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{{Game|BBS|FMB|RCO|DDD|HD2}}
{{Game|RCO|BBS|FMB|DDD|DHD}}
{{suite}}
{{suite}}
{{Enemy
{{Character
|name=Braig
|name=Braig
|image=[[File:Braig KHBBS.png|350x400px]]
|image=[[File:Braig (Scarred) KHBBS.png|350x400px]]
|tab1=Unscarred
|image2=[[File:Braig (Scarred) KHBBS.png|350x400px]]
|tab2=Scarred
|katakana=ブライグ
|katakana=ブライグ
|romaji=Buraigu
|romaji=Buraigu
Line 16: Line 13:
|game2=Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
|game2=Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
|enva=James Patrick Stuart
|enva=James Patrick Stuart
|java=Hochu Otsuka
|java=Hōchū Ōtsuka
|journalBBS=A mysterious man who is up to something behind the scenes.<br><br>He and Master Xehanort have an understanding; Braig staged the Master's kidnapping to draw the darkness out of Terra, but that same darkness left Braig scarred.
|journalBBS=A mysterious man who is up to something behind the scenes.<br><br>He and Master Xehanort have an understanding; Braig staged the Master's kidnapping to draw the darkness out of Terra, but that same darkness left Braig scarred.
|s1=Xigbar
|s1=Luxu
|journalDDD=The human form of Xigbar, one of Organization XIII's members. He became a Nobody during a certain experiment.
|s2=Brain
|s3=Bragi
|s4=Xigbar
|journalDDD=The human form of Xigbar, one of Organization XIII's members. He became a Nobody during a certain experiment.
}}
}}
{{Q|For a Keyblade Master, you're not very—what's the word—good?|Braig}}
{{Q|Hey, it's okay. This is all connected to the ancient Keyblade War, isn't that right? Whatever. I got my hands full with my own plans. So, which poor soul will it be?|Braig playing dumb to Young Xehanort}}
'''Braig''', misspelled as "Bleig" in the North American version of ''Kingdom Hearts II'', is the human form of [[Xigbar]]. Though he is one of [[Ansem the Wise]]'s apprentices, he is also working in secret for Master Xehanort.
'''Braig'''<ref>Braig's name is misspelled as "Bleig" in [[Secret Ansem's Report 3]] within the North American version of ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'', but was corrected to "Braig" in ''[[Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix]]''.</ref> is a supporting antagonist in ''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep]]''. A vessel of the ancient [[Keyblade Master]] [[Luxu]], he is one of [[Ansem the Wise]]'s apprentices and the human form of [[Xigbar]].


==Story==
==Story==
===Before ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep''===
Having been instructed by his master to transfer his [[heart]] from one vessel to the next until the fated "Dark Master" appeared to reenact the [[Keyblade War]], Luxu's final role was to become an ally of this individual, [[Master Xehanort]], and aid in his plans in order to continue to observe the future. Luxu decides to pose as a braggart seeking the Keyblade, and chooses Braig as his final vessel.{{Storylink|Secret Report 13}}
===''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep''===
===''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep''===
{{Q|That thing right there. It's called the Keyblade, isn't it? Yep, it seems like these days everybody's got one of those... even grandpa there. When I nabbed him, he told me all about it—what a weapon like that can do. How could I not want one?|Braig to Terra}}
As Braig, he served as an apprentice to [[Ansem the Wise]], the king of [[Radiant Garden]]. He engineered a "chance" encounter with Xehanort,<ref>'''''[[Secret Report 13]]''''', '''Unknown:''' "Until now, I have watched over the course of events from a distance. Perhaps the time has come to intervene. I need only play the role of a fool desirous of the Keyblade's power. I will don the mask of his ally in order to keep watch over my Keyblade from close by."</ref> in which the Keyblade Master agreed to make Braig a [[Keyblade wielder]] in exchange for assisting in his plans to create the [[χ-blade]], and later serving as one of Xehanort's thirteen [[Seekers of Darkness]].<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts III]]''''', '''Xigbar:''' "The old coot promised to [[Bequeathing|bequeath]] me his. Why else do you think I'd put up with all his nonsense?"</ref> As part of their bargain, Braig pretended to take Xehanort captive in order to cultivate [[Terra]]'s [[darkness]].
 
