Sora (Kingdom Hearts)

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Sora
Sora Artwork.png
Concpet Artwork of Sora by Tetsuya Nomura, as he appears in Kingdom Hearts (left) and Kingdom Hearts II (right).
Series Kingdom Hearts series
First game Kingdom Hearts
Designed by Tetsuya Nomura
Voiced by (English) Haley Joel Osment
Voiced by (Japanese) Miyu Irino
Fictional information
Weapon Keyblade
Home Destiny Islands

Sora (ソラ?) is a fictional character and the main protagonist in Square Enix's role-playing game Kingdom Hearts as well as its sequels Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories and Kingdom Hearts II.[1] His original design was created by Kingdom Hearts series character designer Tetsuya Nomura. Sora's main weapon is the Keyblade though his primary weapon is the Kingdom Key, a type of Keyblade.[2] He is an upbeat, compassionate, kindhearted, and cheerful teenager who, though simple-minded, childish, impulsive, short-tempered, and naïve at times, possesses an extraordinary sense of justice and is always sincere about what he says and does. He originates from Destiny Islands and has been best friends with Riku and Kairi since early childhood.

Sora was not the original Keyblade wielder, but was ultimately chosen over Riku as the true wielder due to Sora's strong heart as compared to Riku's which became vulnerable and temporarily weak due to his turn to darkness.[3] Nomura has stated that Sora's name can be interpreted as "sky" as his name, sora (空?), means sky in Japanese and was also chosen by Nomura to symbolise his role as well as personality in the story.[4][5] He is voiced by Haley Joel Osment in the English version and Miyu Irino in the Japanese version.

Contents

[edit] Concept and creation

Original concept artwork for Sora by Tetsuya Nomura

Sora was designed by Tetsuya Nomura as the main protagonist of Kingdom Hearts. However, he was not originally slated to be the main protagonist as Disney wanted Donald Duck to be the main protagonist of the game while Square wanted to have Mickey Mouse as the main protagonist. Nomura wanted neither as the protagonist of the game and went on to design his own main protagonist with the concepts of the Disney characters in mind which resulted in the creation of Sora. Sora originally wielded a weapon resembling a chainsaw; however, the weapon was not well-received by Disney which led Nomura to redesign the weapon into a keyblade. Sora's original outfit in Kingdom Hearts was also designed with Mickey Mouse in mind with Mickey Mouse's trademark white gloves, red shorts and giant yellow shoes due to Square's original preference to have Mickey as the main character of the game.[6]

Sora's outfit and personality in Kingdom Hearts II was meant to reflect Sora's growth as a character on the whole. Nomura wanted to represent how Sora's personality matures over the course of the games, this was done through having a more serious-looking outfit as well as a more experienced fighting style which led to the combat system of Kingdom Hearts II to be completely reworked.[7]

[edit] Appearances

Kingdom Hearts series fictional chronology

Birth by Sleep
Kingdom Hearts
Chain of Memories
358/2 Days
Kingdom Hearts II
coded

[edit] Kingdom Hearts

At the beginning of the game, Sora is fourteen years old and lives on Destiny Islands along with his two best friends, Riku, Kairi, and brother Tidus. The three friends origially planned to leave the islands to explore new worlds and have prepared a raft for this purpose.[8] However their plans were destroyed when their world is attacked by a group of dark beings known as the Heartless,[9] the three are separated. During the invasion, he obtains the Keyblade. After the invasion, Sora drifts off to a town known as Traverse Town where he meets Leon who explains to him the true nature of the keyblade and the power of the weapon against the Heartless.[10] Soon after, Sora meets Donald Duck and Goofy, who join forces in search of their friends with Sora looking for Riku and Kairi while helping Donald and Goofy look for King Mickey.[11] To blend in with the inhabitants of the various worlds they visit, the group is occasionally transformed by Donald's magic.[5]

They travel from world to world in search of Sora's friends in their Gummi Ship as well as sealing the keyholes of worlds along the way to protect them from being consumed by the darkness of the Heartless. However they are often opposed by an alliance of Disney villains led by Maleficent who were seeking out the seven Princesses of Heart to unlock the final Keyhole that leads to "Kingdom Hearts",[12] a repository of knowledge and power and the source of all hearts. Maleficent then sows discord into Riku, telling him that Sora has abandoned him and Kairi for new friends and the Keyblade. This causes the two to clash over saving Kairi when Sora later meets Riku on several occasions.[13] An increasingly antagonistic Riku finds Kairi's body, but cannot find her heart, and without it, Kairi is little more than an empty shell, trapped in a catatonic state.

