KHInsider's Interview Archive

[Audo]

KINGDOM HEARTS II
-KH2U: Scenario Mysteries Interview: 2006-
(Translated by Maiki)

---When was the XIII Organization founded?
Nomura: The timing is when Philosopher Ansem's 6 disciples turned into Heartless. The XIII Organization is called like that just because it has recruited 13 members, but it doesn't matter if it has "XIII" in its name or not. All 13 members were already gathered in KH:COM but the members that were in Castle Oblivion still called it as the "Organization."

---Besides Xehanort, did the other 5 disciples that turned into Heartless disappeared?
Nomura: Not really disappear but more like they're somewhere else as normal Heartless. Xehanort was about the only one who was able to keep a human form.

---In the beginning of the game, there's a conversation between Xemnas and Roxas that went like "I met him. He looks just like you." "Who are you?" at the beach in the World of Darkness. Did this happen right after Sora's fight with the Enigmatic Man in KH:FM?
Nomura: "Right after".... I'm not sure about that but yes, it's after that. In this game it was never stated that Xemnas was the EM in KH:FM but from the way he fights and his line "He looks just like you", I hinted that it was him in KH:FM.

---Roxas asked for Xemnas' name so does that mean that scene shows him meeting Xemnas for the first time and that's when he joined the Organization?
Nomura: Not really. It's true that he had a conversation with Xemnas at that beach before but that's not their first meeting and their conversation wasn't like that either. The conversation at the beginning of the game was Roxas' dream, mixed with his memories and feelings. The part where he asked for Xemnas' name but instead was asked back for his real name was a reflection of Roxas' feelings on who really is. Roxas didn't know his real name, remember? If he remembered that he was Sora, I think he wouldn't join the Organization in the first place.

---Did Namine meet DiZ after Sora's story in KH:COM?
Nomura: Yes, they contacted each other between Sora and Riku's stories. Namine coorperated with DiZ not just because she's against the Organization but also because she wanted to protect Sora. She promised to restore Sora's memories so she needed to stay beside him. As stated in Ansem's Other Report #10, DiZ thought it's dangerous to leave Sora in Castle Oblivion, and in order to protect Sora, Namine needed DiZ.

---Was the Mansion in Twilight Town a property of the XIII Organization?
Nomura: No, they have nothing to do with it. It's just a place DiZ used as his hideout. You saw a lot of pods like the one Sora was in but DiZ just transfered Sora and the others along with their pods from Castle Oblivion. In other words, DiZ just copied the pods that were created by the Organization and lined them up (in the Mansion). The reason there's a room in the Mansion that looks exactly like Castle Oblivion's was just prepared for Namine, not because that space is connected to Castle Oblivion.

---Please tell us a bit more about the Twilight Town Roxas was in. From Ansem's Other Report #12, there's the line "For the moment, I have converted all of Twilight Town into data, and formed a 'copy of the world' in Sora's memories..."
Nomura: The Twilight Town Roxas was in is the data of the real Twilight Town, inside a computer. The pod Sora sleeps in is connected to a computer and in that computer is a data of that world and the XIII Organization hacked into the computer. It's not that Axel went into Sora's brain, it's actually that the Nobodies invaded the world that's in the computer that Sora's brain is accessing.

---We found out that Riku's Keyblade's name is "Way to the Dawn" when examining his item slots after he joined your party. Is that Keyblade a transfigured version of Soul Eater?
Nomura: I designed it with that image. Since Riku has always been using Soul Eater, he still calls it that even after it changed form. Keyblades aren't something that you can obtain suddenly out of nowhere so in Riku's case, his Soul Eater was used as an intermediary for that Keyblade.

---If we directly translate "Way to the Dawn", "dawn" means "in-between night and daytime", so does that mean that Keyblade is from the In-between World? In other words, this means the Keyblades that Sora, King Mickey and Riku wield represent the Worlds of Light, Dark and In-between?
Nomura: Well, if I have to say where they belong, it's just as you said. But the name of "Way to Dawn" doesn't have to mean that. This name came from the scene at the end of Riku's story in KH:COM that suggested which path he would walk on, where he said "The road to dawn."

---In Ansem's Other Report #13, DiZ had the unanswered question, "How did Xehanort open the door in Hollow Bastion's underground?" but....
Nomura: I can't talk about this yet. But, weeell, it's something you can speculate over, I think.

