Roxas (Kingdom Hearts)
Roxas | |
---|---|
'Kingdom Hearts' character | |
The image shows a young brown-haired blue-eyed kid wearing a black cloak and wielding two key-shaped weapons in his two hands. Roxas as seen in Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix | |
First game | Kingdom Hearts II (2005) |
Roxas (ロクサス, Rokusasu) is a fictional character from Square Enix's video game franchise Kingdom Hearts. First revealed during the final scenes of the 2004 title Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, Roxas is a "Nobody", a being created when the series' main character Sora briefly lost his heart during the first game of the series. Kingdom Hearts II revealed that Roxas was a member of Organization XIII, a group of Nobodies who needed Roxas as he could wield the Keyblade, a weapon that allows him to capture hearts. As a member of the organization, Roxas bore the title "Key of Destiny" (めぐりあう鍵, Meguriau Kagi, lit. "Serendipitous Key"). He is also the protagonist of the video game Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, which revolves around his origins. In the Japanese games, Roxas is voiced by Kōki Uchiyama while Jesse McCartney takes the role in the English versions.
Since his first cameo in the series, director Tetsuya Nomura has stated that Roxas is an important character to the series, and that in order to explain his back story in more detail than done in Kingdom Hearts II, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days was created. Since his introduction in Kingdom Hearts II, Roxas has received positive critical response from video game publications with most of them focusing on his development in 358/2 Days. Various types of merchandising have been released based on his character.
Appearances
Roxas' first appearances were cameos in "Another Side, Another Story", a bonus trailer found in Kingdom Hearts, and in the ending of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories. In Kingdom Hearts II, Roxas is introduced as a kid living in a digital replica of a city called Twilight Town. Unaware of the virtual nature of the city, Roxas begins to dream about the adventures of Sora, the series' protagonist.[2] He later encounters Axel, a member of Organization XIII who was given orders to either rescue or kill him,[3] and Naminé, a special Nobody fighting against Organization XIII, who tells him he is Sora's other half.[4] Eventually, Ansem the Wise, the creator of the virtual world, leads Roxas to an old mansion where he sees Sora's comrades, Donald Duck and Goofy, sleeping in suspended animation.[5] It is then revealed that Ansem had placed Roxas in the replica of Twilight Town, erased his memory, and implanted false ones to make Roxas unaware of his past and then make him merge with Sora.[6] When he reaches the room where Sora is kept asleep, Roxas rejoins with Sora, allowing Sora to wake up.[7] Sora later learns that Roxas is his Nobody, created during the first game. Xemnas brought Roxas to Organization XIII as he could wield the Keyblade, a weapon which would help them to capture hearts. Roxas later betrayed the organization, and encountered one of Sora's friends, Riku, who captured him to help Sora wake up.[8] Roxas makes two appearances near the end of the game. The first is in a mental battle with Sora depicted as a cut-scene,[9] and the second is with Naminé who has merged with her other self, Kairi.[10] In the re-released version of the title (Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix), Roxas' fight against Sora was expanded, making him a boss character. The battle was meant to be interactive in Kingdom Hearts II, but time constraints imposed from creating fights for the other Organization XIII members prevented inclusion.[11] With the opportunity to include the fight, Nomura's team worked hard to make it entertaining for players.[1] Additional scenes regarding Roxas' past were added to the game to add to the mystery around him.[12]
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, a prequel to Kingdom Hearts II, reveals Roxas' life with Organization XIII. Unlike the other Organization members, Roxas lacks memories of his previous life.[13] During Roxas' time in the Organization, he is placed under Axel's watch, and the two eventually become friends.[14] After Axel is sent to Castle Oblivion, Roxas is entrusted with Xion, another Keyblade wielder, whom he befriends before he falls into a month-long coma at the same time Naminé begins to restore Sora's memory.[15] Awakening and attempting to spend time with his friends, Roxas begins to react to Sora's memory restoration as he starts to question why he uses the Keyblade and doubt the Organization's motives. When he discovers that Xion is a replica of Sora created by Xemnas,[16] Roxas feels betrayed by Axel hiding this from him, and is compelled to defect from Organization XIII to find answers and meet Sora.[17] After doing so, he encounters Xion, who tries to attack and absorb him so that she would become the "real" Sora;[18] however, Xion allows Roxas to kill her in battle.[19] The death of his friend, coupled with full knowledge of how evil and deranged Xemnas truly is, strengthens Roxas' resolve to defeat Xemnas and release the hearts he and Xion captured for the Organization.[20] On his way, Roxas is confronted by Riku who knocks him unconscious in order to help Ansem and Naminé wake up Sora.[21]