Sora and his friends eventually arrive at Hollow Bastion, headquarters to Maleficent, where he meets Riku as he takes the Keyblade. It was then revealed then Sora only received the keyblade in Riku's absence and that Riku was the true Keyblade master.[14][15] However, stating that his heart derives strength from his friends which caused the keyblade to return to his possession, Sora regains the Keyblade and defeats Riku before fighting Maleficent. However, when he finds Kairi, Sora encounters Riku after he unknowningly allowed himself possessed by Ansem allowing him to wield a powerful keyblade that unlocks hearts.[16] Ansem explains that Kairi is a Princess of Heart, and that her heart has been hiding within Sora's body since the Destiny Islands were destroyed.[17][18]

In order to return Kairi's heart, Sora impales himself with Riku's dark Keyblade sacrificing himself and releasing his and Kairi's heart. Kairi's heart returns to her causing her to awaken from her catatonic state, she later saves Sora by leading him back into the light after turning into a Heartless due to losing his heart. In the process of becoming a Heartless, Sora created two Nobodies: his counterpart Roxas and Kairi's nobody, Naminé. After taking her to safety before returning to Hollow Bastion, Kairi loans to Sora her lucky charm which she had made back on the Destiny Islands, having him promise to return the charm to her. It was at Hollow Bastion, Sora is confronted by a mysterious hooded man who tested Sora for his own agenda, tapping into his memories.

Shortly afterwards, Sora and company confront Ansem at End of the World which is the combined remnants of fallen worlds.[19] Defeated, Ansem who opened the Door to Darkness, obliterated by overwhelming light inside it. Beyond the door are King Mickey and Riku who keep the Heartless inside from getting out as Mickey and Sora use their Keyblades to lock the door. The worlds lost to the Heartless reconstruct themselves; as the Destiny Islands reform, Kairi returns there while Sora is forced to part with her. The game concludes as Sora, Donald, and Goofy resolve to find Riku and Mickey.[20]

[edit] Chain of Memories

While on their search for Riku and Mickey, thanks to the action of Marluxia, the three stumble onto a fortress known as Castle Oblivion. Upon entering, Sora's memories are manipulated by Naminé, who was held captive by the mysterious Organization XIII who use castle as their second base of operations. Marluxia has Naminé use her powers to jumble up Sora's memories making him forget the past as well as replace memories of Kairi with herself. However as Sora travels upwards in the castle in begins to unravel the truth as he encounters and defeats many members of the Organization on the way. He finally meets up with Naminé who helps Sora, Donald, and Goofy to restore his memories to their state prior to entering Castle Oblivion, at the cost of losing their memories of the events in the castle. This requires them to sleep for at least one year for the restoration of memories to completed.[21]

[edit] 358/2 Days

During the events after Sora became a Heartless to having his memories restored, Roxas was made a member of Organization XIII, helping his group in destroying vast quantities of Heartless as part of their master plan. However as Sora regains his memories, Roxas begins to experience the process for himself, 'growing' increasingly curious about why he can wield the Keyblade and doubtful of the Organization's motives. This also affected Xion, a newly made member who was actually a replica of Sora created from the memories the Organization's leader acquired. Xion's existence in turn halted Naminé's work, with DiZ sending Riku to fix it. But though Xion was eventually destroyed, Riku captures Roxas for DiZ to resume the restoration. Inserted into a virtual simulation of Twilight Town, with his memories altered before being restored, Roxas eventually merges back into Sora and complete the restoration of his memories.

[edit] Kingdom Hearts II

Taking place a year after Chain of Memories, Sora reawakens along with Donald and Goofy in Twilight Town. As they explore the town they encounter Nobodies before being saved by King Mickey who quickly hurries them to board the train which brings them to visit his master, Yen Sid.[22] Arriving to the tower, the trio confront Pete and the Heartless before meeting Yen Sid, who explains the existence of the Nobodies as well as reintroduce Sora's group to Organization XIII. Then, Sora gains a new outfit by the three fairies Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather, bestowing him new powers.[23][24]

As Sora sets out to find Riku and King Mickey, they traverse new and unfamiliar worlds where they often encounter the remaining members of the Organization who constantly address Sora as "Roxas" even though he repeatedly states his name is Sora.[25] During this new voyage, Sora and party encounter a resurrected Maleficent and her cohort, Pete, attempting to take over Disney Castle. Pete almost succeeds by travelling to the past to change the future, but Sora, Donald and Goofy stop him in save Disney Castle. It is also during this time at Disney Castle where Sora encounters a mysterious armoured keyblade-wielding knight, who battles Sora and acknowledges him as a true Keyblade Master.