[[File:A Shady Character 01 KHBBS.png|thumb|left|Braig explains Master Xehanort's capture to Terra.]]
[[File:A Shady Character 01 KHBBS.png|thumb|left|Braig explains Master Xehanort's capture to Terra.]]
Prior to [[Eraqus]]'s students coming to [[Radiant Garden]], [[Master Xehanort]] appears before Braig and convinces him to aid him in manipulating [[Terra]] into using his darkness, in return for giving him the means to use a Keyblade.{{fact}}<!--are we sure that was the bargain?-->
Braig locates Terra after he separates from Aqua and Ventus, and leads the skeptical Terra toward the Purification Factory to show him Master Xehanort chained up, much to Terra's horror. Braig then engages Terra in a duel under the pretense of trying to take the boy's [[Keyblade]]. Terra is initially reluctant to fight back out of fear of succumbing to the darkness, but Xehanort goads him on by insinuating that Terra is shaming himself. Conceding to Xehanort's provocations, Terra fights back, in the process drawing on his darkness and scarring Braig. After Terra leaves, the bandaged Braig furiously attempts to gun down Xehanort for setting him up as "collateral damage", but Master Xehanort threatens him into backing down. Sometime later, Xehanort infuses a piece of his heart into Braig's.
 
Braig finds Terra after he separates from Aqua and Ventus, and he leads the skeptical Terra underneath Radiant Garden, where he shows him Master Xehanort chained to a large pole, to Terra's horror. Braig then engages Terra in a duel, intent on eliminating him and taking his Keyblade. Terra is reluctant to fight back out of fear of succumbing to the darkness and endangering Master Xehanort, until the latter screams for him to use the Keyblade and avoid shaming Master Eraqus. Terra fights back and eventually defeats Braig by using the power of darkness, in the process scarring Braig's face and permanently damaging his eye.


After Terra leaves, a bandaged Braig furiously attempts to gun down Xehanort for setting him up as "collateral damage", but Master Xehanort threatens him into backing down and continuing with their plan. Some time later, Xehanort infuses a piece of his heart into Braig's.
Braig later appears in the [[Keyblade Graveyard]], his body having adopted Master Xehanort's yellow eyes and pointed ears; his hair has also grayed somewhat, and he now has a patch over his eye. He appears in front of [[Aqua]] and [[Ventus]], who taunts them and attempts to turn them against Terra by bringing up [[Eraqus]]'s demise. After mocking the angry glare Ventus gives him, Braig is challenged by Aqua and defeated. Since he only needed to buy time for [[Vanitas]] to arrive, Braig promptly flees to Radiant Garden.


{{-}}
[[File:Where the Heart Goes 03 KHBBS.png|thumb|Braig carries Terra-Xehanort, asking Dilan to take in the armor and [[Stormfall|Keyblade]].]]
{{Q|Oh, so this kiddo thinks he's a full-fledged Keyblade wielder? He's got the angry look down.|Braig to Ventus}}
Braig later discovers [[Terra-Xehanort]] and [[Aqua]] had fought in Radiant Garden, leading [[Dilan]] and Ansem to an amnesiac young man who resembles Terra, but with silver hair. The youth gives his name as "Xehanort", to Braig's delight. He asks Dilan to gather Aqua's discarded [[Keyblade Armor]] and [[Stormfall]] Keyblade as he carries Terra-Xehanort to the castle on Ansem's order.
[[File:Kingdom Hearts 05 KHBBS.png|thumb|right|Braig comments on Ventus's glare.]]
Braig later appears in the [[Keyblade Graveyard]], his body adopting Master Xehanort's yellow eye color and pointed ears. He appears in front of [[Aqua]] and [[Ventus]], attempting to turn them against Terra, but they refuse to forsake their friend. After mocking the angry glare Ventus gives him, Braig is challenged by Aqua and defeated. Since he had only needed to buy time for [[Vanitas]], he turns and runs. Aqua gives chase, but she turns back, not wanting to leave Ventus alone in his vulnerable state, and Braig returns to Radiant Garden.


