Kingdom Hearts Final Mix
Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories
Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories
Kingdom Hearts II
Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

Organization XIII: Difference between revisions

From the Kingdom Hearts Wiki, the Kingdom Hearts encyclopedia
Jump to navigationJump to search
(Nomura described it as "if you kill the Heartless then the Nobody, they'll return". Let's not make speculation, here)
mNo edit summary
 
(429 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Game|FM1|COM|REC|KH2|FM2|358}}
{{Game|FM1|COM|REC|KH2|FM2|358}}
[[Image:Symbol Of the Nobodies.png|right|150px|Organization XIII's logo]]
{{Youmay|the original Organization XIII|[[Real Organization XIII|the real Organization XIII]], [[Organization XIII (track)|the musical theme]], or [[Card 03: Organization XIII|the chapter in the ''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories'' manga]]}}
{{nihongo|'''Organization XIII'''|XIII機関|Jūsan Kikan|lit. "XIII Order"}}is a group of thirteen powerful [[Nobody|Nobodies]] who seek to reclaim their [[heart]]s and become whole again. They are the antagonists of ''[[Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories]]'' and ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'', and all are playable in the game ''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]'' which happens after Roxas's birth.  
[[File:Organization XIII KHD.png|thumb|400px|The members of Organization XIII.]]
{{nihongo|'''Organization XIII'''|XIII機関|Jūsan Kikan}}, sometimes simply called the '''Organization''', is a group of thirteen powerful [[Nobody|Nobodies]] led by [[Xemnas]], who seek to reclaim their [[heart]]s and become whole again by creating [[Kingdom Hearts]]. Although the group only has thirteen "true" members, it includes a fourteenth pseudo-member, [[Xion]]. They serve as major antagonists throughout the [[Dark Seeker Saga]], with their members appearing in every game except the original ''{{c|Kingdom Hearts|game}}'' and ''[[Kingdom Hearts coded]]'', and are, unbeknownst to all but their highest ranks, the main agents of [[Xehanort]]'s own plans to conquer Kingdom Hearts.


Organization XIII debuted in ''[[Kingdom Hearts Final Mix]]'', as [[Xemnas]] was a secret boss at [[Hollow Bastion]]. The group officially debuted in ''Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories'', then known as simply, ''the Organization''. In [[Sora|Sora's]] story, the player was introduced to [[Marluxia]], [[Axel]], [[Larxene]], and [[Vexen]]. In Reverse/Rebirth, Riku's story, [[Zexion]] and [[Lexaeus]] were added to the cast.
Members of Organization XIII first appeared in ''[[Another side, Another story...]]'', and they debuted in canon through the [[Game:Xemnas|Unknown]], who serves as a boss battle in ''[[Kingdom Hearts Final Mix]]''. The group itself was introduced in ''[[Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories]]'', and while the members usually serve as bosses, they were even made playable in ''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]''.


The Organization's remaining members appeared in ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'' as the main antagonists. In this second installment, the player meets [[Xigbar]], [[Xaldin]], [[Saïx]], [[Demyx]], [[Luxord]], [[Roxas]], the returning member, [[Axel]], and the leader [[Xemnas]]. Another member of Organization XIII was added in ''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]'', when [[Xion]] was added to the group.
Because all of the members are Nobodies they lack their original hearts, and it is initially claimed in ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'' that this means they cannot have emotions, instead relying on acting to unnerve and toy with their opponents. The Organization yearns to discover the secrets of the heart and become full beings again by gathering hearts to form [[Kingdom Hearts]]. Despite this, most of the members begin demonstrating true emotions as time goes on, and it is eventually revealed that while they lacked their original hearts, Xemnas's plan revolved around filling the hole with pieces of his own heart, essentially turning each of them into copies of himself. Despite lacking normal emotions, or perhaps because of it, many members of the group are remarkably disloyal to its head, and much of their story revolves around key betrayals or attempted coups.
 
Because (almost) all the members are Nobodies, they lack hearts, meaning they also have no emotions. The Organization yearns to discover the secrets of the heart and fill the empty void inside themselves by gathering hearts to form [[Kingdom Hearts (combined heart)|Kingdom Hearts]] so they can become full beings again. While each member is aware of their lack of emotions - a fact that makes them feel inadequate - many of them pretend to have emotions (e.i. Saïx's enraged battle style and Larxene's giggling and winking). The ''Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories'' manga and several other media forms provide an alternative view, saying that they ''do'' have emotions, but are plagued by a feeling of uncertainty and emptiness due to not having hearts. The manga further displays this "plagued" feeling by showing the members engaging in tasks like jigsaw puzzles, cooking, and reading to try to fill their emptiness.
 
This group's inclusion to the ''Kingdom Hearts'' storyline marks the more mature nature of the ''Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories'' and ''Kingdom Hearts II'' storylines, as they introduce the concepts of duplicity among the villains, minor physical abuse, manipulation of sentimental matters and, on some level, real death (the Heartless invasion of Hollow Bastion, which was Organization XIII's doing, inadvertently incapacitates [[Goofy]] for a short time, leading even the player to falsely believe that he is dead).
 
{{spoiler}}
Each Organization member has an anagram of their name added with an "X" added, due to Xemnas's remaining memories of the [[X-Blade]].{{fact}}
{{spoilerend}}


==Story==
==Story==
===Origin===
===''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep''===
Organization XIII was formed by a group of scientists working under a man called [[Ansem the Wise]], the ruler of [[Radiant Garden]], and worked from Ansem's castle, Hollow Bastion. The head of this group was Ansem's apprentice, [[Xehanort]], with the others being [[Braig]], [[Dilan]], [[Even]], [[Aeleus]], and [[Ienzo]]. Ansem the Wise began initiating tests about the human heart, focusing mainly on Xehanort, with the hopes of recovering his lost memories. At the urging of Ienzo, he constructed a massive laboratory under the castle. However, Ansem the Wise soon ceased his experiments, for he feared that going too deep would have grave repercussions, also noting Xehanort's apparently-superhuman abilities.
[[File:Apprentices of Ansem KHBBS.png|left|230px|thumb|The six founders of Organization XIII.]]
[[File:OrgXIII.png|right|400px|thumb|Organization XIII]]
Ten years ago, the founding members of the Organization live in [[Radiant Garden]] as humans. [[Ventus]] encounters [[Dilan]], [[Even]], [[Aeleus]], and [[Ienzo]], who work in [[Ansem the Wise]]'s castle, as his guards and apprentices. He also meets [[Isa]] and [[Lea]], two youths who have an interest in the castle.
However, his six apprentices, still seduced by the desire for knowledge, conducted their own dangerous experiments on countless subjects. Eventually, they discovered the beings called [[Heartless]], those that are born from the darkness in a heart and seek others as well. Xehanort, having taken on Ansem's name and writing his findings under it, opened a door he discovered, breaking down the barriers between worlds and allowing travel between them. When a king named [[Mickey Mouse|Mickey]] arrived, the six men's desire for knowledge eventually caused Xehanort to abandon his body, becoming a Heartless (though he was unusual in that he had a human form and retained his memories), with the other five soon following. Thus, the first six members of Organization XIII were born, and they banished Ansem to a [[Realm of Nothingness]].
 
