My kingdom hearts 358/2 days journey

[@Redbelt2481]

doing the math: Roxas’s 358 days with the organization + the 7 days he had in the simulation in KH2 = he disappeared on what would have been his “birthday” 🥲

[@thelagoon13x]

Why did you have to say that……ugh let me go cry

[@jassiem84]

Why did you have to point this out. I'm about to have an emotional breakdown.

[@DaybreakTownGSA]

Actually, he only had six days inside Data Twilight Town (Day 359 starts out with the same "Another dream about him..." line from the First Day in KH2, and on Day 6 is when he rejoins with Sora, meaning Day 6 would be day 364, just a day shy of his birthday) Poor baby couldn't even get his seven days of summer vacation he wanted he couldn't even have his first birthday 😭😭😭

[@jayjjey1400]

….. Damn you😢

[@kryptoner7569]

tecnically speaking there was only 6 sim days, that make it even worst

[@magicalgirlmel3289]

You know, people shit on the "Who will I eat Ice Cream with?" line a lot, but when you remember that Roxas's only concept of friendship is literally "The people I eat ice cream with after missions" it's actually heartbreaking

[@altonblast5]

And by this point... he feels Axel has abandoned him

[@tigerchi10]

In the Japanese version, he says,”let’s have ice cream again. The three of us.” I guess when they did the English dubbed, they went with that line to fit the lip movements so that’s why we got what we got.

[@nerdychocobo]

I was very proud of my friends for not making fun of that line when I forced them to watch this XD

[@nerdychocobo]

@@tigerchi10 I thought they redid the lip movements for days? or am I misremembering

[@slyp5409]

@@tigerchi10 nope. Every KH game and movie has different lip flaps for English and Japanese. Other languages as well possibly but that I do not know.

[@pancreas09]

Oh good! The next episode of "Roxas doesn't deserve" this is finally here!

[@np9946]

Ah finally. I've been waiting for this.

[@sub-zeroduelist9959]

Most.Accurate.Title.Ever.

[@DrCrazyEvil]

He totally does

[@paca-wd8wu]

All my boy wanted was ice cream, friends, and a place to hang out after work.

[@mistersnaxor5628]

LOL

[@tomellis2419]

Red is the one that travels the furthest. Axel is one who survives. Heartbreaking.

[@flickerr.6775]

Fuuuuu

[@tetitous]

Oh. Oh...

[@atles300]

i came here for reactions not extreme pain

[@meteornome2556]

@@atles300 Why not both?

[@dominicvaladez1324]

Why would you hurt me like this

[@8unnylover]

That scene where everyone thinks Xion’s model is being weird by switching from hood to no hood… When it’s actually trying to show that while Roxas can see her face, Axel can’t until he says they’re friends. Then he can. Fantastic attention to detail from Square!

[@kefkaexdeath]

it's also not the only time it happens. her hood is always up when saix and others are around because they never befriend and/or are jerks to her ;-;

[@alimichalkan8046]

I think that’s the point because they even talked about it throughout the game on how different she looked for everyone who sees her.

[@rogue1248]

@@alimichalkan8046 yes, the Org XIII see's Xion differently no matter how they interacted with her. that's why she's switching to hood or no hood, to show each perspective of all Org memebers besides roxas.

[@michaelreeve-fowkes7100]

The tag line on the back of the DS game box was "What mattered the most was remembered the least." Only word for it is poignant.

[@vanaah727]

"Me and Xion and Axel had ice cream. The sunset was beautiful. I don't have to write anything else down, because I'll never forget this day"

[@beardkendal]

i hate you :(

[@nikosagantz]

Oh I remember reading the entries when I play the game in a ds years ago. Then unlock Xion dairy and the pain go double.

[@syrelian]

@@nikosagantz There isn't a Xion's diary, there's Secret Reports, but those are diary entries from everyone in the Org

[@nikosagantz]

@@syrelian By bad, I mostly remember one entry from Xion about a very special sunset silimar to the comment.

[@vevesumi]

my favorite line that the HD cutscenes cut out: "Roxas, thats a stick."

[@Shritistrang]

I guess it didn't stick out that much.

[@realxtraki11er]

What about when roxas gets fucking merked by leaxeus

[@acehealer4212]

Mine is, “We don’t accept resignations.”

[@friskycalibri2293]

@@acehealer4212 "I don't have anything to say to you."

[@eclipsegu2rdian591]

There were so many good lines cut out that honestly. The movie doesn't do everything justice

[@zexian9750]

For those who played on the DS. Because the style of the game is repetitive, you can feel how boring it gets just killing heartless after heartless. But because of that, it's the closest feeling we feel alongside Roxas. We understand why he starts to question his existence of just killing heartless and the sad part is, when the ice cream trio eat ice cream together, something thats rewarding for them, a time they all chill out like friends and something we feel should never end, ends. We understand Roxas the most.

[@tiggerk2392]

100% agree! while watching sad cut scenes is nice, you def don't get the emotional impact of playing the game

[@danomitedan]

The original also had Roxas battle Saix, which was very rewarding. You also miss alot of the social dynamic of the other organization members. Xigbar and Demyx were always hanging out in the lounge together, and you actually felt like coworkers with the Organization.

[@CloakedOnyxGaming]

Oh god. She's gonna be crying a whole ocean when she plays Birth by Sleep.

[@brandonkirk6498]

yeah I she not going to serve this series but I think 0.2 is worst than Birth by Sleep

[@darkkingkiyo354]

just wait till kh3...

[@kungfuvoodoo9889]

BBS is definitely sad, but honestly for me 358/2 Days hurts a lot more, you see a lot more screentime with Roxas Axel and Xion together building their friendship only for it to all come crashing down, whereas there wasn't a whole lot of screentime of Aqua Terra and Ventus together so there was a very slight (but not much mind you, again it was still sad) sense of disconnect when they start going through their troubles.

