You were the first KZfaqr I knew who actually openly said, through all the online backlash, that they don't just LIKE Kingdom Hearts III, but genuinely ADORE it. I can't think of a better person to make a video like this. You really poured your heart into it. Stellar work.

I laughed so hard at "Riku flew out of Riku into Riku in order defeat Riku"

"Don't lose yourself in the sorrow of separation. Be thankful that bond was strong enough to create that sadness." One of the greatest lines I've ever heard. Well done.

Interpreting the power of wakening as Sora growing up hits so much harder with what we know about KH4, sora grew up, he is no longer a kid, he is now then, in a different reality, no longer in the fantasy and magical world he once lived, but in the streets of Tokyo, a gray atmosphere, where he is now looking at the adulthood reality

"Roxas resonated with my preteen self so much that I thought about him every day" made me tear up. I thought about Roxas every single day from 2006-2012.

To quote Eggman from Sonic Unleashed: "Oh, I've waited a long time for this!"

I remember the night this game came out, I was sitting in my college dorm room at midnight when the game dropped I sat down at my desk and played for 46 hours without stopping except to eat and other necessities, when the credits played I crashed with tears in my eyes and woke up the next morning with the title screen playing its beautiful music. It was one of my favourite times experiencing a game and I will never forget it.

Felt the exact same way about Final Fantasy 13. "Am I stupid?" "Are my standards really that low?" "What's... wrong with me?" are all things I asked myself verbatim. Perhaps I am stupid, perhaps my standards are low. However, now that I'm older, I learned it's important to love what you love without apology, staying true to yourself. Beautiful vid by the way, good work.

Sora getting into Smash made me feel like my love for kingdom hearts was validated. Like I wasn't the only one who enjoys this series just as much as me. It's by far my favorite piece of fiction.

Very excited to listen to this. My feelings on Kingdom Hearts 3 are complicated and I have a lot of frustrations with it but many of those are also tied to the greater context of the lead up to KH3 with both the story setup (Not the biggest fan of Dream Drop Distance and 358 Days for various reasons) and the sheer amount of time it took for this game to actually happen. With those feelings of frustration combined with how KH3 handles its own pacing and where it decides to focus the majority of its story's run time, I don't think I can say I'll ever fully love the game but I'm very interested in hearing the defense for it. EDIT: One of my biggest take aways with my frustrations I think come from how Kairi is handled in general. There's a TON of emphasis placed on her towards the end but ultimately it's used just to fridge her and provoke Sora. With all the emphasis placed on the two at the end and in ReMind it really makes me think that she should've joined the trio throughout the adventure so that we could actually see Sora and Kairi work off of each other and let her develop as a hero on her own. Areas like Arendelle and Corona would've provided some solid opportunities for that relationship to become more fleshed out. There doesn't have to be a TON of scenes dedicated to her but let her and Sora's journeys intertwine Actually sell us on their relationship like they already have with him and Riku. Let the player connect with her more instead of just telling us that she matters. But no, they give her worthless off-screen training with nothing of note other than a couple nice scenes with Axel that could still have been delivered in another way.

Bro this is an insane video. All the way through I could feel the passion and emotion in your words. This series really does mean a lot to you huh. Seems like you were just the right person to make this video

I'm not a Kingom Hearts guy, but after watching this video......I get it now. I can actually see how impactful this series is thanks to this video!

I am SO happy that we've made Lingering Will Turner a thing in this community

EVEN YOUR DESCRIPTION OF THE SEA SALT TRIO'S RESOLUTION BROUGHT ME TO TEARS, by far my favorite resolution in that entire game.

I can't believe it's been four years since the game came out. I remember waiting for KH3 for an eternity and it's so hard to think it's not even "new" anymore. Incredible video.

So hilarious that he mentioned how cold it was the day this game came out. I also vividly remember heading to gamestop right after school to grab the game and I couldn’t even describe how deadly freezing it was outside

Hearing you say that the end of KH3 marked your first real steps into adulthood and the end of your childhood hit hard for me. This game came out when I was 20, I had a new job, a baby on the way, and a lot of doubts about what I was doing with my life. 4 years later, my daughter on the cusp of turning 4 herself, we sit and play these games together. She loves all of the Disney characters and adores Riku. It's so special for me to get to share these games with her after I spent nearly 20 years of my life loving them up to this point. I hope one day when shes older I get to watch her play through them all for the first time and we can experience all of it together again. Thank you for this video and thank you Nomura for this beautiful franchise.