Later returning to Twillight Town, Sora learns that Kairi was sighted there before being abducted by the rogue Organization member Axel. Sora later confronts Axel at Hollow Bastion, after learning of the truth behind "Ansem" and encountering his Nobody Xemnas, learning that the Organization now has Kairi captive to force Sora to gather more hearts for them. Eventually, with Mickey joining them, Sora's group finds a way to the Organization's main base in The World That Never Was with Axel sacrficing himself to give Sora safe passage. But Sora enters the city, Roxas reawakens and fights with Sora though he loses it was revealed that the battle was merely an internal struggle. As Mickey takes his leave, the group soon reunites with Riku and Kairi as the Sora learns the truth behind Roxas after taking out the Organization members with only Xemnas left.

Though it seemed that defeated him, Sora and Riku are separated from King Mickey, Goofy, Kairi and Donald as they fight Xemnas for the final time as they had entered the realm of darkness. However, even after defeating Xemnas they remained stranded in the land of darkness with no means of return. As the two sit down and reflect on each other they realised that as long as the realm of light is safe they would be content with staying in the darkness.[26]. Just at that moment a door appeared in front of them revealing a passageway back to light, upon entering the two find themselves back on Destiny Islands where they reunite with all their friends. Sora finally keeps his promise that he made in Kingdom Hearts and returns to Kairi her lucky charm.[27]. At an extra scene featured at the end of the credits, Sora is shown asking Riku what he thinks the door to light was. Riku replies that it was the light of Sora's heart.[28]. Kairi runs up to them and give them a bottle she found, containing a letter from King Mickey. The trio then begins to read the letter, its contents a mystery to the player.

[edit] Other Kingdom Hearts related appearances

(Right) Sora in Birth by Sleep.

Sora is constantly referenced to and is also playable in Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days though he is not physically present in the story as he is asleep while his memories are being restored. However Xion appears to look like him at the end of the game when she takes off her hood as she is a replica of Sora.

A young Sora and Riku will appear in the prequel to Kingdom Hearts, Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep which takes place ten years prior to Kingdom Hearts the two are seen dueling with wooden swords on the beaches of Destiny Islands similar to the beginning of Kingdom Hearts.[29] Terra is seen to be observing them. The Keybearer Ventus, noted for his striking resemblance to Roxas, Sora's Nobody, is said to have a connection to Sora, which has yet to be revealed.

A digital version of Sora wearing his original Kingdom Hearts outfit is also present in the sequel to Kingdom Hearts II, Kingdom Hearts coded which circles around King Mickey, Donald Duck and Goofy finding out the mystery behind Jiminy's journal. However the game will not show what Sora and friends are doing at the time of the game.[30]

[edit] Keyblade

Sora's Keyblade is the Kingdom Key (キングダムチェーン Kingudamu Chēn?, Kingdom Chain), resembling a classic skeleton key approximately 3.5' long, with a long silver keychain extending from the hilt, and a Hidden Mickey token on the end of the keychain. But through using Keychains, the Kingdom Key can assume a variety of unique forms. Because of their relation to him, Roxas and Xion can access the Kingdom Key as well and use Gears to upgrade it.

[edit] Forms

Concept artwork for Sora's transformation into a Merman in Atlantica by Tetsuya Nomura

Sora is able to take on many forms in order to either blend in with the inhabitants of worlds or to engage in combat more efficiently with the help of Donald's magic for the former and the power of his outfit granted to him by the three fairies. Most notably a merman form in Atlantica where he has no shirt and a dolphin tail, a vampire in Halloween Town, a lion cub in the Pride Lands, and as a black and white 1920's cartoon version of his original design in the first game design in Timeless River.

He also has five more drive forms which grant him various powers as well as abilities these are namely: Valor, Wisdom, Master, Final, Limit and anti-form. Each of these specialize in a certain areas such as power or speed.

[edit] Reception

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examples and additional citations.

