"My Friends Are My Power!" Sora Unlocks the Way! (KH 2.8 Revealed, and new KH3 info coming November)

[Double0Groove]

Alright guys, I'm gonna do something I should've done a month ago and post the core arguments being used against Sora and my counter-arguments against them. This will contain info that has already been stated in this thread though( for the most part) So you can choose to utterly ignore it. If you do read it though and feel that some points need to either be argued against or hae certian things added to the over all argument, feel free to post a response. I'm trying to cut off as much of the fat as possible from this:

"Sora is owned by Square Enix and Disney, even if they weren't strict with their IPs, Nintendo wouldn't want to pay two different organizations for just one character"
- This is a simple enough mistake to make as the Kingdom Hearts series has always been promoted to be a crossover between Disney's multiple franchises and the Final Fantasy series. But Sora is indeed owned by just Disney. Evidence of this are as follows:
1. "© Disney Developed by SQUARE ENIX" a copyright claim that can be found on both the official case for every Kingdom Hearts game( specifically on the back near the bottom) and in all of the official web pages for the series. For those of you who don't know, this simply means that Kingdom Hearts is a series that Square Enix is allowed to develop, but doesn't own( much like how Koie Tecmo and Capcom were allowe to develop Legend of Zelda games).
2. Tetsuya Nomura himself has stated that Kingdom Hearts is a Disney title.
3.Disney had a Kingdom Hearts game made called "Kingdom Hearts V-cast". This game starred Sora, had no Final Fantasy characters featured, and
Square Enix was completely unaware of it's development, further proving that Sora is their character.

"Disney is extremely strict with their IPs, they'd charge alot of money for his inclusion."
- This is an argument that was spawned due to previous transactions involving Disney and their far more popular characters! In the grand scheme of things, the reasons as to why companies like Disney keeps close tabs on their IPs is because they can make alot of money off of their popularity. To be clear, Sora is fairly popular within the gaming community, but when you compare his popularity to the likes of Mickey Mouse, the little mermaid( a.k.a Ariel), Simba, Tarzan, Alice, Hercules, Aladdin, or even Jack Sparrow( to name a few) then it's simply no contest, he's just not well known to a majority of non-gamers. Anybody who makes this claim is literally making a mountain out of a molehill and to further prove this:

Yes, you're looking at this correctly, Sega was able to get the rights to a lesser known Disney character, and if Sega of all companies can get the rights to use a Disney character in their game, then I'm not putting anything over Nintendo.

"Disney wouldn't wan't any of their characters in a fighting game, they prevented Square Enix from making Kingdom Hearts Dissidia."
-No they didn't, I've thoroughly searched high and low for an article that verifies this and the only one I've ever found that "confirmed" the info sourced another article that didn't make that claim. As it stands, this is just a false statement.
Even IF( and this is a bigger "if" than I'm implying) they did shut that concept down, there are way too many factors to put into consideration when thinking about why they would do it, and Sora being one of those factors is an impossibility considering the the type of game he comes from.

"Kingdom Hearts 3 isn't coming to the Wii U"
- Neither is street fighter V. As of this point Ryu makes this and any other related argument irrelevant.

 

[VtnVivi]

Sure I'll share my thoughts on this:
First, I'm not really a fan of Smash nor do I ever play it, but having Sora in a huge franchise such as this one is a pretty cool idea for Disney and Square Enix. You're right, Sora is owned by Disney, Nomura loves Sora, but with a broken heart (meaning he doesn't really own him), this was explained on KH Ultimania
http://www.kh2.co.uk/website/interviews/opm. Yes, including Sora would require Nintendo to pay a good amount; even though Sora is not really known outside of the gaming community, it's still Disney's and might be worth a lot considering how huge Disney is. On the bright side, adding Sora not only will attract Kingdom Hearts fans to Smash, but might also expand sales for Nintendo.

 

[Orchestrafanboy19]

So, I repeat my previous statement, Disney would not be so petty as to not let Sora be in Smash nor would they charge a fortune for his inclusion. Sora is a popular choice, nowhere near the level of, say, King K. Rool, but popular nonetheless. It's rumored he was considered in Brawl. Whether that's true or not, who knows. However, if we truly do convince Nintendo that we want Sora in and they do go for it, I truly believe he could be included.