A virtual representation of Roxas appears as a boss character in the mobile phone game Kingdom Hearts coded, in which he confronts a virtual representation of Sora.[22] He makes a cameo appearance at the end of Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, where he is shown with Xion and Axel eating sea-salt ice cream in Twilight Town.[23] Roxas also appears in Shiro Amano's manga and Tomoko Kanemaki's novels, which reprise his role in the video games.[24][25] The book Kingdom Hearts: Another Report includes a novel called Roxas–Somewhere in Time that retells Roxas' days in the Organization with the exception of his befriending Xion.[26]
Creation and development
After Roxas first made a cameo at the end of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, the director of the series, Tetsuya Nomura, was questioned about the character. However, he refrained from revealing too much detail about him and stated that he would become an important, playable character for the franchise.[27] The developers wrote Roxas' story in Kingdom Hearts II to add mixed feelings to the game in a short time frame. After receiving a positive fan response regarding Roxas' sad scenario, Nomura concluded that it was well executed.[11] Nomura later commented that Roxas was one of the first characters created for Organization XIII, and was always intended to be the 13th member. The meaning of Roxas' name was meant to be revealed in a scene in Kingdom Hearts II that shows the letters in the word "Sora" rearranged with the "X" added to expand the connection between the characters. This scene, however, was omitted as Nomura found it difficult to implement time-wise.[28] Since his debut in Kingdom Hearts II, Roxas has been voiced by Kōki Uchiyama in Japanese and by Jesse McCartney in the English versions.[29][30]
After Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix was released, Nomura wanted to expand Roxas' role in the series to explain the events between his birth and his disappearance from Organization XIII.[12] For Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, the staff thought that Roxas' role as a member of the group would be a suitable theme for the plot.[31] Co-director Tomohiro Hasegawa explained that Roxas' height was originally lower and as the game continued development, the staff decided to increased it.[29] Nomura desired to portray Roxas' activities different from Sora's. In Sora's games, he is on a journey around the world, while Roxas always returns to Organization XIII after each mission.[32] The staff constructed Roxas' interactions with the Disney characters to be different from Sora's as the Organization was meant to be secret in the game's story.Nomura told the writers that he wanted Roxas to learn something from each of his missions or just to have something to think about.[29] Nomura later clarified that Roxas' personality was different from the one portrayed in Kingdom Hearts II as he does not actively attempt to come into contact with other characters.[32] With Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, Nomura wanted to reveal why Roxas left Organization XIII. Although Nomura found it to be a sad story it, he considered Zack Fair's ending in Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII more tragic.[33] His last words in the game were also Nomura's most significant ones from the title as he wanted it to connect to Kingdom Hearts II's first scene, which is actually the same scene.[29] Uchiyama expressed sadness when the game ended development as he would not play the character for a long time.[29]
Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix's secret ending features a character named Ventus that bears a striking resemblance to Roxas. Nomura commented that despite how similar they are, Roxas and Ventus are not the same character. Additionally, he stated that by playing Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, players will be able to distinguish Roxas from Ventus.[34] In another interview, Nomura implied both characters are related, specifically to Sora, but he wanted fans to imagine reasons for such connection.[12][35] The Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Ultimania clarified the connection, stating that Roxas and Ventus look alike because Ventus' heart entered Sora's body and Roxas' birth allowed Ventus' heart to reside in Roxas.[36]
Reception
The character of Roxas has been featured in various types of merchandising published by Square Enix. An action figure was released as part of the Play Arts action figures series.[37] Other types include plush, keychains and replicas of his necklace.[38][39][40]