[[File:Where the Heart Goes 03 KHBBS.png|thumb|left|Braig carries Terra-Xehanort, asking Dilan to take in the armor and [[Stormfall|Keyblade]].]]
Braig later approaches the new Xehanort, now an apprentice under Ansem, and is dismayed to find that the new Xehanort does not recognize him, and Braig's attempts to help Xehanort remember to serve only to annoy him. At one point, Braig questions if this new Xehanort is actually Terra, but Xehanort still does not respond, much to Braig's relief. Nevertheless, Braig promises to look out for Xehanort.
After Aqua defeats [[Terra-Xehanort]], Braig leads [[Dilan]] and Ansem to the amnesiac young man. Braig smiles triumphantly to himself, satisfied that the elder Master's plan worked. He asks Dilan to gather Aqua's discarded [[Keyblade Armor]] and Keyblade as he carries Terra-Xehanort to the castle on Ansem's order.
{{-}}
{{-}}
{{Q|Hey! Mister Master. Oh c'mon, you don't even know your pal? Please tell me the amnesia was just a sick joke. Boy, this is some cliché.|Braig to Terra-Xehanort}}
[[File:Blank Points 03 KHBBS.png|thumb|right|Braig ponders if Xehanort is Terra.]]
Braig later approaches the new Xehanort, now an apprentice under Ansem, and is dismayed to find that the new Xehanort does not recognize him, and Braig's attempts to help Xehanort remember serve only to annoy him. At one point, Braig questions if this new Xehanort is actually Terra, but Xehanort still does not respond, much to Braig's relief. Nevertheless, Braig promises to look out for Xehanort.


===Between ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep'' and ''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days''===
===Between ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep'' and ''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days''===
After Ansem began performing tests on Xehanort's heart, Braig convinces the other apprentices to aid him and Xehanort in conducting inhumane experiments on the human heart and the darkness within it, in the attempt to remove one's sense of self, which would allow them to create vessels for Master Xehanort's heart. These experiments led to the mass release of [[Heartless]] into the Realm of Light. Ansem eventually discovered their secret experiments and immediately ordered them to be ceased.
After Ansem began performing tests on Xehanort's heart, Braig convinces the other apprentices to aid him and Xehanort in conducting inhumane experiments on the human heart and the darkness within it, in the attempt to remove one's sense of self, which would allow them to create vessels for Master Xehanort's heart. These experiments led to the mass release of [[Heartless]] into the [[Realm of Light]].{{Storylink|Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance}} Among the subjects was a girl dubbed "[[Subject X]]" with no memory of her past aside from the phrase "May your heart by your guiding key" and that she needed to meet five certain people again. Braig freed her for an unknown reason.{{Storylink|Secret Report 1}}<ref>'''''[[Secret Report 1]]''''': "One day, a man came to take me from the prison. I could not see him for the darkness, save that he wore an eyepatch."</ref><!-- leading Ansem to put an end to their experiments as he feared they caused the girl to vanish.{{?}} Xehanort, on the other hand, believed Ansem had found something in Subject X's memories and hid her away.{{Storylink|Kingdom Hearts III}}{{?}}--cite correct report---->


[[File:My Name is Ansem 04 KH3D.png|thumb|left|After being stabbed by Xehanort, Braig falls to the ground and loses his heart.]]
[[File:My Name is Ansem 04 KH3D.png|thumb|left|After being stabbed by Xehanort, Braig falls to the ground and loses his heart.]]
Soon after, Braig and the other five apprentices banished Ansem the Wise to the [[Realm of Darkness]]. They continue their experiments in the meantime, until Even and Ienzo are overcome by darkness in Ansem's computer room. Braig demands an explanation from Xehanort, who summons his Keyblade and stabs Braig in the chest, removing his heart.{{storylink|Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance}} Not long afterwards, Xehanort, taking the name "Ansem", gave his own heart over to darkness, becoming a Heartless and Nobody. Although his heart was removed and became a Heartless, Braig's strong will enabled his body to continue existing as the [[Nobody]] Xigbar. Under [[Xemnas]], Xehanort's Nobody, and Xigbar, the Nobodies of the six apprentices formed [[Organization XIII]].
Soon after, Braig, Xehanort, Dilan, [[Aeleus]], and [[Even]] banished Ansem the Wise to the [[Realm of Darkness]], {{Storylink|Secret Ansem Reports}} telling [[Ienzo]] that Ansem had gone mad and abandoned them. {{storylink|Kingdom Hearts III}} They continue their experiments in the meantime until Even and Ienzo are overcome by darkness in Ansem's computer room. Braig demands an explanation from Xehanort, who summons his [[No Name]] Keyblade and stabs Braig in the chest, removing his heart.{{storylink|Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance}} Not long afterward, Xehanort, taking the name "Ansem", gave his own heart over to darkness, becoming a Heartless and Nobody. Although his heart was removed and became a Heartless, Braig's strong will enabled his body to continue existing as the [[Nobody]] Xigbar. Under [[Xemnas]], Xehanort's Nobody, and Xigbar, the Nobodies of the six apprentices formed [[Organization XIII]].
{{-}}
{{-}}