[[Braig]] serves as a co-conspirator in [[Master Xehanort]]'s ruthless ambitions, acquiring his signature scars and eyepatch following a battle against [[Terra]]. He appears at the [[Keyblade Graveyard]] to assist Xehanort, occupying [[Aqua]] and [[Ventus]]'s attention. By this time, Braig houses a piece of Xehanort's heart inside himself.
===''[[Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories]]''===
The Organization make their first appearance in the series (apart from [[Xemnas]]'s appearance in ''Kingdom Hearts Final Mix''). The neophytes - [[Marluxia]] and [[Larxene]] - tried to take control of the Organization by using [[Sora]] as their puppet, while the senior members - [[Zexion]], [[Lexaeus]], and [[Vexen]], tried to oppose them by using the darkness in [[Riku]]. However, all of them, save [[Axel]], were eliminated.
After [[Terra-Xehanort]] is taken in by Ansem the Wise, Braig works together with him, laying the foundations for Organization XIII.
 
{{-}}
===''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]''===
The story largely focuses on [[Roxas]]'s time as a member of the Organization XIII, and thus, all the members are present here. This and ''[[Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep]]'' are the only installments to date where the fourteenth member, [[Xion]], is ever mentioned.
 
===''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]''===
Only seven members ([[Demyx]], [[Xaldin]], [[Xigbar]], [[Luxord]], and [[Saïx]]) of the Organization remained at the beginning of ''Kingdom Hearts II''. Sora and his friends took every single remaining member down, save Roxas, who became one with Sora, and Axel, who sacrificed himself so that Sora and his friends could save Kairi. In the end, Organization XIII is ultimately destroyed when Sora and Riku defeat Xemnas.


===''[[Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep]]''===
===Between ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep'' and ''Kingdom Hearts''===
{{Spoiler}}
[[File:My Name is Ansem 01 KH3D.png|thumb|200px|Even and Ienzo moments before they turn into Vexen and Zexion.]]
While Dilan, Even, Aeleus, Ienzo, [[Isa]] and [[Lea]] appear in the game in minor roles, Braig serves as a major player in [[Master Xehanort]]'s ruthless ambitions, acquiring his signature scars and eyepatch following a battle against Terra. Of Ansem's apprentices, Braig plays the largest role overall in the story until the appearance of Xehanort. Axel, Roxas and Xion also appear in the game's secret ending. The original forms of Demyx, Luxord, Marluxia and Larxene, however, do not appear.
Organization XIII was formed by a group of researchers working under [[Ansem the Wise]], the ruler of [[Radiant Garden]], within his castle of Hollow Bastion. The head of this group was Ansem's apprentice, [[Xehanort]], with the others being [[Braig]], [[Dilan]], [[Even]], [[Aeleus]], and [[Ienzo]]. Ansem the Wise began initiating tests about the human heart, focusing mainly on Xehanort, with the hopes of recovering his lost memories. At the urging of Ienzo, he constructed a massive laboratory under the castle. However, Ansem the Wise soon ceased his experiments, for he feared that going too deep would have grave repercussions, also noting Xehanort's apparently-superhuman abilities.
{{Spoilerend}}


==Inner workings==
However, his six apprentices, still seduced by the desire for knowledge, conducted their own dangerous experiments on countless subjects. Eventually, they discovered the beings called [[Heartless]], those that are born from the [[darkness]] in a heart and seek others as well. Xehanort, having taken on Ansem's name and writing his findings under it, opened a door he discovered, breaking down the barriers between worlds and allowing travel between them. Isa and Lea became apprentices in order to rescue [[Subject X]] a girl they befriended and was one of the test subjects. When a king named [[Mickey Mouse|Mickey]] arrived, the six men's desire for knowledge eventually caused Xehanort to abandon his [[body]], becoming a Heartless (though he was unusual in that he had a human form and retained his memories), with the other seven soon following. Thus, the first six members of Organization XIII were born, and they banished Ansem to a [[Realm of Darkness]] with the seventh and eighth members joined afterwards.
===Dress===
[[Image:Cloak.jpg|thumb|124px|left|A cloaked and hooded member of Organization XIII (Xemnas).]]
Each member in the Organization dons the same uniform, regardless of whether they are male or female. The uniform consists of a [[Black Coat|single black leather hooded coat]]. It is plainly adorned with a silver zipper and seemingly pointless silver beaded pull strings for the hood that form a semi-circle in the middle. Each member wears their zippers at differing points.


Not much is known about the under garments of the Organization. It is known, however, that they all wear [[wikipedia:hakama|hakama]]-esque black pants and knee high silver trimmed boots, with the exceptions of Roxas, who wears sneakers of the same color, and Larxene and Xion, who wear a more feminized version of the boots with heels. In addition to this, they all wear black leather gloves of some unknown length, as they disappear under bell shaped sleeves. Some members have different looking coats, for example Axel, whose sleeves are tight around his wrists. Upon closer inspection, it can be seen that the hems of each cloak are each slightly different, as well as the shoulder pads (such as those of Demyx and Xigbar, which seem to be slightly pointed).
Over the next nine years, the Organization increased its numbers from eight to twelve, with [[Demyx]], [[Luxord]], [[Marluxia]] and [[Larxene]] joining their ranks.


Other known characters to wear the cloak are King Mickey, Riku, Xehanort's Heartless,
At some point, the Organization discovered [[Castle Oblivion]], and decided to convert into a second base for the purpose of researching memories. Xemnas secretly had certain members look through the castle to find the [[Chamber of Waking]].
and [[Moogle]]s. Riku obtains his cloak from DiZ and it is presumed Mickey also obtains it from him. It is unknown how DiZ or the Moogles obtained them.


{{Spoiler}}
===''Kingdom Hearts''===
The reason that Organization XIII wears black cloaks is because [[Master Xehanort]], one of Xemnas's original beings, once wore one. As Xemnas regained his memories, he remembered the black cloak that was worn by Master Xehanort, and incorporated the cloak into Organization XIII.<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts Ultimania|Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Ultimania]]''''' "...the Nobody Xemnas was born, and the Organization which he creates take a lot of things from his memories as a human... The coat used by the Organization was something that Master Xehanort originally wore."</ref>
Xemnas appears at [[Hollow Bastion]] to battle Sora, testing his abilities after just recruiting his newly created [[Nobody]], [[Roxas]].
{{Spoilerend}}


===Ranking===
===''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories''===
 
[[File:Marluxia's Graceful Blade 01 KHRECOM.png|thumb|200px|left|Marluxia orders Vexen to eliminate Sora.]]
[[Image:OrganizationXIIIWeapons.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Sketches of Organization XIII's weapons respectively (excluding Xemnas's, Zexion's and Xion's). Artwork by Tetsuya Nomura.]]
The neophytes, [[Marluxia]] and [[Larxene]], try to take control of the Organization by using [[Sora]] as their puppet by manipulating his memories with [[Naminé]]'s magic. The senior members assigned to [[Castle Oblivion]], [[Vexen]], [[Lexaeus]], and [[Zexion]], try to counter his plot by exploiting the powerful darkness that lays within Riku's heart. However, each group ends up being slain by heroes they sought to control, leaving [[Axel]] as the only survivor of the castle.
 
