop missing link just cause I love his wacky ideas. That being said I am not trusting of the devs of today given how people are quick to ruin beloved franchises all for the sake of DIE programs and I for one would like Kingdom Hearts end on a good note and not a bad one.

[@SylDragonia]

Kingdom hearts is the same age as mine. It has more deeper connection to me than I can ever imagine.

[@flamingaxelburn]

Sora is legally a Disney property and considering how Disney has been lately, I would wholeheartedly want it to end. We don't need no Acolyte treatment happening to my boi Sora. No thank you.

[@darkscoutergamer6168]

I doubt a acolyte treatment would happen lol but heres hoping they can do good with it but only time will tell🙏🏻💙btw hope you doing good too

[@KrimsonKattYT]

Acolyte wasn't even bad. Just kind of mid like all the other D+ Star Wars shows. (besides Andor) It was only the crazy anti-woke people raging at it who treated it like the antichrist for a good month before they moved onto something else to hate. (aka Concord and to a lesser extent Dustborn) Bet there will be something next month for them to hate on too. The hate train never stops for the anti-woke!

[@Atlas92936]

@@darkscoutergamer6168you underestimate modern Disneys ability to kill anything it touches

[@darkscoutergamer6168]

@@Atlas92936 well it’s definitely not everything for sure but yeah sadly I know what you mean😭🙏🏻I still love Disney but for sure they have done some questionable decisions last few years that I wish didn’t happen.

[@hoohoo431]

Acolyte?

[@scatlinksean]

The series better feckin' end with Sora & Kairi in a kiss. Very classic Disney, but my god let them have their happy ending instead of either one disappearing constantly! Also; a proper Kairi game with her as the playable lead, damn it!

[@Satrina777]

Nah FF is still going strong and KH is Square's 2nd or 3rd most successful IP. KH3 alone made too much money and probably even more with ML & IV, for them to just abandon it. Especially seeing as this is/was supposed to be the beginning of a new arc, not the end of the series. Disney especially, would probably encourage future titles with Square beyond Nomura's retirement. Though it's definitely sad to think he'll eventually have less involvement. Another thing to mention, Nomura has a history of saying things that aren't definitive, as he.. seems to change his mind on things. lol He claims he'll retire soon, but in 5 years he may have no intention to, so until the day he comes where he announces his official retirement, I wouldn't think much of it. However, I believe he's someone who, even *if* he _does_ retire, he'll inevitably come back to KH to some extent.. Creatives never retire for long 😂. They tend to get bored, regardless of age. That's not even copium, just an observation over the past 20 years.

[@stanturezky1926]

Nomura worked hard for many many years, I understand him thinking about retiring. I hope we get 2-3 more games out of him, and wouldn’t mind him leaving on the concluding final game that ends KH~

[@mikeg8768]

God I hope he finishes the series I can’t imagine how much stress he went through. It’s all evident in his story changes. He was dealing with a lot. Chain of Memories being the darkest game with actual kills.

[@MrWarners14]

I would much rather see this series reach a solid definitive conclusion than suffer horrendous story rot. If it’s gonna end, I want Sora and his mother to finally reunite, he introduces all his new friends & close relatives (like Namine and Roxas) and they all have a big dinner party to show appreciation for Sora. I think that would be the perfect ending.

[@BeastyBlerd]

It will soon be an end of an era 😢

[@godzilla4189]

If Tetsuya Nomura, at the very least, not only concludes Sora's Story, but also manages to somehow interweave the themes of FF VS XIII into the series in a way he never could on its own, He would be just like his mentor Tetsuya Takahashi with the Xeno series and the Xenogears Perfect Works. It might even be on par with Xenoblade being a sequel to Xenosaga all along as well.

[@chriskoloski32]

When nomura retires I'm gonna miss it. There's only a handful of people who have such great character and monster design. Like akira toriyama may he r.i.p.

[@neauxfrontier3541]

With this being the end of Sora’s story, I think I’d really like to see the Twilight Town gang become major players in moving the franchise in a new direction. Pre-established characters that we already know that haven’t really done much for the story but are connected to Sora in some way.

[@LSMasta]

Immediately in my feels. Life always reminds you that you get older and all the good things end eventually.

[@jairekambui7738]

KH hasn’t been good in years.

[@DigiBrad]

I really would like it if Nomura and co. Finish Sora's story (and most of the main characters we have so far) and that if he retires and they continue the franchise that it mostly new characters and or maybe a new "time line"/soft reboot scenario

[@aquanix]

I would like to see where the story could without Sora in the future. Like maybe continue the saga with his son he has with Kairi takes the mantle 😮. I’d be willing to accept that if they decided to end Soras story and let a new character take the role

[@saphirolink8738]

Honestly, I can’t see Kingdom Hearts in the hands of someone else than Tetsuya Nomura. I just hope if it continues after his retirement, I hope it doesn’t follow the same path as the Star Wars franchise. We can love some and hate others and it is not a good health to a franchise. Kingdom Hearts needs to stay as a magical experience. My your heart be your guiding key.

[@GIRru11]

I doubt the franchise will just end when he retires. There's a big chance someone else will take over with a new story, since Im sure Nomura plans to end Sora's story sometime eventually

[@gallaxseizor9216]

Of Course. Kingdom Hearts is a marketable franchise, they would never just end it. That's like just cutting down a portion of your money/revenue

[@milhousmanastorm7591]

I’d like to see KH take a similar approach that the Yakuza games took. Y7 switched to an entirely new protagonist and supportive cast (and controversially a new combat style). But that ultimately future-proofed the series, allowing new players to jump right in from Y7 rather than needing to know all the previous story.

[@hoohoo431]

It's about time. Maybe this way the journey will finally, properly finish without unfinished questions

[@Saturn537]

Well as Masahiro Sakurai, the creator if Smash Bros. has said in the past, for people of his generation and older, which I think Nomura is, 60 in Japan isn't the age you definitely retire, it's more so when you can retire but you start thinking about 'Is there still demand for what I do? and If so, how much longer do I want to keep doing this?"