I cried the most at the end beach scene when Kairi and Sora spent their last moments together. Not out of joy but of desperate heartbreak. I just want them to have their chance to be happy together.

I feel like it's important to remember that later the same year that KH3 came out we saw the release of DMC5, accurately summarized as Vergil hiring Vergil's brother and Vergil's son to defeat Vergil so that Vergil can merge with Vergil to become Vergil Earnestly silly plots in video games are good actually

This is the first video I've come across with an opinion that honestly resonated with me in such a way that I don't think could have been said in such a beautiful way. I've grown up with this series, and I am currently 28. I felt so much emotion and passion behind each segment of this video. It genuinely broke me in a way that felt I could only dream of, like a mirror image of myself speaking to me. Feels like the one true review that has as much passion for the series as I have had and has some of the biggest impact in my life. I truly appreciate you taking the time to make this video. And even though I don't know you, your words feel like I've known you, my whole life, like a best friend or someone who has come around after years and making me feel less alone in today's world. I can't thank you enough for this tremendous video. I needed every second of this. "May your heart be your guiding key." I'm glad I came across your video

This video made my day, the vast majority of KH3 video's on here are negative, so finally having a positive one that's extremely genuine makes me happy especially as someone who also loves the game.

I'm so glad to listen to this - There's this strange effect with some media that occurs where, even if you enjoy something, you're kind of gaslit by popular opinion to feel differently. I know I had a magical time with KH3 from beginning to end.

I’m absolutely HYPED for the Lost Masters arc. What X, Union X, Dark Road, and now Missing Link are setting up and how it all is going to culminate in KH4 is going to be epic. I really hope they give Union X and Dark Road the movie treatment like they did with X just to make those stories more accessible for wider audiences

Also...I normally dont comment twice on videos, but I feel I have to after resonating so hard with you here. The "shame " associated with loving something that's a part of your identity ....what KH is for you and so many others is what sonic is for me. And people shittin on frontiers made me feel the EXACT what you described feeling in defense of Kh3. It's okay to love something that isnt perfect. And btw ; glad you finally put out the video, you Faced Your Fears, King K !

Your intro resonated with me in a way that I cannot describe. But i will try anyway. The feeling that maybe I was crazy, the feeling that maybe I'm the one in the wrong for loving KH3 so genuinely even with all of its notable flaws, the feeling that everyone around me just wants to do nothing but talk badly about an experience that I absolutely adored and needed at the time in my young adult hood. I've also been here since the beginning. I've also watched as sora grows along side me and I've done so many yearly playthroughs of KH2. So its nice to hear that I'm not alone in this opinion. That I'm not alone in loving something so genuinely and feeling like I'm worse for it. Thanks KingK.

I remember really enjoying KH3 when I initially played, so seeing the backlash it was getting certainly came as a shock to me .

I completely relate to the sea salt trio reuniting. My friends and I had a group chat where we’d share video reactions to our scenes from the game. When it got to that part I was holding back tears and rocking just muttering “please don’t do this” and when roxas’ voice came out and said Xion I broke. No other game has meant more to me than this game. I love this series with all of my heart

I really don´t know what to say, this might be by far the best video essay i´ve watched and listened to. I also don´t really know how to thank you for these videos, but to hear someone have the same thoughts and feelings that i have, for not only this game but the whole franshise, is something i am very gratefull for.

Maybe it's because I've discovered the series rather recently that I did not have as big expectations of KHIII as people who basically grew up with it - still, it was really enjoyable gameplaywise, had a decent story aside from the Frozen world (it did feel like Sora and the gang found themselves there by a mistake), and seeing the BBS and Days trios reunite was absolutely magical. I believe that if Nomura decided to show the importance of Disney worlds in a bit more organised way would help the game tremendously. After you've connected them to KH events in this video, it actually makes sense. That's why even cliche retrospections would tie things neatly. Nonetheless, it was a blast, hoping that KH IV (whenever it releases) will redeem the series' image. No matter how you look at it, things may completely change now and I'm all for it.

This and Regular Pat's videos about KH gave me years of life.

That was simply beautiful. It’s clear you poured your heart into this, pun intended and your genuine love for kingdom hearts is infectious. You don’t have to explain all the ways this series has shaped and inspired you cause it’s clear from your voice alone. Great job.