{{sec-stub}}
Ranks within the Organization have little to nothing to do with power. While [[Xehanort]]'s [[Nobody]], known as [[Xemnas]], is the strongest as well as the leader, the rest fall in the order they joined. Thus, their numbered rank is not necessarily representative of their status and power within the Organization. As the group's name describes, one would assume that there are a total of thirteen members. Until the announcement of ''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days'', this was true. Besides having a numerical rank, each member also has an assigned title. The only exception to this is Xion, who is not actually a true member of the order. The ranks and titles are as follows:
 
# [[Xemnas]]; "The Superior of the In-Between;" Controlled [[Sorcerer]]s, used the attribute of Nothingness and weapons called Ethereal Blades.
# [[Xigbar]]; "The Freeshooter;" Controlled [[Sniper]]s, used the attribute of Space and Arrow Guns.
# [[Xaldin]]; "The Whirlwind Lancer;" Controlled [[Dragoon]]s, used the attribute of Wind and six Lances.
# [[Vexen]]; "The Chilly Academic;" used the attribute of Ice and a Shield.
# [[Lexaeus]]; "The Silent Hero;" used the attribute of Earth and an Axe Sword.
# [[Zexion]]; "The Cloaked Schemer;" used the attribute of Illusion and a Lexicon.
# [[Saïx]]; "The Luna Diviner;" Controlled [[Berserker]]s, used the attribute of Moon and a Claymore.
# [[Axel]]; "The Flurry of Dancing Flames;" Controlled [[Assassin]]s, used the attribute of Fire and twin Chakrams.
# [[Demyx]]; "The Melodious Nocturne;" Controlled [[Dancer]]s, used the attribute of Water and a Sitar.
# [[Luxord]]; "The Gambler of Fate;" Controlled [[Gambler]]s, used the attribute of Time as well as Cards.
# [[Marluxia]]; "The Graceful Assassin;" used the attribute of Flower and a Scythe.
# [[Larxene]]; "The Savage Nymph'" used the attribute of Lightning and eight Knives.
# [[Roxas]]; "The Key of Destiny;" Controlled [[Samurai]], used the attribute of Light and wielded up to three different Keyblades (due to being [[Sora]]'s Nobody). He initially wielded the [[Kingdom Key]] but soon acquired the [[Oathkeeper]] and [[Oblivion]], which represent [[Kairi]] and [[Riku]], respectively.
# [[Xion]]; used the attribute of Light and the Kingdom Key Keyblade. Although she is considered part of the Organization, she is not a Nobody. She is an imperfect replica of Sora created from his leaked memories.
 
Each of the titles correspond to whichever element the particular member controls, a particular trait, or the type of weapon they have.
 
===Differences===
There are a few major differences between the [[Nobody|Nobodies]] within the Organization and the ones that [[Sora]] frequently encounters throughout the game. The average type that Sora fights often have strange features, enhanced speed, metallic skin in shades of white, silver, and blue, and the trademark [[Nobody]] symbol (which doubles as the logo for the Organization). The Nobodies that make up the Organization have human forms with limited special powers, revolving around thirteen different elements. One ability shared by all the members is the power to summon an oval, obsidian portal of darkness that leads to the unseen paths of darkness. These portals are known as Corridors of Darkness. The Organization makes use of the paths to move to and from worlds unseen without fear for their well-being compared to those who are attuned with darkness and still have hearts.
{{-}}
{{-}}


===Lesser Nobodies===
===''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days''===
A few select members of the Organization have control over the other, weaker [[Nobody|Nobodies]], though this is only shown in ''Kingdom Hearts II''. The members from ''Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories'' may also have had that ability, or rather, would have, had they all survived to the second game. Like their titles, each member's lesser Nobody has some similarity to them. These lesser Nobodies are called [[Sorcerer]]s, [[Sniper]]s, [[Dragoon]]s, [[Berserker]]s, [[Assassin]]s, [[Dancer]]s, [[Gambler]]s, and [[Samurai]]. Sorcerer Nobodies are under the command of Xemnas. They float over the ground constantly, possessing a grace much like that of Xemnas, and utilize large cubes of nothingness in several ways. They are the most powerful and rarest of the lesser Nobodies. Sniper Nobodies are controlled by [[Xigbar]] and, like him, carry spiky guns that shoot small red crystallized lasers. Dragoon Nobodies are controlled by [[Xaldin]] because of his affinity with wind, and possess a singular lance that mirrors the six that he fights with. Berserker Nobodies are under [[Saïx]]'s power and, as with the previously mentioned lesser Nobodies, hold a weapon identical to that of their master. An observant player will also notice that Berserker Nobodies go through random surges of anger, much like Saïx when he draws upon the power of the moon. Next are the Assassin Nobodies. This group is under [[Axel]]'s control, capable of becoming a circular form similar to Axel's weapon, hiding away for short periods of time before attacking, and causing powerful explosions. Dancer Nobodies are the most colorful of all the lesser Nobody, featuring bright colors such as orange and pink. They are [[Demyx]]'s servants and relate to him due to his musical nature. The Gambler Nobodies are under [[Luxord]]'s rule. Luxord, being a gambler of many things, fights with cards, which they use as well, along with several dice. The final of these lesser Nobodies are Samurai, which [[Roxas]] controls. Samurai wield two [[wikipedia:katana|katana]] just as Roxas wields two [[Keyblade]]s, Oblivion and Oathkeeper. The Lesser Nobodies are named after recurring Final Fantasy job classes and share similar traits with them such as the Dragoons ability to jump.
[[File:Meet Xion 06 KHD.png|thumb|200px|Xemnas introduce Organization XIII to their new member, Xion.]]
{{-}}
Organization XIII slays many Heartless to finish their Kingdom Hearts, which consists of the hearts of people instead of worlds. Since Roxas and Xion are able to wield the [[Keyblade]], they are used to achieve this goal. In the end, both leave the Organization, with Xion absorbed into Roxas, and Roxas captured by Riku.
{{sec-stub}}


===Naming===
===''Kingdom Hearts II''===
[[Image:Naming Ceremony.png|left|thumb|159px|[[Roxas]] undergoes the naming ceremony]]
Only seven members ([[Xemnas]], [[Axel]], [[Demyx]], [[Xaldin]], [[Xigbar]], [[Luxord]], and [[Saïx]]) of the Organization remained by the time Sora reawakens. Sora and his friends end up taking every single remaining member down, save Axel, who sacrificed himself so that Sora and his friends could save [[Kairi]]. In the end, Organization XIII is ultimately destroyed when Sora and Riku defeat Xemnas.
A common thread between all of the members is the "X" that appears within each of their names. As revealed by [[wikipedia:Tetsuya Nomura|Tetsuya Nomura]], the director of the game, by removing the "X", the remaining letters form an anagram of the members' original names from when they were humans. For instance, "Roxas" is an anagram of "Sora", and "Xemnas" is an anagram of "Ansem". Xemnas's true name is Xehanort; his name is an anagram of 'no heart' or 'another' with an X added. Xion, being an artificial Replica, had no original name. The name "Xion" came from her label as Replica No.i of the [[Replica Project]].
 