 

[Mikegamer0608]

 

[Double0Groove]

Sure I'll share my thoughts on this:
First, I'm not really a fan of Smash nor do I ever play it, but having Sora in a huge franchise such as this one is a pretty cool idea for Disney and Square Enix. You're right, Sora is owned by Disney, Nomura loves Sora, but with a broken heart (meaning he doesn't really own him), this was explained on KH Ultimania
http://www.kh2.co.uk/website/interviews/opm. Yes, including Sora would require Nintendo to pay a good amount; even though Sora is not really known outside of the gaming community, it's still Disney's and might be worth a lot considering how huge Disney is. On the bright side, adding Sora not only will attract Kingdom Hearts fans to Smash, but might also expand sales for Nintendo.

lol and you ended up posting this here anyway.
Again, thanks for the extra confirmation, and posting your thoughts here, I really appreciate it.

Wow, I literally saw this before coming here!

 

[Altais]

Added some of the arguments to the original post.

 

[Orchestrafanboy19]

Ha, HMK may as well be the figurehead in the #Sora4Smash campaign.

 

[Altais]

Added a compilation of all the Kingdom Hearts III trailers to the original post. I will be adding more Kingdom Hearts III footage as it comes out.

I really like Sora's new outfit in KH3. It looks kind of like a cross between his KH2 outfit and his DDD outfit.

Oh, and I made this just for fun, because I am a longtime Isa/Saix fan. Lots of people like Axel and Roxas, but mine favourite Organization XIII members would have to be Zexion and Saix. The line "You changed, not me" is from Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days.

 

[Flaxr XIII]

Sign me up for the Sora Support. I love Kingdom Hearts. My username is based from it.
I've been shy to show my support for Sora in Smash but with having played the HD remixes and the Kingdom Hearts 3 hype, I'm starting to really want to campaign for Sora even more.
Here's hoping Kingdom Hearts 3 gets an eventual NX release like Dragon Quest and maybe Final Fantasy 14 may be getting.

 

[Double0Groove]

Sign me up for the Sora Support. I love Kingdom Hearts. My username is based from it.
I've been shy to show my support for Sora in Smash but with having played the HD remixes and the Kingdom Hearts 3 hype, I'm starting to really want to campaign for Sora even more.
Here's hoping Kingdom Hearts 3 gets an eventual NX release like Dragon Quest and maybe Final Fantasy 14 may be getting.

Thanks for the support!


Anyway, it doesn't look like I have much in terms of opposition on my argument, so this might be a good time to spread this info while it's still August. Do you guys know any popular Kingdom Hearts forums?

 

[Altais]

Modified the original post a bit to keep up with the times. Also gave the thread a better title.

And nope, I don't know of any good Kingdom Hearts forums. The only websites I socialise in nowadays are Smashboards and three other communities, which have nothing to do with games.

 

[BluePikmin11]

KHinsider is a great place to show support.

That's also where I do the Rate the World Chance's thread which you can find in my sig.

 

[Flaxr XIII]

According to this Reddit Poll:
https://www.reddit.com/r/smashbros/comments/3i2gq9/smash_ballot_results_are_here_for_the_smash_bros/
Sora is 6th place in highest votes. Even though this poll may seem rigged, it's great to see Sora so high up.

 

[A Distant Demon]

yeah that poll was rigged so another one was made
http://www.poll-maker.com/poll395154xD2B5C2B5-15
it's why Shantae was so illogically high
(apparently half of these shantae votes are fradulent as well. Results that don't count the extra votes will be posted eventually)

 

[Orchestrafanboy19]

KH13 and kh-vids are sites I used to visit back in the day. I have no idea what people are saying on kh-vids, but people on KH13 are skeptical about the possibility of Sora's inlcusion.

 

[Altais]

To be perfectly frank, I, too, find Sora's inclusion to be very unlikely. Though he would undoubtedly be a very unique fighter in Smash, the only way I see Sora making it in Smash is if Square or Disney approaches Nintendo about it--I honestly don't see the reverse happening. Sora, bluntly put, is just not as well-known as Pacman or Ryu.

 

[Flaxr XIII]

To be perfectly frank, I, too, find Sora's inclusion to be very unlikely. Though he would undoubtedly be a very unique fighter in Smash, the only way I see Sora making it in Smash is if Square or Disney approaches Nintendo about it--I honestly don't see the reverse happening. Sora, bluntly put, is just not as well-known as Pacman or Ryu.

At this point tho, all the well known characters have been accounted for. So it would seem any character afterwards would be open game. Unless there's someone I'm missing, but if I can't think of it, they're not really that important.
..... Except Bomberman.

 

[Orchestrafanboy19]

To be perfectly frank, I, too, find Sora's inclusion to be very unlikely. Though he would undoubtedly be a very unique fighter in Smash, the only way I see Sora making it in Smash is if Square or Disney approaches Nintendo about it--I honestly don't see the reverse happening. Sora, bluntly put, is just not as well-known as Pacman or Ryu.