This video is honestly incredible, I was listening to it while playing another game and, when you started gushing about the lead up to the ending, you sounded so excited that I just had to smile along with you, it made me super happy! 🐻

Even though my overall negative opinion of the game and its narrative remain unchanged, I really do admire the passion you feel for the series. Your own unique experience and journey with it is just as valuable as anyone else's, so I'm glad you were able to share that with us. Good stuff.

I've not even listened fully to the intro, but I can fully understand your plight. I'm a fan who's only played KH in recent years. When I got to 3, I was very excited, but also very nervous. People trashed hard on this game, and it felt weird to play it. Luckily, I did have the added DLC to play as well, but even then, falling in love with the base game felt weird. I liked the idea of finding the good within the bad of 3, but I ended up finding so much more good than I could have ever perceived. 3 is the perfect mix between 1 and 2 terms of gameplay, and it is well paced in a lot more ways than 2. I started to feel the same way as how you felt. Then I realized that there should always be people to defend a game. No matter if a product is good or bad, there will always be people who love it, and people who hate it. What matters, is finding out why you feel a way about a product, and stating it out loud. It doesn't matter if you will get negative backlash, what matters is that you made your voice heard. You of course want to be civil, don't treat the people who like or hate the game as stupid or asinine. You however also should be allowed to defend a product, because there will always be people who think like you. KH3 is my fav in the series, not only because I love the actual product, but it's also because KH3 taught me it's okay to defend my opinions, in spite of general word of mouth.

I find it really interesting to see how different trios have an emotional connect to different people. A lot of people were overwhelmed with emotions at the Days trio reunion, but it was the BBS trio resolution that truly got me bawling. I love that people can experience the same thing in different ways to the point where a plot point that can be brushed off by some, can be overwhelmingly cathartic for another. I have a lot of personal gripes with KH3, but it's very nice to see how passionately you love the game.

Like you, this series defined my childhood and well into my teenage years. I invested into these characters as I grew alongside the story and this beautiful culmination hit me like only a well earned decades old bittersweet tale could do. Im glad im not alone

KH3 was released on 29th January 2019 in the UK. My dad died the day after. Back when the final release date was announced, I had told him I would take the day off from school just to start playing it the moment it arrived. I don't remember how he reacted but I do remember trying to teach him, a man in his 60s, how to work my PS4 and download it for me if I had to go to school. He was never well, he had heart problems and diabetes and he'd never fully recovered from the stroke he had when I was 4, so I didn't notice his health declining until it was too late. He wasn't well enough for Christmas and went into hospital on New Years' Eve. Then he went back in and my oldest brother came down from London to look after me. We found out it was Stage 4 cancer and all they could do was make him comfortable - they only gave him a few weeks to live. Our middle brother came down from university in Scotland around then. Everything from January that year is a blur for me, except this game. I don't know if I could remember how I found out he was gone if not for the fact I was stuck on that part of the Caribbean with the onslaught of pirate ships before the Kraken and Davy Jones fights. I don't think I'd remember anything for a long time after that if not for KH3. Looking back, the game isn't perfect, not by any means. But none of the games in this series are. KH3 especially suffered from the need to fulfil unattainable expectations. But the emotion you feel when you see the Days trio or Wayfinder trio reunite, or at the pure insanity that is Woody's Roast of Young Xehanort, or when you hear Donald and Goofy through your controller before dealing the final blow? That's real. It's as real as the impact this series has had on me and so many others, and it's as real as the crutch this game gave me at the worst time in my life. Thank you so much for making this video. The discourse on this game hurts me to my core, even if I can see and relate to points on both sides, but to see such a heartfelt defence brought me genuine relief. So thank you for that.

If your goal was to capture the feelings KH3 gave you and justify why it’s excellent, you achieved it.

My main issues with the game were too much disney, not enough kh original stuff, no final fantasy stuff, the character acting is the most awkward its ever been, story lacks consistansy/ continuity, no mid game story dump, power scaling felt WAY off in cutscenes compared to gameplay (sora literally goes from unable to stop Terranort to literally soloing the entire organization through time travel/ heart jumping) and FUCKING ATTRACTION FLOW OMG I HATED THIS MECHANIC (other than the train, the train was awesome) NO SEPHEROTH

Oh man. I love the series and honestly thought the end was a flop. To think up till the last moment I was one board, but missed the mark. I really enjoyed this narrative perspective that you brought up. Man rewatching some of those scenes and your delevery genuinely made me tear up. Thanks for putting so much care and dedication in this.

loved that you spoke a bit about the music in KH3 (12:40, 36:00, 39:50, etc)--was really great to hear some attention brought to this aspect of the game

01:02:02 the best thing from this part is how clever they used the PS4 controller speaker with Donald and Goofy "reviving" Sora

I’m glad someone is finally giving this game a fair shot. I love KH3. I’ve loved it since day 1 and I thinks it an excellent conclusion to this story arch.