Such thoughts made many fans anxious to try and figure out for themselves the rest of the Organization's members' names. The name of the [[Nobody|Nobodies]]' "other" appears before them in translucent, rainbow colored font (similar to the one shown at the intro to "[[The World That Never Was]]"). Then, an "x" drops down and the letters re-arrange themselves until they form a new name. It is also suggested that [[Xemnas]] is the one who performs this ceremony. Many have suggested that this isn't true, as Xigbar was the one to find Marluxia and name him, but if one listens to the dialogue between Zexion and Xigbar in ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix'', it is apparent from the way Xigbar does not know how to pronounce Marluxia's name that he was not the one to name him, rather just found him.
{{spoiler}}
Despite this, however, the reason for the placement of the "X" in the naming process of a new Organization XIII member has to do with Master Xehanort, one of Xemnas's original two personas, and his fascination with the legendary [[X-Blade]]. As Xemnas regained memories of Master Xehanort's past, he remembered the X-Blade, and incorporated the "X" into Organization XIII.<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts Ultimania|Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Ultimania]]''''' "Xemnas gives Organization members names with an X in them. This has something to do with Master Xehanort’s interest in the X-Blade."</ref>
{{spoilerend}}
{{-}}
{{-}}


===[[Where Nothing Gathers]]===
===''Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance''===
Somewhere in The Castle That Never Was, inaccessible to the player, is the meeting room of the Organization. This area can be accessed with a cheat code, though - the platform with the Organization symbol can be walked on, but none of the thrones can. The game calls the area "Where Nothing Gathers" - suggesting it may have been in the final game as a full area, but was dropped later. It is a white cylindrical room with thirteen extremely tall white thrones. The height of these thrones is determined by the amount of missions the respective members complete and the height tends to change depending on the success or failure of those missions. However, Xemnas's throne is always the highest as he is the leader and therefore has completed the highest amount of missions. To his left are the odd-number ranked members while to his right are the even-numbered. Starting from Xemnas, clockwise: Xaldin, Lexaeus, Saïx, Demyx, Marluxia, Roxas, Larxene, Luxord, Axel, Zexion, Vexen and Xigbar.
Following the Organization's defeat the recompleted members split in two camps; some electing to return to their Nobody state as members of Xehanort's [[Real Organization XIII]], while others choose to assist Sora in his endeavors against the new Organization.
 
Ironically Vexen, Lexaeus, and Zexion have the lowest chair heights out of the whole Organization.
 
In the new cutscenes of ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix'', every time a missing member is referred to during a meeting, the camera's focus will shift briefly to that said member's throne (such as when Xaldin reminded Axel that, indirectly, he eliminated the traitors Marluxia and Larxene, the camera briefly shifts to view their thrones. The conversation concerns Axel's orders to destroy Roxas and fittingly enough, Roxas's throne is between theirs).
{{-}}
{{-}}


===[[Proof of Existence]]===
==Inner workings==
In the central tower of The Castle That Never Was, the room is something of a graveyard or a place where beings who can't use the portal to darkness use the doorway-like portals to reach other members of the organization. This chamber has thirteen portals which lead to a certain area throughout the castle, the portals are placed simultaneously along the walls and glow blue if that specific member is alive but red when that one is dead. Starting from Xemnas's which is actually a path to the The Altar of Naught, going downwards are two more, then below them are four and after them are eight with a path cutting half way between the portals. The portals lead to large chambers which are areas that the Organization dwell when they are resting. So far only three are known which are the Altar of Naught, where Xemnas resides and the highest point in the castle, Havoc's Divide which is a large slanted balcony were Luxord resides, and Addled Impasse where Saïx lives, which is a large circular room with a balcony made of glass and looks up towards the moon. Note that for gameplay purposes, the gates to Havoc's Divide and Addled Impasse remain active even after Luxord and Saïx are felled. Also, for the same reasons, Roxas's still-active gate (since he still exists within Sora) is broken and rendered unusable, although it still maintains its blue glow. It may be broken, though, due to the fact that while Roxas still exists in Sora, he does not exist physically. Note that Zexion's tombstone was especially broken to hide his weapon's image, (which was not revealed until the release of ''[[Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix]]''), although its lettering can still be read. It is unknown if Xion has or ever had a tombstone and portal.
[[File:The Meaning of "Roxas" 01 KHIIFM.png|left|thumb|200px|Roxas undergoes the naming ceremony.]]
Once discovered, a humanoid Nobody is inducted into the Organization when an existing member gives them their new name. These names are anagrams of the names of their original identities with the insertion of an "[[Recusant's Sigil|X]]" as both a symbol that they have rejected their old identities and as a callback to the [[χ-blade]].<ref>[[Kingdom Hearts Ultimania|'''''Kingdom Hearts II'' Ultimania''']], '''Interviewer:''' "Previously you said 'The members of the XIII Organization have something hidden in their names', can you reveal the answer to us now?" / '''Tetsuya Nomura:''' "Before this, I've mentioned that when their names are spelt in Roman alphabets, there will surely be an "X", right? The truth is that when the "X" is taken away, the alphabets that are left behind is an anagram of the members' real names when they were humans." [https://www.khinsider.com/news/Kingdom-Hearts-II-Ultimania-Main-Nomura-Interview-2553 Translation via Maiki].</ref><ref>[[Kingdom Hearts Ultimania|'''''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep'' Ultimania''']], '''Interviewer:''' "Where did the Organization's coat and mark come from?" / '''Tetsuya Nomura:''' "One year after ''Birth by Sleep'', Xehanort, as well as five other apprentices toss aside their hearts. Then the Nobody Xemnas was born, and the Organization which he creates takes a lot of things from his memories, as a human. But as Xemnas had two people who he was, Terra and Master Xehanort, he takes from both of their memories. [...] Xemnas gives Organization members names with an X in them. This has something to do with Master Xehanort's interest in the χ-blade." [https://www.khinsider.com/news/BBS-Ultimania-20-Mysteries-Solved-2546 Translation via Lissar].</ref> The only exception to this is the pseudo-member Xion, whose name is based on an anagram of "No.i", her ID as one of the [[Replica]]s.


== Ultimate Fate ==
In the naming ritual, the name of the [[Nobody]]'s "other" appears before them in translucent, iridescent [[light]], then an "X" drops down and the letters re-arrange themselves until they form a new name.


By the time of ''Kingdom Hearts II'', the actions of Sora and Riku, in addition to the departure of Roxas, reduced the Organization's roster to seven, which were then slain by Sora one-by-one (with the exception of Axel, who sacrificed himself to allow Sora to go and save [[Kairi]]) until only Xemnas remained. Ultimately, Xemnas fell at the hands of Sora and Riku, and Roxas (now a part of Sora once again, but still somewhat independent, as seen in the ending video before the credits) could be considered the sole surviving member.
[[File:Up Until Now and From Here On Out 03 KHII.png|thumb|200px|The black coats worn by Organization XIII.]]
After being renamed, each member is given a uniform and a rank from I to XIII. The rank is based on seniority, and although the leader of the Organization, Xemnas, is also the rank I member, the ranks are not true measures of authority within the Organization. For example, the rank IV Vexen, a founding member of the Organization, is subordinate to the rank XI Marluxia, while the rank VII Saïx acts as Xemnas's second-in-command, right before the rank II Xigbar. Their uniform, a [[Black Coat]], was chosen because it was something once worn by [[Xehanort]], Xemnas's primary original persona, to safeguard him from the darkness between worlds while not cutting him off from it.<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts Ultimania|Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Ultimania]]''''' "...the Nobody Xemnas was born, and the Organization which he creates take a lot of things from his memories as a human... The coat used by the Organization was something that Master Xehanort originally wore."</ref> It is plainly adorned with a silver zipper and seemingly decorative silver beaded pull strings for the hood that form a semi-circle in the middle. Each member wears their zippers at differing points. Underneath their coats, most of the members wear {{w|hakama}}-esque black pants and knee-high silver trimmed boots, with the exceptions of Roxas, who wears sneakers of the same color, and Larxene and Xion, who wear a more feminized version of the boots with heels. In addition to this, they all wear lengthy black gloves. The exact contours of the coats vary from person to person.