---Speaking of "opening the door", I'm going to move the subject to the previous game. Why when Riku opened Destiny Island's door, this accidentally called the darkness? Do the powers of Keyblade wielders that are called "Heroes of Light" are connected to darkness?
Nomura: Currently Sora and co. are the only Keyblade wielders and they're doing things that grant them the titles "Heroes of Light" but, as stated in the first game's Ansem Report #8 and the secret movie this time, the real Keyblade wielders "can bring chaos to the world, just as one can bring peace to it."

---In the World that Never Was, Xigbar said to Sora "Compared to the ones before this, you're weaker"; does that mean he's comparing Sora to previous Keyblade wielders before him?
Nomura: Yes, he was. I was hinting "Xigbar has met other Keyblade wielders before." As for something more than that... I'll leave it to your imagination.

[Audo]

KINGDOM HEARTS II: FINAL MIX+
-KH2FMU: Scenario Mysteries Interview: 2007-
(Translated by TheWertle)

In [KHII FM+], many mysteries are answered but many new mysteries are also born.

In this version, thing relating to additional scenes are included, but during the story there are some questions that pop up, so we'll see if Nomura can't point us in the right direction.

---In [KHI], the King searches for a keyblade in the realm of darkness, but when he meets Ansem the Wise, is the realm of light keyblade he has the one that Sora is currently using?
Nomura: No, the King has the ability to use keyblades from both the Realm of Darkness and of Light. This is an important point, there isn't just one keyblade from each world, just as many as there are people with qualified hearts.

---During the meetings, the members of Organization XIII are sitting in chairs. Is the height of these chairs determined by things like their skills and abilities?
Nomura: No, the height of the chairs is not fixated, they move. That is to say, the height is up to each person. The leader, Xemnas, is always the highest and to be at the same height as him would have a pretty bad feeling, so the other members wouldn't do that. (laughs)

---In the end of Sora and Riku's stories in [KH Re:CoM], Roxas looks back while Hayner and the rest are walking and eating ice cream, and without seeming to care, Hayner and the others continue walking. Is this because they can't see Roxas?
Nomura: Well that, it's just because they don't know Roxas that they don't notice him, not because they can't see him. At that time, right after Xemnas explains Roxas' name, Axel says to leave things to him. Then, Roxas seems jealous of how Hayner and the others are enjoying themselves while eating ice cream, and Axel interprets this as him wanting some ice cream, so he is obliged to go buy him some.

---In the real Twilight Town, didn't Roxas cross paths with Hayner and the others and make acquaintances with them?
Nomura: I suppose. You can think whatever you want about that.

---What triggered Roxas' seperation from the Organization?
Nomura: Because he kept having recurring dreams of Sora, someone he didn't know, he felt he needed to leave the Organization to find out who these people he didn't know were. Because Axel didn't want him to go, he didn't tell Sora about Roxas in Castle Oblivion, did he?

---In Riku's ending in [KH Re:CoM], could you tell us the meaning of the scene where the King and Riku are walking together and Riku suddenly plops down.
Nomura: That's because Riku realized he couldn't completely get rid of the darkness inside of him. The King mentioned it in [KHII], that because Riku held Xehanort's heartless in his heart he disappeared from the King's sight. It's a sort of foreshadowing. In this scene, the King's face looks worried for a moment because he felt that Riku might eventually no longer be there. Riku headed towards Diz in order to restore Sora's memories to normal, but in the end his departure from the King was so he wouldn't show his preparations to use the darkness.

---Could you tell us at what point Riku covered his eyes?
Nomura: When he departed from the King. You don't know after the scene, but in Riku's ending in [KH Re:CoM], when he comes to wherever Diz is, he's already covered his eyes.

---Please confirm some things about Castle Oblivion. In KHII FM's additional event "The Truth about the Chamber of Sleep", you can gather from Xigbar and Zexion's conversation that Castle Oblivion existed in the Inbetween Realm before the birth of the Organization. The Organization then found it and used it for experiments about memories and to look for the Chamber of Awakening, right?
Nomura: Yes. Since their conversation was about Marluxia's entry, they discovered the Castle before that. In fact its use, according to the Other Ansem Report 7, was for only 13 Organization members. Namine awoke in Castle Oblivion, but because she and Roxas were born at the same time, half of the Organization moved to the Castle.

---In KHII FM's additional event "To Put an End to Everything", Sora says "It should have been easy to say thanks to Namine, but I couldn't say it". At this point in time, does Sora remember the things that happened with Namine?
Nomura: If he remembers, it's because Namine's existence was made possible by Sora, and when Namine and Roxas return to Kairi and Sora, many things were connected. Since Sora never got to say thanks to Namine, please think of that as a hint.