===''Kingdom Hearts Re:coded''===
===''Kingdom Hearts Re:coded''===
{{Q|Hey, it's okay. This is all connected to the ancient Keyblade War, isn't that right? Whatever. I got my hands full with my own plans. So, which poor soul will it be?|Braig to Young Xehanort}}
[[File:Destiny 01 KHREC.png|thumb|Braig asks Young Xehanort which of the former Organization XIII members will become Master Xehanort's next vessel.]]
Following the destruction of the members Organization XIII and their Heartless counterparts, Braig and the rest of Ansem's apprentices, along with Lea and Isa, are resurrected in Hollow Bastion's computer room. Some time later, Braig converses with the time-traveling Young Xehanort and notes Terra-Xehanort's absence, indicating that Master Xehanort's master plan is in action. Braig is unsure of what it is. An equally unsure Young Xehanort expresses the importance of his elderly self's Keyblade, which Braig surmises as part of the Keyblade War. Braig then contemplates on whom he should bring along as part of his own plan, Young Xehanort's answer beginning with an "S."
Following the destruction of Organization XIII and their Heartless counterparts, Braig, Dilan, Even, Aeleus, Ienzo, Isa, and Lea are restored within [[Ansem's Study]]. Braig is awakened by a time-traveling [[Young Xehanort]] and realizes that he must become Xigbar again to continue Master Xehanort's plan. The two discuss the plan for a short period, then agree to bring Isa with them, as [[Saïx]].{{storylink|Destiny}}


===''Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance''===
===''Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance''===
Despite the destruction of his Heartless and Xigbar, Braig does not reappear in Radiant Garden with Dilan, Even, Aeleus, Ienzo, and [[Lea]], which prompts Lea to venture out to search for him and [[Isa]].
When Dilan, Even, Aeleus, Ienzo, and [[Lea]], awaken in Radiant Garden, Braig's and [[Isa]]'s absence causes them to think the two have not returned, which prompts Lea to venture out to search for them.


Later, Xigbar reveals to [[Sora]] his original self's pact with Xehanort and the fact that he is "already half-Xehanort."
Later, Xigbar reveals Braig's pact with Xehanort to [[Sora]], as well as the fact that he himself is "already half-Xehanort."


==Appearance==
==Design==
Braig wears a guard's uniform with a dark slate grey jacket, silver highlights, and two rows of gold buttons on the front. He wears a black belt and white gloves adorned with a silver, curled heart symbol. His jacket bears some resemblance to Xigbar's [[Black Coat|black coat]], sporting the same pointed shoulders. He also wears black, knee-high boots and a tattered, red scarf. In terms of facial features, Braig sports brown eyes, though they turn gold upon his acceptance of a piece of Master Xehanort's heart, upturned eyebrows, and dark, shoulder-length hair that he wears slicked back. After his fight against Terra, he loses his right eye and receives a jagged scar over his left cheek, making him and Master Eraqus the only two characters that are seen receiving scars during the story. After he takes the bandages off, Braig wears an eyepatch to cover his lost eye.
Braig wears a guard's uniform with a dark slate grey jacket, silver highlights, and two rows of gold buttons on the front. He wears a black belt and white gloves adorned with a silver, curled heart symbol. His jacket bears some resemblance to Xigbar's [[black coat]], sporting the same pointed shoulders. He also wears black, knee-high boots and a tattered, red scarf. In terms of facial features, Braig sports brown eyes, though they turn to gold upon his acceptance of a piece of Master Xehanort's heart, upturned eyebrows, and dark, shoulder-length hair that he wears slicked back. After his fight against Terra, he loses his right eye and receives a jagged scar over his left cheek, making him and Master Eraqus the only two characters that are seen receiving scars during the story. After he takes the bandages off, Braig wears an eyepatch to cover his lost eye. Braig's ears also gain noticeable points after he accepts a piece of Master Xehanort's heart.