'''Xemnas''' - Defeated by [[Sora]] and [[Riku]] at the end of ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]''. He was trying to dispose of the only threat standing between him and Kingdom Hearts. Disappeared in Darkness in what appears to be a black variation of the white Nobody thorns. He was the fourteenth and final member to fall. As both his Heartless and Nobody have been slain, his whole being is now able to return from the darkness.<!--cite to both Nomura quotes - how slayings work, and the spoiler for KH3-->
Once fully inducted, the new members are introduced to the other members at '''[[Where Nothing Gathers]]''', the meeting chamber of the Organization deep within their home base of the [[Castle That Never Was]]. The room contains thirteen thrones, one for each member, whose height is adjustable, with Xemnas's throne being the highest.<ref>'''''The Scenario Mysteries in "Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix+ (Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix+ Ultimania, page 502)''''', '''Interviewer''': "During the meetings, the members of Organization XIII are sitting in chairs. Is the height of these chairs determined by things like their skills and abilities?" / '''Nomura''': "No, the height of the chairs is not fixated, they move. That is to say, the height is up to each person. The leader, Xemnas, is always the highest and to be at the same height as him would have a pretty bad feeling, so the other members wouldn't do that."</ref> To his left are the odd-number ranked members while to his right are the even-numbered. Starting from Xemnas, clockwise, the members are Xaldin, Lexaeus, Saïx, Demyx, Marluxia, and Roxas, then Larxene, Luxord, Axel, Zexion, Vexen and Xigbar.


'''Xigbar''' - Defeated by [[Sora]], [[Donald Duck|Donald]], and [[Goofy]] in the Hall of Empty Melodies in [[the World That Never Was]]. He started the fight to try to prevent Sora and company from ascending any farther up the castle. Disappeared into Darkness. He was the tenth member to disappear.
The Organization is also represented within the '''[[Proof of Existence]]''', a room within the castle's central tower that contains thirteen portals marked with images of each of the members' weapons. The portals lead to other rooms, presumably belonging to each member of the Organization, and the state of the portal is a mirror of its member's own state: when a member has been destroyed, their portal is rendered inactive or can even break.<!--cover the Replica Data room-->


'''Xaldin''' - Defeated by [[Sora]] and [[Beast]] at [[Beast's Castle]]. He was on a mission to turn the Beast into a Heartless and Nobody. Disappeared into Darkness and wind. Xaldin was the eighth member subject to elimination.
Members of the Organization are assigned various missions in order to hasten the completion of Kingdom Hearts. As Xemnas's second-in-command, Saïx is tasked with giving assignments to the other members. As Roxas and Xion are the only two able to harvest hearts, the other members are given other duties, such as performing reconnaissance or trying to sow seeds of darkness in order to promote good conditions for harvesting hearts. At the end of each mission, Organization members will {{nihongo|'''RTC'''|帰還|Kikan|lit. "Return"}}, or "Return to Castle", regrouping at the Castle That Never Was to await their next orders.


'''Vexen''' - Defeated by Axel as a way to gain Marluxia's trust. Vexen opposed Marluxia's plot and Marluxia wanted him eliminated. Disappeared by incineration into Darkness. He was the first member to fall.
Each member is aware of their lack of emotions, and many of them pretend to have emotions. For example, Saïx battles in a seeming rage, while Larxene taunts her opponents by giggling and winking. The idea that the Nobodies lack emotions is expanded upon in the manga and novel series, which depict the members with true emotions, but explain that they are plagued by a feeling of uncertainty and emptiness due to not having hearts. The manga further displays this "plagued" feeling by showing the members engaging in tasks like jigsaw puzzles, cooking, and reading to try to fill their emptiness.
 
{{-}}
'''Lexaeus''' - Defeated by [[Riku]] while possessed by [[Xehanort's Heartless]]. He was trying to make Riku use the Darkness inside him. From what is shown in the cutscene of his elimination, he was helpless against [[Xehanort's Heartless]] due to his weakened condition after his brutal fight with Riku. He disappeared into Darkness, and was the third member eliminated.
 
'''Zexion''' - Defeated by [[Riku Replica]]. Axel wanted no evidence of his actions in [[Castle Oblivion]], so when Zexion was extremely weary from his battle with the real [[Riku]], Axel had the [[Riku Replica]] absorb Zexion. He disappeared into gaseous Darkness while engulfed in the Replica's energy. Zexion was the fifth member to fall.
 
'''Saïx''' - Defeated by [[Sora]], [[Donald Duck|Donald]], and [[Goofy]]. He was confronted simply to try to eliminate the last of the Organization. He disappeared into gaseous Darkness. He disappeared twelfth.
 
'''Axel''' - The only Organization member not killed by anyone. He was eliminated in a sacrificial attack to save [[Sora]] from an army of [[Dusk]]s. Similar to a fire, he seemed to "burn out" into Darkness, resembling ashes. Axel was the ninth member to fall.


'''Demyx''' - Defeated, by [[Sora]], Donald, and Goofy. He was one of the few mentionable people destroyed in the [[Battle of the 1000 Heartless|War of 1,000 Heartless]]. He confronted Sora and company just for the sake of battling in the war. He disappeared into Darkness and appeared to have boiled up and evaporated. He was the seventh member to disappear.
===Members===
Aside from the rank and name given to them by the Organization, each member has a unique weapon, often with a Nobody-aesthetic, as well as a title and an elemental attribute. These titles specify the role of the member, and often reference their elemental attribute or weapons as well.


'''Luxord''' - Defeated by [[Sora]]. He captured Donald, Goofy, [[Riku]], and [[Kairi]], forcing Sora into one of Luxord's "games." Sora was able to beat him by "winning the game" and slashing through his shield of cards. He disappeared into gaseous Darkness. Luxord was the eleventh member to be eliminated.
Most and possibly all members of the Organization also have control over a specific breed of high-ranking Nobody, although Xemnas has primary control over them should the member betray the Organization. The breeds are named after recurring ''{{ff|Final Fantasy}}'' job classes, and mimic their Organization member's general role.


'''Marluxia''' - Defeated by [[Sora]]. He was trying to destroy Sora since he couldn't control him. Marluxia himself is never actually fought, but after Sora destroys a clone, a machine-like Nobody and an angel-like, feminine reaper, all Marluxia's energy is gone and he is beaten. He disappeared attempting to grab Sora in gaseous Darkness in a flurry of flower petals. Marluxia was the fourth member to disappear.
[[Xion]], the nominal fourteenth member of the Organization, is the only one without a title. Her lack of full membership is due to her status as a [[Replica]] meant to absorb Sora's leaking memories through Roxas and eventually replace the both of them, becoming a puppet Keyblade wielder for the Organization.


