You gotta figure with how big each mainline game is and how long it takes to make them, Nomura would have to pass the torch or give it a proper ending. Kinda wish KH3 did that and Sora stayed with Kairi. That would have been a perfect ending right there.
I believe that KH the entire series will be in good hands with Nora‘s Of a Director friends and staff because KH just one of the most important stories to billions of people across the world as much as Final Fantasy is in the uniqueness of the saga in the story tales is 1 million times important to all of us because I know it is to me. It will be in good hands moving forward.✌️
@@Keychan64 lol i think we all know that’s the end of soras story which ever title. But the art as adults? Got kids? Yiooooooo he already got a work ethic by mistake hhahahaha
As much as I want Nomura to decide when he's done and is ready to retire and not burn himself out and receive his much deserved flowers, there is the part of me that wants to see him reach the end of Kingdom Hearts as he envisioned it. This has been the one series that Nomura has gotten to cultivate himself along with the rest of the team, and while I do agree Yasue and co are more than capable of continuing Kingdom Hearts, I would like to see Nomura put the final bow on the series he helped create himself as a sort of final goodbye. He finishes the story he began all those years ago his way.
I would love for Nomura to retire, and that is the end of KH. Similar to smash, if Sakurai retires, Smash still continues due to its success for Nintendo. The same goes for KH. It is a successful franchise for Square Enix.
It's hilarious to me that people still think that there was always some sort of plan with the Kingdom Hearts games and stories. Nomura was just making it up as he went along and it totally shows in how messed up and convoluted the entire "story" between all of the games is. This series works and is popular because it does emotional manipulation better than any other series I can think of. It runs on nostalgia and a simplistic theme of light vs dark that's easy to understand, the soundtrack is masterclass in captivating your emotions as well, but the plot and the dialogue are very bad. Still, we as fans let that slide because the games still make us feel good. I guess the real question is can they continue to do this without Nomura? Personally I think the series is cooked unless they pivot and find other new nostalgic "worlds" that will captivate the audience. They are out of all of the good Disney films, unless they pivot to Marvel and Star Wars I don't see how this can go on.
like toriyama God rest his soul. he past that mantel onto a great fan manga artist.. I think hes doing the best he can with such an ask.. especially now. nomura 2.0 twice removed hahahahah!! lets GGOOOOOO
I really hope that Nomura sees this story through to the end. I don't want to see this series end and I don't want Papa Nomura to leave us, but over my adult life I've seen far too many stories that I loved get dragged through the dirt by studios that just didn't know when to stop exploiting it. Kingdom Hearts is one of those rare stories that is inseparable from the person who created it, and I don't want it to be taken up by anybody else. Nobody could do this story like Nomura can. Not to mention, as I've gotten older and Disney has changed a lot in recent years, I'm not as excited for Disney stuff as I was when I was younger. I wouldn't be pulled in by the crossover aspect anymore, and the worst thing I could imagine is watching this series get to the point where I just don't care about it. Nomura has an ending in mind for this series-I want him to reach it, I want it to be what he wants, and then I want this series to end for good. Please, let this one glorious story from my childhood ride off into the sunset with grace and dignity. I can't bear to see it run into the ground.
The thing is, though. Nomura doesn't ultimately get to make that decision. Yes, Kingdom Hearts is his brain child and everything that the series is is because of his vision, but the IP is still a Disney property developed by Square Enix at the end of the day, and, especially for the Square side of things, KH is one of the big three things keeping them afloat next to FF & DQ. If installments like Union X and DDD are anything to go by, and especially if scrapped projects like Verses XIII is taken into concerned, Square is certainly not afraid to pry things out of Nomura's hands and redistribute them to other teams in the company when they need to to see the product made. And quite frankly, I'd actually like to see what other promising minds can do with the series now that Nomura is stepping-out of the helm. I definitely agree that Sora's story should retire with Nomura at the very least. Sora has really grown insufferable to be since my initial impression of him from KH1. Everyone else in the Dark Seeker Arc has gotten significant character growth, but Sora remains the same reckless child who never really thinks before he acts and never really learns from the consequences of those actions. I'd love to see a generation of heroes take reins.
The signs were obvious in the games, but it was still surreal that he just came out and said it. Crazy to think that we might be in the final stretch of Kingdom Hearts, at least Nomura's story, but at the same time, I do hope he gets the chance to see the rest of the story through to the end on his own terms. Wishing him and his team the best of luck 🙏
If nomura does retire, i hope he is able to fully realize the KH series and can see his story through to completion. I've gotten so comfortable having kingdom hearts always being around that it makes me sad to hear about the definitive end for the series, but i think Nomura deserves to end it when he wants to. I just hope when he does it can conclude in the way he always wanted.
So, Nomura wants each saga to feel distinct from each other? I like this idea, it frees up space to experiment with these games. I hope that, when he does retire, he enjoys his retirement.
That would be awesome But in order to do that nomura would have to retire atleast 10/12 years later and not in the recent years I can't see anyone other then nomura continuing this series I don't want anyone else to even touch the series I don't want it to get ruined either nomura does it himself or the series ends at kh4
Nomura absolutely deserves to have his retirement and 100% deserves to enjoy it. I just hope he finishes Kingdom Hearts first. So many series have been exploited as cash cows be companies that inevitably run them into the ground, and I would hate to see that happen to Kingdom Hearts.