[@DeltaJT2]

Birth by Sleep is definitely the saddest. Every character has the equivalent of an RPG bad end.

[@1polyron1]

@@DeltaJT2 Isn't that every KH protag 🤔

[@Shiraiame]

Jesse McCartney really put so much emotion into this performance. I always remember the game being heart-wrenching, but I'd forgotten just how powerfully he played Roxas.

[@ceedeerty]

The voice acting behind the scene where Roxas confronts Axel about needing to know who he was, was an absolute masterpiece behind McCartney. You could hear the desperation and anger behind every word, and to these days to me is still one of the best scenes ever voice acted, period.

[@greed42o]

i remember people hated jessie at 1st but then people realize what a great job he did he was born to play roxas.

[@DreamerFromTheDepths]

Roxas unfortunately has a very overhyped reputation, which makes me not appreciate him very much, but objectively he's among the best characters in the series, and Jesse's delivery is ridiculous, just did such a good job with it. I just don't really like the way the fans approach him at times, he is very much the chadhan of KH in the sense that people like to put him on this untouchable pedestal. It becomes very ironic since his story is all about losing everything and everyone, the fans do the character a disservice at times but the character himself is golden.

[@greed42o]

@@DreamerFromTheDepths because nobodies are stronger then there real self or heartless.

[@TimothyGod]

@@DreamerFromTheDepths I wouldn't say Roxas is overhyped. He is huge, a lot of things wouldn't have happened cause of him

[@mikeygrayson5158]

Fun fact: Xion's name is based on a flower called the Aster Tataricus (Shion 紫苑 in Japanese). According to the Japanese language of flowers, Shion means "Remembrance" or "I will never forget you" which is sad when you find out what happens to her at the end of 358/2 Days

[@eldragonball14]

Also is the anagran for No.l with the characteristic X of all the nobodies of the organization.

[@kelving420]

Also the fact that all of xion’s memories rush into riku’s head when he grabs _Oblivion_ is such a genius move, but then they slowly fade away…

[@artud2158]

Luxors said the same thing, nice fact

[@eldragonball14]

@@wintersong2266 yeah, that make sense, but we are talking about Nomura my man.

[@KingKuroTV]

Most underrated line Axel: "Go on you just keep runnin... but I'll always be there to BRING YOU BACK!"

[@kennell2550]

Absolute best scene in the series.

[@Tim7318-3]

That quote makes sense considering his character and his actions going forward: -Brought back Xion only to lose her along with Roxas. -Tried to bring back Roxas (twice) but failed. -Went to save Sora's body from being turned into a vessel while he was in a comatose-like state...but this time he succeeded. True to his word he was always there to bring them back, or at the very least to try. That's one of his main traits that has stayed with him throughout both his life as a Nobody and his life as Lea, you could say that he "got it memorized" into his heart.

[@sonicking1525]

Oh man. Imagine if she actually played through it. Not the most fun to play but the monotony of the missions and playing each day lends to overall impact in the end. Those small little convos and interactions roxas has with everyone are great.

[@johnromero6315]

I still think it's criminal that there isn't any option to play Days without buying a ds or emulating it. Roxas is best boy, so Days is one of my favorite games (despite the monotony)

[@VectoredPromise]

It also has a lot of great moments like Roxas fighting Saix and Xion's boss fight in which she teleports Roxas to all the KH1 worlds and uses Sora's abilities like Ragnarok. I was hoping her fight in KH3 would be sort of a remaster of that fight but unfortunately it wasn't

[@life09m]

@@johnromero6315 or at least an option to walk around the organization quarters and talk to people again

[@siliver96]

I feel the whole Axel lossing it on Xion cutscence was toned down in the hd verses the original ds game that i played

[@alonsotoon]

@@VectoredPromise they are saving it for the days remake duuuh

[@jhonj5702]

Something that's really only implied at is that Riku is so sympathetic with Xion, because of his experiences with his own Replica. He knew from first-experience that they can grow a heart.

[@Fannintendociccio1]

That, and when he looks at her he sees Sora

[@icelily1761]

The one I never noticed before now was when Axel and Roxas were talking about summer vacation, and Roxas says that he could maybe do seven days. I was like "...OHHHHHH OH NO PAIN"

[@ryapowa]

To be honest I've seen so many reactions to this, and I knew that the remaining 7 days of the year took place at the start of KH2, but I never connected that line to those final moments until this reaction

[@TheAngelofFate17]

It’s the little details that amaze me. Like Roxas saying he could handle seven days of Summer Vacation, also Axel sayin that Red is the one that travels the farthest in sunsets and he’s the one of his friends that made it when he died and after he was recompleted

[@ryapowa]

@@TheAngelofFate17 Yeah though that scene pretty much is just playing into his character. Red travels the farthest and Axel will go to great lengths for his friends, going as far as it takes to bring them back

[@TimothyGod]

@@ryapowa I think because it a fuller cutscene in the game, so you may just move past without realizing. But hearing Roxas say summer vacation, 7 days. You think "that's familiar, why does roxas saying that sound- oh god no 😭"

[@ryapowa]

@@TimothyGod As I said, I watched these cutscenes several times now and only now had just picked up on it 😂

[@cosplayingchao]

Ah yes, the game with the tagline "if you didn't feel bad for Roxas yet, just you wait"

[@josephmurdock5549]

This is why he wields two key blades. Oathkeeper to try and remember her and Oblivion the futility of it. This game is my favorite in the franchise. It is the best written.