'''Larxene''' - Defeated by [[Sora]], [[Donald Duck|Donald]], and [[Goofy]]. She was on a mission to kill Sora after her plan fell apart. She would have succeeded, but an attempt to save Sora by [[Naminé]], Donald, and Goofy gave him the strength to fight back, and Larxene eventually met her end. She disappeared into Darkness. Larxene was the second member to fall.
{|border=1 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 style="text-align:center; font-size:90%; width:700px" align="center"
|-style="{{style|nobody|a}}"
!style="width:2%; font-size:12px"|Rank
!style="width:6%; font-size:12px"|Name
!style="width:18%; font-size:12px"|Title
!style="width:10%; font-size:12px"|Original persona
!style="width:10%; font-size:12px"|Attribute
!style="width:16%; font-size:12px"|Weapon
!style="width:16%; font-size:12px"|Lesser Nobody
|-
|I||'''[[Xemnas]]'''||The Superior of the In-Between||[[Terra-Xehanort]] (Ansem)||Nothingness||[[Interdiction]]<br>(ethereal blades)||[[Sorcerer]]
|-
|II||'''[[Xigbar]]'''||The Freeshooter||[[Braig]]||Space||[[Sharpshooter]]<br>(arrow guns)||[[Sniper]]
|-
|III||'''[[Xaldin]]'''||The Whirlwind Lancer||[[Dilan]]||Wind||[[Lindworm]]<br>(lances)||[[Dragoon]]
|-
|IV||'''[[Vexen]]'''||The Chilly Academic||[[Even]]||Ice||[[Frozen Pride]]<br>(shield)||Unknown
|-
|V||'''[[Lexaeus]]'''||The Silent Hero<ref>Lexaeus's title is ''"The Taciturn Stalwart"'' in ''Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX''.</ref>||[[Aeleus]]||Earth||[[Skysplitter]]<br>(axe sword)||Unknown
|-
|VI||'''[[Zexion]]'''||The Cloaked Schemer||[[Ienzo]]||Illusion||[[Book of Retribution]]<br>(lexicon)||Unknown
|-
|VII||'''[[Saïx]]'''||The Luna Diviner||[[Isa]]||Moon||[[Lunatic]]<br>(claymore)||[[Berserker]]
|-
|VIII||'''[[Axel]]'''||The Flurry of Dancing Flames||[[Lea]]||Fire||[[Eternal Flames]]<br>(chakrams)||[[Assassin]]
|-
|IX||'''[[Demyx]]'''||The Melodious Nocturne||Unknown||Water||[[Arpeggio]]<br>(sitar)||[[Dancer]]
|-
|X||'''[[Luxord]]'''||The Gambler of Fate||Unknown||Time||[[Fair Game]]<br>(cards)||[[Gambler]]
|-
|XI||'''[[Marluxia]]'''||The Graceful Assassin||[[Lauriam]]||Flower||[[Graceful Dahlia]]<br>(scythe)||[[Reaper]]
|-
|XII||'''[[Larxene]]'''||The Savage Nymph||[[Elrena]]||Lightning||[[Foudre]]<br>(knives)||[[Ninja]]
|-
|XIII||'''[[Roxas]]'''||The Key of Destiny||[[Sora]]||Light||[[Kingdom Key]]<br>[[Oathkeeper & Oblivion]]<br>(Keyblade)||[[Samurai]]
|-
|XIV||'''[[Xion]]'''|| ||None (No. i)||Light||[[Kingdom Key]]<br>(Keyblade)||
|}
====Weapons====
<center><gallery perrow="5">
File:Interdiction KHD.png|Xemnas's [[Interdiction]]
File:Sharpshooter KHIIFM.png|Xigbar's [[Sharpshooter]]
File:Lindworm KHII.png|Xaldin's [[Lindworm]]
File:Frozen Pride KHII.png|Vexen's [[Frozen Pride]]
File:Skysplitter KHII.png|Lexaeus's [[Skysplitter]]
File:Book of Retribution KHII.png|Zexion's [[Book of Retribution]]
File:Lunatic KHII.png|Saïx's [[Lunatic]]
File:Eternal Flames KHII.png|Axel's [[Eternal Flames]]
File:Arpeggio KHII.png|Demyx's [[Arpeggio]]
File:Fair Game KHUX.png|Luxord's [[Fair Game]]
File:Graceful Dahlia KHIIFM.png|Marluxia's [[Graceful Dahlia]]
File:Foudre KHIIFM.png|Larxene's [[Foudre]]
File:Oathkeeper & Oblivion KHII.png|Roxas's [[Oathkeeper and Oblivion]]
File:Kingdom Key KHII.png|Roxas and Xion's [[Kingdom Key]]
</gallery></center>


'''Roxas''' - Arguably the only surviving member. Roxas permanently sealed himself within [[Sora]] just before the final battle with Xemnas, willingly giving up his physical existence. Although he is not gone, he was the thirteenth member to "fall".
==Gallery==
===Members===
<gallery>
File:Xemnas KHD.png|[[Xemnas]]
File:Xigbar KHD.png|[[Xigbar]]
File:Xaldin KHD.png|[[Xaldin]]
File:Vexen KHD.png|[[Vexen]]
File:Lexaeus KHD.png|[[Lexaeus]]
File:Zexion KHD.png|[[Zexion]]
File:Saïx KHD.png|[[Saïx]]
File:Axel KHD.png|[[Axel]]
File:Demyx KHD.png|[[Demyx]]
File:Luxord KHD.png|[[Luxord]]
File:Marluxia KHD.png|[[Marluxia]]
File:Larxene KHD.png|[[Larxene]]
File:Roxas KHD.png|[[Roxas]]
File:Xion KHD.png|[[Xion]]
</gallery>


'''Xion''' - Defeated by Roxas, she attempted to absorb him to become the ''real'' [[Sora]], thus fulfilling her purpose, which would overall prevent the real Sora from ever awakening. It was found out later in ''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]'' that she didn't really want to absorb Roxas but instead she had decided to willingly die since she knew that she and Roxas could not coexist. She had to make Roxas absorb her in order to return Sora's memories but she knew that Roxas wouldn't be able to kill her so she forced Roxas to fight her. She was the sixth member to fall.
===Manga===
<gallery>
Organization XIII KHII Manga.png|Organization XIII in the [[Kingdom Hearts II (manga)|''Kingdom Hearts II'' manga]].
Organization XIII (Hooded) KHII Manga.png|Organization XIII's remaining members hooded in the ''Kingdom Hearts II'' manga.
Organization XIII KHIII Manga.png|A flashback of Organization XIII in from the [[Kingdom Hearts II (manga)|''Kingdom Hearts II'' manga]].
</gallery>


==Theme==
{{tab|c}}{{tab|c}}
<!--COM: "Thirteenth Discretion"-->
{{CharTheme
|game=Kingdom Hearts II
|themename=Organization XIII
|themefile=Organization_XIII.ogg
|themecomposer=
|themesections=
|themename2=
|themefile2=
|themecomposer2=
|themesections2=
|themename3=
|themefile3=
|themecomposer3=
|themesections3=
}}
{{-}}


