It’s been said before, and it’ll be said again; Kingdom Hearts shares some striking similarities to Star Wars. The two franchises have numerous plot lines, story devices, and characters that can draw parallels. It’s almost uncanny at times.
Now, there is a caveat to all this. Both Kingdom Hearts and Star Wars are based off of very archetypal storytelling, and both share similar inspirations that include Arthurian Legend.
Because of this, you could draw this comparison to numerous stories. However, Kingdom Hearts and Star Wars share enough similarities that it’s fun to think about, and draw the comparisons. So that’s exactly what we’re going to do.
Kingdom Hearts and Star Wars Similarities
Kingdom Hearts Is the Force
The lore of both of these franchises are based on very similar ideas, with both universes based around an all-powerful, nearly sentient, force.
In Star Wars this is, of course, The Force, the very foundation of all things and a metaphysical power that runs through all of existence.
Kingdom Hearts on the other hand, is essentially the aggregate of all hearts in the universe, so the power behind all things, and the source of ultimate power.
Just like in Star Wars, in ancient times warriors started forging weapons known as Keyblades (lightsabers) that would help them harness and control the power of Kingdom Hearts.
Some wanted to abuse the power of Kingdom Hearts and use its darkness, while others rose up to defend the light of Kingdom Hearts and keep it safe.
Although it may not technically be canon anymore, the Keyblade War is very similar to that of the Ancient Sith Wars, although the former ended in complete destruction of the world, with it having to be rebuilt.
Either way, both fictional universes have foundations that are based on ancient, mystical powers that aren’t able to be properly comprehended by mortal beings.
Kingdom Hearts and Star Wars Similarities
Keyblade Masters and Jedi Masters
This one should be incredibly obvious, but Keyblade Masters are essentially the Jedi and Sith of the Kingdom Hearts universe.
In the browser game Unchained X and the mobile game Union X[cross] your created characters enters a Union led by one of the Foretellers. These Foretellers are essentially Jedi Masters taking on students.
In fact, this parallel can be seen throughout the series, most notably in Birth By Sleep. Master Eraqus trains his students Aqua, Terra, and Ventus in the way of the light, while Xehanort focuses on training his apprentices in darkness, first with Ventus and then with Vanitas.
The entire Master-Student relationship of Xehanort and Vanitas is very reminiscent of the dual Sith pairs we see in the Star Wars movies and other media, like Darth Sidious and Asajj Ventress.
The other important distinction is that while many people can wield Keyblades, very few are Keyblade Masters. Only by passing a Mark of Mastery exam can someone becomes a Keyblade Master, just like how the Jedi Council tests Knights to become Jedi Masters.
Kingdom Hearts and Star Wars Similarities
Light vs. Dark – Jedi vs. Sith
It’s a conflict as old as time, right? The struggle between light and dark. While this is true of any story out there, the way that both Star Wars and Kingdom Hearts themes this conflict is so similar.
The Sith and Jedi are two sides of the same coin, one harnesses the Dark Side of the Force while the other honorably stays in the light.
However, the Light Side of the Force can’t exist without the Dark Side, as this duality helps keep everything balanced.
The Star Wars franchise essentially sees the balance between these two sides shift back and forth. The Force isn’t good or evil itself, it’s just a Force inside of everything, it’s how Force users choose to use it that decides that.
Similarly, Kingdom Hearts itself isn’t good or evil, it’s merely the combined power of all hearts. Throughout the Kingdom Hearts series characters like Xehanort remind our heroes that light begets darkness, and darkness is drawn to light.
In the first Kingdom Hearts Ansem seeks to unleash the darkness of Kingdom Hearts and use it to have dominion over the universe.
Instead, Sora defeats Ansem with the light within Kingdom Hearts. However, that light is also surrounded by darkness that threatens to overtake everything, which is why Mickey and Riku have to seal it away.
This shows the same idea as Star Wars, that ultimately Darkness and Light coexist, even in the Heart of all things.
Keyblade Wielders have different powers whether they wield Light or Dark, as Wielders that harness the dark can devastate opponents with dark aura attacks or projected shadows, like how only Sith can fight with Force Lightning.
Kingdom Hearts and Star Wars Similarities
Terra is Just Anakin and Other Character Parallels
If the general story and world layout weren’t enough to convince you, there’s a ton of different parallels between the characters of each series.
Again, many of these characters are based on standard archetypes, but there’s still a ton of crossover here, enough to easily point out.
Terra -> Anakin – Both characters start as an incredibly powerful warrior being trained by an elite warrior of the Light.
The great Master of Darkness, Xehanort and Palpatine, sway them to the dark side and have them embrace it. Both characters are defeated and become a powerful shell of themselves (Darth Vader and the Lingering Will).
Sora -> Luke – This one should be obvious. Both are unassuming heroes that set out from their respective “humble” homes and are thrust into a conflict much larger than themselves.
Time and again both characters show that they have something unique, some power only they have to change everything and fight the darkness.
Mickey -> Yoda – Smaller stature master that serves as the link between the prequel and present time stories.
Influential in helping to train and work with early heroes, (Ventus, Terra, Anakin) as well as later heroes (Luke and Sora). Is also deceptively powerful, despite their appearance.
Ventus -> Padme – Although not a love interest, Ventus serves the exact same role for Terra that Padme does for Anakin.
Both characters chase after their respective other and attempt to draw them back from the darkness, only to fail and suffer their own defeat. In Ventus’ case sleep without end, and in Padme’s, death.
Donald -> C-3PO and Goofy -> R2-D2 – These are the supporting characters for the hero’s journey, always there to save the day when they’re needed.
However, they also serve as the comic relief to keep things light. One is headstrong and arrogant (Donald and C-3PO) while the other is, somehow, the unlikely voice of reason (Goofy and R2-D2).
Xehanort -> Palpatine – Another obvious one, these are the masterminds behind everything that happens in the prequel and main story. Both ensnare a hero with darkness and create a powerful force to serve their goal (The Empire and Organization XIII).
There are more comparisons that can be made, but at this point, you probably get the picture.
Kingdom Hearts and Star Wars Similarities
Luke Skywalker Plays Master Eraqus
As a final bonus reason, there are even links between Kingdom Hearts and Star Wars in terms of actors. If you aren’t aware Mark Hamill, none other than Luke Skywalker himself, plays a character in the Kingdom Hearts series.
Hamill plays the role of Master Eraqus in Birth By Sleep, the benevolent master that sees darkness within his student and decides he must put a stop to it himself.
Sounds a bit like The Last Jedi, huh? Eraqus obviously has some similarities to Luke, but another fun fact is that Hamill was also the announcer for the recent “Together” trailer for Kingdom Hearts 3.
There’s also some speculation that Hamill will be assuming the role of the franchise’s main villain, Xehanort, in the third game.
Previously, Xehanort was played by the great Leonard Nimoy, best known for his role as Spock in Star Trek. Unfortunately, Nimoy passed away in 2015.
Hamill isn’t the only Star Wars alum that has acted in Kingdom Hearts, however. James Arnold Taylor played Jack Sparrow in Kingdom Hearts II, and you might recognize him as the voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Clone Wars and pretty much everything that doesn’t directly feature Ewan MacGregor.
Another Clone Wars actor is Corey Burton, who played the role of Count Dooku in the TV series and many video games.
In Kingdom Hearts, Burton plays the role of Ansem the Wise, also known as DiZ. This is probably because DiZ was originally played by the late Christopher Lee, who played Count Dooku in the films.
There’s a surprising amount of crossover for the actors in Star Wars and Kingdom Hearts, and it’s certainly not something you’d expect.
Published: Jan 22, 2019 11:55 am