Braig wields two Arrowguns shaped like crossbows. They are colored in shades of silver and a faded, metallic purple and adorned with the same curled heart symbol as his gloves.
Braig wields two Arrowguns shaped like crossbows. They are colored in shades of silver and a faded, metallic purple and adorned with the same curled heart symbol as his gloves.


==Personality==
==Personality==
Since Braig is the original persona of Xigbar, he possesses most of Xigbar's personality. He is shown to have a laid-back, cocky attitude, and he often does not take things seriously. Braig appears be cruel and sadistic at times, as seen when he nonchalantly approaches Aqua and Ventus and asks which one of them wants to be destroyed first. He is a skilled manipulator, easily goading Terra into fighting him and successfully stalling for time in his battle with Aqua.
Since Braig is the original persona of Xigbar, he possesses most of Xigbar's personality. He is shown to have a laidback, cocky attitude, and he often does not take things seriously. Braig often refers to Master Xehanort as an "old coot" and, like Xigbar, punctuates his sentences with, "As if." Braig appears to be cruel and sadistic at times, as seen when he nonchalantly approaches Aqua and Ventus and asks which one of them wants to be destroyed first. He is a skilled manipulator, easily goading Terra into fighting him and successfully stalling for time in his battle with Aqua.  


Braig often refers to Master Xehanort as an "old coot" and, like Xigbar, punctuates his sentences with, "As if."
Braig has a deep fascination with the Keyblade and his desire to possess one of his own is what led him to join Master Xehanort in the first place. Ultimately, he allowed Master Xehanort to begin transforming him into one of his twelve vessels just to gain the ability to wield a Keyblade, even at the eventual cost of his individuality. Though normally loyal to Xehanort, Braig attempted to attack the old man after his fight with Terra, angry that he had been hurt despite Xehanort's guarantee to the contrary.


Braig has a deep fascination with the Keyblade and his desire to possess one of his own is what led him to join Master Xehanort in the first place. Ultimately, he allowed Master Xehanort to make him the first of his twelve clones just to gain the ability to wield a Keyblade, even at the eventual cost of his individuality. Though normally loyal to Xehanort, Braig attempted to attack the old man after his fight with Terra, angry that he had been hurt despite Xehanort's guarantee to the contrary.
Braig's infatuation with the Keyblade is simply a cover used to join Master Xehanort and serve as his right-hand. With no knowledge of the future or the true extent of Xehanort's plans, Braig follows his master's orders loyally by assisting Xehanort when both serve as Ansem the Wise's apprentices, becoming a Nobody in the process, and aids the villain in recreating the Keyblade War and completing Kingdom Hearts.
 
The end of ''Kingdom Hearts III'', however, reveals that as a vessel of Luxu, Braig and Xigbar's personality is an entire ruse Luxu made up in order to get close to Master Xehanort.