This must be how people feel when I talk about Shadow the Hedgehog. Glad you own your opinion and were able to finally get some of it out there!

Good to see some genuine positivity about this game for once. For the longest time I felt like I couldn't even talk about the things I liked about KH3 because I'd be fighting against a mob, so to not only see a video defending the game but also capturing what emotionally resonated with me about it feels like vindication.

I really respect you for making an in-depth defense of Kingdom Hearts 3. It's my favorite game of the series due to the amazing and fluid combat and story that gives us the long-awaited conclusion for characters that have been hurting for so long. Honestly the organization and villain send offs were way more satisfying to see than in KH2. I honestly felt a sense of toxicity of people repeatedly bashing the Osaka team and wanting KH3 to pretty much be a carbon copy of KH2 both in gameplay and story.

I’ve never resonated more with the opening few minutes of a video in my life. I love all your videos but this made me feel a certain way. Makes sense given KH has been such a large part of my life but all I can say is THANK YOU!!

This video was absolutely beautiful. The way you shared your love for this game and the series as a whole just felt so raw and real. I’ve been struggling with why I don’t love KH3 as much as I thought I would, and listening to your video, I realized it’s because I think I’m outgrowing the series. I become more frustrated with every new installment and I miss being hyped/excited like I used to be. But it’s not an entirely bad thing because I went back to play KH3 after I watched your video (I keep coming back to this one in particular) and I actually found myself enjoying KH3 unlike before. Thank you. ❤

This is easily one of the best KH3 videos I've ever seen. This game is easily my favourite game in the entire franchise. It was such a satisfying conclusion to the saga, wrapping up so many things that were built up towards this epic conclusion. It brought heartfelt reunions, tearful scenes and amazing developments and interactions. The ending alone had left me sobbing for over half an hour because it was SO satisfying seeing all these characters that I loved for years, who had been through the worst of circumstances, FINALLY reunited and happy. This video was perfectly written and spoken because your positivity and emotions brought me back to 2019 when I first played through this incredible game. Nearly every single sentence spoken in this video felt like you were reading my mind. You perfectly expressed why I LOVE this game. You managed to take back four years ago. Thank you SO much for expressing and sharing all these positive thoughts on this amazing game. I've been eagerly waiting for this video and it certainly did not disappoint. An amazing video!

Really well made video. KH3, much like any KH game, has plenty of flaws, but it also has so many good and great things that it can't pass as a truly bad game. And for me, those good moments and in general all the fun I had playing this compared to the other games, made KH3 my favourite game in the franchise.

I remember having a kinda similar experience to yours. I went and got the game at my local best buy then went home shut myself off from the internet for a few days (to avoid spoilers) and beat the game. I was super happy with how the game turned out it had everything I was looking for in it and what I thought everyone else wanted. I was giddy with excitement to go online and see all the reviews of people saying how great it was. Then I was super confused to find out that the reviews mostly ranged from disappointing to hated it. I spent a couple days watching those reviews trying to understand why people felt that way but none of it made sense to me. Atleast it's good to know that there are some people who liked this game as much as I did. Loved the video.

I think you just managed to shift my perspective on a lot of things just now. I love this series with a passion, and when it comes to 3 specifically, I think I took a lot of the steps Nomura took to weave this game together for granted or was too blind to really see the bigger picture. I'm glad I gave this a watch when I did. And I'm right there with you with the road ahead, without a doubt. Can't wait to see what Quadratum has in store.

Thank you so much for this. I came to this game first as a child shown by my older brother. I watched him play countless runs. Eventually played my own countless runs. I remember when they announced the release date we were in disbelief because it was set to come out on his birthday. I preordered two copies of the game so we could both enjoy it. He passed away a few months before the games release. Perhaps it’s that emotional tether that made me fall in love with this installment (minus some frustrating plot points). I remember crying countless times and just having such an amazing time. It was so bizarre that the game was overall received so poorly. You’ve articulated so much of the emotion and fun that I also had. I’m glad this video exists to explain my thoughts in a far more cohesive manner. Thanks again for all the content.