[@getshwifty3101]

I never realized it since I played this when I was 15. Still remembered the whole thing, but just realized. Axel pulling out the WINNER stick from the envelope must have felt like a HUGE slap in the face. He got it when he was essentially facing his biggest loss.

[@TheAngelofFate17]

Did anyone ever tell her the reason behind Xion’s hood going on and off like that was because it had an actual purpose? Her face was blank at first and whomever looked at her saw someone else. Riku saw Kairi Axel saw Namine Xigbar saw Ventus But only the ones that had a real connection with Xion could truly see her. Hence why Riku could see her eventually and how Axel saw Namine in Xion before admitting to her she was his friend and finally seeing Xion’s face with her hood down. But to anyone else that looked at her, her hood was always up and faceless because they didn’t have a connection with her.

[@Fannintendociccio1]

A small correction, Riku saw Sora, which makes a bit more sense in his situation.

[@TheAngelofFate17]

@@Fannintendociccio1 I know that the manga isn’t considered canon to some. But in the manga Riku actually saw Kairi. Hence why I said he saw Kairi. Plus Xion wasn’t fully Sora just yet. If he did see Sora he wouldn’t have said "I don't know who you're supposed to be" It’s true that could also be said for him seeing Kairi but I think that line makes more sense if he’s seeing Kairi but with black hair. It’s also entirely possible what he saw in Xion was simply a blank face, like most of the Organization did besides Xigbar. That was until Riku saved her and saw her as Roxas and Axel did.

[@Fannintendociccio1]

@@TheAngelofFate17 I'm saying that because in the days novel it says, in the moment where Riku first sees xion at beast's castle, he saw Sora under the hood which caused him to freak out like that, and the novels, especially days', are almost if not fully canon. The writer of them was the one that came up with xion's character to begin with. Not saying Riku can't see Kairi in xion either, it still makes sense, but the novel and the writer of them are way more reliable than the mangas, for this specific instance in beast's castle at least. The one from the manga was a cool moment that still mostly makes sense but it didn't even happen in the game

[@alexstach8667]

I know it's supposed to be symbolic and stuff but I wonder what would've happened if someone without a connection would just pull the hood down. Would they see a person or just a blank puppet?

[@TheAngelofFate17]

@@alexstach8667 I think they’d likely see a blank face, they’d see the lifeless white puppet that the vessel’s are made of. If they can’t see Xion as her own person then they probably just simply see the faceless puppet

[@strelitziamystery21]

Describing Axel and Saix as Angsty Exes has made my day

[@sarenastralis9969]

fucking same

[@WhiteRaven43]

Xion's choice to go back to Sora is one of the hardest but strongest decisions I've ever come across for a character. From the moment she realize she exists all she wants to do is have friends and make good memories, and she starts to, and then she learns that not only was she not meant to exist, but that it's actually better for a lot of people if she doesn't. Not only that, but once she's gone everyone will forget they ever knew her. It takes her some time to learn and understand why and accept that, but eventually she does and she takes ownership of that choice. Her dialogue to Roxas at the end is so powerful. She's the one that's going away and she's the one comforting him. "You're both my best friends. Never forget, that's the truth." Thanks for reacting to this one and for choosing to be so vulnerable in sharing your reaction with us. Sharing love for these characters is part of why I love this series so much, so thank you for the opportunity. Thanks for helping keep this franchise alive after so many years. I'm looking forward to watching you experience the rest of the series.

[@TheRamstorm]

The thing I liked with Days is that rather than making Xion a character that retroactively existed and now everyone's talking about, they make her a character that retroactively existed but nobody remembers, so the whole Axel/Roxas friendship gets so much sadder when you realize they had a whole other friend that they just don't know about.

[@togucvinw7]

Kinda reminds me of Sabo in One Piece

[@nerdychocobo]

It also makes sense with what chain of memories already established with how memories work when they're rearranged

[@unicornburger16]

The scene in front of the mansion when Axel goes to take Xion back is one of my favorites of the series. It’s so heartbreaking, and a huge reason why Axel is one of my favorite characters. He just wanted to have ice cream with his friends and have fun! 😭

[@kungfuvoodoo9889]

KH3 Spoiler warning! ... ... ... ... ... in one of the scenes with Axel/Lea and Kairi talking during their training, Kairi is asking about having a sparring contest and says "Don't hold back Lea, promise" which is what Xion said to Axel in this scene. In that moment, Lea saw a vision of Xion--and this was when he couldn't remember her name--and immediately teared up (as did I).

[@unicornburger16]

@@kungfuvoodoo9889 I never made the connection of her saying “don’t hold back” there.

[@gionova1]

Even though he couldn't remember her he remembers the promise he made.

[@javizapi9734]

And the soundtrack is perfect with that scene

[@unicornburger16]

@@javizapi9734 yes! Man I could gush about that scene forever!

[@MANJYOMETHUNDER111]

Axel: "I don't have any best friends." Saix: "AM I A JOKE TO YOU?!"

[@sjwjsaw]

because Saix is like a brother to him

[@aurizon9821]

Saix and axel are actually brothers

[@MrAuthor3DS]

@@sjwjsaw Isn't "like a brother" still a code for "friend" or "best friend", though...?

[@GameoftheYear-fx4mq]

@@aurizon9821 no lol. One with red, the other with blue. Both look nothing alike or eye color. Only thing they got is being 7 feet tall 😂

[@Dragon-ld8qf]

The bwoke up

[@1polyron1]

Sea-salt ice cream............... Oh I get it. This game is basically a heartwarming tale of 3 best friends finding themselves until mechanisms that brought them together tear them apart. Sweet and salty indeed. Damn you Nomura.

[@skyhart1377]

Oh my goodness. Why have we never realized this before.