==Abilities==
==Abilities==
{{Q|You better start running!|Braig, during his battle with Terra}}
{{Q|You better start running!|Braig, during his battle with Terra}}
[[File:Braig Battle 01 KHBBS.png|200px|bottom|thumb|The Japanese release on the left, English on the right.]]
[[File:Braig Battle 01 KHBBS.png|200px|bottom|thumb|The Japanese release on the left, English on the right.]]
Like Xigbar, Braig wields twin Arrowguns in battle, using them to fire a variety of quick shots. He uses a telescopic view in battle and is able to teleport, warp his bullets, and levitate upside-down via space distortion. As with his Nobody's, Braig's HUD display has a silhouette of his Arrowguns in each of the four cardinal directions. The shots Braig fires when he is sniping are violet like Xigbar's, but they seem to have explosive properties to them. He can also combine his two weapons into one in order to fire powerful shots in rapid succession. Braig is also very agile, able to make high leaps into the air, and quickly run around opponents while leaving after-images of himself.
Like Xigbar, Braig wields twin [[Arrowgun]]s in battle, using them to fire a variety of quick shots. He uses a telescopic view in battle and is able to teleport, warp his bullets, and levitate upside-down via space distortion. As with Xigbar, in the original Japanese release of ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep'', Braig's HUD display has a silhouette of his Arrowguns in each of the four cardinal directions, which is drastically altered in the Western release and ''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix]]'' to show three violet dots vaguely showing Braig's aim. The shots Braig fires when he is sniping are violet like Xigbar's, but they seem to have explosive properties to them. He can also combine his two weapons into one in order to fire powerful shots in rapid succession. Braig is also very agile, able to make high leaps into the air, and quickly run around opponents while leaving after-images of himself.


In the Western and ''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix|Final Mix]]'' releases of ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep'', his targeting reticule was changed drastically, much like it was for his Nobody, Xigbar. Instead of the crosshair-shaped reticule used when fighting Terra, the American, European, and ''Final Mix'' versions simply showed three violet dots, vaguely showing Braig's aim.
{{-}}
{{-}}
<center><gallery>
File:Braig's Arrowgun.png|One of Braig's Arrowguns
</gallery></center>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:The Power to Steal Hearts 02 KHBBS.png|Braig wearing bandages.
File:Braig KHBBS.png|Braig as he appeared prior to getting scarred.
File:Braig's Arrowgun.png|Braig's Arrowgun.
</gallery>
</gallery>


==Notes and references==
{{reflist}}
{{Coded}}
{{BBS}}
{{BBS}}
{{coded}}
{{DDD}}
{{DDD}}
[[Category:Antagonists]]
[[Category:Antagonists]]

Latest revision as of 22:39, 4 September 2024

Braig

Braig with his eyepatch in Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep'

Japanese ブライグ
Rōmaji Buraigu
Voice actors (Ja:) Hōchū Ōtsuka
(En:) James Patrick Stuart
Homeworld Radiant Garden
Games Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
Variations
Luxu
Brain
Bragi
Xigbar
Braig

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
A mysterious man who is up to something behind the scenes.

He and Master Xehanort have an understanding; Braig staged the Master's kidnapping to draw the darkness out of Terra, but that same darkness left Braig scarred.
Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
The human form of Xigbar, one of Organization XIII's members. He became a Nobody during a certain experiment.
"Hey, it's okay. This is all connected to the ancient Keyblade War, isn't that right? Whatever. I got my hands full with my own plans. So, which poor soul will it be?"
—Braig playing dumb to Young Xehanort

Braig[1] is a supporting antagonist in Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep. A vessel of the ancient Keyblade Master Luxu, he is one of Ansem the Wise's apprentices and the human form of Xigbar.

Story[edit]

Before Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep[edit]

Having been instructed by his master to transfer his heart from one vessel to the next until the fated "Dark Master" appeared to reenact the Keyblade War, Luxu's final role was to become an ally of this individual, Master Xehanort, and aid in his plans in order to continue to observe the future. Luxu decides to pose as a braggart seeking the Keyblade, and chooses Braig as his final vessel. Secret Report 13

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep[edit]

As Braig, he served as an apprentice to Ansem the Wise, the king of Radiant Garden. He engineered a "chance" encounter with Xehanort,[2] in which the Keyblade Master agreed to make Braig a Keyblade wielder in exchange for assisting in his plans to create the χ-blade, and later serving as one of Xehanort's thirteen Seekers of Darkness.[3] As part of their bargain, Braig pretended to take Xehanort captive in order to cultivate Terra's darkness.

Braig explains Master Xehanort's capture to Terra.