Roxas' character has received a positive critical response from video game publications since his appearance in Kingdom Hearts II. Jeff Haynes of IGN felt that Roxas was a "likable kid".[41] Ron Fahey of Eurogamer concurred, calling him a "likeable enough young chap who just happens to be troubled by memories and visions of people he doesn't even know".[42] His playable involvement in the game was regarded as a transitional arc, being used to introduce the gameplay to players that are new to the franchise.[42] Cavin Smith from PSXextreme also called Roxas a likable character and stated that the revelation regarding his existence in Kingdom Hearts II is "a shocker of a revelation for any RPG!"[43] The New York Times liked the fact that the player controls Roxas in Kingdom Hearts II's introduction instead of the protagonist Sora, avoiding the continuation of Sora's search for his friends. Additionally, he found the switch from Roxas' story to Sora's after a few hours "a little jarring".[44] On the other hand, UGO.com commented that due to the game's initial focus on Roxas, gamers would have to wait until playing as Sora to experience the most exciting parts of the title.[45] During February 2010, Roxas was 28th in a Famitsu poll featuring the most popular video games characters from Japan.[46]
Before Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days was released, 1UP.com featured Roxas at the top of their feature "Why You Should Care About Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days", calling him "The darling of fanfiction and doujinshi writers everywhere", and commenting on what he does during his only year within Organization XIII.[47] While reviewing 358/2 Days, PALGN's Adam Ghiggino praised Roxas' development during the title expressing that even gamers who did not like his character in Kingdom Hearts II would care about him as "he evolves from a self-described 'zombie' to a strong-willed and interesting character". Ghiggino especially noted his relation with Xion and Axel which he found charming despite the fact that they repeatedly meet at the top of a clock tower in a large number scenes.[48] A similar response was made by Game Informer who commented that although such scenes were "dull", Roxas' relation with Xion and Axel was appealing and the game's ending would make up for such moments.[49] GamesRadar also commented Roxas "starts off like a zombie, but rapidly develops a personality" during the title and joked about the repeated times he eats ice cream.[50] IGN agreed, calling Roxas' friendship "heart-aching".[51] On the other hand, 1UP.com mentioned that although Roxas' relationship with Xion and Axel is appealing, some of his first missions feel like "lonely, sad affairs".[52] His maneuvers in the game were praised by GameSpot for being easy to learn despite how complex they look, while IGN liked the variation between all of them.[53][51]
Due to his resemblance with Ventus, video game publications initially thought that Roxas would be one of the protagonists from Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep.[54][55] However, when it was revealed he was not Roxas, publications still discussed how similar they are and if there is a connection between them.[56][57]
References
- ^ a b Famitsu Staff (2006). "キングダム ハーツ II Final Mix". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain and Tokuma Shoten.
{{cite journal}}
:|access-date=
requires|url=
(help); Unknown parameter|month=
ignored (help) - ^ Square Enix (March 28, 2006). Kingdom Hearts II (PlayStation 2). Square Enix U.S.A., Buena Vista Games.
Roxas: Another dream about him...
- ^ Square Enix (March 28, 2006). Kingdom Hearts II (PlayStation 2). Square Enix U.S.A., Buena Vista Games.
Axel: This town is his creation, right? Which means we don't have time for a Q & A. You're coming with me, conscious or not. Then you'll hear the story.
- ^ Square Enix (March 28, 2006). Kingdom Hearts II (PlayStation 2). Square Enix U.S.A., Buena Vista Games.
Roxas: Yeah. Sora, Donald, and Goofy. They're from the dreams. / Naminé: About a year ago, some things happened, and I had to take apart the memories chained together in Sora's heart. But now... I'm putting them all back exactly the way they were. It's taken me a long time, but pretty soon Sora will be his old self again. The process has been affecting you, too, Roxas. / Roxas: You mean...the dreams? / Naminé: Yes... You and Sora are connected. And...in order for Sora to become completely whole again... He needs you/Roxas: Me? What for? / Naminé: You hold half of what he is... He needs you, Roxas.
- ^ Square Enix (March 28, 2006). Kingdom Hearts II (PlayStation 2). Square Enix U.S.A., Buena Vista Games.
Roxas: ...Donald. ...Goofy? / Ansem: At last, the Keyblade's chosen one. / Roxas: Who are you talking to? Me? Or Sora? / Ansem: To half of Sora, of course. You reside in darkness. What I need is someone who can move about the realm of light and destroy Organization XIII.
- ^ Square Enix (March 28, 2006). Kingdom Hearts II (PlayStation 2). Square Enix U.S.A., Buena Vista Games.
Riku: Will it work? / DiZ: If we can maintain the simulated town until Naminé finishes chaining together Sora's memories. / Riku: What will happen to Roxas? / DiZ: He holds half of Sora's power within him. In the end, he'll have to give it back. Until then, he'll need another personality to throw off his pursuers.
- ^ Square Enix (March 28, 2006). Kingdom Hearts II (PlayStation 2). Square Enix U.S.A., Buena Vista Games.
Roxas: Sora... You're lucky. Looks like my summer vacation is... over.
- ^ Square Enix (March 28, 2006). Kingdom Hearts II (PlayStation 2). Square Enix U.S.A., Buena Vista Games.
