*MoM SPOILERS!* We really need to talk about Kairi...

[OrionGold]

It really doesn't help that Kairi's current treatment is a reversal of a previous positive trend. Kairi may have been a damsel in distress in the original games, but Namine was a great damsel subversion and Aqua and Xion were active participants in the story. That combined with some other teasing (giving her a Keyblade and being the focus of DDD's secret ending) made it feel like Kairi's role in the story was going to change. Then KH3 came out and fridged her, but ReMind seemed to be a course correction. Then MoM teased Kairi development but ended up being another excuse to bench her. Turns out that ReMind was an outlier.

So I actually agree that fans would benefit from managing their expectations, but they still have every right to be disappointed. "Kairi has always been treated badly!" may be true, but that doesn't excuse it.

So move into the subcellar from the cellar? I mean i now know not to expect anything even if it's hinted at.

That said I wouldn't say our expectations were unbased.

KH2: Gives Kairi a Keyblade
Days: Shows us how Kairi with a Keyblade could look and tells us how important Kairi and Sora's bond is.
BBS: Shows us how Kairi got the power to wield
Coded: Mentiones how all three are conected and will need to help
DDD: Emphasises her becoming a weilder

Like her moments where short, but to fans of the character it could seem like it was a slow build up and KH3 would be the pay off. KH3 failed to deliver, but as Zackarix said ReMind did some work to fix it, only for MoM to kind of tease her to have a central role and pull the curtain to reveal nope, she's still benched.

It doesn't help that in this day and age, you can get in trouble and be perceived as sexist if you do shit like this.

 

[Alpha Baymax]

If there's a silver lining to the development of Kairi, being the apprentice to Aqua has strong storytelling potential.

 

[AdrianXXII]

If there's a silver lining to the development of Kairi, being the apprentice to Aqua has strong storytelling potential.

Now we just have to hope they make something out of it. There's a lot of potential there.

 

[kirabook]

There was potential with her being with Axel too. Instead of being pushed into the forefront of the story more like Axel was, Axel got backseated even further.

I still don't have high hopes that they won't just bench Aqua/TAV for Kairi.

 

[AdrianXXII]

There was potential with her being with Axel too. Instead of being pushed into the forefront of the story more like Axel was, Axel got backseated even further.

I still don't have high hopes that they won't just bench Aqua/TAV for Kairi.

Yeah, there was a lot of interesting story potential with her and Axel's training we just glossed over. I could have liked to have seen him try and make amends for kidnapping her, them talk about Radiant Garden, Kairi asking Axel about Roxas and etc. Axel and Kairi seemed to have grown closer after their training, but we barely saw how they became friends.

 

[Elysium]

KH2: Gives Kairi a Keyblade

To be fair, this happens with all the fanfare of Kairi being passed the salt.

 

[Zackarix]

If there's a silver lining to the development of Kairi, being the apprentice to Aqua has strong storytelling potential.

This is the best possible outcome.

The worst possible outcome is it becoming an excuse to bench Aqua as well. "Aqua can't help Ventus and Terra discover the secrets behind Ven's past because she's too busy training Kairi." I wouldn't put it past them at this point.

 

[Alpha Baymax]

There was potential with her being with Axel too. Instead of being pushed into the forefront of the story more like Axel was, Axel got backseated even further.

I still don't have high hopes that they won't just bench Aqua/TAV for Kairi.

The skepticism is justified, but I think the issue with the Lea and Kairi dynamic was that Kairi was the placeholder character for Lea to interact with until Xion and Roxas returned. Now that it's a new saga, I think the trio dynamics can be remixed.

 

[Launchpad]

Hate what they've done with her. The concept of 'training' is such a hilarious blight on the character development in Kingdom Hearts. When, exactly, did this happen? Characters used to be rewarded for being headstrong and relying on their earnest emotions to make it through. In old KH, Kairi would have smiled and believed in herself, and dove in with Riku to try and find Sora, no matter the risk, and she would have been rewarded with becoming stronger and making new connections.

But now she's just going to fuck around and train some more while Riku and Sora do more interesting things. What a tremendous letdown. It feels like we've really gone into shounen hell with this one.

