When Kingdom Hearts 3 launched, it brought closure to the long-running Dark Seeker Saga, introduced expansive Disney worlds, and deepened the lore of the original Kingdom Hearts characters. But one key feature that had once made the series feel distinctively Square Enix was almost completely absent: Final Fantasy. For the first time in the franchise’s mainline entries, fan-favorite characters like Cloud, Leon, and Yuffie were not part of the base game at all.
According to director Tetsuya Nomura, the exclusion was a deliberate creative decision. He argued that the original Kingdom Hearts cast had matured enough to carry the story themselves. Nomura also cited the game’s large roster of Disney and original characters as a reason there was little room left for outside cameos. However, this reasoning hasn’t stopped long-time fans from expressing disappointment over the lack of Final Fantasy representation in Kingdom Hearts 3.
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Final Fantasy Characters Deserve More in Kingdom Hearts 4
While Kingdom Hearts 3’s Re Mind DLC brought back Aerith, Yuffie, and Leon in a minor scene, it felt more like an afterthought than a true integration. Their dialogue mostly recapped events and didn’t offer the kind of side story or optional boss battles fans once saw in previous titles like Kingdom Hearts 2, where Sephiroth acted as an optional superboss with deep connections to Cloud.
Bringing back Final Fantasy characters in Kingdom Hearts 4 wouldn’t just be about fan service. It would help reinforce the Square Enix identity that has always been part of the series' DNA. Characters like Auron in Kingdom Hearts 2 brought moral weight and complexity to worlds like Olympus Coliseum. A return of someone like Lightning from Final Fantasy 13, or Clive from Final Fantasy 16, could deepen the emotional stakes in the upcoming “Lost Master Arc” with themes of identity, rebellion, and sacrifice.
Auron’s role in Kingdom Hearts 2 was especially notable because he was the only party member in that game who was already dead. His connection to themes of fate and memory mirrored Sora’s own arc, giving players something deeper than just a cameo.
Moreover, new Final Fantasy entries continue to evolve, with more cinematic storytelling and darker tones. Bringing that energy into Kingdom Hearts 4 would add thematic weight to what is being described as the beginning of the end for the franchise. If done correctly, the return of Final Fantasy characters could signal a tonal shift that aligns with the more grounded aesthetic seen in the Quadratum trailer.
How Final Fantasy Can Fit Kingdom Hearts 4
One common counterpoint is that adding Final Fantasy characters risks bloating an already complicated narrative. However, integration doesn’t have to be intrusive. Final Fantasy characters can serve as guides, optional bosses, or residents of certain worlds. Just as Zack appeared in Olympus Coliseum in Birth by Sleep without interfering with the main story, other characters can be used to enrich worlds or deliver side content.
Another method could be thematic pairing. If Sora explores worlds like Radiant Garden again, characters like Cid or Vincent Valentine could tie in with plots about technology, memory, or war. Final Fantasy 10’s Lulu could easily be a strong presence in a world exploring mysticism or destiny.
In Kingdom Hearts Union X, Final Fantasy crossover events were common in seasonal updates, showing that fan interest has never faded, even in the mobile sphere. Square Enix has the infrastructure and history to reintroduce these characters in meaningful and optional ways.
The Quadratum setting in Kingdom Hearts 4, which bears a more realistic tone and modern design, also makes it easier to visually and narratively connect to recent Final Fantasy games. If Sora’s story is now brushing up against themes of existentialism, digital duality, and reality itself, then Final Fantasy characters, many of whom grapple with questions of fate and identity, can serve to echo those themes.
The Lost Master Arc Needs That Final Fantasy Weight
Kingdom Hearts 4 introduces a new story arc called the Lost Master Arc, and it is expected to guide the franchise toward its conclusion. This arc involves enigmatic characters like the Master of Masters and promises a more serious tone, which lines up perfectly with the kinds of conflicts Final Fantasy excels at portraying.
The franchise is no stranger to balancing Disney whimsy with darker, high-concept ideas. What Final Fantasy characters can do is bridge that tonal divide. Someone like Vivi from Final Fantasy 9, a character deeply tied to themes of mortality and self-worth, could give voice to the internal struggles of characters like Riku or even new allies caught between the light and dark. Older characters like Laguna, or newer protagonists like Noctis, could comment on the burden of leadership, something Sora has carried since the first game.
Nomura’s early work on Final Fantasy Versus 13 (which evolved into Final Fantasy 15) shares clear visual and thematic ties with Kingdom Hearts 4. Bringing in those characters, even in small ways, would unify his larger body of work and reward longtime Square Enix fans. Overall, there’s a lot for Nomura to work with, and hopefully Kingdom Hearts 4 reflects that in some way.
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Kingdom Hearts