[@lanceanakin0503]

Yes, damn you Nomura, and thank you

[@MrAuthor3DS]

The whole series has a lot of that, actually. How lucky he found a symbol so apt from a Disney resort.

[@Vandalgia]

Heartwarming? Ha, more like, heartwrenching.

[@1polyron1]

@@Vandalgia touché

[@1polyron1]

Axel: "Do you know why the sun sets red? Because the color red travels the farthest." Morgan Freeman: "And thus Axel's suffering began."

[@arthurgomes5188]

Reminder that pretty much all the way from that point to the Roxas boss fight near the end of Kingdom Hearts 2 Axel, Xion and Roxas are getting screwed by things beyond their control. That's one whole game and 2/3 of another one being fucked by fate.

[@1polyron1]

@@arthurgomes5188 I just like how the game is aware that Axel was the odd man out. Saved from horrible fates like Roxas and Xion but has to live without them. The openings really convey how unfortunate Axel's fate is, especially KH3's.

[@kungfuvoodoo9889]

Until KH3, Axel lived on longer than Roxas and Xion, so in that sense he was kind of correct about "red travels the farthest"

[@1polyron1]

@@kungfuvoodoo9889 the writers knew what they were doing. "I'll always be there to bring you back!" They set up future games surprisingly well.

[@Gestrid]

Axel: "Do you why the sun shines red? Because the color red travels the farthest." Me: T-T

[@GeekMasterGames]

358 days in the organization. 7 days in Twilight Town. Roxas had only existed for a year before he had to give himself up to Sora

[@mistabrrrly]

The manga for this is hilarious! At one point Xion goes to Roxas’ room while he’s in one of his coma spells and sees that someone drew on his face

[@berry6052]

The manga version of the KH franchise is actually so funny haha

[@dive2hearts]

@@berry6052 I'll definitely have to check that out then haha

[@xaviertyack5640]

I still remember being a teen and seeing the manga in my bookstore for the first time, I was so hyped but also the rush of memories XD

[@1polyron1]

@@xaviertyack5640 Would you describe it as a chain of memories?

[@zomboids2100]

Little moments that legit showed the nobodies really did have hearts.

[@insertedgynamehere___969]

Axel: "Do you know why the sun sets red? It's because the colour red travels the farthest." Axel lasted the longest of the trio

[@TheAngelofFate17]

I love that detail. Words can’t express how destroyed I was when I learned that fact. 🥺😢

[@Blah3210]

I never understood the significance of that line until just now. Damn...

[@thespectaculargamernerd8114]

Fun fact: Their last times with each other were fighting each other. Axel never saw Xion again after fighting her and bringing her back, Xion died in Roxas's arms, and Axel has one final attempt to reach his friend before he returns to Sora.

[@omoriboykinnie9819]

uhm... OW

[@lagunax5645]

I'm 5 minutes in, and I'm already picturing Leigh watching the ending, her room flooded waist deep with tears.

[@dpauls15243]

Fun fact: This is actually the watered down version of this game. The HD collection cut out hours and hours of stuff from the original DS game to try to slim it down, so you end up missing a bunch of character moments that make the overall story way more impactful

[@kiddbeatz74]

Mostly riku or Axel moments

[@jemmellpyron2527]

It baffles me they cut the Saïx vs. Roxas fight.

[@TheSoloReactor]

And why didn’t square Enix make the game playable. It makes no sense because if they cut out content that’s lucrative to the story you think it should be included. Also it’s insane how many different devices and in canon stories are so many different gaming platforms when it comes to the kingdom hearts series.

[@Scurpmun]

​@TheSoloReactor they have gone on record saying that 1.5 358/2 was supposed to get the re:com treatment, but due to time and also working on 2.5, it turned into cutscenes only movie. I hope one day we'll get a re:358/2

[@LeedleLee457]

One big appeal about the original game, that's missing from this cutscene version, are the missions that Roxas goes on with each individual member. Throughout the original game, Roxas goes on missions with every member from Organization 13, and it's some of my favorites from all of Kingdom Hearts. Demyx will try to slack off and make Roxas do everything. While Larxene is always being mean to Roxas, etc. Every member has special dialogues with Roxas that reveal a side to each member that we've never seen before. Also, during parts of the game, you're allowed to explore Org.13's castle, where you can just see all the members chilling and hanging out together like a family. Demyx playing his sitar, Luxord playing cards against Vexen, etc.

[@nicogalax]

Yup, that's why it's way better than this "movie"

[@lazywatermellon]

358/2 days doesnt even build up, it comes out of the gate swinging with emotion. The symbolism is STRONG in this one.

[@Nintendofan4000]

This game should be called, "Cruelty: The Video Game!" I dragged my feet in playing the KH games after the first one so I finally decided to change that and experience them in timeline order (save for Birth by Sleep, which I played after II). So I buy this tiny, innocent Nintendo DS cartridge and the end result is a game where the final moments ENDED me. Such a sad tale and THEN when I popped KHII into the PS2, the intro reinforced the cruelty when the waves washed away that particular seashell. Nomura is a genius... a Cruel GENIUS!!

[@gionova1]

He developes the story at least three games at a time. When he was making KH1 he already had the general outlines of Chain of Memories and KH2. Further proof is the Final Mix versions of the games like the secret boss in KH1FM.

[@odd-eyes6363]

@@gionova1 this is just not true bro. The secret ending of KH1FM was just sequel bait, Nomura admitted himself, and the lines in 'Another Side, Another Story' were made without anything in mind, so Nomura and the script writer of KH2 had to find a way to fit all those lines in the game's dialogue. He just makes up stuff as he goes along and there is nothing wrong with that

[@hector4470]

@@odd-eyes6363 Yeah I definitely remember this and it’s mainly cause they weren’t sure if the game would sell well at the time so a sequel wasn’t a given initially.