Honestly, I prior to him saying this, I never even came to the idea of Kingdom hearts truly ending. Just something that will forever continue. But now thinking about it, I think within the next few titles, it would be perfect to receive a true ending. A finished and completed story. End it with his retirement. I think it will be a beautiful thing
This is bittersweet news but I'm glad we learned what little we did from this interview! Tetsuya Nomura has always been my professional inspiration, a mentor without even knowing I exist.
Oh man, he’s retiring. Kingdom hearts was always one of my favorite games growing up. I would play chain of memories in the game boy, it was difficult. And I would enjoy kingdom hearts 2. It was a pleasure to play all the games in 2018 as I prepared for kingdom hearts 3. It’s been a ride
Holy fuck…. KH4 will be the beginning of a conclusion for the series as a WHOLE?…. No more KH games one day?! It’s like we started this series as a kid and growing to be old and see the end of the series as full grown adults
I feel like if someone works under him until his retirement and maybe he could educate the person about how to continue the series and that way we can get some new fresh takes on where to take the story. I feel like it would keep the stories fresh and interesting!
Ok before he retires we need that versus xiii remake asap. No but all seriousness he made my childhood with to me imo the greatest game KH2 and hours I’ve played that really special.
Whats sad isnt that nomura said the series will end, but that he doesnt even know if he wants to finish it. I sense a lot more pessimism in nomura than before. A few years ago they revealed a roadmap for the next arc of kingdom hearts games and there was a lot more optimism in the air about the future for the series. My guess is something happened behind the scenes that changed that, and disney brought down the hammer on kh in some way we dont know about. He basically confirmed this at the orchestra concert last year when he said something happened behind the scenes.
I feel like once you start understanding some of the deeper secrets of KH as a whole, you start believing that Nomura really did have the story in his head since the first game. (Also Kairi’s Grandma kinda serves as proof)
Yes, a book that details Kingdom hearts as a whole would be really helpful for us veteran fans to have when we explain Kingdom hearts to newbies. I'm pretty good at it but damn do I struggle and I miss a few points.
Tetsuya nomura you are the best to give us kingdom hearts 3 we need sora back in kingdom hearts 5,6,7,8,9,10 and the series to continue and Disney worlds in kingdom hearts 4
I'm sure KH will end with V or VI. It really depends how big The Lost Master Arc is. Also, if they do continue, why not just make Spinoffs. Seeing how KH is Sora's story, maybe it's time for the other characters to truly pop off
I could see a post nomura kingdom hearts game as an mmorpg in the same vain as ff14. That lets Sora's story finish and we can takes the reigns as the next generation of guardians. At the same time, we've seen what happens with non nomura guided spin-offs, so I'm not sure
Personally I would love the series to come to an epic conclusion. Hopefully where no one can replace the legacy it leaves behind. And should any old games get a kh3 style coat of paint that it just gets that and nothing else... If you know you know.
I've been hosting A kingdom hearts D&D game for 8 years, and I've been writing plot that shows up in KH games. I love this series, and I have grown alongside it. If I had the chance to work on the kingdom hearts franchise, I'd be able to die happy and content.
Nomura needs a Successor, someone to carry out his plans correctly, once he steps down. That way his vision isn't lost to some new kid on the block. Also... The Fiction Unreality Quadratum world should be the overall look of the KH series moving forward. With an aging Sora. This IP needs to grow with its audience, and it'll keep the attention of people in and out of the fandom.
Tetsuya Nomura i just want to say thank you for your awesome games and dedication for all of these years and best of luck for all of your future endeavors
The story makes sense your just stupid or don't care enough to understand about it also it's his story no one can really take that away from him there's a certain charm to it some ppl say it's complicated because they don't fully pay attention it's not complicated at all it's really easy to understand as long as you focus nomura would wrap up and end soras story himself so it's still gonna be directed and written by him so why are you acting like someone else is going to be writing the story lol
I really hope even after Nonura retires someone else can pick up kingdom hearts in future (with his blessing of course) as kingdom hearts has been such a huge part of all our lives 😍😍❤️❤️
I’ve seen so many people saying they’re ok with the series ending. But I’m not. There’s so many ideas that could be done. Even though we have so many Kingdom Hearts games it still feels like we’ve barely hit uncovered everything or that so many more ideas could happen.
@@TacoLex Exactly!!! This series is like the MCU to me, KH3 having all these legacy characters come together was so awesome to have in the game, I want that to continue. Also I want a game with Lea/Axel as the main character. 🤯🤯 Not sure what the plot would look like but how cool would that be?
KH franchise has limitless potentional.. the ever growing FF-games, Disney Movies coming out.. means we also have endless KH. It could wrap up the "Sora" saga, But goddamn there are so many cool characters we could and WANT to play as.. Im never letting this franchise go. 🏰❤
I love all of his works he’s done for square enix, but what has been my personal anthem of life has been The World Ends With You. It felt modern and relative to me personally including the line from Joshua where he said “If you give up on yourself, you give up on the world” and that helped kept me going through a lot of cruddy times
Where did the cinematic of Sora, Donald, and Goofy floating down to a storybook version of Destiny Islands come from? I don't remember seeing anything like that before and I can't find it in any of the cinematics I'm looking up.
