Since it began in 2002, theKingdom Heartsseries has introduced players to a multitude of important characters.Kairi, a young girl and future keyblade wielder, was introduced as one of the three co-protagonists of the originalKingdom Hearts.Despite being the foundation for the title’s plot, as well as that of many of its sequels and spin-offs, the character has never truly taken the reins of the lead protagonist. However, recent titles have given Kairi a larger role, with bothKingdom Hearts 3andKingdom Hearts: Melody of Memoryoffering the character fleeting moments in the spotlight. In order to continue this trend and finally give Kairi her due,Kingdom Hearts 4needs to go all in on the character’s recent heyday.
Kingdom Hearts 4was announced during the franchise’s 20th Anniversary celebration in 2022. The title is the first since the completion ofKingdom Hearts' Darkseeker Saga inKingdom Hearts 3: Re:Mind. The narrative will follow Sora in the world of Quadratum, a setting introduced inKingdom Hearts 3and appearing quite similar to modernFinal Fantasytitles. Little else is known aboutKingdom Hearts 4, as only its announcement trailer has been released since its unveiling, but the title will provide the foundations for an all-new chapter in the franchise.
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Kingdom Hearts' Kairi is Experiencing a Quiet Heyday
Despite providing the foundation for nearly every Sora-drivenKingdom Hearts title,Kairi has never been featured as a true protagonist. In fact, her inclusion up untilKingdom Hearts 3was primarily as motivation for Sora and Riku to journey between worlds, as she was often missing or being used to summon the titular Kingdom Hearts.Kingdom Hearts 3appeared to right this wrong, showing Kairi, who was gifted a keyblade at the tail-end ofKingdom Hearts 2, in various battles alongside protagonists from spin-off titles. However, by the game’s conclusion, she was both used to summon Kingdom Hearts and missing all over again.
Since the release ofKingdom Hearts 3, Kairi has been enjoying a quiet heyday, in which she is given the spotlight but denied growth.Kingdom Hearts 3: Re:Mindsaw Kairi made playable for the first time. However, she was silent and largely passive for the duration of her time in the narrative, following other characters' leads. The character’s first spin-off title,Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory, also managed to somehow place her on the sidelines. Players control Sora throughout the title’s rhythm-action levels, with Kairi shown in a number of brief cutscenes that progress the narrative. While it’s a move in the right direction, Kairi’s recent time in the spotlight still relegates her to a plot device, a problem thatKingdom Hearts 4could eradicate as the series enters a new era.
Kingdom Hearts 4 Can Elevate Kairi’s Role in a New Saga
Kingdom Hearts 4serves as the perfect opportunity to put Kairi front and center.As the series enters a new saga, characters like Kairi are given a chance to take on a bigger role as a new narrative develops. With Sora trapped in Quadratum, the series needs a new lead protagonist. Riku has already been featured in multiple titles, so the time could be perfect for Kairi to take on a true leading role. PerhapsKingdom Hearts 4could see a full role reversal, as Kairi searches for a missing Sora across worlds.
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memoryset up a unique dynamic between Kairi and Aqua, as Kairi requests to train under the redeemed keyblade master. While this could happen behind the scenes, it would also serve as a solid foundation for a Kairi-centeredKingdom Hearts 4’s prologue chapter. Fans anticipating a bigger role for Kairi inKingdom Hearts 4eagerly await news surrounding the title, but with no signs of an impending announcement, the duration of that wait remains a mystery.
Kingdom Hearts 4is in development.
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