EXCLUSIVE! New Storyboards Released Of Kingdom Hearts Animated Series!?!?!?!

Hi everyone it's Xebs, DeviantArt artist, Seth Kearsley, has released more of his storyboards of the potential Kingdom Hearts animated series, which Disney didn't green light. Around July last year, Seth released the first concept of the Kingdom Hearts animated series onto DeviantArt, that sparked and massive fan  debate whether the series was going to be an anime or a "traditional" Disney cartoon.

With this latest storyboard concept you'll see Sora, Kairi and Riku on Destiny Islands having a fun time, sword fighting (with a Keyblade ) and watching the sunset. After the ground shakes and a portal to the darkness opens. The Heartless attack Riku and Kairi, while Sora is dazed and confused he gets swallowed up by the Darkside. Sora later wakes up from his nightmare and realises that his on the Gummi-Ship with Donald and Goofy. He then looks at a photo of himself, Riku and Kairi.

At the world of Hollow Bastion, Maleficent, Jafar and Riku discussing there plans to take over Agrabah and too recover the magic lamp. After Maleficent discusses her plan, the party departs to Agrabah.

DeviantArt artist, Seth Kearsley - "You asked for it.  You got it.  I hope I don't get in trouble for this.  This is all I have been able to find. My sister insists that she has a DVD of the animatic somewhere but she hasn't been able to find it yet.  Looking back, I wish I could fix every single one of these drawings, but I still think this would have been bad ass. When they get to Agrabah, I boarded it so I could use original backgrounds from Aladdin that I was able to get copies of from the Disney Archive.  So... when Riku grabs the lamp and suddenly becomes possessed by Maleficent, it's the same background as when Aladdin first grabs the lamp in the movie.Woulda/coulda/shoulda been cool. Maybe they'll do it at some point but just to head off some of the frequently asked questions, I have no control of this project.  It's completely owned by Disney.  I just directed and boarded the animatic pilot. Enjoy."

Personally, I've said this before, I'm all for a Kingdom Hearts animated series. However it really depends on how it's interpreted. Because the game and the manga have their own interpretation, some people may get confused by its storyline... so... there's a little bit of concern, but in the end, if Disney changes their mind about this potential series... I'd be happy.

Update: More quotes from Seth Kearsley - "The hardest thing about doing the pilot was summing up the premise for the entire game in this one quick sequence.  It's made harder by the fact that Disney likes it's pilots to be an "Episode 7."  So they never want their pilots to be an origin story but there was so much origin story stuff that needed to be told for the premise to make sense.Anyway, I'll keep looking for the full animatic but at least there's this."

I do hope he can find that animatic video. It would've be a great.

SHOCKING NEW! Manga Artist Shiro Amano States The Kingdom Hearts Manga Series Is Over!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Hi everyone it's Xebs, in shocking news, manga artist Shiro Amano has stated on Twitter that Kingdom Hearts manga has ended and that he won't be doing any farther books.

ちと寂しいですが キングダムハーツの漫画が終わったので、関連したツイートはおそらく今後なくなります。 リムーブ等はご自由にしていただければと思いますので よろしくお願いいたしますヾ(*´∀`*)

— 天野シロ (@h141127) November 21, 2015

"So sad. Because the Kingdom Hearts manga has ended, tweets related to [KH] will probably also end. Feel free to unfollow me because of this. Thank you all so much."

The Kingdom Hearts manga had its ups and downs, especially the publications that distributed the manga. In 2003 the Tokyopop company released the stories of Kingdom Hearts, Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories and Kingdom Hearts II (only the first two volumes). However when the publisher went "bankrupt" in 2008, Tokyopop discontinued the series. In 2013 Yen Press a new publication, re-distributed the English version of the series including Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days and the Kingdom Hearts Novels. It's currently unknown why Shiro Amano made this decision.

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days Vol: 5 (English)

Personally, I think it's sad... that the series has come to an end. But, I'll always remember the good times reading a Kingdom Hearts manga book, while going camping near the beach during summer. Good times!

Now that volume 10 of Kingdom Hearts II (released in Japan) has come to an end. How do you feel that you'll won't be able to read a; Birth by Sleep, Re:coded, Dream Drop Distance, Unchained χ or even Kingdom Hearts III manga book? Write your comments down below:

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Will Be Out On December 10th 2015!

Hi everyone it's Xebs, not too long ago producer Yoshinori Producer of Lightning Returns, said that the game will be heading to the PC format.