Overall, critics and fans have generally praised the character of Sora. UGO placed Sora nineteenth on their list of "Top 25 Japanese RPG Characters" calling him a "charismatic and visually interesting" character.[31] He has also competed several times in the annual GameFAQs Character Battle though he has never gotten past the group stages usually losing during the final match. He has also lost twice to Squall Leonhart of Final Fantasy VIII during the "Character Battle VI" (2007) and "Character Battle VII" (2008).[32][33] IGN praised Sora's resilient character noting how such an ordinary "youngster" could face up to his challenges during his adventures for the sake of friendship.[34] In January 2007, Sora was listed the 4th biggest dork of 2006 by Game Informer, citing the Atlantica singing portions of the game.[35] IGN listed him as a possible character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl; though he was not chosen as the "reader's choice".[36] In their Super Smash Bros Brawl list, IGN described Sora as "...the most active and evolved hero on this week's list."[37]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Gerstmann, Jeff (2001-05-17). "E3 2001: Square announces Disney RPG for PS2". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/kingdomhearts/news.html?sid=2761861. Retrieved 2007-05-13. 
  2. ^ Birlew, Dan (2003). Kingdom Hearts Official Strategy Guide. BradyGames Publishing. ISBN 0-7440-0198-6. 
  3. ^ "Riku Biography". IGN. http://stars.ign.com/objects/142/14213997_biography.html. Retrieved 2008-01-02. 
  4. ^ "Scenario Mysteries Interview". KingdomHearts3.net. 2007-05-14. http://www.kingdomhearts3.net/scenario-mysteries-interview/. Retrieved 2007-08-25. 
  5. ^ a b "Sora Biography". IGN. http://stars.ign.com/objects/965/965214_biography.html. Retrieved 2008-01-02. 
  6. ^ Kevin Gifford (July 8, 2009). "Tetsuya Nomura Discusses Kingdom Hearts' Past, Present". 1up. http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3175105. Retrieved November 3, 2009. 
  7. ^ "Playstation.com Europe - E3 Interview". Kingdom Hearts Ultimania. http://www.kh2.co.uk/?page=NI/Playstation. Retrieved 2007-09-20. 
  8. ^ Square Co. (2002). Kingdom Hearts Instruction Booklet. Square Co., Limited. 
  9. ^ Turner, Benjamin (2002-09-03). "Kingdom Hearts Review (PS2)". GameSpy. http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/kingdom-hearts/540394p1.html. Retrieved 2007-07-05. 
  10. ^ Sora: The Heartless? / Yuffie: The ones who attacked you, you remember? / Leon: Those without hearts. / Yuffie: The darkness in people’s hearts—that’s what attracts them. / Leon: And there is darkness within every heart. / ... / Leon: The Heartless have great fear of the Keyblade. That’s why they’ll keep coming after you no matter what. Square. Kingdom Hearts. (Square Electronic Arts). PlayStation 2. (2002-11-15)
  11. ^ King Mickey's Note: Donald, Sorry to rush off without sayin’ goodbye, but there’s big trouble brewin’. Not sure why, but the stars have been blinkin’ out, one by one. And that means disaster can’t be far behind. I hate to leave you all but I’ve gotta go check into it. There’s someone with a “key”—the key to our survival. So I need you and Goofy to find him, and stick with him. Got it? We need that key or we’re doomed! So go to Traverse Town and find Leon. He’ll point you in the right direction. P.S. Would ya apologize to Minnie for me? Thanks, pal. Square. Kingdom Hearts. (Square Electronic Arts). PlayStation 2. (2002-11-15)
  12. ^ "Kingdom Hearts for PlayStation2". MobyGames. http://www.mobygames.com/game/kingdom-hearts/. Retrieved 2007-05-18. 
  13. ^ Maleficent: You see? It’s just as I told you. While you toiled away trying to find your dear friend, he quite simply replaced you with some new companions. Evidently, now he values them far more than he does you. You’re better off without that wretched boy. Now, think no more of him, and come with me. I’ll help you find what you’re searching for... Square. Kingdom Hearts. (Square Electronic Arts). PlayStation 2. (2002-11-15)
  14. ^ Sora: But that’s impossible. How did this happen? I’m the one who fought my way here with the Keyblade! / Riku: You were just the delivery boy. Sorry, your part’s over now. Square. Kingdom Hearts. (Square Electronic Arts). PlayStation 2. (2002-11-15)