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
* Xemnas, Roxas, and Xion are the only members shown wearing something other than the Organization's signature [[Black Cloak]]: in Xemnas's case, he had [[Xemnas (Armor)|a suit of armor with the abilities of his defeated subordinates]] and [[Xemnas (Final)|a modified black-and-white cloak in his last stand]] against Sora and Riku; in Roxas's case, he wears a black, white and gray outfit slightly resembling Sora's, but not baggy and with longer jeans, no hood on the jacket, and no gloves; and in Xion's case, she briefly wears the original ''Kingdom Hearts'' outfits of Sora and Riku after she turns into them and [[Xion (Boss)|the four armors in her four battles]] against Roxas.
*In ''Kingdom Hearts II'', Sora obtains journal entries for the Castle Oblivion-based members of the Organization after obtaining the password for the DTD. In ''[[Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix]]'', he instead receives them after defeating their respective [[Absent Silhouette]].
* After Sora obtains the password for the DTD, the Journal entries for the ''Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories'' Organization XIII members are obtained. It is unknown why this is, as Sora had lost his memories of them, although it is believed that this information was obtained from Ansem's computer in Hollow Bastion. In ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix'', this is changed: the Journal entries for the ''Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories'' Organization XIII members are obtained only after defeating their respective [[Absent Silhouette]]s, before or after the [[War of 1000 Heartless]].
* When an Organization member falls, they usually fade into darkness without visibly demonstrating the wound that "killed" them. However, Vexen, Lexaeus, Zexion, Axel and Luxord do in fact demonstrate their fatal wounds. Xemnas may or may not be included as he is shown suffering normally fatal wounds but is still shown (barely) alive afterwards.
* Though the Organization members often fight each other, Roxas and Axel are the only ones who succeed in destroying another member.
* Roxas, Xion, and Xemnas are the only Organization members whose weapons are not designed after the Nobody sigil.
* Eight of the Organization members were citizens of [[Radiant Garden]], and Sora released his heart, creating Roxas, within the Hollow Bastion.
* Despite it being the central goal of the Organization, Roxas is the only member who became a whole being, while the rest were destroyed.


==References==
==Notes and references==
{{Reflist|1}}
{{reflist}}


==See Also==
==See also==
*[[Mushroom XIII]]
*[[Mushroom XIII]]
{{-}}
*[[Real Organization XIII]]
{{358}}
{{KH2}}
{{Party}}
{{Party}}
{{NobodyDirectory}}
{{NobodyDirectory}}
{{KH2}}
{{358}}
[[de:Organisation XIII]]
[[de:Organisation XIII]]
[[fr:Organisation XIII]]
[[fr:Organisation XIII]]
[[Category:Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories]]
[[Category:Kingdom Hearts II]]
[[Category:Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]
[[Category:Nobodies]]
[[Category:Organization XIII| ]]
[[Category:Organization XIII| ]]
[[Category:Villains]]
[[Category:Groups]]
[[Category:Original characters]]

Latest revision as of 00:22, 23 June 2024

This article is about the original Organization XIII.
You may be looking for the real Organization XIII, the musical theme, or the chapter in the Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories manga.
The members of Organization XIII.

Organization XIII (XIII機関 Jūsan Kikan?), sometimes simply called the Organization, is a group of thirteen powerful Nobodies led by Xemnas, who seek to reclaim their hearts and become whole again by creating Kingdom Hearts. Although the group only has thirteen "true" members, it includes a fourteenth pseudo-member, Xion. They serve as major antagonists throughout the Dark Seeker Saga, with their members appearing in every game except the original Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts coded, and are, unbeknownst to all but their highest ranks, the main agents of Xehanort's own plans to conquer Kingdom Hearts.

Members of Organization XIII first appeared in Another side, Another story..., and they debuted in canon through the Unknown, who serves as a boss battle in Kingdom Hearts Final Mix. The group itself was introduced in Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories, and while the members usually serve as bosses, they were even made playable in Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days.

Because all of the members are Nobodies they lack their original hearts, and it is initially claimed in Kingdom Hearts II that this means they cannot have emotions, instead relying on acting to unnerve and toy with their opponents. The Organization yearns to discover the secrets of the heart and become full beings again by gathering hearts to form Kingdom Hearts. Despite this, most of the members begin demonstrating true emotions as time goes on, and it is eventually revealed that while they lacked their original hearts, Xemnas's plan revolved around filling the hole with pieces of his own heart, essentially turning each of them into copies of himself. Despite lacking normal emotions, or perhaps because of it, many members of the group are remarkably disloyal to its head, and much of their story revolves around key betrayals or attempted coups.

Story[edit]

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep[edit]

Ansem's Apprentices
The six founders of Organization XIII.

Ten years ago, the founding members of the Organization live in Radiant Garden as humans. Ventus encounters Dilan, Even, Aeleus, and Ienzo, who work in Ansem the Wise's castle, as his guards and apprentices. He also meets Isa and Lea, two youths who have an interest in the castle.

Braig serves as a co-conspirator in Master Xehanort's ruthless ambitions, acquiring his signature scars and eyepatch following a battle against Terra. He appears at the Keyblade Graveyard to assist Xehanort, occupying Aqua and Ventus's attention. By this time, Braig houses a piece of Xehanort's heart inside himself.

After Terra-Xehanort is taken in by Ansem the Wise, Braig works together with him, laying the foundations for Organization XIII.

Between Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep and Kingdom Hearts[edit]

Even and Ienzo moments before they turn into Vexen and Zexion.

Organization XIII was formed by a group of researchers working under Ansem the Wise, the ruler of Radiant Garden, within his castle of Hollow Bastion. The head of this group was Ansem's apprentice, Xehanort, with the others being Braig, Dilan, Even, Aeleus, and Ienzo. Ansem the Wise began initiating tests about the human heart, focusing mainly on Xehanort, with the hopes of recovering his lost memories. At the urging of Ienzo, he constructed a massive laboratory under the castle. However, Ansem the Wise soon ceased his experiments, for he feared that going too deep would have grave repercussions, also noting Xehanort's apparently-superhuman abilities.

However, his six apprentices, still seduced by the desire for knowledge, conducted their own dangerous experiments on countless subjects. Eventually, they discovered the beings called Heartless, those that are born from the darkness in a heart and seek others as well. Xehanort, having taken on Ansem's name and writing his findings under it, opened a door he discovered, breaking down the barriers between worlds and allowing travel between them. Isa and Lea became apprentices in order to rescue Subject X a girl they befriended and was one of the test subjects. When a king named Mickey arrived, the six men's desire for knowledge eventually caused Xehanort to abandon his body, becoming a Heartless (though he was unusual in that he had a human form and retained his memories), with the other seven soon following. Thus, the first six members of Organization XIII were born, and they banished Ansem to a Realm of Darkness with the seventh and eighth members joined afterwards.

Over the next nine years, the Organization increased its numbers from eight to twelve, with Demyx, Luxord, Marluxia and Larxene joining their ranks.

At some point, the Organization discovered Castle Oblivion, and decided to convert into a second base for the purpose of researching memories. Xemnas secretly had certain members look through the castle to find the Chamber of Waking.

Kingdom Hearts[edit]

Xemnas appears at Hollow Bastion to battle Sora, testing his abilities after just recruiting his newly created Nobody, Roxas.

Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories[edit]

Marluxia orders Vexen to eliminate Sora.

