Author Description

Celebrating 20 years of the Kingdom Hearts series, Simple & Clean: Unlocking Kingdom Hearts is a retrospect and evaluation of the games that form the collective Kingdom Hearts experience, assessing the greater story each chapter adds to, character arcs, lore and much, much more. This book will recap the events of 'The Dark Seeker Saga' in chronological order, evaluate themes, character arcs and symbolism, and critique the development of the series over the years. Whether new to the franchise or a twenty year veteran, this book is a treasure trove of information, insight and Kingdom Hearts magic. Contents: Opening Foreword Introduction The Story So Far: ‘The Dark Seeker Saga’ A Short History WTF is ‘Kingdom Hearts’? The Time Line: A Chronological Summary Square Mouse Ears Who Is The Audience Here, and How Has It Changed? Disney Characters Square Enix Characters Symbolism & Usage Composition: The Evolution of Story, Structure and Style Evolution of the Gameplay Experience Music & Style Pacing & Division of Plot Powers of 3: Trios Stakes Critical Mode: Smudges on the Rose-Tinted Glasses Darkness of the Unknown Hope & Despair Body-Snatching & Puppeteering Identity Crises Riku as the Fallen Hero: An Arc of Grief and Trauma Atonement Isn’t This Bromantic? Boys, Boys, Boys Sora & Riku Axel & Roxas Lea & Isa Terra & Ventus KLAXON: The Feminine Situation Kairi, Larxene, Aqua, Xion, Olette and Naminé (KLAXON) The Bechdel Test Expectations vs. Outcomes The Many Faces of Master Xehanort A Man With A Plan The Author: Nomura as Xehanort Organization XIII X: The Recusant’s Sigil The Pay-Off Hearts Lineage of ‘The Chosen’ The Human Heart Hurt Re:Completion Afterword Secret Report Acknowledgements Recommended Resources