My personal thoughts about no Mori Retiring I just want him to finish KINGDOM HEARTS Give us a good conclusion of the story So it doesnt end up like Shinnmuue With no conclusion In sight
I have been in love with this series ever since discovering KH1 as a small lad way back in 2002, and not gonna lie, ever since the end of Kingdom Hearts 3 and the announcement of a second arc, I had always this thought in my mind; "Wow, this game series has been going on for 20 years now... I honestly *cannot* fathom the story to continue for just as long". Don't get me wrong- it would be incredibly cool to have a story told over 25, 30, hell even 40 years if we can dare press our luck, but with these insane development times for games as well as growing older, I'm honestly glad Nomura has a plan for a definitive conclusion and I sincerely hope he will get there before his retirement. If Yasue were to take over, it would feel like the right time for a completely clean slate; a reset with a chart in a new direction and helmed by newer blood to make it their own.
One of my biggest concerns about KH was that it would en up being a forever story that would continue on and on until it stopped making enough money to justify more games, so Nomura talking about the KH4 starting a storyline that will have a conclusion and end point in mind is comforting albeit bitter sweet. The KH fanboy in me would have been okay with just getting more and more games indefinitely but kingdom hearts, its worlds and characters deserve to have a proper story with a proper end.
If the Kingdom Hearts series ends the way Nomura wants too, but also incorporates the themes he always wanted to explore with Versus XIII but never could, It would be like how his Mentor Tetsuya Takahashi finally completed the idea of Xenogear's Perfect Works with Xenoblade 3 Future Redeemed.
Mr. Nomura (or should I say Nomura-San), it has been an honor that you made a franchise that brought a tribute to our childhood, who grew up with Disney’s library of animation and introduced me to the world of role-playing video games such as the Final Fantasy series in which you brought cameos that I was introduced to, if it weren’t for you I would never understand the concept of RPG’s were about. It’s been a ride and I want to thank you. 🤘😎
Well, this is interesting news. Whichever way the series goes, (whether it ends when Nomura retires, or he hands it down to Tai Yasue) I am on board. I do hope the series can continue beyond Nomura's retirement, but only time will tell.
Honestly, good. I feel like the series is reaching it's fullest potential of what it can give, what with all of the Disney Worlds pretty much being explored already and with the next sequels most likely exploring all of the excess worlds. I think all I want is a few more games exploring the side characters and giving ample time for them to interact and grow. I just hope that Square Enix and Disney don't completely ruin and milk the property after his departure.
It's been one journey I won't forget. I can definitely say it's one of the oldest series I've followed since high school. I remember getting the kingdom hearts 1 from my friend.
Im not too surprised that he is retiring soon, he definitely deserves a good retirement cor giving us so many good games. As for Kingdom Hearts, I'm assuming he has a full plan already done in terms of the story itself and KH4 will make it clear to as well. And once that story is over, its entirely possible someone else will take over the series with a brand new story (at least i hope so since this series has been one of my all time favorites ever since the first one)
I'm going to enjoy everything Nomura has to give us before his retirement and If Kingdom Hearts were to continue without him I'll welcome in the new change and when the time for his retirement does come Ima say 3 words that are simple and clean thank you Nomura but until then ima enjoy the rest of the ride we're on with the series and it's future whatever shape that may take
Jumping ahead but Nomura can't leave us til at least KH5. The Roman numeral V can be used for part of the heart logo. It's too perfect to not use in some way.
If he does retire I kinda hope he gives another creator(s) his blessing to expand upon the setting of Kingdom Hearts. The setting and concepts have a lot of potential to them. Doesn't have to be related to Sora. Could be fun to see the next generation or another perspective.
I don’t think Nomura-San is retiring retiring, just retiring as a director/creative director, while staying as producer. Look at Pete Docter. Soul was his last film as director, but he stuck around for Inside Out 2 as both producer and screenwriter, in addition to being Pixar’s CCO. It’s all about finding the right time to start winding down on your responsibilities at certain points of your life. Nevertheless, Nomura deserves his flowers for all his work indeed.
@@danzoEXBut you literally just admitted those are outliers. He's began as an artist with V as monster design and IX,XII and XVI are the only ones since without any of his artistc involvement. 3 games in the past 32 years since he started. Unlike Tales of, Final Fantasy never gave each artist equal opportunity so it's gonna stick out more.
I've always said that if the KH series were to reach an actual end of production/Nomura leaves the series via retirement or passing away (knock on all the wood), I'd way prefer it to reach a conclusion under his terms beforehand, and he finish the story as he envisions it. So hats off to him for contemplating that hard reality in stride 👏🏿. We joke about how powerful he is, but alas, he's not immortal 🥲. Afterwards, if SE still sees good reason to keep making games post-Nomura, then they go in with the mindset (and relay this heavily to fans) that everything forward is the new leadership's version, sans Nomura; another soft reboot continuing with an original take, building off of wherever Nomura concluded. Outside of the sagas, we could colloquially refer to the greater collection of stories in the franchise as the Nomura era, the Yasue era, etc. Great way to give future new blood a chance to take on the franchise's helm at differing periods and still respect the ending legacies of the first gen, second gen, etc. If FF and DQ can do it, the #3 IP in the company can have a fair shot too.