[@AkibaMomoro]

@@odd-eyes6363 I wouldn't say it's made up as it goes along now, Union Cross was definitely the attempt to actually line everything up (but of course the most story heavy games arent the main titles)

[@thegreyestofblueskies]

@@odd-eyes6363 People act like it's something that lowers the value of KH's story just because that's how the story was made to be, when it really isn't. As a long-time KH fan myself I just don't understand why people can't accept it. The entire anime of Naruto for example was made the exact same way; sure it has its plot-holes just as KH does due to the nature it was written in, but that doesn't change how subjectively great of a story it really is.

[@katana2k]

Leigh, you're so cute. I love how you come completely undone at the slightest melodrama. Such a tender, wonderful heart.

[@1polyron1]

She says she relates to the games. Or maybe she resonates with the innocence of the games.

[@johnromero6315]

Honestly, KH games do the same to me for whatever reason. I'm extra empathetic when it comes to the media I'm invested in, and even more so with KH. I can't think of a single game beyond the first that doesn't make me tear up at some point.

[@heehoostockdude2338]

"Let's eat some ice cream" "We are best friends" "You are right" "H a h a h a h a h a"

[@1polyron1]

pancake?

[@Gestrid]

@@1polyron1 Correct.

[@cobyeugene22]

“Ok, I believe you”

[@jthm997]

Understandable, have a nice day...

[@boredspecter8025]

*The Next Day* "Let's eat some ice cream" "We are best friends" "You are right" "H a h a h a h a h a"

[@Jordan-gw7ct]

Leigh is really good at articulating the nuances of her emotions *while* drowning in them. It's a cool talent.

[@arthurgomes5188]

Ah, *Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days!!!* Or as it's also known: *Axel, Roxas and Xion get railed by life non stop for a few hours: The Game.*

[@1polyron1]

in HD

[@fork-man]

Sponsored by sea salt ice cream

[@luxo3064]

"All of Roxas's existence was just pain and loss..." Aqua : Hold my beer

[@femto7579]

Terra “lemme tell you something about pain”

[@skyhart1377]

I think Roxas still wins. Yes, the Wayfinder trio's story is equally sad and heart wrenching, in it's own way. But Roxas's whole year of existence is just pain. He makes friends with Axel and Xion. His only concept of what a friend is and what they do just eating sea-salt ice cream on the clock tower, mostly because that's all he ever knew. He knew more about what a friend is more than who He himself is. Then people start leaving, his small friend group is breaking apart, he has to fight xion to the death, and it pains him oh so much to strike the finishing blow. (Notice his flinching when coming to terms that he's going to strike her down). The boy knows little and everything around him just falls apart. The reason why I say he wins over the Wayfinder trio is because unlike him, aqua and Terra specifically grew up with seemingly normal childhoods. Granted they probably trained their whole life to be keyblade masters, but it was stable for years to come until they are split up and begin questioning their life decisions and their friend group is just separated entirely.

[@zexian9750]

@@skyhart1377 YES! Although BBS still had its own complications throughout the story and you can tell the difference between them. It only wins because it's gameplay mechanic is much more convenient. 358/2 days might not be the best in gameplay but it's repetitiveness is how Roxas felt, we understand Roxas much more than any other kingdom hearts character. And TBH Aqua, Terra, and Ventus has never experience an Identity crisis, maybe Ventus did, but he doesn't need Vanitas.

[@sansocto6967]

@@femto7579 Lingering Will: You called bro?

[@TheValiantBob]

"Who will I eat ice cream with" is one of those lines that is hilarious out of context, but to those of us that know, WE KNOW. Also, it will forever be a shame that they decided to do a movie instead of a full remake of this game. The movie cuts out all of the Disney world stories, which while are mostly filler, also give Roxas and Xion their own mini-character arcs with a different lesson they learn in each world. You also got a mission with each Organization member that went to Castle Oblivion before the events of Chain of Memories which gave them some interesting character moments. There was also some golden lines in the missions not shown in the movie, like Roxas not knowing what treasure chests are, the moment where Roxas gives Xion his keyblade and chooses to fight with a stick instead, and Lexaeus beating the crap out of Roxas in the limit break tutorial. Also, Roxas kept a diary for each day, and ooh boy you can believe you can get some extra sads through reading some of them on the days with heavy hitting events. And with the diary if you 100% all optional objectives for that day's mission you'd get a secret diary entry from an Organization member from that day which can give some interesting character insights.

[@kungfuvoodoo9889]

With the recent surge in KH's popularity due to Sora coming to Smash, I hope that maybe in the future we'll finally get a 358/2 Days remaster.

[@NN-ge2wf]

A full remake would be nice. While it is the worst KH game imo, it is still pretty great. And as you mentioned before, the movie version just misses a few character moments in the missions that are impactful, if not important overall to the plot. And as you mentioned, the journal entries have some cool setups and reveals, and give additional big sads. And hell, some things just hit harder when you do them yourself, like the days end where you're alone feels more painful after you do your mission and see each lonely day, or the Xion fights. Actually seeing her use the moves from KH1, and her identical stance to Sora, it helps make apparent that her armored form is just Sora's KH1 outfit, further driving home that connection and her ultimate fate. That's without getting into the actual battle theme for Xion, which while you do hear it here it's not as good truncated into a scene without having battled to it. Add a bit more mission variety to alleviate some of the monotony in gameplay and make being in the organization seem like less of just a day job and I think it'd be prime material for a remake.

[@marcosdheleno]

@@NN-ge2wf its not the worst, i would count coded as the worst, followed by REcoded.