Just a few weeks ago Steam has announced that Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII will be available on December 10th for $19.99 and boasts some of the downloadable content released for the original as well as support up to 60 frames per second.

About This Game

Lightning Returns is the concluding chapter of the Final Fantasy XIII saga and series heroine Lightning's final battle. The grand finale of the trilogy brings a world reborn as well as free character customization and stunning action based battles. 

The world is sinking into a sea of chaos, and in thirteen days, nothing will remain. 

Though the planet is doomed, there is still hope for those who call it home. 

After centuries in crystal stasis, a hero has awoken—a legendary warrior on a god-given mission to save the souls of mankind. Her name: Lightning. 

Blessed with incredible strength and an arsenal of new weapons, she has everything she needs for the coming battle. Everything except time. And now she must make an impossible choice...

Downloadable content included in-game

• "Divine Wear" schemata 
• "Moogle Lover" schemata 
• "Ultimate Saviour" schemata 
• "FFX-2 Yuna" schemata 
• "FFVII Cloud" schemata 
• "FFX Yuna" schemata 
• "Tomb Raider" schemata 
• "Shining Prince" schemata 
• "Dark Samurai" schemata 
• "Sohei Savior" schemata 
• "Utsusemi" schemata 
• "Art of War" schemata 
• "Flower of Battle" schemata 
• "Shogun" schemata

The "FFVII Aerith" schemata is not included in this pack. Furthermore, there are no plans to make this schemata available in future.

Key Features:

LIGHTNING UNDER YOUR CONTROL 

Lightning will be the playable character - with a highly evolved range of techniques for battles and exploring the environment. Customise Lightning with a large range of different outfits and weapons; that affect not only the way she looks, but also her actions and abilities. 

ACTION-ORIENTED COMBAT 

A new battle system gives a level of direct control over the action unlike any FINAL FANTASY game, while having iconic elements that are known and loved throughout the series too. 

DLC CONTENT FROM THE ORIGINAL CONSOLE VERSION 

The PC release will also include all the amazing DLC content from the original console version*, including Japanese voice-overs and various costumes, shields and weapons. 

*Except for “FFVII Aerith Costume” 

A CONSTANTLY MOVING, BEAUTIFUL WORLD 

Stunning artistic direction depicts a doomed world filled with choice and diversity. Living, expansive environments featuring a rising and setting sun provide unique experiences for every player. 

USE YOUR TIME WELL 

A world on a course for total annihilation presents unique challenges; where certain areas, missions, and people will only be available during selected periods. How will you use your remaining time? 

A CONNECTED EXPERIENCE 

Stay connected to FINAL FANTASY and its characters, with unique features that link the in-game world to the real world. 

Notes: 

• This version of the game has had no changes or additions made to the story of the original LIGHTNING RETURNS FINAL FANTASY XIII. 
• This game does not support Dolby Digital sound. 
• This version of the game includes some of the downloadable content released for the original. 
• The bonus items originally awarded for having save data from previous games in the series will be awarded in this version regardless of whether there is suitable save data present or not. 
• Includes no functionality linked to Square-Enix Members or social networking sites. 
• It is not possible to change the names assigned to chocobos, map markers or schemata.

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII will be out on December 10th 2015.

NEW! Zootopia Trailer!

Hi everyone it's Xebs, Disney has released a new trailer for the upcoming film, Zootopia (also known as Zootropolis in other countries). Ginnifer Goodwin will be voicing Officer Judy Hopps (the rabbit), Jason Bateman as Nick Wilde (the fox) and Raymond S. Persi as Flash, the "fastest" three-toed sloth.

Disney's Zootopia will be coming to cinemas on March 4th, 2016 (US) and April 7th, 2016 (Australia).

Two New Disney Movie Trailers!

Hi everyone it's Xebs, during my trip to Japan, two new teaser trailers from Disney and Pixar have been released. The first teaser trailer is Disney's Alice Through The Looking Glass, a sequel to 2010's Alice in Wonderland, which will be feature a returning cast; Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Anne Hathaway. Also actor/comedian, Sacha Baron Cohen as the new character, Time.

The last teaser trailer is a sequel to Finding Nemo called Finding Dory. The story will be based around Dory, with her friends Nemo and Marlin, on a search for answers about her past. Andrew Stanton will be returning to direct this film and Ellen DeGeneres will voicing little blue Dory.