Honestly, I think Nomura should’ve retired after Kingdom Hearts 3, but it would be fitting if KH4’s the end to Nomura’s Career. Given how the game’s pretty much adapting Versus XIII (The game he wanted to make, but was revamped into Final Fantasy XV which was taken over by Tabata), as well as being a follow up to Kingdom Hearts 3. And it kinda reminds me of the World Ends With You plus the other final fantasy games he worked on, so it looks like it’s gonna be a love letter to Nomura as a whole.
Man, it so sad that we never got Versus XIII. Knowing that he himself states, that he will retire in a few years, is so sad. I mean he deserves it. He did so much for Square and was always loyal to them. But KNOWING that he never got to do his "Dream Project" Versus XIII and KNOWING that he will retire in a few years, is just extremely disappointing.
Without Nomura, there is no Kingdom Hearts. I'd rather have the series reach its climax before his retirement. Nothing lasts forever. Kingdom Hearts has to end at some point. I just hope Nomura will be able to end it off the way he envisioned.
Been feeling a lotta of feelings today. But Nomura more then deserves to retire and end the series on his terms. I think there’s a good chance 5 will be last game. That won’t be for a long while we got missing link and 4 to enjoy when they come out. But the end is coming so let’s enjoy it while it lasts
I don’t blame Tetsuya Nomura for wanting to retire, it must’ve already been hella stressful for him to be the creative director for multiple big Square Enix titles
Unfortunately, he was no longer the director of XV. That's why I don't want him to retire but to finally being able to show what his XV should have been. The biggest what if of game industry
@zenar30 Even when he wasn't a lead, he was always busy. Sometimes with multiple projects at the same time. Tetsuya Nomura and Motoi Sakuraba are the most overworked people in gaming.
Yeah… especially when one game being taken away from caused him to add his ideas from that into his projects, while also designing characters for various Square Games.
Honestly, ive always had the idea of Kingdom hearts always being in nomura hands and nothing more. Its his kid. His love child and to hear that he might consider retirement. Honestly its alot to take in and swallow. Obvious it be extremely selfish to say, No! He shouldnt retire, but part of me understands as well. Kingdom heart gas been my childhood expectionally kingdom hearts 2. If nomura is getting ready to step away. Then allow me to enjoy a kingdom hearts game that i can reasonably for hours on in. Reply it, come back! Maybe include mods into the game. I hold so much love for the series. Nomura if your somehow reading this. I just wanna thank you for shaping my child and introduce me to stories like kingdom hearts. Thank you. Your game truly saved me even if you have no idea how. Thank you.
What a ride it has been!
What a ride indeed
Nomura when its time to go: "What a Journey you and I had... What? It is time to move on boy... There is more to seek, So go forth and seek it!"
You gotta figure with how big each mainline game is and how long it takes to make them, Nomura would have to pass the torch or give it a proper ending. Kinda wish KH3 did that and Sora stayed with Kairi. That would have been a perfect ending right there.
This has been an amazing ride kh2 the goofy scene is one of my favorites
I believe that KH the entire series will be in good hands with Nora‘s
Of a Director friends and staff because KH just one of the most important stories to billions of people across the world as much as Final Fantasy is in the uniqueness of the saga in the story tales is 1 million times important to all of us because I know it is to me. It will be in good hands moving forward.✌️
Just had a thought of the possibility that one of Tetsuya Nomura’s final drawings being an actual adult Sora saying goodbye to us. 😭
yyyaaaasss god I hope so
@@DoxycDreamer that would break me and make me so so happy ❤️
Ah... now you are reminding me of fanart for the artist of DBZ.
no! final drawing is sora kissing kairi
@@Keychan64 lol i think we all know that’s the end of soras story which ever title. But the art as adults? Got kids? Yiooooooo he already got a work ethic by mistake hhahahaha
As much as I want Nomura to decide when he's done and is ready to retire and not burn himself out and receive his much deserved flowers, there is the part of me that wants to see him reach the end of Kingdom Hearts as he envisioned it. This has been the one series that Nomura has gotten to cultivate himself along with the rest of the team, and while I do agree Yasue and co are more than capable of continuing Kingdom Hearts, I would like to see Nomura put the final bow on the series he helped create himself as a sort of final goodbye. He finishes the story he began all those years ago his way.
Maybe the new directors will use his notes and plans for it and ask him for advice
I would love for Nomura to retire, and that is the end of KH. Similar to smash, if Sakurai retires, Smash still continues due to its success for Nintendo. The same goes for KH. It is a successful franchise for Square Enix.
It's hilarious to me that people still think that there was always some sort of plan with the Kingdom Hearts games and stories. Nomura was just making it up as he went along and it totally shows in how messed up and convoluted the entire "story" between all of the games is. This series works and is popular because it does emotional manipulation better than any other series I can think of. It runs on nostalgia and a simplistic theme of light vs dark that's easy to understand, the soundtrack is masterclass in captivating your emotions as well, but the plot and the dialogue are very bad. Still, we as fans let that slide because the games still make us feel good.
I guess the real question is can they continue to do this without Nomura? Personally I think the series is cooked unless they pivot and find other new nostalgic "worlds" that will captivate the audience. They are out of all of the good Disney films, unless they pivot to Marvel and Star Wars I don't see how this can go on.
