Summary
WithKingdom Hearts 4somewhere on the horizon, speculation surrounding the upcoming Square Enix sequel has only grown. Once again focused on protagonist Sora, all that’s known of the game is that it will be set in the strange, new “fictional world” of Quadratum. As the wait forKingdom Hearts 4has left fans searching for hints about the future in the series' past few releases, some characters have started to seem more likely to return than others.
With a somewhat convoluted cast of many characters over the years, there are several possibilities regarding who could make their return. As an “afterworld” that Sora has entered after making the ultimate sacrifice,Quadratummay actually serve as an afterlife of sorts. With the open-ended nature of allowing fallen characters in new ways, the returning faces ofKingdom Heartscould end up surprising players more than ever.
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Axel
Will Lea and Isa Find Their Missing Friend?
Axel’s redemption as Leawas a surprise of its own, but a twist of events that may have actually shocked many fans was the redemption of Saix when he returned to his original self as Isa and finally reunited with Lea. A discussion between the two revealed the story of their unknown missing friend, a girl from Radiant Garden who some fans have theorized could be the true identity of the Nameless Star. Lea’s arc may be quite complete, but he’s sure to have some involvement if the mystery of the Nameless Star inKH4ends up connected to him after all.
Young Xehanort
A 14th Life is a Chance for the Dark Seeker to Truly Redeem Himself
Xehanort once told Eraqus that he wanted to have 13 lives to change the world, but then another one to watch the aftermath. With the art of him in Shibuya fromKingdom Hearts: Dark Roadand Tetsuya Nomura’s comments on the end of the Dark Seeker Saga not necessarily meaning the end of Xehanort, there’s a chance that he could reappear within Quadratum as an ally to Sora instead of an antagonist. If Quadratum is truly some kind of afterlife in theKHuniverse, some fans have even considered that Sora, Stretlitzia, and Xehanort could form a new trio.
Luxord
The Mysterious Gambler’s Connections Remain Unknown
Between his mysterious “Wild Card” gift to Sora inKingdom Hearts 3and his ominous presence asYozora’s driver, it’s highly likely that Luxord still has a bigger role to play. Given his mysterious past when compared to the revelations surrounding the histories of most other Organization 13, there’s a good chance that Luxord’s backstory could have ties to Verum Rex or Quadratum as a whole. Even if Luxord himself doesn’t appear, the Wild Card has been confirmed to play some kind of role in the Lost Master Arc.
Marluxia
The Organization 13 Traitor Already Has Deep Ties to Kingdom Hearts 4
After remembering his past as Lauriam inKH3, Marluxia’s connections to theUnion Xstory are likely to be explored further inKingdom Hearts 4. Considering the fact he used to be a keyblade wielder along with Elrena, the human form of Larxene, there is certainly more to theChain of Memoriesantagonist than has been revealed so far. Now thatStrelitzia, his younger sister, appears to be an important character inKingdom Hearts 4, it’s even more likely that Marluxia will receive some form of new development.
Ventus
Birth by Sleep’s Most Enigmatic Hero Still Has Secrets
After being revealed to have existed since the time ofUnion Xand a part of the events in Daybreak Town, the mystery surrounding Ventus hasn’t yet been resolved. While there is still a case to be made as to whyVentus shouldn’t return inKingdom Hearts 4, the blank period between his end in theUnion Xnarrative and the lead-up toBirth by Sleephas created an intrigue around him that could make Ventus’ return more interesting than the more predictable circumstances surrounding both Terra and Aqua.