[@NN-ge2wf]

@@marcosdheleno imo it is the worst, at least of the games people "count", since recoded has all but supplanted the original coded as the defacto way to play. If I'm going to go as obscure as the original coded, I might as well say VCAST is probably the worst. And I honestly do consoder recoded to be much better game then Days. There's a lot less big storyline reveals as the game's story as much more self contained till the end sure, but as an actual game you play I think it absolutely cleans Days out, it is a very fun game and is the culmination of the systems in Days and Bbs, with great customization systems, combat and exploration. Days makes a better movie than recoded sure, but I think recoded makes a better game by far.

[@DreamerFromTheDepths]

Of all of those I feel like they could have kept the diary moments, would have been a cool in-between after each cutscene.

[@aldanta4499]

AAAAAAHHHH MY FAVOURITE TRIOOOOOOOO!!! This game hurts so much. Xion deserves all the love. And the 358/2 Days portion of the Kingdom Hearts Timeline by Everglow just makes me love this game so much more.

[@bigezfire2390]

This series is just a whole emotional crisis of gut wrenching saddness, dashed with happy sprinkles, wrapped in a nice little bow. So good yet so much pain.

[@3godzilla3]

OHHHH, HERE WE GO!! The one I was waiting for the most!! This is without a doubt my favorite KH game in terms of story. So much character, so much feels, it gets me EVERY FREAKING TIME. Roxas and Xion being my favorite characters in the whole series...man, I love 358/2 Days. 😭

[@CloakedOnyxGaming]

She's definitely NOT prepared for Birth by Sleep.

[@bryanp9948]

@@CloakedOnyxGaming i honestly found days to be far sadder, i guess it was because the characters looked younger and its sad parts hit me hard cause I could relate and a lot of the points.

[@CloakedOnyxGaming]

@@bryanp9948 Anything a person relates too will hit harder.

[@bryanp9948]

@@CloakedOnyxGaming true

[@saxenart]

@@bryanp9948 That's because the whole game of Days is sad and depressing while in BBS it starts being sad near the end.Plus Ven's end is not even that sad, he was just sleeping and basically just had to be waken up again. The fate Xion and Roxas have are just depressing...and Axel loses them both.

[@aBloodyMonk3y]

I was so ready for the PAIN in this story. This game is definitely in my top 3 of the series and kills me every damn time I play or watch it.

[@Word46]

The algorithm threw this video at me first. I remember thinking "wow she's so quiet, I wonder if all her videos are like this?" After watching the rest of these it's not that she's quiet, it's just raw, condensed SAD. 10/10 video, can't wait to see the rest of this journey

[@Triixster]

Ah yes, PAIN! Kingdom Hearts fans suffered pain of unforeseen amounts after this game. For YEARS. Worst thing is that the movie cuts out a lot of the interaction and build up in the game that happens between missions. It hits so much harder when playing the game, but it still hits a lot. Also “haha ouchie ouch” I see Just a Pancake references!

[@Klffsj]

Yeah, it is really beautiful that Riku would sacrifice himself for Sora. But, notice that Kairi-not even Kairi, but Kairi as Sora remembers her-did sacrifice herself for Sora, who she never even met.

[@Rubascuba]

I just love the raw emotion on Roxas at 30:44 ! Jesse gave his all!

[@skyhart1377]

"I hardly know who I am! What's so wrong about wanting some answers?" That scene hits me the most every single time. Up there with, "Who am I going to have ice cream with?" And "You just go on and keep running, cause I'm going to be there to bring you back!"

[@arikatheprincessofhearts2043]

@@skyhart1377 I HATE THE CONFRONTING SCENE!

[@jhakabrammastrielz7912]

10:00 "I could deal with 7 days, maybe" Shouldn't have taken me this long but it did 😭

[@ryapowa]

I know right? I love KH and it took me until this reaction to get that too!

[@aurizon9821]

Wait I don’t get it?

[@scarecrowvikingstar8361]

@@aurizon9821 He had, including the final day in this game, exactly 7 days in KHII

[@ShatteredMateria]

Realized that when Axel teaches Roxas about summer vacation and how it’s a month long. Roxas couldn’t imagine that much free time, but maybe seven days and then at the end in the simulation he mentions that there’s only seven days of summer left ;(

[@nyxipuff]

congratulations, you understand hurt

[@LeighXP]

i do know hurt

[@dominicvaladez1324]

I don’t know if this was on purpose but I find it very indicative of Axel’s growth as a person that the place where he murdered Vexen in CoM is the same place where he fought Xion to bring her back to the castle

[@thehatman7051]

Oh man, 358/2 was my first ever KH game and still my favorite KH story, so happy to see a bunch of people experience it for the first time, even if the movie is a pretty… sub-par way to experience it, cutting out all the in-game cutscenes (and I miss being able to play as all the organization members)

[@TsukuneD]

While this is by far the best way to catch up on Days, there is a non-insignificant amount of loss in the transition from game to cinematic. The new voiced cutscenes are really good, but seeing Roxas be alone for all of those times when it's said "He was alone", it add to the loneliness and makes the moments with Axel and Xion feel more impactful. Plus the small cutscenes like Roxas fighting with a stick he found on the ground so Xion can practice with his Keyblade or the fluff text the Org. members have in the lobby before missions was nice to see. It's unfortunate that Days is not the best game in the world, because it's extremely emotional, and a lot of people skipped it back in the day.

