Kingdom Hearts (novels)
This article is about the novel series. For other uses, see Kingdom Hearts (disambiguation). |
The Kingdom Hearts novels are a series of books that are based on the games of the Kingdom Hearts series. They were released exclusively in Japan until Yen Press began to localize the novels into English in 2015. The series is written by Tomoco Kanemaki, and the covers and page illustrations are illustrated by Shiro Amano, creator of the Kingdom Hearts manga series. They are all published by Square Enix in Japan and localized by Yen Press.
Main novels[edit]
Kingdom Hearts[edit]
The Kingdom Hearts novels cover the story of Kingdom Hearts, and were released in two volumes. The volumes, First (上 Jou ) and Last (下 Moto ), were co-published by Disney Press on June 30, 2005 and July 29, 2005 respectively. On September 19, 2014, Yen Press, who had taken up the task of localizing the Kingdom Hearts manga series, announced they would also publish Kingdom Hearts: The Novel, a localization of the Japanese Kingdom Hearts novels. It was published on March 24, 2015.[1][2]
The novels attempt to cover the entire story and script of the game, although some scenes are combined into one for tighter flow, such as the two Parasite Cage battles. Most noticeable is the complete absence of Olympus Coliseum, Halloween Town, and Atlantica, as well as any characters from those worlds, even during scenes that originally contained those characters.
Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories[edit]
The Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories novels cover the story of Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories, and were released in three volumes. The first two volumes, Sora's Volume (First) (《ソラ編》上 《Sora-hen》 Jou ), Sora's Volume (Last) (《ソラ編》下 《Sora-hen》 Moto ), cover Sora's adventure, with selected scenes from Riku's story, and were published October 22, 2005 and November 30, 2005, respectively. The final volume, Reverse/Rebirth (Riku's Volume) (《Reverse/Rebirth》リク編 《Reverse/Rebirth》 Riku-hen ) covers the remainder of Riku's adventure, and was published January 31, 2006.
All three novels were published in English as Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories The Novel as a single 600-page book on September 22, 2015 by Yen Press.[3][4]
Kingdom Hearts II[edit]
The Kingdom Hearts II novels cover the story of Kingdom Hearts II, and were released in four volumes. The volumes, Roxas—Seven days, The Destruction of Hollow Bastion, Tears of Nobody, and Anthem—Meet Again/Axel Last Stand, were published April 22, 2006, July 16, 2006, September 29, 2006, and February, 2007, respectively.
Kingdom Hearts II: The Novel (Volume 1) was published in English on June 20, 2017, by Yen Press as a two-volume omnibus edition.[5][6] The second volume was published in English on December 19, 2017 by Yen Press.
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days[edit]
The Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days novels cover the story of Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, and were released in three volumes. The volumes, The 14th, Go to the Sea, and Xion—Seven Days, were published.
On December 2, 2016, Yen Press announced they licensed the novels.[6] It was released in English in a one-volume omnibus edition on November 27, 2018.
Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep[edit]
The Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep novels cover the story of Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, and were released in three volumes. The volumes, Something Strange, Best Friends, and To the Future, were published.
On December 2, 2016, Yen Press announced they licensed the novels.[6] It was released in English in a one-volume omnibus edition on March 19, 2019.
Kingdom Hearts Re:coded[edit]
The Kingdom Hearts Re:coded novel, of which there is only one volume, covers the story of Kingdom Hearts Re:coded and was published July 28, 2011. It was released in English on August 27, 2019.[7]
Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance[edit]
The Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance novels cover the story of Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance and the first volume, "Side Sora", was published on June 28, 2012. "Side Riku", the second novel, was published on September 27, 2012. It was released in English on October 29, 2019. [8]
Kingdom Hearts χ[edit]
Kingdom Hearts χ: The Story of You and the Keyblade is a story focused on Kingdom Hearts χ. It was published in Japan on January 25, 2019. It was released in English on December 24, 2019.[9]
Kingdom Hearts III[edit]
Kingdom Hearts III: Vol.1 Re:Start!! is a story focused on Kingdom Hearts III. It was published in Japan on March 28, 2019. It will be released in English on February 25, 2020. Kingdom Hearts III: Vol. 2 New Seven Hearts was released in Japan on July 25, 2019. It was released in English on July 21, 2020. Kingdom Hearts III: Vol. 3 Remind Me Again was released in Japan on May 28, 2020. It was released in English on January 19, 2021.
Special novels[edit]
Short stories[edit]
These are short stories from the main novel series.
- Vol. 1 - Other Diamonds
- Vol. 2 - Axel-Seven Days
Other[edit]
- Roxas-Somewhere in Time
Released along with Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix in the Kingdom Hearts Another Report pre-order bonus book.
Collector's Set[edit]
On December 21, 2021, Yen Press released a special collector's set which contains all twelve English-version volumes. This collector's set also included an envelope with 13 art prints and a metal keychain replica of Sora's Kingdom Key.[10]
Notes and references[edit]
- ^ Yen Press - Kingdom Hearts: The Novel
- ^ Kingdom Hearts: The Novel - Barnes and Noble
- ^ Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories The Novel - Amazon.com
- ^ Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories The Novel by Tomoco Kanemaki - Barnes & Noble
- ^ Kingdom Hearts II: The Novel Volume 1 to release June 2017!
- ^ a b c Yen Press Licenses More Kingdom Hearts Light Novel Series
- ^ Kingdom Hearts Re:coded (light novel) on Yen Press official website
- ^ Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance (light novel) on Yen Press official website
- ^ Kingdom Hearts X: Your Keyblade, Your Story The Novel (light novel) on Yen Press official website
- ^ Kingdom Hearts: The Complete Novel Collector's Edition