---In the additional event "Farwell to a Friend", there's a scene where Axel tells Roxas "You really do have a heart, don't you". What is the actual case here?
Nomura: In this scene, it ends bringing up more mysteries about Roxas, so for the answer, maybe take care to follow your hunches well, it's also related to Xehanort's memories, but I can't give any specifics now.

---We'd like to inquire about the new secret movie "Birth By Sleep". In the new event "The Truth about the Chamber of Sleep", Xigbar mentions a "group that wields keyblades". Is he talking about the 3 armored people in the movie?
Nomura: Yes, Xigbar witnessed them when he was a disciple to Ansem the Wise.

---The Lingering Sentiment is the same as the armored youth in the movie, but when he fights Sora he mentions "Aqua" and "Ven". Are those the names of the other 2?
Nomura: Yes, the blue haired girl is Aqua

---What is the armored youth's name?
Nomura: His name appeared once in code in the 2006 Tokyo Game Show Promotional Video. Also, Ven is actually a nickname, his real name is a little bit longer. Sora, Riku, and Kairi's names can be seen as "Sky, Land, and Sea", the 3 armored people's names take the shape of different properties of the world "Water, Wind, and Earth".

---Ven looks an awful lot like Roxas...
Nomura: I can't give any specifics about that. He may just resemble him, and if there is a connection, Sora may be related too. What I can say right now is that these mysteries are all connected to the story.

---In the beginning, the armored youth's eyes are blue, but at the end they change to gold. Is this revealing a change in him?
Nomura: I can't give specifics about this either... I think everyone's imaginations are pretty capable so please try and anticipate a lot of things.

This is the code that flowed across the screen for a moment during the Promotional Video. It can be decoded as "Master Xehanort's Avenger, his name is Terra. Not yet awakened, he is connected to those two."

[Audo]

KINGDOM HEARTS II: FINAL MIX+
-Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix+ Ultimania: 2007-
(Unknown Translator)

---About the new KH title that will be announced after summer this year (2007), will that be a direct sequel?
Nomura: Hmm...I'm not sure how much I can say (laughs). I'll start of by saying that it's not Kingdom Hearts 3.

---So this game will be a side story?
Nomura: That's right. My own feelings are that I would like to give Sora a break from large adventures for a little while. So I'm thinking of making the next game's story focus on other characters.

---So by a little while, do you mean that Sora's journey from Kingdom Hearts 2 hasn't finished?
Nomura: Yes. If you're talking about the mysteries that started from Kingdom Hearts 1, then those were all revealed. In the ending of Kingdom Hearts II, there was a scene where Sora received a letter from the King; for Sora, I would like you to consider this as a new beginning. The truth is, until the very end, I was considering whether or not to include a scene showing them setting off on a journey after reading the letter.

---So, let's talk about this new story, which doesn't have Sora as the main character. What sort of story will it be?
Nomura: Well, I need to start with the story depicted in a Birth by Sleep. Aside from that, there's the story of how the King found his keyblade in the world of darkness and other things like that. Myself, one of the things I most want to do is to give Roxas more of a role to play. I think it would be interesting to flesh out more of the year he spent between his birth and disappearance. Or making Riku the main character, and writing about his desperate fight while Sora was asleep, and things like that. You get the impression that Riku summoned Roxas to a place of shadows, and that Riku is a master of shadows, so I would like to give him more exploration in the game.

---Will there be anything different in the game system?
Nomura: I'd like to try something a little different to the previous games in the KH series. I'm not just talking about the next game, more about the next project, so I can't say that it will just be one game (laughs). For the Kingdom Hearts series, being made with our company and Disney, both companies have things in mind that we would like to make reality, so there's always at least two things we want to do.

---What platform does it look like the next game will be released on?
Nomura: Hmm... Probably a hand-held platform. Right now we're working on titles for the PSP (FFVII Crisis Core), Nintendo DS (This Wonderful World) and for mobile phones (MONOTONE), so I wouldn't be surprised if it were on any of those platforms.

---Is there any chance that this game may be released on multiple platforms?
Nomura: We haven't considered that in the development. If possible, I would like to make a system that suits the platform. But in contrast, in terms of ideas, I would want ideas that could be released on any platform.

---The more I hear about the next game, the more exciting it sounds, but for the fans the first thing to do is to see KH2 Final Mix's secret movie isn't it?
Nomura: Yes. I'm worried that we made the conditions for getting the secret movie too hard, but through reading this guide, I hope the readers will be able to see the secret movie. Finding a way to defeat (the new boss) is tough, but I've seen it done, so I know it's not impossible (laughs). If you're able to see the new secret movie and turn your thoughts to the next Kingdom Hearts, I'd be very happy.