I saw his retirement and my eyes widened I had too read it twice too make sure I wasn’t reading it wrong 😭
@@ayaanman6650 yo right like I knew it would come some day but damn what a ride it’s been for KH fans
Don't think twice
He has done so much for us hopefully they'll be someone else who will take his place and follow his footsteps!
like toriyama God rest his soul. he past that mantel onto a great fan manga artist.. I think hes doing the best he can with such an ask.. especially now. nomura 2.0 twice removed hahahahah!! lets GGOOOOOO
I really hope that Nomura sees this story through to the end. I don't want to see this series end and I don't want Papa Nomura to leave us, but over my adult life I've seen far too many stories that I loved get dragged through the dirt by studios that just didn't know when to stop exploiting it. Kingdom Hearts is one of those rare stories that is inseparable from the person who created it, and I don't want it to be taken up by anybody else. Nobody could do this story like Nomura can. Not to mention, as I've gotten older and Disney has changed a lot in recent years, I'm not as excited for Disney stuff as I was when I was younger. I wouldn't be pulled in by the crossover aspect anymore, and the worst thing I could imagine is watching this series get to the point where I just don't care about it. Nomura has an ending in mind for this series-I want him to reach it, I want it to be what he wants, and then I want this series to end for good. Please, let this one glorious story from my childhood ride off into the sunset with grace and dignity. I can't bear to see it run into the ground.
facts
The thing is, though. Nomura doesn't ultimately get to make that decision. Yes, Kingdom Hearts is his brain child and everything that the series is is because of his vision, but the IP is still a Disney property developed by Square Enix at the end of the day, and, especially for the Square side of things, KH is one of the big three things keeping them afloat next to FF & DQ. If installments like Union X and DDD are anything to go by, and especially if scrapped projects like Verses XIII is taken into concerned, Square is certainly not afraid to pry things out of Nomura's hands and redistribute them to other teams in the company when they need to to see the product made.
And quite frankly, I'd actually like to see what other promising minds can do with the series now that Nomura is stepping-out of the helm. I definitely agree that Sora's story should retire with Nomura at the very least. Sora has really grown insufferable to be since my initial impression of him from KH1. Everyone else in the Dark Seeker Arc has gotten significant character growth, but Sora remains the same reckless child who never really thinks before he acts and never really learns from the consequences of those actions. I'd love to see a generation of heroes take reins.
I don't think I'm ever ready for Nomura's eventual retirement to come. 😭
It's crazy to look back. I was just 13 years old when Kingdom hearts 1 came out. I'm still a massive fan today and I'll never stop
What a title, I don't want him to leave Kingdom Hearts
Don't be mad dont be sad what a journey you and I have had
I unintentionally read this in Demyx, Xion and Ansem's voices.
He has done so much. Thank you, tetsuya nomura, for the amazing childhood memories one of my favorite videogames all time.
The signs were obvious in the games, but it was still surreal that he just came out and said it. Crazy to think that we might be in the final stretch of Kingdom Hearts, at least Nomura's story, but at the same time, I do hope he gets the chance to see the rest of the story through to the end on his own terms. Wishing him and his team the best of luck 🙏
If nomura does retire, i hope he is able to fully realize the KH series and can see his story through to completion. I've gotten so comfortable having kingdom hearts always being around that it makes me sad to hear about the definitive end for the series, but i think Nomura deserves to end it when he wants to. I just hope when he does it can conclude in the way he always wanted.
So, Nomura wants each saga to feel distinct from each other? I like this idea, it frees up space to experiment with these games.
I hope that, when he does retire, he enjoys his retirement.
Seems KH4 is the start of a conclusion for the series
@@danzoEX or it could just be Nomura has an end in mind and he wants to make sure it’s satisfying and fairly tidy.
TILL YOURE 90!!!!!!!
❤ 💛
Imagine if the series ends on Kingdom Hearts 7
@@Blockugu it'd be peak...
That’ll be very clever.
That would be awesome
But in order to do that nomura would have to retire atleast 10/12 years later and not in the recent years I can't see anyone other then nomura continuing this series I don't want anyone else to even touch the series I don't want it to get ruined either nomura does it himself or the series ends at kh4
Nomura absolutely deserves to have his retirement and 100% deserves to enjoy it. I just hope he finishes Kingdom Hearts first. So many series have been exploited as cash cows be companies that inevitably run them into the ground, and I would hate to see that happen to Kingdom Hearts.
Nomura deserves his retirement. Since he had been working for so many years to bring us countless games.
it would not surprise me if kingdom hearts will be done in the next decade and the last game tetsuya nomura works on is kingdom hearts 6.
Honestly, I prior to him saying this, I never even came to the idea of Kingdom hearts truly ending. Just something that will forever continue. But now thinking about it, I think within the next few titles, it would be perfect to receive a true ending. A finished and completed story. End it with his retirement. I think it will be a beautiful thing
This is bittersweet news but I'm glad we learned what little we did from this interview! Tetsuya Nomura has always been my professional inspiration, a mentor without even knowing I exist.
Knowing Nomura, he will make his retirement canon
That do for covering this HMK! This video was great to watch!
Even if the official kingdom hearts series ends we will always have kingdom hearts in the place that matters most, our hearts ❤️❤️
Sora will always ALWAYS be a part of my heart 🥺❤️
damn nomura retiring is gonna hit me like a truck
He can’t retire we need him to finish the Kingdom Hearts series
Whatever his decision to retire is his choice, and we should respect his wishes.
"We are in the Endgame now..."