It's really nice seeing a ray of positivity for III with how negatively people tend to regard it lol. Your insight and impressions of these games have always been great, and Sora's journey using the Disney worlds was well put! An extra detail I'll never forget about the Master Xehanort fight was Donald and Goofy calling out to you right before the Trinity limit. I was playing it with my headphones plugged into the controller and that made for one final super immersive finisher to the fight.

Oh damn it's finally here, I've been waiting this video to release. I've enjoyed all your retrospectives about Kingdom Hearts so far and I can't wait to watch this one. Cheers!

Thank you KingK, I'm glad you shared your experience with Kindom Hearts as a whole & I will continue to look forward towards the future of this channel

If there's one thing I really appreciate about this channel is that you always manage to get me to grow a deeper respect for my favorite games and bring attention to stuff that I didn't even know or recognize about its gameplay, story, or both. Stellar video man. I could really feel your passion and love for this game as well as the rest of the series in this video and when I could hear your smile as you were speaking I was smiling right alongside with ya. This series really is something special and I thank you for bringing into words on why I love it so much.

I'm just at the Intro section, but you already hooked me when you talked about your feelings around the KH3 opinions. Never have I connected more with the phrase "What's wrong with me?". Like you, I understand people are allowed to think however they want and that I shouldn't be bothered about that. And yet.....when it comes certain games I love but others trash alot, I still can't help but think "Am I weird, is it wrong to have an appreciation or understanding for this, is something wrong with me"? It never affected my mental health, but it was a little discouraging at times. The fact you are making this big defense for KH3 despite having these self-doubting thoughts is.... reassuring to me. It's also going to make watching the rest of your passionate video even better.

I cried... You made me weep. For that I am eternally grateful. For a series I love and a game I judged from the wrong perspective. You voiced the heart I was not willing to see. I wanted KH3 to be perfection. I wanted it to be more. I lost heart with it when I played it because I felt the story it told from world to world didn't build to the narrative at the end. I let it drag the rest down and my heart with it. But you are so right. The end is something we already knew. Following the journey of a boy who towards the known conclusion is the best way to express this journey. I didn't fall in love with Kingdom Hearts when I played the games for the first time. It was after. It was always after when I look back and found more and more to care about. Maybe it was where I was when it released vs where I am now but... Thank you for this. If not... I'd have continued to slide away from this series. I wouldn't have cared where the story went from here, letting this cloud my perspective moving forward. So from the bottom of my heart. Thank you. It's was a few years in the making, but this video was worth it.

Dave’s Jones Locker was the best use of foreshadowing I’ve seen in a while. It blew my mind discovering the connection between THAT and the Final World years later.

Love the video so much. The passion you show from the beginning to end really made me happy. I may have not been with the series for 20 years, but I was born a bit over a week after the first game came out and from as far back as I remember, some of my first gaming experiences were kingdom hearts 1 at around 3-4 years old because my sister was already a fan of the series and got me in to it early on, that's why I understand the feelings you have both as a fan of the series and as a fan of 3. Much respect and I am now a fan of your content.

You do such an amazing job with these videos. There's lots of video essays about kingdom hearts out there, but yours are always so much more personal and emotional than others.

I love videos like this and honestly you helped me alil on a small project I wanna do but no matter. You reminded me of why I loved this game and honestly it is such a beautiful love letter. Bless your heart for naming the artists of the soundtracks because every single one deserves praise. I cried through 80% and honestly good luck my friend your script may not be perfect but none are you brought out the right emotions so I'm glad you made this

The opening sequence really gets to me, to see how much you've grown as a creator, and how much I've grown as a person. I still remember seeing KH1 at a friends house, wondering what this crazy game was. Now I've beaten all the main games in the multitudes of tens and can't stop going back. Keep doing what you do best KingK, you're damn good at it

Your videos are part of the reason that kept me playing this series. Very excited to get some popcorn and a drink and give this video the time it deserves. Thanks a bunch KingK.

Thanks for this video KingK, I love this game despite it’s flaws. The ending had me crying so hard, and anything that can invoke that emotion in me is worthy of my time.

Thank you for making this video. I ADORE Kingdom Hearts 3 id potentially even been drawn to call it my favourite in the series. Like you it felt like I waited my entire life for Kingdom Hearts 3 and man it was worth the wait.