[@laughingqrow6831]

the hysterical crying is why I'm here, so when it comes to the painful parts I don't feel quite alone. 10/10

[@cristianortiz2483]

“As long as we keep each other in our thoughts” and then they go on to forget Xion even existed :))))))

[@amiramsyar9622]

I can never not cry every time I watch anything about the sea salt trio. Days is the best story in the series imo. Roxas has been and will always be my favourite KH character. Thank you for taking your time and getting into the whole KH series! Hope to see more of your journey.

[@simonsheridan5906]

Nomura is like the darkness, you see? He’ll do whatever he can to rip your heart out.

[@XxDiCci0pxX]

I recently discovered your channel and I just love how you are so passionate for a game that I cherish so much. Keep up the good work, KH is an amazing saga TwT

[@liamwhite3522]

"Friends eat ice cream together, and talk and laugh about the stupidest things." Axel, Day 14 "No! Xion... Who else will I have ice cream with?" Roxas, Day 357 You're welcome for the bespoke heartache.

[@liamwhite3522]

"On our next day off, let's all go to the beach, huh?" Axel, Day 224 "Maybe... today, we'll finally hit the beach!" Roxas, Day 359

[@KitKatNisa]

That "Winner" stick always kills me. Even when he's decided to leave, and despite everything that happened between the two of them, he stilled wanted to be show he cares about Axel through the only activity he knows of that friends do, and by far the highlight of his days there.

[@VidiaReePhoenix]

On a more light-hearted note, I like how Saix and Axel's part is just "angsty exes." As if that doesn't just about sum them up.

[@Scurpmun]

One part i wish they could've done for this hd movie version is right as Roxas leaves. He runs into Saïx who tells him, "we don't take resignations" and you actually had a boss fight against him. It was honestly one of the most satisfying fights in the game imo with everything he said about Xion and Roxas. He had it coming.

[@casper_raine]

37:24 Vector to the Heavens is SUCH AN AMAZING TRACK.

[@ghostinthegame3942]

I've known Kingdom Hearts since it came out, I was 8 years old at the time and I remember how anxious the music and the atmosphere of Hollow Bastion made me, so much so that I put the game aside for weeks, then I took courage and finished it, binding myself forever to the series that has partly formed for me the meaning of "friendship", as ridiculous as that may sound. Now, after so many years and countless games, I'm here, I don't know you, yet your reactions remind me of my own, and each of your videos in the series manages to evoke them as if it were the first time, and that's the real magic of the series, connecting hearts and people. I just wanted to say thank you, and I look forward to continuing the journey.

[@codymartin2827]

Imagine growing up with the series through the years excited for the next game to come out one after the other only to each time be emotionally destroyed yet still wanting more.

[@windliger1068]

Axel with the best acting “WHATS YOUR PROBLEM?!” 😭

[@arikatheprincessofhearts2043]

Does Axel have paranoia or anger issues?

[@TheEgrona]

Between this and Crisis Core are the two times I’ve cried at a video game. It’s sad they didn’t make it all playable and I miss doing the mission mode on my DS as the other members (Ladle weapon ftw) but seeing you just experience the story is something I’ve wanted since I started watching your channel.

[@Duality333]

6:51 lmfao, I spit all over my phone Also, I forgot how good Jesse McCartney is at voice acting. His delivery is on another level when compared to someone like xions. Which was also good

[@ryapowa]

"No! My heart belongs to me!"

[@Duality333]

@@ryapowa looks like my summer vacation is…over

[@zakkmagic2875]

It's amazing how such a pure game can uncover both our joy and sadness. That's why I think these games will be remembered. Being able to share this game, these moments with someone else is like medicine for the soul. Thank you Leigh.

[@puddinplays5807]

The Days trio is my absolute favorite trio by far in the entire series. Sora is my favorite Character, then Roxas and Xion make my top 3, 4th is Namine, 5th is Axel. Chain of Memories was my first game, and I didn't like the card gameplay, so I almost lost interest. Then a friend introduced me to KH2, and I played with Roxas for hours in that intro. But at the time I didn't own a PS2, I was mostly a Nintendo fanboy at the time, so my ties to the KH franchise was limited. Then this game came out on the Nintendo DS, and this game holds a special place in my heart. Although Sora is now my favorite character, it didn't start off that way. Roxas used to be my number 1. Getting to play Days, and be Roxas again and on a portable game that was really fun. I beat the game and I was so heart broken by the end of it. Keep up the great work! There are bits that the HD cinematic cutscenes miss from the actual game, so if you want to see those I would recommend looking those up on KZbin and watching them, and it basically shows what happens during those days that Roxas carried out his missions alone and stuff, but that's up to you if you want to do that. The next game you probably want to do is Re:Coded, because the original game Coded came out for mobile in Japan only I think, then got the Re: Treatment for DS around the time Birth by Sleep came out for PSP. Plus I think Re:Coded sets up Birth by Sleep pretty well, you'll understand how by the end of it ;)

[@SirAlvakkin]

26:18 Whoa. I never realized that Axel's line is the same as Hayner's in the beginning of KHII.

[@1polyron1]

ReConnect K I N G D O M H E A R T S

[@Gestrid]

Neither did I until now.

[@yeetusvanitas9800]

Which is extra tragic. Since Roxas’ Twilight town is just a datascape, it’s probably drawing from his memory to maintain the illusion. That means that deep down Roxas remembers that promise, and his concept of friendship is so inexorably tied to that phrase that in order to make his fake friendship real to him the datascape pulls out that line. Literally everything about this game makes Roxas’ story so much more horrifically sad.

[@seekerxiii]

@@yeetusvanitas9800 Maaaaaan this game hurts me more and more even years after playing it. ;~;

[@theemeraldking6180]

I love it when she play this series. She literally felt every emotions I felt but on a larger scale. I don't mean to laugh at your pain but it's relatable

[@jthm997]

"I know I have to prepare for Absolute Pain", a sentence i've never vibed with more.