(Well, more like Infinty Wars)
Thank you, Mr. Nomura. I hope your plans are going well...
It’s been a fun ride nomura, you did amazing for this series. May your heart be your guiding key. I hope someone takes his place.
Lets hope someone worthy takes over his role for Kingdom Hearts after he retires.
Thank you for such a powerful impactful series
Oh man, he’s retiring. Kingdom hearts was always one of my favorite games growing up. I would play chain of memories in the game boy, it was difficult. And I would enjoy kingdom hearts 2. It was a pleasure to play all the games in 2018 as I prepared for kingdom hearts 3. It’s been a ride
Holy fuck…. KH4 will be the beginning of a conclusion for the series as a WHOLE?…. No more KH games one day?!
It’s like we started this series as a kid and growing to be old and see the end of the series as full grown adults
I feel like if someone works under him until his retirement and maybe he could educate the person about how to continue the series and that way we can get some new fresh takes on where to take the story. I feel like it would keep the stories fresh and interesting!
Tai Yasue is something I’d be happy with to take over. Along with seeing how the current team handles 4. Perhaps they can take charge for the future.
One of the many things yet to be resolved before retirement, revealing the parentages of our main characters.
Ok before he retires we need that versus xiii remake asap. No but all seriousness he made my childhood with to me imo the greatest game KH2 and hours I’ve played that really special.
Im sadden by his retirement but how much longer must we wait im 31 here please dont drag it out too long finish your masterpiece and retire in peace😭
Whats sad isnt that nomura said the series will end, but that he doesnt even know if he wants to finish it. I sense a lot more pessimism in nomura than before. A few years ago they revealed a roadmap for the next arc of kingdom hearts games and there was a lot more optimism in the air about the future for the series. My guess is something happened behind the scenes that changed that, and disney brought down the hammer on kh in some way we dont know about. He basically confirmed this at the orchestra concert last year when he said something happened behind the scenes.
At least Sora is in Smash and I hope KH4 is great and my memory is giving me KH1.
I feel like once you start understanding some of the deeper secrets of KH as a whole, you start believing that Nomura really did have the story in his head since the first game. (Also Kairi’s Grandma kinda serves as proof)
Yes, a book that details Kingdom hearts as a whole would be really helpful for us veteran fans to have when we explain Kingdom hearts to newbies. I'm pretty good at it but damn do I struggle and I miss a few points.
Tetsuya nomura you are the best to give us kingdom hearts 3 we need sora back in kingdom hearts 5,6,7,8,9,10 and the series to continue and Disney worlds in kingdom hearts 4
Nooooooooooo I don’t want him to leave kingdom hearts 2 was my first game to play as a kid even though I love his artwork I respect him
2:27 Thats the most Xehanort thing I ever heard
I'm sure KH will end with V or VI. It really depends how big The Lost Master Arc is. Also, if they do continue, why not just make Spinoffs. Seeing how KH is Sora's story, maybe it's time for the other characters to truly pop off
I could see a post nomura kingdom hearts game as an mmorpg in the same vain as ff14. That lets Sora's story finish and we can takes the reigns as the next generation of guardians. At the same time, we've seen what happens with non nomura guided spin-offs, so I'm not sure
Personally I would love the series to come to an epic conclusion. Hopefully where no one can replace the legacy it leaves behind. And should any old games get a kh3 style coat of paint that it just gets that and nothing else... If you know you know.
I appreciate your professional optimism outlook on this situation. Because that’s the best way we can take away from this.
I've been hosting A kingdom hearts D&D game for 8 years, and I've been writing plot that shows up in KH games. I love this series, and I have grown alongside it. If I had the chance to work on the kingdom hearts franchise, I'd be able to die happy and content.
Nomura needs a Successor, someone to carry out his plans correctly, once he steps down. That way his vision isn't lost to some new kid on the block.
Also... The Fiction Unreality Quadratum world should be the overall look of the KH series moving forward. With an aging Sora. This IP needs to grow with its audience, and it'll keep the attention of people in and out of the fandom.
Tetsuya Nomura i just want to say thank you for your awesome games and dedication for all of these years and best of luck for all of your future endeavors
Oh good, maybe the story will finally make sense now that he’s gone
@@Laughy-Flaaffy but what's the fun in that?
The story makes sense your just stupid or don't care enough to understand about it also it's his story no one can really take that away from him there's a certain charm to it some ppl say it's complicated because they don't fully pay attention it's not complicated at all it's really easy to understand as long as you focus nomura would wrap up and end soras story himself so it's still gonna be directed and written by him so why are you acting like someone else is going to be writing the story lol
It does make sense. Use your brain.
I really hope even after Nonura retires someone else can pick up kingdom hearts in future (with his blessing of course) as kingdom hearts has been such a huge part of all our lives 😍😍❤️❤️
Yeah I want it to go on as long as possible lol
ill do it
I’ve seen so many people saying they’re ok with the series ending. But I’m not. There’s so many ideas that could be done. Even though we have so many Kingdom Hearts games it still feels like we’ve barely hit uncovered everything or that so many more ideas could happen.
@@TacoLex Exactly!!! This series is like the MCU to me, KH3 having all these legacy characters come together was so awesome to have in the game, I want that to continue. Also I want a game with Lea/Axel as the main character. 🤯🤯 Not sure what the plot would look like but how cool would that be?
I hope not. It will be bad for KH.