 

[MasterOfMasterOfMasters]

eveyr non villain character is a jobber in the cutscenes

 

[Dreq the Dreck]

This is the best possible outcome.

The worst possible outcome is it becoming an excuse to bench Aqua as well. "Aqua can't help Ventus and Terra discover the secrets behind Ven's past because she's too busy training Kairi." I wouldn't put it past them at this point.

Oh, this is just evil

 

[Xx_HS_xX]

Hate what they've done with her. The concept of 'training' is such a hilarious blight on the character development in Kingdom Hearts. When, exactly, did this happen?.....But now she's just going to fuck around and train some more while Riku and Sora do more interesting things. What a tremendous letdown. It feels like we've really gone into shounen hell with this one.

It's even worse when you realize Kairi could've went on the journey with Riku as she could've easily chosen to continuously alter between training in the timeless forest and sleeping during that entire year. (though I bet they would've come up with some bs excuse as to why she couldn't do that if the fans asked why they didn't do that)

I also feel like they're going to bench her till they let her join the end of whatever the next final battle/story will be and go "look, see we fixed Kairi's character now! She can fight better now and she's doing 'big moments' at the battle just like last time - that's all we needed to do!"

 

[Deleted member]

It's hard to go to bat for any of these choices without knowing where they actually will end up. That being said, I actually think it's better character writing for Kairi to have such a strong negative reaction to being killed than if she had just shrugged it off and jumped headfirst in with Riku lol. Like it makes sense that following that she would actually still have some doubts (especially with Sora not there anymore) and her desire to be with Sora and Riku in MelMem is less "im going to train so the three of us can adventure together" (kh3 repeat) it's "i want to train so that i am an equal to you and sora". I think Kairi in microcosm might be going on a similar journey to Sora, where she needs to find (and believe) in her own inner strength.

Like we do have to consider Kairi being very confident "this time i'll keep you safe" only for her to both get struck down, AND lead to Sora dying, would reasonably shake someone's prior (untested) confidence a bit!

And of course, always bears repeating, that Kairi staying in the Realm of Light actually is likely to lead her to be more important to the story as that's where the Antagonists actually are.

 

[OrionGold]

It's hard to go to bat for any of these choices without knowing where they actually will end up. That being said, I actually think it's better character writing for Kairi to have such a strong negative reaction to being killed than if she had just shrugged it off and jumped headfirst in with Riku lol. Like it makes sense that following that she would actually still have some doubts (especially with Sora not there anymore) and her desire to be with Sora and Riku in MelMem is less "im going to train so the three of us can adventure together" (kh3 repeat) it's "i want to train so that i am an equal to you and sora". I think Kairi in microcosm might be going on a similar journey to Sora, where she needs to find (and believe) in her own inner strength.

Like we do have to consider Kairi being very confident "this time i'll keep you safe" only for her to both get struck down, AND lead to Sora dying, would reasonably shake someone's prior (untested) confidence a bit!

And of course, always bears repeating, that Kairi staying in the Realm of Light actually is likely to lead her to be more important to the story as that's where the Antagonists actually are.

Here's the thing though: We have waited a long time to see Kairi have her moment and we are less patient in wanting to see it because Nomura keeps refusing to do anything with her.

In today's climate, a lot of people would want to see Kairi get strong quickly.

 

[Squood!]

It's hard to go to bat for any of these choices without knowing where they actually will end up. That being said, I actually think it's better character writing for Kairi to have such a strong negative reaction to being killed than if she had just shrugged it off and jumped headfirst in with Riku lol. Like it makes sense that following that she would actually still have some doubts (especially with Sora not there anymore) and her desire to be with Sora and Riku in MelMem is less "im going to train so the three of us can adventure together" (kh3 repeat) it's "i want to train so that i am an equal to you and sora". I think Kairi in microcosm might be going on a similar journey to Sora, where she needs to find (and believe) in her own inner strength.

Like we do have to consider Kairi being very confident "this time i'll keep you safe" only for her to both get struck down, AND lead to Sora dying, would reasonably shake someone's prior (untested) confidence a bit!

And of course, always bears repeating, that Kairi staying in the Realm of Light actually is likely to lead her to be more important to the story as that's where the Antagonists actually are.