[@xtremegene1091]

Man, I’m REALLY glad you played KH2 before days. Even though the collection has it in a different order, playing KH2 before (as it was released more) both makes the prologue of KH2 more mysterious and engaging, and the story of Days more tragic. Loving all the KH Content!

[@masteraqua2408]

imagine having these pain and suffering then you still need to wait for the next game that you don't even know if will ever come.... how many years have we endured this? no wonder KH had been close to our hearts and sora became the most requested fighter since he is the key connects everything.

[@cafehijinks4282]

I just found your channel and love your reactions, I cried all over again with this one, the scene that hits hard for me the most is when Xion is seen fading away from the clock tower, I always felt like this captured me fading away from my friends' memories, those who don't remember me anymore even though I was there with them

[@cafehijinks4282]

Also the goddamn depressing thought that maybe everyones lives would be better without you hits like a truck

[@imsushu]

OH MY GOD IM READY FOR THE CRYING FEST update: im back an hour later im sobbing this is my favorite trio and roxas and xion (+riku) are my favorite characters i just love this game so muchhh :(

[@alanguillermo3145]

29:31 Damn, Jesse McCartney put in overtime on that performance.

[@PermanentViolet]

Thank you for making this video, Leigh. I know how painful it is to go back through this game. I am crying right there with you.

[@genesimmons90]

I clicked this notification so fast... Sadly I missed your live reactions to this franchise since I only discovered your videos like a few weeks ago but damn... I 100%ed most of the games and your playthrough feels like reexperiencing this all again. I'm glad you enjoy the series so far and I definitely understand what you mean when you say that you interpret a lot of the games' topics differently and a lot more personally. I cherish this series but yearned for a way to experience them properly again. Start to finish... Your videos really gave me the feeling of sitting next to myself when I played these games for the first time. You made me feel all that pain and got me all emotionally invested for these characters again as well. It really gives me that childhood feel and I don't think I ever saw any other playthrough of a series I enjoyed more. Thanks for the work you put into these. It truly and wholeheartedly means a lot to me. I am very much looking forward and hope for more videos on this franchise.

[@Brandonishere]

The ds game is way more emotional than just the remix having the cut scenes. Also fun fact it's 1-4 players free play through the missions in a separate mode from the story. And you can play as Sora

[@NihonNoMajin]

Just want to say thank you Leah 😊. As someone who has EDD (Emotional Detachment Disorder for those that don't know) it has always been hard to express my emotions, so watching you fully letting yours out from these amazing stories that I also in joy, really choke me up inside and for a moment let's me express my own emotions. Looking forward for new videos and to catch you on stream when I can!

[@HaruFoxy9138]

shes gonna scream and cry in happiness when she hits the end of KH 3

[@gillboy5762]

I really wish they showed the cutscene of Roxas summoning Xion's keyblade from the piece of shell she left behind, and then his and her keyblade morphing into Oathkeeper and Oblivion. Was a fucking amazing reveal as to why he could dual-wield. (As well as explaining why Axel didn't know he could do it in KH2 and being surprised by it.)

[@_ohcaptain]

I will never know true happiness again because of this game, it’s fine

[@rebornintomusic]

The amount of times you looked up at the camera with pain in your eyes 🥺 this was such a hard game to play back when it came out.

[@acehealer4212]

This series is just… so much suffering… Also, gushing about how great Riku’s character growth is. Big mood.

[@greenblob3244]

This hurts so much more when you know the full story behind everything. This actually hurts watching. I can’t wait for you to see the end of it all

[@dduran8804]

That is why I enjoyed this game the most out of the entire series. While Sora was able to be happy and experience these amazing things with his friends, Roxas was on the fight daily. He never knew rest. The only solace he had was the little time he got to spend with Axel and Xion on that clock tower. This is one of those amazing original stories Nomura put together that wasn't mostly consumed by Disney cameos. This story was about 100% original from Nomura's head, and it was just incredible. I felt so much during this game, relating to Roxas' feelings and confusion of his own purpose and Xion's fears of being forgotten. The Organization Trio will always be my favorite because they are the three that I can relate to on an emotional and almost physical level. Everything you felt is exactly what I felt.

[@CrazeeAdam]

"Hollow" "Yep that's how I am" LOL so true. This is for sure one of the sadder KH games

[@WyxlanLonestarX]

This part of the journey was such a rollercoaster of emotions. So much pain and hurt that Roxas and Xion didn't deserve.

[@FantasmaJestera]

watching your journey has made me fall in love with the series all over again

[@Junkyardproduxtions]

I really wish I could have experienced this game the way she did. Playing it was pain for me in the bad way, but knowing more about Roxas' history hurts me more and more every day thinking he deserved better.

[@Aldoshandow]

My favorite trio in the whole series!!! Damn this title made my eyes dry for all the tears that I took out the first time I play it TwT

[@ViceroyIcarus]

do you remember that kingdom hearts game about working a dead end 9-5 job where your only form of enjoyment was sharing an ice-cream at the clock tower with your best friends, and then by the end of it, you have to kill one of those best friends? Me neither.

[@jarhead3232]

I don't enjoy watching anyone cry. However, I find it magical to find these videos of someone who expresses, quite viscerally, every bit of emotion I felt, but did not express, while playing these games. It has been incredible watching your journey through this story and I greatly look forward towards its conclusion. Thank you very much for sharing this experience with us.

[@jacobburnette6345]

I highly suggest playing this game and its entirety one of the best parts is that it allows you to play as just about every single member of the organization and a few more it is well worth the playthrough

[@peanutmuttplays104]

This is the one I’ve most looked forward to. Can’t wait to cry with you. TwT