  15. ^ Donald Duck: Goofy, let's go. We need to remember our mission. / Goofy: Oh! Well, I know the king told use to follow the key and all. But... / Donald Duck: Sora, sorry. Square. Kingdom Hearts. (Square Electronic Arts). PlayStation 2. (2002-11-15)
  16. ^ Sora: What? You... You're not Riku. / ... / Sora: Tell me. Who are you? / Ansem: It is I, Ansem, the seeker of darkness. Square. Kingdom Hearts. (Square Electronic Arts). PlayStation 2. (2002-11-15)
  17. ^ Ansem: The Keyhole cannot be completed so long as the last princess of heart still sleeps. / Sora: The princess...? Kairi's a princess? / Ansem: Yes, and without her power, the Keyhole will remain incomplete. Square. Kingdom Hearts. (Square Electronic Arts). PlayStation 2. (2002-11-15)
  18. ^ Ansem: Don't you see yet? The princess's heart is responding. It has been there all along. Kairi's heart rests within you! / Sora: Kairi... Kairi's inside me? Square. Kingdom Hearts. (Square Electronic Arts). PlayStation 2. (2002-11-15)
  19. ^ Goofy: Gawrsh!, is that all that's left of the worlds taken by the Heartless? Square. Kingdom Hearts. (Square Electronic Arts). PlayStation 2. (2002-11-15)
  20. ^ Donald: Well, now what do we do? / Sora: We’ve gotta find Riku and King Mickey. Square. Kingdom Hearts. (Square Electronic Arts). PlayStation 2. (2002-11-15)
  21. ^ Naminé: You won't be able to remember anything about what happened here. / Sora: Not even you? / Naminé: I'm sorry. It's the only way, I'm afraid. Sora, you have a choice. You can lose your memories of this castle and reclaim your old one...or keep your memories here and give up the memories that you've lost.Square Enix. Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories. (Square Enix U.S.A., Buena Vista Games). PlayStation 2. (2008-12-02)
  22. ^ Mickey: You gotta board the train and leave the town! The train knows the way. Square Enix. Kingdom Hearts II. (Square Enix U.S.A., Buena Vista Games). PlayStation 2. (2006-03-28)
  23. ^ Hollinger, Elizabeth (2006). Kingdom Hearts II Official Strategy Guide. BradyGames Publishing. ISBN 0-7440-0526-4. 
  24. ^ Flora: Now, those aren't ordinary garments. / Fauna: They have very special powers. / ... / Flora: Your garments also have other powers---but you will have to discover what they are as you continue on your journey. Square Enix. Kingdom Hearts II. (Square Enix U.S.A., Buena Vista Games). PlayStation 2. (2006-03-28)
  25. ^ Demyx: Ah, you! Wait a sec... Roxas! Roxas...! Oh, it's no use. Square Enix. Kingdom Hearts II. (Square Enix U.S.A., Buena Vista Games). PlayStation 2. (2006-03-28)
  26. ^ Riku: "If the worlds are made up of light and darkness, we'll be the darkness." Square Enix. Kingdom Hearts II. (Square Enix U.S.A., Buena Vista Games). PlayStation 2. (2006-03-28)
  27. ^ Kairi: "You're home." Square Enix. Kingdom Hearts II. (Square Enix U.S.A., Buena Vista Games). PlayStation 2. (2006-03-28)
  28. ^ Riku: "It's always closer than you think." Square Enix. Kingdom Hearts II. (Square Enix U.S.A., Buena Vista Games). PlayStation 2. (2006-03-28)
  29. ^ "KINGDOM HEARTS Birth by Sleep". Square Enix. http://www.square-enix.co.jp/kingdom/bbs/. Retrieved November 3, 2009. 
  30. ^ "Interview with Tetsuya Nomura and Hajime Tabata" (translation). Famitsu: p 33. October 2007. http://www.kh2.co.uk/?page=NI/KHC2. Retrieved 2008-08-20. 
  31. ^ "Sora - Top 25 Japanese RPG Characters". UGO Networks. http://www.ugo.com/games/japanese-rpg-characters/?cur=sora. Retrieved November 25, 2009. 
  32. ^ "Fall 2007: The Great GameFAQs Character Battle VI". GameFAQs. http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/cb6. Retrieved November 25, 2009. 
  33. ^ "Fall 2008: The Great GameFAQs Character Battle VII". GameFAQs. http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/cb7. Retrieved November 25, 2009. 
  34. ^ "Sora Biography". IGN. http://stars.ign.com/objects/965/965214_biography.html. Retrieved November 25, 2009. 
  35. ^ "Top 10 Dorks of 2006", Game Informer (Cathy Preston) (165): 58, January 2007 
  36. ^ Thomas, Lucas M. (2007-11-09). "Smash It Up! - It's Hip to be Square". IGN. http://wii.ign.com/articles/834/834174p1.html. Retrieved 2008-01-02. 
  37. ^ Thomas, Lucas M. (2007-11-16). "Smash It Up! - Veterans Day". IGN. http://wii.ign.com/articles/835/835988p1.html. Retrieved 2008-01-02. 

[edit] External links

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Characters (Sora • Organization XIII) • Media  • Music • Worlds  • Universe
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