While searching the Net for that CoM Manga, I found someone's blog about their KH theories, and this one was just way too good. I felt like it was a KH2 spoiler; it was so excellent. It was the best explanation I've heard thus far, and I thought that it was so brilliant that it demanded kh2.net forum attention.
This theory is NOT mine. Do NOT go thinking I came up with this. It was the blogger, Megan (I think that's the name, anyway), but the blog is called "Jerry the Frog Ramblings". And actually, this blogger got it from a friend.
"I feel confident in saying it's been made clear that the blindfolded Unknown in Deep Dive and Another Side/Another Story is Riku. But the question then arises: why is Riku wearing the blindfold? (Besides wanting to look sexy for his fangirls, I mean...) It's assumed that Deep Dive takes place between CoM and KH2 (although I can see it taking place during KH2, but with extreme difficulty.) The original theory was that Riku was blinded by the light of Kindom Hearts once Ansem was destroyed. However, this obviously doesn't hold up anymore, since Riku was seeing perfectly fine all throughout CoM (and at the end of KH, if you remember correctly.) So why the blindfold?
This theory was actually suggested to me by the very-muchly-smart V-chan, and it seems to make the most sense to me. Riku wears the blindfold not because he can't see, but so that he can smell better. All throughout CoM, scents are a running theme with Riku...he even "smells" when Marluxia is defeated by Sora. The Organization members seem to have this ability as well, suggesting that particular "scents" of things, people and power are linked to darkness. Wearing a blindfold would force him to rely on his nose more than his eyes (just as the senses of blind people are heightened) and would allow him to detect certain scents faster and from greater distances. This would be especially helpful when traveling through different worlds with no idea on who is a friend or foe."
This theory is NOT mine. Do NOT go thinking I came up with this. It was the blogger, Megan (I think that's the name, anyway), but the blog is called "Jerry the Frog Ramblings". And actually, this blogger got it from a friend.
"I feel confident in saying it's been made clear that the blindfolded Unknown in Deep Dive and Another Side/Another Story is Riku. But the question then arises: why is Riku wearing the blindfold? (Besides wanting to look sexy for his fangirls, I mean...) It's assumed that Deep Dive takes place between CoM and KH2 (although I can see it taking place during KH2, but with extreme difficulty.) The original theory was that Riku was blinded by the light of Kindom Hearts once Ansem was destroyed. However, this obviously doesn't hold up anymore, since Riku was seeing perfectly fine all throughout CoM (and at the end of KH, if you remember correctly.) So why the blindfold?
This theory was actually suggested to me by the very-muchly-smart V-chan, and it seems to make the most sense to me. Riku wears the blindfold not because he can't see, but so that he can smell better. All throughout CoM, scents are a running theme with Riku...he even "smells" when Marluxia is defeated by Sora. The Organization members seem to have this ability as well, suggesting that particular "scents" of things, people and power are linked to darkness. Wearing a blindfold would force him to rely on his nose more than his eyes (just as the senses of blind people are heightened) and would allow him to detect certain scents faster and from greater distances. This would be especially helpful when traveling through different worlds with no idea on who is a friend or foe."