[Audo]

KINGDOM HEARTS II: FINAL MIX+
-Famitsu: December 2006-
(Unknown Translator)

Kingdom Hearts II:Final Mix+

---Anyway, let's start with the news of this "new project" which appeared at the end of the latest trailer. Boy, were we surprised
Nomura: Thanks to everyone Kingdom Hearts has gained phenomenal popularity worldwide. That is why next year the series will be taking a new step... although for the moment I can't be any more concrete.

---If only you could do something about that (laugh). Is it something Disney specializes in? Or is it a game?
Nomura: It's complicated. It is one thing but "project" doesn't quite encompass it. Right now we're in the midst of talks with Disney's side and while there is something they have contributed there is also something we [Square-Enix] have contributed. At the moment we're talking about how to realise it. Please be patient until we can be more precise.

---Will there be a hint in KHII FM's secret movie?
Nomura: Well... there will be... a little. But also something else..

---Something else?!
Square-Enix's PR Department: It's probably something you have never would have imagined. (laugh)
Nomura: So a lot's going on but please look forward to it.

---We will! Now, regarding the new information that's been released, first there's that new costume for Sora. Is it for Halloween Town?
Nomura: Actually it's something for Christmas Town. It was suggested in an interview so I thought that since I had the chance...

---So there's no difference in Halloween Town but when in Christmas Town it will change?
Nomura: Yes. There are basically two costumes for that world.

---Will these new changes in costumes also mean changes in the story?
Nomura: No, the story won't change so there will only be a difference in the visuals. I thought that might be fun. The reason it isn't red is because it would then be the same colour as Jack's and so the story would get complicated. By the way, Donald and Goofy's appearances will also change.

---What is the new Drive Form looking like?
Nomura: The colours are very similar to Sora's KH costume.

---Speaking of the latest trailer, it seems there was a new stage... one where there were battles with Marluxia and Lexaeus. They disappear in CoM right? So..
Nomura: In KHII FM you will be able to fight all the members of Organization XIII. To do that we had to create a new place. Those members who aren't related to the story will be very difficult to defeat.

---More than Sephiroth?
Nomura: Yes. This is a special edition so they'll be very hard indeed.

---We also saw that the fight against Roxas that was a cut scene in KHII is now playable.
Nomura: Yes. We're doing our best to make it great.

---In the latest releases it also seemed like he had a very small number of HP bars. (laugh)
Nomura: Well he is also a Keyblade Wielder so he packs quite a punch. However, unlike Sephiroth, his is a fight that is compulsory to the story so we couldn't make him too powerful either. It was all about finding the correct balance.

---There were quite a few screens where he was in the air but will this be a mostly airborne battle?
Nomura: Not really, but it will definitely be a very lively battle.

---There seems to be a Reaction Command called Duel Bout. Wasn't this one that could be used with the Samurai Nobodies?
Nomura: Yes. Samurai Nobodies are supposed to be under Roxas' command so it makes sense that Roxas can use the Command as well. Of course, Roxas' is a lot better

---As well as these new fights against Organization XIII and Roxas, fights against new mushroom Heartless were also shown
Nomura: I actually don't like shiitake but came to like mushroom Heartless. (laugh) I had thought of great gimmicks to put them into KHII but it didn't make it. I had to insist a bit but they finally are included. This time they're quite strong.

---There was a screen where mushroom Heartless were striking a pose. What was that about?!
Nomura: It means there are several of them. (laugh)

---Several?!
Nomura: They each have their own specialities and are of different sizes as well.

---Will we be able to tell them apart?
Nomura: They are all ranked and you can tell what their number is

---In recent screens there was a score counter as well as a timer. Are they going to be fought like minigames?
Nomura: Yes. They come up as challenges and, as before, each have their own way of being solved.

---We're looking forward to it. Also, in the latest trailer there was a character who said "It's been a while, my friend.". Who was this being said to?
Nomura: At present I cannot say.

---You said that none of the iron-clad characters of the secret movie were Roxas or Sora.
Nomura: That is correct. However they are related to one or more characters we have already introduced. Please speculate and look forward to it as well as the new project.

Kingdom Hearts: Re:Chain of Memories

---With the addition of voice acted scenes, it is like seeing some members of the Organization anew.
Nomura: Individuals worlds will only have text but all the scenes within the Castle with the Organization will be voiced.