Having played through the series for the very first time in it's entirety (including both DS titles, and even Dark Road), I've found KH3 to quite possibly be my absolute favorite in the series. Throughout my time, I've watched various reactions alongside your analysis videos as I've gone, watching them as sorts of treats for me to further enhance my own enjoyment. One thing I've noticed is that, similar to me, most of the reactors I watched who were new to the series at the time, who played through the series in relative succession, such a LeighXP, LouiseyHannah, Deebeegeek, etc, all seemed to be much less inclined towards the same criticisms that many people who grew up with the series and played KH3 at launch. Obviously you grew up with the series and still came out loving 3, but it does make me wonder if that lack of nostalgia actually made it easier to digest and accept decisions made on Nomura's part.

53:58 Did those "simple days of KH1" ever even exist though? KH has ALWAYS been about these "weird", completely illogical moments that are perfect because of how cool or emotional they are. Sora using the Power of Waking to bring back his friends from the dead in such a way that seems like he rewrote history is no more nonsensical than, say, Naminé's memory rewriting powers changing the physical appearance of Sora's Lucky Charm with no explanation or reason other than to drive the "She's replacing Kairi in Sora's heart" point home further. Or that time Xion has a trippy dream that ends with a ethereal conversation between her, Roxas and Axel that no one is sure actually happened or not, but allows them to have a important moment on Destiny Islands, and is all the more special for it. Another moment I remember people complaining about for not making logical sense was Roxas' comeback, since "his replica body teleporting between worlds to where his heart is is nonsensical and too convenient", but did everyone forget about the time Kairi brought Sora back from the Darkness with nothing more than a hug and the power of love? Or when her letter to Sora paved the way for them to reunite through the Door to Light and magically got Sora and Riku out of the Realm of Darkness? Or when Ven and Terra's Key Blades came to rescue Aqua at the end of BBS, as a way to tell her to not lose hope, since she was about to give up? These are some of the best scenes in the series, because they're about friendship, love, and the connections these characters have with each other being so strong they break logic, making for incredibly powerful scenes. Roxas coming back completed out of his pure desire to protect his friends in need is perfect, and I will never understand why 3 is where people draw the line with these moments.

KH3 made me realize I had just moved on from this series. Your passionate breakdown of these character moments made more of an impact on me than the actual game. It's OK that KH isn't for me anymore, as long as others are still enjoying it

This video was so good. Reminded me of why I love this series soo much. Thanks for making it ! :)

Heavily disagree with the combat portion. The shift from KH1FM to KH2FM was momentous because they decided to add magic as a +1 to your existing combo, as well as expand on combo modifiers. That was the key- expansion. The 2FM devs really, really put in a lot of thought into how certain attacks/magic casts would chain into other combo modifiers/magic, which made the possibilities seem endless at the time. The expansion from KH1 to KH2 is VERSATILITY, choice. The “expansion” from KH2 to KH3 is like going from action RPG to Candy Crush: The Movie. Like, seriously. Minimal effort, LOTS of colors. The reason attraction flows catch a lot of criticism is because they are essentially mini cutscenes that remove you from the flow of combat for free damage. It’s not fun after several hours- at least not to me. This wouldn’t be a problem, but most other combat options are either about as fun (which is hardly at all) or not as good in dealing damage, which can make some fights drag on for too long. This is makes it especially difficult to like KH3 because if a game isn’t particularly challenging, people are just going to get bored of doing chip damage for several minutes or seeing the same attraction flow for the 100th time. And I have to disagree with the whole Sora bending reality to go back before he and his friends are killed. On paper, your description sounds rad. The actual execution…. That scene was such horse shit, and none of it was cool, I’m sorry. (Not sorry). In a world where characters can anime dash IN-UNIVERSE- keyblade in hand- for plot convenience, Sora very casually runs to Kairi to HUG HER. Not block. Not counter attack. HUG. With SEVERAL keyblade and combat masters in his vicinity. It made me so upset. There are certain elements of this story where it’s painfully obvious they had to make things go a certain way to achieve the REAL goal of KH3’s plot- drum up hype for sequels. I cannot ever forgive this game for being what it was at launch.

I've been looking forward to this!! Really interested to hear your thoughts

Could not be more excited for the video King, your ability to convey emotional honesty/vulnerability while delivering a concise and compelling essay is unrivaled. Can’t wait for more videos

I've replayed Kingdom Hearts 2 every four years since it's come out, for one reason or another, and yet in just four years I've replayed Kingdom Hearts 3 more times. I think it's a superb game.

im so glad you "faced your fears" and dropped this... been watching since the first one!!!