Braig locates Terra after he separates from Aqua and Ventus, and leads the skeptical Terra toward the Purification Factory to show him Master Xehanort chained up, much to Terra's horror. Braig then engages Terra in a duel under the pretense of trying to take the boy's Keyblade. Terra is initially reluctant to fight back out of fear of succumbing to the darkness, but Xehanort goads him on by insinuating that Terra is shaming himself. Conceding to Xehanort's provocations, Terra fights back, in the process drawing on his darkness and scarring Braig. After Terra leaves, the bandaged Braig furiously attempts to gun down Xehanort for setting him up as "collateral damage", but Master Xehanort threatens him into backing down. Sometime later, Xehanort infuses a piece of his heart into Braig's.

Braig later appears in the Keyblade Graveyard, his body having adopted Master Xehanort's yellow eyes and pointed ears; his hair has also grayed somewhat, and he now has a patch over his eye. He appears in front of Aqua and Ventus, who taunts them and attempts to turn them against Terra by bringing up Eraqus's demise. After mocking the angry glare Ventus gives him, Braig is challenged by Aqua and defeated. Since he only needed to buy time for Vanitas to arrive, Braig promptly flees to Radiant Garden.

Braig carries Terra-Xehanort, asking Dilan to take in the armor and Keyblade.

Braig later discovers Terra-Xehanort and Aqua had fought in Radiant Garden, leading Dilan and Ansem to an amnesiac young man who resembles Terra, but with silver hair. The youth gives his name as "Xehanort", to Braig's delight. He asks Dilan to gather Aqua's discarded Keyblade Armor and Stormfall Keyblade as he carries Terra-Xehanort to the castle on Ansem's order.

Braig later approaches the new Xehanort, now an apprentice under Ansem, and is dismayed to find that the new Xehanort does not recognize him, and Braig's attempts to help Xehanort remember to serve only to annoy him. At one point, Braig questions if this new Xehanort is actually Terra, but Xehanort still does not respond, much to Braig's relief. Nevertheless, Braig promises to look out for Xehanort.

Between Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep and Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days[edit]

After Ansem began performing tests on Xehanort's heart, Braig convinces the other apprentices to aid him and Xehanort in conducting inhumane experiments on the human heart and the darkness within it, in the attempt to remove one's sense of self, which would allow them to create vessels for Master Xehanort's heart. These experiments led to the mass release of Heartless into the Realm of Light. Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance Among the subjects was a girl dubbed "Subject X" with no memory of her past aside from the phrase "May your heart by your guiding key" and that she needed to meet five certain people again. Braig freed her for an unknown reason. Secret Report 1[4]

After being stabbed by Xehanort, Braig falls to the ground and loses his heart.

Soon after, Braig, Xehanort, Dilan, Aeleus, and Even banished Ansem the Wise to the Realm of Darkness, Secret Ansem Reports telling Ienzo that Ansem had gone mad and abandoned them. Kingdom Hearts III They continue their experiments in the meantime until Even and Ienzo are overcome by darkness in Ansem's computer room. Braig demands an explanation from Xehanort, who summons his No Name Keyblade and stabs Braig in the chest, removing his heart. Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance Not long afterward, Xehanort, taking the name "Ansem", gave his own heart over to darkness, becoming a Heartless and Nobody. Although his heart was removed and became a Heartless, Braig's strong will enabled his body to continue existing as the Nobody Xigbar. Under Xemnas, Xehanort's Nobody, and Xigbar, the Nobodies of the six apprentices formed Organization XIII.

Kingdom Hearts Re:coded[edit]

A screenshot from the cutscene "Destiny."
Braig asks Young Xehanort which of the former Organization XIII members will become Master Xehanort's next vessel.

Following the destruction of Organization XIII and their Heartless counterparts, Braig, Dilan, Even, Aeleus, Ienzo, Isa, and Lea are restored within Ansem's Study. Braig is awakened by a time-traveling Young Xehanort and realizes that he must become Xigbar again to continue Master Xehanort's plan. The two discuss the plan for a short period, then agree to bring Isa with them, as Saïx. Destiny

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance[edit]

When Dilan, Even, Aeleus, Ienzo, and Lea, awaken in Radiant Garden, Braig's and Isa's absence causes them to think the two have not returned, which prompts Lea to venture out to search for them.

Later, Xigbar reveals Braig's pact with Xehanort to Sora, as well as the fact that he himself is "already half-Xehanort."