---The quality of it is also amazing.
Nomura: The Organization of KHII was done so accurately and well that we were determined to do just as good with KH: Re:CoM. They stick perfectly with their image.

---In a screen where we fight with Riku, we see Zexion holding a Soul Eater. Does that mean he has the ability to imitate others' weapons?
Nomura: Yes. However, each and every member of Organization XIII has both a special attribute and a specific weapon. Zexion also has his own weapon.

---And what seems like the ability to clone himself?
Nomura: Zexion's element is that of illusion so he will make use of it in battle.

---What are the changes to the battle system?
Nomura: There a lot more Stock techniques. There are many new combinations that produce techniques than previously. There also some techniques that are connected to the Reaction Command brought over from KHII. However, the input of the Reaction Commands is a bit more difficult than in KHII.

---Button mashing won't do?
Nomura: Indeed. In Re:CoM you get to use them during Stock techniques so that would have been too easy. That's why we've tried to make the timing more severe.

---There has been talks that you were thinking about giving a nice bonus if the saves of KHII: FM and KH Re:CoM were to be transferred around.
Nomura: Yes I'm making it so that they will affect one another, something if KHII: FM data can be found when playing Re:CoM and vice versa. Transferring that of Re: CoM to KHII: FM will have a great effect I included thinking of all the fans so please look forward to it.

[Audo]

KINGDOM HEARTS: BIRTH BY SLEEP
-Re:Riplai: December 2008-
(Translated by bittermeats)

---Why does Maleficent know about Kingdom Hearts?
Nomura: She is influenced by contact with a certain person. It's a main part of the story to look forward to.

---Sora and company appear too?!
Nomura: Though he is unrelated directly, please wait to see how the story leads to where Sora and company follow it up.

---The person wearing the full-faced helmet (The Dark Soldier), have they appeared in the previous games?
Nomura: Have they appeared... Have they not appeared... I can't yet reveal their true character.

[Audo]

KINGDOM HEARTS: CODED
-Re:Riplai: December 2008-
(Translated by bittermeats)

---It's a matter of concern whether or not it'll be released on a platform other than the mobile phone.
Nomura: There are no plans to release it off the mobile at this stage. Since I want to continue introducing this specialized system on the mobile phones more in the future, I think that's something to consider after the distribution of this title is finished.

---It look like it'd be fun even if you haven't played Kingdom Hearts...
Nomura: With this game as a start, people will become interested in the other Kingdom Hearts games.

---Isn't it difficult to play an action game on the mobile phone?
Nomura: It's been tuned to be played by a simpler input method compared to the that of the normal Kingdom Hearts games. Additionally, this game comes preinstalled on the P-01A mobile phone, which can connect to a television with the appropriate cable, so it can be enjoyed on the big screen as well.

---Like with Before Crisis FFVII, can you communicate and play with other people?
Nomura: This is different from BC, there are plans to play by an interesting communication.

[Audo]

KINGDOM HEARTS: 358/2 DAYS
-Re:Riplai: December 2008-
(Translated by bittermeats)

---I've never played a Kingdom Hearts game before, so it'd be best to start from the first game?
Nomura: This time it's a new main character in a new story. If you're not familiar with Kingdom Hearts, I think you can enjoy it from this main character's point of view. Additionally, it's full of content fans of the series will enjoy.

---I was interested in the system introduced in the demos.
Nomura: I regret I can't reveal all the details of it yet. Please expect more information to be revealed about it in the future.

---What kind of mode is multiplayer?
Nomura: The multipart is basically pulled out of standalone gameplay and become missions on a higher degree of difficulty. Even playing on your own, you could choose whatever character you wanted and play.

---When playing as the various characters, do you gain experience points?
Nomura: It's not the sort of system where what you do in one play mode only influences that mode, but it's the sort which shares levels and items mutually.

---Since it covers only a year of Roxas's time, I worry that the volume of the single player mode will be small.
Nomura: Most of the time the plot is taking place between the previous games. Since this story is independent and is elaborating from the time of Kingdom Hearts II, I think that after clearing all the missions you won't feel that the contents were short lived.

[Audo]

So, I kinda want to update this again since there are a lot of new interviews missing.

The problem is, I don't know what interviews are all missing. Could anyone help me, possibly by linking me to the missing interviews?

[Radon]

I'll try and help and see what I can find.

[Staleforce21]

Me too
I'll keep my ears open

[Vossler]

Can I have a link to the Richard Epcar podcast?