56:57 - 58:42 This part broke me too, let me put you in my mindset, I played Days and 2 a lot, and the one gut punch was Xion's Death in days, I was crying in tears, and at the final mission of Days, not only tears were flowing down my face, but I was angry at the organization, to the point when I reach Riku in days, I read Roxas's lines like my own, Both in anger and sadness, I was literally yelling at my DS in those feelings, when I learn it was Xion who we were fighting, Tears came again, I cry because I don't want another disaster, yet Roxas came back, with him and Xion, I didn't hold back with "Hearts as one" pushing me to overdrive, and when it finished, when I saw Xion's tears, I cry too, I cry because those three are a big important part of my Childhood, like my separate family, with me close to Roxas, Axel being my Brother, and Xion as either my Sister, or my Girlfriend, I cry so hard, it toke me a while to focus and play to the end. The seasalt trio were like family, and seeing them back together, hugging xion as she cry, I wanted to hug her too and cry with her. I miss Them

Although I've never played the Kingodm Hearts series, I love your videos covering them. They make me feel nostalgic to something I never knew. I love your retrospectives on these games. I've rewatched those videos more than I can think. Literally yesterday, I rewatched half of them. I am so excited for this video, and I cannot describe how well timed it is. Thank you for all your hard work.

best boy alert for Sora is so true

I am a year late, for sure. But i am truly glad I found this video. I was born in 2006 and to an extent you can say that I was too young to get into it during my childhood. It's only been a year since I've truly gotten into kingdom hearts. Im stuck in hollow bastion in KH1 and pissed off over the second Maleficent fight. This video is incredible, has me emotional and makes me proud that i got involved into something like this. Like you, I am also going through a journey of self discovery, about my decisions for my future and the things it will hold. I'll be 18 soon.. graduating, going to college meeting new people, getting a job, battling my anxiety and depression. Yet going to kingdom hearts gives me so much warmth. I just went to a comic con today and I bought a sora plush and an axel action figure, two of my favorite characters. Sora means a lot to me, his character development, his personality, his growth. The entire game and connection to Disney heals my inner child. I see myself a lot in Sora, hoping that people that i love stay close to me to keep my positive energy and strive forward. Kingdom hearts- no, square enix in general and disney are the reason I want to become a video game animator. To bring these wonderful characters, who mean a lot to me and frankly have saved me from many things, to life. I cannot imagine world without kingdom hearts and its huge influence into kids raised in the early 2000s Thank you for making this amazing video, i know its more meant to defend KH3 (i still haven't played it yet) but it truly makes me happy finding someone with the same emotional enthusiasm i have towards kingdom hearts in general. KH is one of the most amazing video game franchises ever created and i will die on that hill. Hopefully I'll get to write an essay about it myself

I'm happy you were able to finally express the way you feel about Kingdom hearts 3, I really relate to your journey with the series because I did the same thing with metal gear solid and metal gear solid 5, It seemed like that was the only one that was satisfied with the conclusion of the series. But when you love a series as hard as we do at a certain point, it transcends a fandom and I can really tell that kingdom hearts has done that for you. It's a memory. It's a comfort. It's more than just a video game.

Honestly I’m glad they fleshed out Luxord a bit more in his final scenes. When I first saw Sora and him talking about playing a game when “they’re just guys” hit hard

I needed this. Thank you for reawakening my love for this series and one of the good thing of my childhood.

I’ve been waiting for a video like this. You’re the man, KingK.

I had actually steered clear of KH content for a while due to getting recommended so many negative videos on 3, so this was a welcome change of pace. Breaking down the themes and character beats as well as you going into your own personal attachment to the series reminded me of how much the game and the series means to me. Banger video!

Thank you KingK for this. I kid you not, i watch your videos SOOO often and love all the quality you put in always blows me away. The KH series means a lot to me too, so i play your playlist of retrospective for the games OFTEN. (Like even to listen to as i sleep or work my shift). I was waiting for this, but i was patient, and i GREATLY appreciate you giving yourself time with this video and the scripts. Phenomenal video. You are a gift that that deserves numerous flowers, praise and appreciation. Here goes another like to the video, a grateful viewer, and a tip of the hat to you sir. Peace and love always 🖤.

This is such a great video, you’re not alone man, I’ve loved the 3rd game since launch and it’s great to hear such a positive view on it. Keep up the great work!

Every time I watch your videos I just feel seen in such a deep way, I resonate with so much of what you say, your viewpoints and experiences, we're even close to the same age. It's so satisfying and validating seeing some big cool youtuber who I relate to on so many levels, just incredible work, you understand these things on such a deep level.

