Xehanort has been the main villain plaguing the world ofKingdom Heartsall the way to the end of the Dark Seeker Saga. With how much of an impact he has on the series, it is very possible that his actions will affect the events ofKingdom Hearts 4as well. Xehanort’s actions affected the entire cast as well as the many worlds, so when players saw the initial trailer ofKingdom Hearts 4, it raised some questions about how Xehanort could still be involved.
The reveal trailer for Kingdom Hearts 4showed Sora waking up in a world called Quadratum that resembles real-life Shibuya. Returning characters like Donald and Goofy appear, as well as a girl that may be Strelitzia - Lauriam/Marluxia’s dead sister fromKingdom Hearts Union Cross. There are also characters in robes that are unknown to players, but players theorize that they could be Luxu and the Master of Masters. Xehanort is not in the trailer, but his presence could still have an impact throughoutKingdom Hearts 4’s Lost Master Arc.
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Though he is no longer alive,Xehanort’s impact won’t be forgotten by the surviving cast ofKingdom Heart’s characters. He causes Sora to fade away at the end ofKingdom Hearts 3because Sora needed to use the power of waking to revive his friends. In the final hours of the game, when Xehanort kills Kairi, Sora is yet again forced to use this power, leading to his assumed demise.
With Xehanort’s likeness being split among so many bodies, every character in the series has some sort of contact with him.Kairi is someone who has been deeply affected by Xehanort, having been killed by him and fighting his ghost throughout the events ofKingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory. This will likely lead to the events ofKingdom Hearts 4as Riku uses the information gathered to try and go to Quadratum.
The mobile gameKingdom Hearts: Dark Road, starring Xehanort as its protagonist, recently came to an end. The final update revealed more about what happened to Xehanort, and alluded to what could become of him afterKingdom Hearts 3. Xehanort explains that he wants 14 lifetimes, with the 14th one solely existing to explore the new world. Quadratum is believed to be a world of fiction, something beyond reality, which could be what a form of Xehanort was meant to be a part of.
During the ending ofKingdom Hearts 3, Xehanort is seen passing onto the afterlife along with his old friend, Eraqus. Before they both pass on, they revert to their younger selves. This could just be referring to how they once were, but it could also allude to how Xehanort looks when players see them next. Both Sora and Strelitzia experienced death in order to appear in Quadratum, according to theKingdom Hearts 4reveal trailer.
In addition to theorizing about howKingdom Hearts 4could be affected by Xehanort,series director Tetsuya Nomuraconfirmed in a recent Q&A that Xehanort’s appearance inKingdom Hearts: Dark Roadmight not be the last players see him. In addition, art was shown of a young Xehanort standing in the rain where fans have theorized to be Shibuya.
There is too much to list for justhow much Xehanort has done across theKingdom Heartsseries. Between himself, Young Xehanort, Ansem, Xemnas, and many people under his command, it would be difficult for the antagonist to not have a lingering impact. The events of the Dark Seeker Saga show players that his legacy won’t go away so easily inKingdom Hearts 4.
Kingdom Hearts 4is currently in development.
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