KH franchise has limitless potentional.. the ever growing FF-games, Disney Movies coming out.. means we also have endless KH.
It could wrap up the "Sora" saga,
But goddamn there are so many cool characters we could and WANT to play as..
Im never letting this franchise go. 🏰❤
Kingdom Hearts II back on the PS2 was such a rush!
I love all of his works he’s done for square enix, but what has been my personal anthem of life has been The World Ends With You. It felt modern and relative to me personally including the line from Joshua where he said “If you give up on yourself, you give up on the world” and that helped kept me going through a lot of cruddy times
No matter what even if he retires I will always love him he’s amazing.
It's kind of saddening to me, I've always had the dream of working with/for Tetsuya Noruma in the Kingdom Hearts Project.
My favorite games by him are KH Dream Drop Distance and Crisis Core.
All good things must eventually end.
Where did the cinematic of Sora, Donald, and Goofy floating down to a storybook version of Destiny Islands come from? I don't remember seeing anything like that before and I can't find it in any of the cinematics I'm looking up.
@@TheDwarvenDefender its one of the games opening cinematics, i think either 2.8 or KH3
it khddd opening
Ah...! I probably would have been able to tell from the text alone if it still had the purple credits. It looks like that was a creditless version.
My personal thoughts about no Mori Retiring I just want him to finish KINGDOM HEARTS Give us a good conclusion of the story So it doesnt end up like Shinnmuue With no conclusion In sight
I love this
I have been in love with this series ever since discovering KH1 as a small lad way back in 2002, and not gonna lie, ever since the end of Kingdom Hearts 3 and the announcement of a second arc, I had always this thought in my mind; "Wow, this game series has been going on for 20 years now... I honestly *cannot* fathom the story to continue for just as long". Don't get me wrong- it would be incredibly cool to have a story told over 25, 30, hell even 40 years if we can dare press our luck, but with these insane development times for games as well as growing older, I'm honestly glad Nomura has a plan for a definitive conclusion and I sincerely hope he will get there before his retirement. If Yasue were to take over, it would feel like the right time for a completely clean slate; a reset with a chart in a new direction and helmed by newer blood to make it their own.
One of my biggest concerns about KH was that it would en up being a forever story that would continue on and on until it stopped making enough money to justify more games, so Nomura talking about the KH4 starting a storyline that will have a conclusion and end point in mind is comforting albeit bitter sweet. The KH fanboy in me would have been okay with just getting more and more games indefinitely but kingdom hearts, its worlds and characters deserve to have a proper story with a proper end.
If the Kingdom Hearts series ends the way Nomura wants too, but also incorporates the themes he always wanted to explore with Versus XIII but never could, It would be like how his Mentor Tetsuya Takahashi finally completed the idea of Xenogear's Perfect Works with Xenoblade 3 Future Redeemed.
Mr. Nomura (or should I say Nomura-San), it has been an honor that you made a franchise that brought a tribute to our childhood, who grew up with Disney’s library of animation and introduced me to the world of role-playing video games such as the Final Fantasy series in which you brought cameos that I was introduced to, if it weren’t for you I would never understand the concept of RPG’s were about. It’s been a ride and I want to thank you. 🤘😎
Well, this is interesting news.
Whichever way the series goes, (whether it ends when Nomura retires, or he hands it down to Tai Yasue) I am on board. I do hope the series can continue beyond Nomura's retirement, but only time will tell.
hope to see the series be given a conclusion then would rather see something i like and grew up with come to a satisfying end then go on forever
Honestly, good. I feel like the series is reaching it's fullest potential of what it can give, what with all of the Disney Worlds pretty much being explored already and with the next sequels most likely exploring all of the excess worlds.
I think all I want is a few more games exploring the side characters and giving ample time for them to interact and grow.
I just hope that Square Enix and Disney don't completely ruin and milk the property after his departure.
It's been one journey I won't forget. I can definitely say it's one of the oldest series I've followed since high school. I remember getting the kingdom hearts 1 from my friend.
Cool
Im not too surprised that he is retiring soon, he definitely deserves a good retirement cor giving us so many good games. As for Kingdom Hearts, I'm assuming he has a full plan already done in terms of the story itself and KH4 will make it clear to as well. And once that story is over, its entirely possible someone else will take over the series with a brand new story (at least i hope so since this series has been one of my all time favorites ever since the first one)
Wow. My first HMK video as a 25 year old. It was my birthday yesterday
Im not ready for this day to come
If rumours about canceling Verum Rex are true, I'm feeling bad for Nomura-san
i hope i get to live to see my goated series end ❤
I'm going to enjoy everything Nomura has to give us before his retirement and If Kingdom Hearts were to continue without him I'll welcome in the new change and when the time for his retirement does come Ima say 3 words that are simple and clean thank you Nomura but until then ima enjoy the rest of the ride we're on with the series and it's future whatever shape that may take
"Yes, I believe you."
It’s sad to think Norma being retired but I understand I’ll buy the ps5 pro just for kh4
Jumping ahead but Nomura can't leave us til at least KH5. The Roman numeral V can be used for part of the heart logo. It's too perfect to not use in some way.
If he does retire I kinda hope he gives another creator(s) his blessing to expand upon the setting of Kingdom Hearts. The setting and concepts have a lot of potential to them.