Design[edit]

Braig wears a guard's uniform with a dark slate grey jacket, silver highlights, and two rows of gold buttons on the front. He wears a black belt and white gloves adorned with a silver, curled heart symbol. His jacket bears some resemblance to Xigbar's black coat, sporting the same pointed shoulders. He also wears black, knee-high boots and a tattered, red scarf. In terms of facial features, Braig sports brown eyes, though they turn to gold upon his acceptance of a piece of Master Xehanort's heart, upturned eyebrows, and dark, shoulder-length hair that he wears slicked back. After his fight against Terra, he loses his right eye and receives a jagged scar over his left cheek, making him and Master Eraqus the only two characters that are seen receiving scars during the story. After he takes the bandages off, Braig wears an eyepatch to cover his lost eye. Braig's ears also gain noticeable points after he accepts a piece of Master Xehanort's heart.

Braig wields two Arrowguns shaped like crossbows. They are colored in shades of silver and a faded, metallic purple and adorned with the same curled heart symbol as his gloves.

Personality[edit]

Since Braig is the original persona of Xigbar, he possesses most of Xigbar's personality. He is shown to have a laidback, cocky attitude, and he often does not take things seriously. Braig often refers to Master Xehanort as an "old coot" and, like Xigbar, punctuates his sentences with, "As if." Braig appears to be cruel and sadistic at times, as seen when he nonchalantly approaches Aqua and Ventus and asks which one of them wants to be destroyed first. He is a skilled manipulator, easily goading Terra into fighting him and successfully stalling for time in his battle with Aqua.

Braig has a deep fascination with the Keyblade and his desire to possess one of his own is what led him to join Master Xehanort in the first place. Ultimately, he allowed Master Xehanort to begin transforming him into one of his twelve vessels just to gain the ability to wield a Keyblade, even at the eventual cost of his individuality. Though normally loyal to Xehanort, Braig attempted to attack the old man after his fight with Terra, angry that he had been hurt despite Xehanort's guarantee to the contrary.

Braig's infatuation with the Keyblade is simply a cover used to join Master Xehanort and serve as his right-hand. With no knowledge of the future or the true extent of Xehanort's plans, Braig follows his master's orders loyally by assisting Xehanort when both serve as Ansem the Wise's apprentices, becoming a Nobody in the process, and aids the villain in recreating the Keyblade War and completing Kingdom Hearts.

The end of Kingdom Hearts III, however, reveals that as a vessel of Luxu, Braig and Xigbar's personality is an entire ruse Luxu made up in order to get close to Master Xehanort.

Abilities[edit]

"You better start running!"
—Braig, during his battle with Terra
The Japanese release on the left, English on the right.

Like Xigbar, Braig wields twin Arrowguns in battle, using them to fire a variety of quick shots. He uses a telescopic view in battle and is able to teleport, warp his bullets, and levitate upside-down via space distortion. As with Xigbar, in the original Japanese release of Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, Braig's HUD display has a silhouette of his Arrowguns in each of the four cardinal directions, which is drastically altered in the Western release and Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix to show three violet dots vaguely showing Braig's aim. The shots Braig fires when he is sniping are violet like Xigbar's, but they seem to have explosive properties to them. He can also combine his two weapons into one in order to fire powerful shots in rapid succession. Braig is also very agile, able to make high leaps into the air, and quickly run around opponents while leaving after-images of himself.

Gallery[edit]

Notes and references[edit]

  1. ^ Braig's name is misspelled as "Bleig" in Secret Ansem's Report 3 within the North American version of Kingdom Hearts II, but was corrected to "Braig" in Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix.
  2. ^ Secret Report 13, Unknown: "Until now, I have watched over the course of events from a distance. Perhaps the time has come to intervene. I need only play the role of a fool desirous of the Keyblade's power. I will don the mask of his ally in order to keep watch over my Keyblade from close by."
  3. ^ Kingdom Hearts III, Xigbar: "The old coot promised to bequeath me his. Why else do you think I'd put up with all his nonsense?"
  4. ^ Secret Report 1: "One day, a man came to take me from the prison. I could not see him for the darkness, save that he wore an eyepatch."