Hayden Panettiere as Kairi Kingdom Hearts icon

There are moments in life when you need an escape, a sanctuary, and sometimes, a little magic to navigate the shadows. For some, that escape doesn’t come from a film or a book, but from the boundless, fantastical worlds of video games. For me, that light often shone through the expansive series of Kingdom Hearts.

When life felt particularly heavy, burdened by sorrow and regret, the saga provided an unexpected lifeline. It wasn’t just entertainment; it became my last ray of hope during a genuinely dark period.

While some of the earlier titles, like the second game on the PS2, offered pure escapism, it was the later installments that truly resonated deep within the soul. I decided to give the series a proper shot, diving back in during 2020 to experience the magic firsthand.

The moment I saw the opening of Kingdom Hearts 1, it was like encountering three friends who had dreamt of worlds beyond the ordinary: Sora, Riku, and Kairi. Instantly, a profound connection was forged. I fell in love with the characters and their interconnected reality at first sight.

Taking the time to absorb the story allowed those feelings to bloom. It was a journey of patience and wonder, slowly pulling me through the darkness and into realms of friendship and adventure.

There are certain cinematic moments that linger long after the credits roll. For me, that moment came during Sora’s brief farewell to Kairi at the end. It was a tender, poignant goodbye that stirred something deeply sensitive within me, reminding us that even in fictional worlds, the emotions felt wonderfully, undeniably real.

By Liam Brooks