Sora: I don't get it. Why's everyone been calling me Roxas? / Riku: Because, Sora... Roxas is your Nobody. / Sora: My... Nobody? But that's crazy. I never turned into a Heart... oh, right. / Kairi: It was when you came to rescue me, remember? / Riku: Xemnas is the one who found Roxas. He could use the Keyblade because he was your Nobody. That's why Xemnas brought him into the Organization... But Roxas betrayed them. I went after him because DiZ said it would help you wake up. I fought Roxas, and I lost. The next time we met, I made sure I was the stronger one. Maybe I didn't have to fight him after all, I think he left the Organization because... he really wanted to meet you.
- ^ Square Enix (March 28, 2006). Kingdom Hearts II (PlayStation 2). Square Enix U.S.A., Buena Vista Games.
Sora: Wh-who are you? / Roxas: Someone from the dark. / Sora: You can't be Riku? / Roxas: Riku? ...I defeated a Riku once. / Sora: You what!? / Roxas: Tell me... Tell me why he picked you!
- ^ Square Enix (March 28, 2006). Kingdom Hearts II (PlayStation 2). Square Enix U.S.A., Buena Vista Games.
Naminé: Sure. See? We meet again, like we promised. / Sora: Huh? / Roxas: You said we'd meet again, but when we did, we might not recognize each other. / Naminé: I did, didn't I? / Roxas: But I knew you. / Naminé: Mmm...it's strange. / Roxas: I think I understand. I see myself the way you remember me. And you see yourself the way I remember you. / Naminé: I always though Nobodies were doomed to fade back into darkness... / Roxas: Yeah, but you and I didn't. We got to meet our original selves. / Naminé: So, we can be together again!
- ^ a b Famitsu Staff (2006). "キングダムハーツII". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain and Tokuma Shoten.
{{cite journal}}
: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=
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suggested) (help) - ^ a b c キングダムハーツII FINAL MIX+ アルティマニア (in Japanese). Square Enix. 2007. ISBN 978-4757520134.
{{cite book}}
: Unknown parameter|trans_title=
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suggested) (help) - ^ Square Enix, h.a.n.d. (September 29, 2009). Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (Nintendo DS). Square Enix, Disney Interactive Studios.
Roxas: Have to hang onto something, right? It's not like I have memories from before. Don't you remember? I acted like a zombie.
- ^ Square Enix, h.a.n.d. (September 29, 2009). Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (Nintendo DS). Square Enix, Disney Interactive Studios.
Roxas' diary: Me and Axel went on a mission to Twilight Town. Afterwards, we went and had ice cream again up on the clock tower. He said friends do stuff like that. Or they laugh together. So does that mean me and him are friends?
- ^ Square Enix, h.a.n.d. (September 29, 2009). Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (Nintendo DS). Square Enix, Disney Interactive Studios.
Roxas' diary: Today was my third day with Xion. I've gotten to know a little more about her. That's right---she's a girl, with black hair, and she can use the Keyblade just like me! I took her out for ice cream afterwards, but I'm saving the WINNER stick. Axel deserves a reward when he gets back. Xion wants to have ice cream with us from now on. Maybe we'll be friends.
- ^ Square Enix, h.a.n.d. (September 29, 2009). Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (Nintendo DS). Square Enix, Disney Interactive Studios.
Roxas' diary: I don't understand the Organization. I don't understand Axel... I understand myself least of all. Why do I keep coming back to the castle? Me and Xion are special, connected by "Sora." If she's a puppet, maybe I am, too. I don't know what I am.
- ^ Square Enix, h.a.n.d. (September 29, 2009). Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (Nintendo DS). Square Enix, Disney Interactive Studios.
Axel: Your mind's made up? / Roxas: Why did the Keyblade choose me? I have to know. / Axel: You can't turn on the Organization! You get on their bad side, and they'll destroy you! / Roxas: No one would miss me. / Axel: That's not true. I would.
- ^ Square Enix, h.a.n.d. (September 29, 2009). Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (Nintendo DS). Square Enix, Disney Interactive Studios.
Xion: You're next, Roxas. I have to make you a part of me, too. Don't you see? This is why I was created.
- ^ Square Enix, h.a.n.d. (September 29, 2009). Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (Nintendo DS). Square Enix, Disney Interactive Studios.