Doesn't have to be related to Sora. Could be fun to see the next generation or another perspective.
Part of me feels like any hope I had left in me for Versus 13 / Verum Rex story just died :(
Best wishes to him tho
I don’t think Nomura-San is retiring retiring, just retiring as a director/creative director, while staying as producer. Look at Pete Docter. Soul was his last film as director, but he stuck around for Inside Out 2 as both producer and screenwriter, in addition to being Pixar’s CCO. It’s all about finding the right time to start winding down on your responsibilities at certain points of your life. Nevertheless, Nomura deserves his flowers for all his work indeed.
The fans to Nomura - Thinking of you wherever you are. 😭
What would happen to FF is Nomura retires? He's character designer
There are other character designers who work on FF besides Nomura.
He’s not the character designer for all Final Fantasy games….. he didn’t do the art for FF12 and FF16 for example
@@danzoEXBut you literally just admitted those are outliers. He's began as an artist with V as monster design and IX,XII and XVI are the only ones since without any of his artistc involvement. 3 games in the past 32 years since he started.
Unlike Tales of, Final Fantasy never gave each artist equal opportunity so it's gonna stick out more.
I've always said that if the KH series were to reach an actual end of production/Nomura leaves the series via retirement or passing away (knock on all the wood), I'd way prefer it to reach a conclusion under his terms beforehand, and he finish the story as he envisions it. So hats off to him for contemplating that hard reality in stride 👏🏿. We joke about how powerful he is, but alas, he's not immortal 🥲.
Afterwards, if SE still sees good reason to keep making games post-Nomura, then they go in with the mindset (and relay this heavily to fans) that everything forward is the new leadership's version, sans Nomura; another soft reboot continuing with an original take, building off of wherever Nomura concluded. Outside of the sagas, we could colloquially refer to the greater collection of stories in the franchise as the Nomura era, the Yasue era, etc.
Great way to give future new blood a chance to take on the franchise's helm at differing periods and still respect the ending legacies of the first gen, second gen, etc. If FF and DQ can do it, the #3 IP in the company can have a fair shot too.
Honestly, I think Nomura should’ve retired after Kingdom Hearts 3, but it would be fitting if KH4’s the end to Nomura’s Career.
Given how the game’s pretty much adapting Versus XIII (The game he wanted to make, but was revamped into Final Fantasy XV which was taken over by Tabata), as well as being a follow up to Kingdom Hearts 3. And it kinda reminds me of the World Ends With You plus the other final fantasy games he worked on, so it looks like it’s gonna be a love letter to Nomura as a whole.
Man, it so sad that we never got Versus XIII. Knowing that he himself states, that he will retire in a few years, is so sad.
I mean he deserves it.
He did so much for Square and was always loyal to them. But KNOWING that he never got to do his "Dream Project" Versus XIII and KNOWING that he will retire in a few years, is just extremely disappointing.
I could see Nomura stating what he intends once KH 4 is out. Whether he’ll stay on for a KH 5( & 6) or if he’ll hand the reins off to another.
Without Nomura, there is no Kingdom Hearts. I'd rather have the series reach its climax before his retirement.
Nothing lasts forever. Kingdom Hearts has to end at some point. I just hope Nomura will be able to end it off the way he envisioned.
Man was hoping we were gonna have a long run like Final Fantasy. Gonna miss this series.
😢😮 Oh No
Tbh I'm literally just scared and unsure about the series as a whole when the future comes.
Been feeling a lotta of feelings today. But Nomura more then deserves to retire and end the series on his terms. I think there’s a good chance 5 will be last game. That won’t be for a long while we got missing link and 4 to enjoy when they come out. But the end is coming so let’s enjoy it while it lasts
Someone is gonna be a new director for making game and idea's. Nd thank you Nomura for years of everyone's childhood games and making some jokes.
I don’t blame Tetsuya Nomura for wanting to retire, it must’ve already been hella stressful for him to be the creative director for multiple big Square Enix titles
Unfortunately, he was no longer the director of XV. That's why I don't want him to retire but to finally being able to show what his XV should have been. The biggest what if of game industry
@zenar30 Even when he wasn't a lead, he was always busy. Sometimes with multiple projects at the same time. Tetsuya Nomura and Motoi Sakuraba are the most overworked people in gaming.
Yeah… especially when one game being taken away from caused him to add his ideas from that into his projects, while also designing characters for various Square Games.
I think The World that Never Was in the first secret ending is an early version of Quadratum.
the developers of Reynatis should take over kingdom hearts
Honestly, ive always had the idea of Kingdom hearts always being in nomura hands and nothing more. Its his kid. His love child and to hear that he might consider retirement. Honestly its alot to take in and swallow. Obvious it be extremely selfish to say, No! He shouldnt retire, but part of me understands as well. Kingdom heart gas been my childhood expectionally kingdom hearts 2. If nomura is getting ready to step away. Then allow me to enjoy a kingdom hearts game that i can reasonably for hours on in. Reply it, come back! Maybe include mods into the game. I hold so much love for the series. Nomura if your somehow reading this. I just wanna thank you for shaping my child and introduce me to stories like kingdom hearts. Thank you. Your game truly saved me even if you have no idea how. Thank you.
When we said we wanted more Kingdom Hearts news, I don't think we meant Nomura saying he was thinking about retirement.
What is the video at 0:38
Dream Drop Distance Opening