I don't think it really matters that he's not as well known. He and his series are well loved and respected among gamers all across the globe. If Nintendo is made aware of that, I think they could approach whoever they need to to get him in the game. Any video game character is possible. Of course, Nintendo won't include just anyone, but Sora is more possible in my mind than some of the characters people are voting for (no offense to anyone). He may not be the type of character the average Joe on the street would recognize, but that shouldn't stop us from petitioning for him to be in Smash. It is entirely possible.

 

[Altais]

[Shrugs] Hmm, that is true. Come to think of it, many people in Japan didn't know whom Little Mac was.

 

[Orchestrafanboy19]

Well, I'm just trying to stay optimistic. It may be unrealistic, but if I start feeling as though, "Ah, Sora has no chance," then it will leave me depressed. Sure, if he doesn't get in, I'll be disappointed, but I'd rather stay optimistic and hope that he does get in.

 

[Orchestrafanboy19]

So, I know that discussion in this thread is about Sora, but I have a few questions to ask you all. How many characters do you think will be made? What other characters would you like to be chosen?

I personally get the feeling that 5 characters will be made. I don't know why, but when the ballot was first announced, my gut feeling was that they would make 5 characters. It just feels right.

I really only want Sora, but I'd be okay with either Shovel Knight or Shantae. Either one would be really cool.

 

[Altais]

Truth be told, the one character I want the most is Isaac from Golden Sun. Anyone else is just a bonus.

If I recall correctly, Sakurai's exact words were, "we can only add several more characters." That means we can expect at least two more fighters. I'll be VERY surprised if Wolf doesn't return, especially given the upcoming release of Starfox Zero. Since King K.Rool is so popular, I'm pretty much expecting him. If we get another third-party character, mine money is on Bomberman, since he is hugely iconic. Personally, I'm not expecting any Indie character, since frankly, they're very obscure compared to Sonic, Pacman, Ryu, and MegaMan.

What I am hoping for right now is Square Enix announcing KH3 for the NX. That alone will give Sora a better chance at being in Smash, if nothing else to advertise the possible port.

 

[fogbadge]

What I am hoping for right now is Square Enix announcing KH3 for the NX.

we can only hope

 

[Flaxr XIII]

So, I know that discussion in this thread is about Sora, but I have a few questions to ask you all. How many characters do you think will be made? What other characters would you like to be chosen?

I personally get the feeling that 5 characters will be made. I don't know why, but when the ballot was first announced, my gut feeling was that they would make 5 characters. It just feels right.

I really only want Sora, but I'd be okay with either Shovel Knight or Shantae. Either one would be really cool.

I think 3 characters is our best bet. I dunno it just makes sense to me. I'd be totally happy with 5 but 3 seems more realistic.

 

[Orchestrafanboy19]

I think 3 characters is our best bet. I dunno it just makes sense to me. I'd be totally happy with 5 but 3 seems more realistic.

Who knows with Sakurai? I just hope they go all out on this. They advertised it by saying that any video game character can be in, I'd be a bit disappointed if we only got a few and they were mostly first party characters. That's why I feel five is possible. Three could be first or second party, like K. Rool, Isaac, etc. and two could be third party. Regardless, we just have to wait and see.

 

[Flaxr XIII]

To be honest, I mostly want the ballot winners to be third party. Just a weird sense of mine. But I digress.
On the topic of Sora, while having his alts be based off his Drive Forms and Roxas make the most sense, I would really love it if they instead have to each color pallet be based from other Kingdom Hearts characters like how Shulk and Lucina do.
1. Sora
2. Riku
3. Kairi
4. Roxas/Ventus
5. Axel
6. Terra
7. Aqua
8. Vanitas

 

[Altais]

Something tells me that Sakurai won't be choosing characters from the ballot based solely on number of votes, but also on moveset potential.

To be honest, I mostly want the ballot winners to be third party. Just a weird sense of mine. But I digress.
On the topic of Sora, while having his alts be based off his Drive Forms and Roxas make the most sense, I would really love it if they instead have to each color pallet be based from other Kingdom Hearts characters like how Shulk and Lucina do.
1. Sora
2. Riku
3. Kairi
4. Roxas/Ventus
5. Axel
6. Terra
7. Aqua
8. Vanitas

I could see something like this happen if Sora got in Smash with his KH3 outfit. Though, I'd hate to see a hair colour change, with the exception of Vanitas.

 

[Flaxr XIII]

Something tells me that Sakurai won't be choosing characters from the ballot based solely on number of votes, but also on moveset potential.



I could see something like this happen if Sora got in Smash with his KH3 outfit. Though, I'd hate to see a hair colour change, with the exception of Vanitas.

I believe "how easy it would be to obtain the rights to the character" is also a factor. Meaning Nintendo would have both Square and Disney to deal with. Though I hear Disney wants to collaborate more with Nintendo so maybe...