Roxas: Am I...the one who did this to you? / Xion: No... It was my choice...to go away now. Better that, than to do nothing...and let Xemnas have his way. I belong with Sora. And now, I am going back...to be with him. Roxas... I need you...to do me a favor. All those hearts that I've captured... Kingdom Hearts... Set them free.
- ^ Square Enix, h.a.n.d. (September 29, 2009). Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (Nintendo DS). Square Enix, Disney Interactive Studios.
Roxas' diary: I'm going to set Kingdom Hearts free and find my way to Sora. I'm going to get Xion back. The three of us will have ice cream together again--- I know it.
- ^ Square Enix, h.a.n.d. (September 29, 2009). Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (Nintendo DS). Square Enix, Disney Interactive Studios.
Roxas: How many times do I have to beat you? / Riku: All right. You've left me with no other choice. / Roxas: What? / Riku: I have to release the power in my heart—the dark power that I've been holding back. Even...if it changes me forever. [...] I have accepted it.
- ^ Square Enix (January 28, 2010). Kingdom Hearts coded Episode 8 (PlayStation Portable). Square Enix, Disney Interactive Studios. Level/area: Castle Oblivion.
- ^ Square Enix PDD 5 (January 9, 2010). Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep (PlayStation Portable). Square Enix, Disney Interactive Studios. Level/area: Reconnect: Kingdom Hearts.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Amano, Shiro (2007). Kingdom Hearts II Volume 1. Tokyo Pop. ISBN 978-1427800589.
- ^ Kanemaki, Tomoko (2006). Kingdom Hearts II, Volume 1. Square Enix. ISBN 4-7575-1679-7.
- ^ "ビジュアルブック『キングダム ハーツ -Another Report-』が予約特典!". Famitsu (in Japanese). January 25, 2007. Retrieved July 6, 2007.
- ^ Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories Ultimania (in Japanese). Square Enix. ISBN 978-4757513440.
- ^ キングダムハーツII アルティマニア (in Japanese). Square Enix. 2005. ISBN 978-4757516212.
{{cite book}}
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{{cite book}}
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- ^ "King of Hearts: Tetsuya Nomura Interview". Nintendo Power (243). Future US: 44–45. 2009.
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ignored (help) - ^ a b Gantayat, Anoop (October 2, 2007). "Nomura Discusses Kingdom Hearts". IGN. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ Famitsu Staff (2007). "キングダム ハーツ 358/2 Days". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain and Tokuma Shoten: 27–28.
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suggested) (help) - ^ Famitsu Staff (2007). "キングダム ハーツ バース バイ スリープ". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain and Tokuma Shoten.
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: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=
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ignored (|trans-title=
suggested) (help) - ^ キングダム ハーツ バース バイ スリープ アルティマニア (in Japanese). Square Enix. 2010. ISBN 978-4757527881.
{{cite book}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ "Square Enix Official Online Merchandise Store". Square Enix. Archived from the original on October 5, 2007. Retrieved September 24, 2007.
- ^ "Kingdom Hearts 2:NEW standing Roxas 12-inch plush". Amazon.com. Retrieved March 10, 2010.
- ^ "Kingdom Hearts: Roxas Cosplay Replica Necklace". Amazon.com. Retrieved March 10, 2010.
- ^ "Kingdom Hearts Avatar Roxas Mini Plush Keychain". Amazon.com. Retrieved March 10, 2010.
- ^ Jeff Haynes (March 28, 2006). "Kingdom Hearts II". IGN. Retrieved November 25, 2008.
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- ^ Herold, Charles (March 30, 2006). "Some Sequels Really Are Worth the Wait". The New York Times. Retrieved March 10, 2010.
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- ^ Glifford, Kevin (February 10, 2010). "Snake Beats Mario, Is Coolest Video Game Character Ever". 1UP.com. Retrieved March 10, 2010.
- ^ Glifford, Kevin (August 22, 2008). "Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days Review". 1UP.com. Retrieved March 10, 2010.
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- ^ a b Clements, Ryan (September 28, 2009). "Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days Review". IGN. Retrieved September 29, 2009.
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- ^ Parish, Jeremy (September 19, 2007). "Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep preview". 1UP.com. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
- ^ Hatfield, Damien (October 9, 2008). "TGS 2008: Square Enix Closed Mega Theater Exposed". IGN. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
- ^ VanOrd, Kevin (October 10, 2008). "TGS 2008: Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep Hands-On". GameSpot. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
- ^ Glasser, AJ. "Kingdom Hearts: the story so far, page 4". GamesRadar. Retrieved March 22, 2010.