 

Disney's Alice Through The Looking Glass will hit theatres on May 27th, 2016 and Finding Dory swims into theatres June 17th, 2016.

FLASH BACK! Prior & After The Kingdom Hearts Premium Theatre Event!

Hi everyone it's Xebs, during my trip to Japan, a lot of breaking news happened, which I didn't get to cover. So... I'll be listing the events that took place during my absents.

Halloween Town Sora & Riku Play Arts Kai Figures Up For Pre-Order!

 

Final coloured versions of the Kingdom Hearts II Riku and Kingdom Hearts II Halloween Town Sora Play Arts Kai figures have finally been revealed. These figures will be in stores February 2016, however you can now pre-order Sora and Riku at the SQUARE-ENIX e-store. 

They were first shown as prototypes at San Diego Comic-Con 2015, Tokyo Game Show 2015, and New York Comic-Con 2015.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kingdom Hearts Premium Theater event at D23 Expo Japan 2015

Ok, during my trip to Japan I went to DisneySea, on the same day as the Kingdom Hearts Premium Theatre Event. During that day I went looking around the place, then I saw a couple of Kingdom Hearts cosplayers heading to the event, so I followed them to the Cinema Ikspairi.

As I approached the ticket booth at the Cinema Ikspairi, I said to the woman who served me (in my very bad Japanese) "Do you have anymore tickets?", She replied in English "No sorry, you should come earlier, tickets [were] still available". She gave me the impression that I could have entered the Kingdom Hearts event if I rocked up earlier. I was very upset.

While I was about to leave... I saw something that made me so happy, which I'll be explaining more soon.

 

 

(Photos I taken at the Cinema Ikspairi)

So what were the BIG announcements at the Kingdom Hearts Premium Theatre Event.

What did the new Kingdom Hearts III trailer showcased?

• The world based on Tangled makes an appearance, with a new flower Heartless.
• A new Nobody is shown, confirming their return as an enemy in Kingdom Hearts III.
• The conversation between young Eraqus and young Xehanort is expanded upon from what we've seen previously at E3 2015 and Tokyo Game Show 2015 (Later revealed that this conversation is in the event-exclusive trailer).
• Sora locks on to 10 Heartless and begins to attack at lightning speeds for a temporary period of time!
• The speedy action of the KH3 trailer surprised some.
• New abilities of Sora, Donald, and Goofy were revealed. 
• Footage of 3 people riding on Goofy's shield and attacking.
• Character movements in battle scene are detailed. Especially Sora's legs in the river.
• There was a river Sora fell into while fighting heartless.
• Towards the end of the trailer, there is a scene with Sora, Riku, Kairi, Ven, Aqua, Terra, Namine, Roxas and Lea. This is the scene that made many fans emotional.

What did the new Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue trailer showcased?

• All Foretellers' parts had voice acting in the trailer.
• Yen Sid speaks to Riku, Kairi and Mickey about the seven guardians of pure light and why they must protect the Princesses of Heart.
• Ven, Aqua, Terra also come up in this conversation.
• Mickey tells Riku and Kairi about his recent visit to the Realm of Darkness.

Also confirmed was that Beast's Castle will be making an appearance in Kingdom Hearts χ[chi].

 







During the event, composers Yoko Shimomura and Hiroyuki Nakayama performed music from the Kingdom Hearts series. 

Also making an appearances was director Tetsuya Nomura, alongside the voice actors: Miyu Irino (Sora), Risa Uchida (Kairi), Mamoru Miyano (Riku), Megumi Toyoguchi (Aqua), Ryoutarou Okiayu (Terra) and Kouki Uchiyama (Ventus & Roxas). Last but not least... King Mickey himself made an appearance to greet the attendees at the event.

Cloud Strife Join Super Smash Bros!

To everyones surprise, Nintendo announced that Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy VII will be entering Super Smash Bros. For Wii U & 3DS as a brand new playable character. Nintendo did not reveal any release date for Cloud in Super Smash Bros. However needless to say the trailer look awesome with his Omnislashes attack, Chocobos and familiar looking summons.

Admin Announcement!

Hi everyone it's Xebs, these past few weeks you may have notice that I haven't posted anything about the latest news stories of Kingdom Hearts III, Disney and etc. The reason why was because I went to Japan for 2 weeks, and I didn't really have a computer to post stories on. After Japan I got really bad jet lag for about a week. 

Now that I'm all better. I've got some stories to tell you, and a VERY SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! Which I'll be announcing in December or either January.