Not to be cynical about this, I wanna see Kairi get actually strong, but staying in the same realm as the antags is more likely to result in her being kidnapped

again.

Because wouldn't you know it, the antags now are again people who are way out of her league.

But my optimistic side hopes that isn't the case

 

[Zackarix]

Kairi has had "great set-up to be more important to the story going forward" for pretty much every game, and most of those set-ups were more promising than "I can't come along because I suck and need to train."

So forgive me for not being optimistic about the decision to have Kairi sit out the next adventure.

 

[Deleted member]

I mean if yall want all your reactions to any Kairi stuff ever to always be cynicism and doubt like, more power to you guys I guess. But I think the situation now is rather different.

Here's the thing though: We have waited a long time to see Kairi have her moment and we are less patient in wanting to see it because Nomura keeps refusing to do anything with her.

Sure. Like, I'm not saying I don't get the reaction. But I also feel like at this point it kinda seems like the only thing Nomura could do to assuage people now is to have Kairi just super strong, goes in blazing, never fails ever again. But that's also not really much of an actual character for her either.

People look at Kairi staying behind to train with Aqua as "she's being left out again" even though prior to KH3 TAV training thier apprentices was one of the stories people were most clamoring for, most excited about, the thing people like wanted them saved to see happen. Terra/Riku can't happen anymore because of the story, which makes Aqua/Kairi like the series only real chance to explore that Master/Student relationship from the start. And that's a very rich relationship dynamic to explore for those two characters going forward. Like, idk, I'd rather spend the (god now 4) years since release, and the years waiting to see how it shakes out with a little hope and excitement than cynicism.

Things are different imo. Kairi's playable. She has tons of official art now. She's included in crossover campaigns. MelMem focuses more on her character than probably anything since KH1. The biggest criticisms of KH3 were Kairi and FF chars. Like Nomura KNOWS people aren't happy with her storyline. And I think him hiring the NTWEWY writer for KHIV after working with her and being impressed with how she handled writing women and ensemble casts is a very strong case showing that he intends for the next arc to be handled differently.

 

[Launchpad]

I'd just like to see Kairi TRAVEL. That the next time we see her, Aqua is like "you're doing well, I'll see you tomorrow" and Kairi is like "haha sure thing" and then fucks off to go fight monsters and look for Sora. I'd have loved a Kairi game. She feels less dynamic now than she did at the outset of the series, I want a whole game that brings her sense of fun out, shows her fighting and exploring in ways that Sora and Riku didn't... It's hard not to feel like its just too late for her.

 

[Zackarix]

I mean, at this point being pessimistic about Kairi's role in future games is the safer emotional option.

Let's say that someone spends the years leading up to KH4's release being hyped about Aqua and Kairi's Master/Apprentice relationship and their interactions with the Foretellers. And then KH4 comes out and it turns out that training was indeed an excuse to keep Kairi on the bench and any interactions with the villains involve her being a damsel in distress again. It would feel like a punch in the gut, which would only be compounded by other fans telling you that you have no right to feel let down because your expectations were never promised and she's always been treated this way.

But on the other hand, let's say that that you're a pessimist who expects Kairi to be treated badly, and then KH4 comes out and it turns out that you were 100% wrong. Kairi finally comes into her own not just as a Keyblade wielder, but as a strong character in her own right! Your expectations have been shattered, but in a good way.

So yeah, maybe being a cynic about Kairi's future role isn't the funnest thing, but when your expectations are low it's easier to deal with them.

 

[Deleted member]

i guess my vibe is just more like this on this kinda stuff:



sure maybe after six years of being excited about the idea it doesnt live up to the thing. but if you (speaking generally) spent that six years maybe like engaging with fanworks about kairi/aqua training, dreaming up scenarios, excitedly talking with your friends about it or whatever, like I think that is just a better use of time and fandom energy than spending that same time like miserable about the topic (and you might even come away feeling like you did get to experience the idea because of the fanworks and enjoyment you got out of the premise even if by the time canon gets there it has its own approach). like whether you're hopeful or pessimistic, the actual result is out of your hands, so why not choose to enjoy yourself and be hopeful in the meantime?

anyway, i see people are set with the way they feel so i won't bother going on trying to convince y'all to not hate it lol.