I think they'd go more for Sora's KH1 outfit since it was featured on most of the Nintendo handheld games (COM, RE:Coded, that mission mode in Days), tho I greatly prefer the KH2 outfit. And I guess Shulk's hair color doesn't change so they could make it work.

 

[Orchestrafanboy19]

I believe "how easy it would be to obtain the rights to the character" is also a factor. Meaning Nintendo would have both Square and Disney to deal with. Though I hear Disney wants to collaborate more with Nintendo so maybe...


I think they'd go more for Sora's KH1 outfit since it was featured on most of the Nintendo handheld games (COM, RE:Coded, that mission mode in Days), tho I greatly prefer the KH2 outfit. And I guess Shulk's hair color doesn't change so they could make it work.

I always like the idea of Sora's outfits being KH, KHII, KHIII, 3D, Valor, Wisdom, Master, Final (depending on whether or not they make this his final smash), Anti, Roxas, and/or Vanitas. I hope we get his four main outfits and the other four I don't mind either way.

On the topic of his possibility, Sora has incredible moveset potential, high demand, and, as mentioned above, Disney and Square both wanting to collaborate with other companies and broaden their horizons. All of these I take into consideration and make me optimistic for his possible inclusion.

 

[Altais]

Since many characters in Smash are based on their most recent designs (e.g. Marth, Ike, Roy), I could see them going with either Sora's KH2 or KH3. If Sora was an old-school character like Ryu or Megaman, then I could see them going with his original design. [Shrugs] But you never know.

As of now, I think Sora's KH3 outfit is mine favourite. I like how his shoe collar is folded, and the lack of silver trim gives the shoes a smoother look. The smaller necklace also makes the clothes stand out more. Overall, the toned-down multicolour makes Sora's new outfit a lot easier on the eyes. In many ways, I feel his KH2 outfit draws too much attention to itself. In mine opinion, black with colour just makes the colour look cheap and the black dull.

 

[Orchestrafanboy19]

I have another question I'd like to hear your views on. How much influence do you think we have over here in western countries? I'm sure Nintendo and Sakurai will take all opinions into consideration, but I can't help but think that Japanese opinions will overpower most others. I'm not sure who Japanese voters are going for, but it could very well be that their votes will be heard more loudly.

 

[PKFreeze89]

I want Roxas as Sora's alt.

 

[Double0Groove]

I believe "how easy it would be to obtain the rights to the character" is also a factor. Meaning Nintendo would have both Square and Disney to deal with. Though I hear Disney wants to collaborate more with Nintendo so maybe....

Square Enix doesn't own Sora.

I have another question I'd like to hear your views on. How much influence do you think we have over here in western countries? I'm sure Nintendo and Sakurai will take all opinions into consideration, but I can't help but think that Japanese opinions will overpower most others. I'm not sure who Japanese voters are going for, but it could very well be that their votes will be heard more loudly.

If that were the case, then there wouldn't be any need for the ballot to go over seas. Since there are plenty of other countries that can vote in the ballot, I'd say the one character that gets the most over all votes will be the winner. Either that or there'll be a winner for every continent partaking in the ballot.

 

[Flaxr XIII]

Square Enix doesn't own Sora.

Not even a little bit? Like 2%?

 

[fogbadge]

Not even a little bit? Like 2%?

nope

 

[BluePikmin11]

I find it a bit absurd that people don't Sora to be an icon, his franchise has been very successful for 13 years with it's Disney world premise. Personally I consider him to be underrated when it comes to chances.

 

[Flaxr XIII]

nope

Interesting. So Square would get no credit if Sora were to be in Smash? I mean, I was aware that Disney owned Sora but I assumed Square got a smidge of credit at least.

 

[fogbadge]

Interesting. So Square would get no credit if Sora were to be in Smash? I mean, I was aware that Disney owned Sora but I assumed Square got a smidge of credit at least.

not unless someone from final fantasy was in there

they get get credited for designing him though

 

[PKFreeze89]

I find it a bit absurd that people don't Sora to be an icon, his franchise has been very successful for 13 years with it's Disney world premise. Personally I consider him to be underrated when it comes to chances.

I think this new partnership of Nintendo and Disney can increase Sora's chances.

 

[Orchestrafanboy19]

On the subject of Kingdom Hearts, what's your favorite installment in the series? I really like a lot of them and I have a hard time deciding between KH, KHII, Re:CoM, and BBS. If I absolutely, gun to my head, had to say which one was my favorite, I'd probably have to go with Birth by Sleep. It just had so much character, so many improvements and expansions in gameplay, and even though you essentially have to play through the game three times, it never felt tedious or boring.