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Kingdom Hearts is an anomaly. In what world would the beloved RPG series Final Fantasy possibly collide with Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, among other Disney characters? How on earth did this sprawling, more than a little convoluted series even get off the ground, let alone become jaw-droppingly popular?
There are probably a lot of factors to consider when it comes to Kingdom Hearts' popularity, but there's also a nagging question at the back of all our minds: who actually…owns these games? Square Enix developed this juggernaut; you can feel Tetsuya Nomura's signature flair everywhere. Still, the worlds you explore, the things you summon, and the primary characters you deal with are all Disney creations. So, who owns the original characters and, most importantly, who owns Sora?
Crash Course In Kingdom Hearts' Origin Story
Famously, Kingdom Hearts started as an elevator pitch from Nomura to a Disney executive. While developers at Square were talking about creating characters as popular and timeless as those in the Disney animated canon, Nomura seemingly decided that rather than try to be like Disney, why not join forces with the entertainment juggernaut and create something wholly new?
For all intents and purposes, Kingdom Hearts just should not exist. Its premise is beyond wacky — yet, over the decades it's been with us, it has carved out a place for itself in gaming canon. Its earnest storytelling, memorable original characters, and unique blend of two polar opposite entertainment products created a franchise behemoth beloved by millions.
Not bad for a chance encounter.
So, Who Owns Sora?
Sora is the glue that holds all of Kingdom Hearts together. It's Sora's journey that we got so invested in all the way back in 2002 - it's Sora's unbreakable bonds with his friends that form the story's emotional core. He has to balance the childlike wonder of Disney animation with the dramatic flair and slightly more down-to-earth characters of Final Fantasy.
They needed an original character to accomplish this — there was no way that Square could plop Cloud Strife into the middle of a Disney location and expect things to just work. Sora needed to be something completely new, built from the ground up to travel between these polar opposite worlds and make it believable.
Disney formally owns Kingdom Hearts, with Square Enix serving as the development team and creative leads. The series is a partnership between the two companies, where Square is given access to Disney's IP to develop further titles.
Yet, the waters can still seem a little muddy — take, for example, Sora's inclusion in Smash Bros. While Square Enix characters Cloud and Sephiroth could join the roster fairly easily, Sora required Smash Bros director Masahiro Sakurai to approach Square and Disney, with approval dependent on both companies agreeing to lend out Sora. So, while Disney ultimately gets the final word, the partnership between the companies means that Square Enix gets a say.
Is Kingdom Hearts Owned By Disney?
Disney owns Kingdom Hearts in its entirety. While Square Enix clearly has a lot of creative control over the series, Disney is the decision maker. Considering that most of the worlds in Kingdom Hearts are Disney locations, it makes sense - this is, first and foremost, a game with 'hanging out with Disney characters' as one of its core draws.
Still, at this point in the series, the appeal is no longer the dwindling presence of Final Fantasy characters or the promise of a thrill ride through beloved Disney classics — it's the original characters and storylines. While Disney owns the content, Square Enix is the brains behind the operation - and they're why we keep returning to this weirdly wonderful series.