So excited for this one! Love your KH videos.

Dude your feelings on the series and what you said about it are so resonant with me. I haven’t been with the series as long but it definitely reminds me of a simpler time in life. I legit almost wept at what you said near the end. Now part of that was def the music cues (kh music can make me bawl) but it was also your words and framing of kh

I avoided everything about this game until it came out and I finished it. I saw exactly one trailer, the very first one, and then forced myself into a media blackout. No theories, no trailers, no "everything you need to know" videos. I bought a PS4 just to play through the whole series again, finished that a week before it came out, and prepared myself. At midnight, I was ready. I played for 7 hours before pulling myself together to go teach a class at 8am. Every night I played until I couldn't. It was beautiful, everything I hoped and more. I'm so glad I didn't involve myself in the community beforehand, seeing how negative and salty they were afterwards. I love this game fully, and I enjoy it every time I come back.

I'm only half way through your video, but I just have to say it: THANK YOU. I loved KH3 and hearing how passionate you are about it, how well thought out your takes on it are, as well as being able to look at the game from a neutral perspective, just makes me so giddy. I legit have butterflies, I have no one irl I can talk to as passionately about KH as I'd like too, this video is just pure joy to me. :) Edit: I finished the video and I'm honestly crying a little. Like you, I don't think I can truly express my love for KH in words, but I think it's best summarized by: It will always have special place in my heart. Thank you for this.

HE'S FINALLY DONE IT! I've been following you waiting for this video since the one you did with your friends and the retrospectives.

Only found the three hour discussion last week. Listened to it on both flights while I went away. Perfect timing to jump into this!

While recently experiencing this series for the first time through the Discord screen sharing of my boyfriend who grew up with them in a similar way to you, this video popped up in my recommended often, and I really wanted to watch it. But I was trying to avoid spoilers so I waited. Now that we've finished 3 I can say that both it and this video were well worth the wait. This is a beautiful tribute and while my opinion of 3 has been positive throughout, your perspective has erased 90% of my remaining qualms with it. Thank you for sharing despite potential backlash, and thank you for letting us see glimpses of your life through this game. I'll be catching up on your other KH videos as well as other creators' now that I'm (mostly) safe from spoilers. Very excited for Re:mind and to start actually playing the games from this series that's shaped a part of me already.

I’ve been looking forward to this one man. I’ve been following you for years. I do not exaggerate when I say that your videos literally carried me through one of the single darkest periods of my life and reconnected me with my love of gaming. Never stop doing what you’re doing.

One of the best reviews for KH3 i have seen. Good content.

As someone who's gotten into and binged through the Kingdom Hearts series last year, and watched each of your videos afterwards, and waited for your KH3 videos for a while, this was truly an incredible video and worth all the wait. I still won't deny that KH3 has a tons of issues like not having enough screen for Riku & Kairi, not having the Final Fantasy characters, the mistranslation errors, etc. but I really couldn't it say it any better when it comes to highlighting all of what Kingdom Hearts III did right. I truly was able to emphasize with Sora throughout his journey not only in the Darkseeker Saga prior but also KH3, especially as someone who hardly felt like they were able to develop as an adult the moment I graduated high school + started college thanks to COVID and certain shitty people I've cut out of my life, and seeing how much this franchise has changed my life personally for the better almost a year later, I still feel like I'm going through not only Sora's journey, but many other characters journey like Riku, Roxas, Axel/Lea, etc. And honestly I can't wait for what Kingdom Hearts IV or the Lost Masters Arc in general has in store for the future of KH and how it'll be able to emphasize with us fans of many alike, both old and new. Thank you so much for not only this essay, but all of your other Kingdom Hearts essay KingK, once again I don't think I could've said everything I love about Kingdom Hearts better than you have, and I seriously can't wait for your next videos dude, not only with KH, but your other videos in general. Hope you have a great day and may your heart be your guiding key.

I’m so happy someone enjoyed Kingdom Hearts 3 as much a I did. I thought I was alone in liking it the way I do and you defended the game spectacularly. You’ve kind of inspired me to make my own video on something I’ve been wanting to get off my chest since Kingdom Hearts 3’s release. I would have put it all in the comments but it got way to long. I’m very new to video making so it may take me a while to complete and won’t be very good. But if I don’t start now I never will. Wish me luck

I’ll never forget the excitement I felt during the midnight release. Yes it was jarring in a few parts but overall I love this series and I will be there for every new installment.