The neophytes, Marluxia and Larxene, try to take control of the Organization by using Sora as their puppet by manipulating his memories with Naminé's magic. The senior members assigned to Castle Oblivion, Vexen, Lexaeus, and Zexion, try to counter his plot by exploiting the powerful darkness that lays within Riku's heart. However, each group ends up being slain by heroes they sought to control, leaving Axel as the only survivor of the castle.

Yellow Opera KHCOM.pngThis section of the article is a stub. You can help by expanding it.

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days[edit]

Xemnas introduce Organization XIII to their new member, Xion.

Organization XIII slays many Heartless to finish their Kingdom Hearts, which consists of the hearts of people instead of worlds. Since Roxas and Xion are able to wield the Keyblade, they are used to achieve this goal. In the end, both leave the Organization, with Xion absorbed into Roxas, and Roxas captured by Riku.

Yellow Opera KHCOM.pngThis section of the article is a stub. You can help by expanding it.

Kingdom Hearts II[edit]

Only seven members (Xemnas, Axel, Demyx, Xaldin, Xigbar, Luxord, and Saïx) of the Organization remained by the time Sora reawakens. Sora and his friends end up taking every single remaining member down, save Axel, who sacrificed himself so that Sora and his friends could save Kairi. In the end, Organization XIII is ultimately destroyed when Sora and Riku defeat Xemnas.

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance[edit]

Following the Organization's defeat the recompleted members split in two camps; some electing to return to their Nobody state as members of Xehanort's Real Organization XIII, while others choose to assist Sora in his endeavors against the new Organization.

Inner workings[edit]

Xemnas administers Organization XIII's naming ceremony to its newest member, Roxas.
Roxas undergoes the naming ceremony.

Once discovered, a humanoid Nobody is inducted into the Organization when an existing member gives them their new name. These names are anagrams of the names of their original identities with the insertion of an "X" as both a symbol that they have rejected their old identities and as a callback to the χ-blade.[1][2] The only exception to this is the pseudo-member Xion, whose name is based on an anagram of "No.i", her ID as one of the Replicas.

In the naming ritual, the name of the Nobody's "other" appears before them in translucent, iridescent light, then an "X" drops down and the letters re-arrange themselves until they form a new name.

The black coats worn by Organization XIII.

After being renamed, each member is given a uniform and a rank from I to XIII. The rank is based on seniority, and although the leader of the Organization, Xemnas, is also the rank I member, the ranks are not true measures of authority within the Organization. For example, the rank IV Vexen, a founding member of the Organization, is subordinate to the rank XI Marluxia, while the rank VII Saïx acts as Xemnas's second-in-command, right before the rank II Xigbar. Their uniform, a Black Coat, was chosen because it was something once worn by Xehanort, Xemnas's primary original persona, to safeguard him from the darkness between worlds while not cutting him off from it.[3] It is plainly adorned with a silver zipper and seemingly decorative silver beaded pull strings for the hood that form a semi-circle in the middle. Each member wears their zippers at differing points. Underneath their coats, most of the members wear hakama-esque black pants and knee-high silver trimmed boots, with the exceptions of Roxas, who wears sneakers of the same color, and Larxene and Xion, who wear a more feminized version of the boots with heels. In addition to this, they all wear lengthy black gloves. The exact contours of the coats vary from person to person.

Once fully inducted, the new members are introduced to the other members at Where Nothing Gathers, the meeting chamber of the Organization deep within their home base of the Castle That Never Was. The room contains thirteen thrones, one for each member, whose height is adjustable, with Xemnas's throne being the highest.[4] To his left are the odd-number ranked members while to his right are the even-numbered. Starting from Xemnas, clockwise, the members are Xaldin, Lexaeus, Saïx, Demyx, Marluxia, and Roxas, then Larxene, Luxord, Axel, Zexion, Vexen and Xigbar.

The Organization is also represented within the Proof of Existence, a room within the castle's central tower that contains thirteen portals marked with images of each of the members' weapons. The portals lead to other rooms, presumably belonging to each member of the Organization, and the state of the portal is a mirror of its member's own state: when a member has been destroyed, their portal is rendered inactive or can even break.

Members of the Organization are assigned various missions in order to hasten the completion of Kingdom Hearts. As Xemnas's second-in-command, Saïx is tasked with giving assignments to the other members. As Roxas and Xion are the only two able to harvest hearts, the other members are given other duties, such as performing reconnaissance or trying to sow seeds of darkness in order to promote good conditions for harvesting hearts. At the end of each mission, Organization members will RTC (帰還 Kikan?, lit. "Return"), or "Return to Castle", regrouping at the Castle That Never Was to await their next orders.

Each member is aware of their lack of emotions, and many of them pretend to have emotions. For example, Saïx battles in a seeming rage, while Larxene taunts her opponents by giggling and winking. The idea that the Nobodies lack emotions is expanded upon in the manga and novel series, which depict the members with true emotions, but explain that they are plagued by a feeling of uncertainty and emptiness due to not having hearts. The manga further displays this "plagued" feeling by showing the members engaging in tasks like jigsaw puzzles, cooking, and reading to try to fill their emptiness.

Members[edit]

Aside from the rank and name given to them by the Organization, each member has a unique weapon, often with a Nobody-aesthetic, as well as a title and an elemental attribute. These titles specify the role of the member, and often reference their elemental attribute or weapons as well.

Most and possibly all members of the Organization also have control over a specific breed of high-ranking Nobody, although Xemnas has primary control over them should the member betray the Organization. The breeds are named after recurring Final Fantasy job classes, and mimic their Organization member's general role.

Xion, the nominal fourteenth member of the Organization, is the only one without a title. Her lack of full membership is due to her status as a Replica meant to absorb Sora's leaking memories through Roxas and eventually replace the both of them, becoming a puppet Keyblade wielder for the Organization.

Rank Name Title Original persona Attribute Weapon Lesser Nobody
I Xemnas The Superior of the In-Between Terra-Xehanort (Ansem) Nothingness Interdiction
(ethereal blades)		 Sorcerer
II Xigbar The Freeshooter Braig Space Sharpshooter
(arrow guns)		 Sniper
III Xaldin The Whirlwind Lancer Dilan Wind Lindworm
(lances)		 Dragoon
IV Vexen The Chilly Academic Even Ice Frozen Pride
(shield)		 Unknown
V Lexaeus The Silent Hero[5] Aeleus Earth Skysplitter
(axe sword)		 Unknown
VI Zexion The Cloaked Schemer Ienzo Illusion Book of Retribution
(lexicon)		 Unknown
VII Saïx The Luna Diviner Isa Moon Lunatic
(claymore)		 Berserker
VIII Axel The Flurry of Dancing Flames Lea Fire Eternal Flames
(chakrams)		 Assassin
IX Demyx The Melodious Nocturne Unknown Water Arpeggio
(sitar)		 Dancer
X Luxord The Gambler of Fate Unknown Time Fair Game
(cards)		 Gambler
XI Marluxia The Graceful Assassin Lauriam Flower Graceful Dahlia
(scythe)		 Reaper
XII Larxene The Savage Nymph Elrena Lightning Foudre
(knives)		 Ninja
XIII Roxas The Key of Destiny Sora Light Kingdom Key
Oathkeeper & Oblivion
(Keyblade)		 Samurai
XIV Xion None (No. i) Light Kingdom Key
(Keyblade)

Weapons[edit]

Gallery[edit]

Members[edit]

Manga[edit]

Trivia[edit]

  • In Kingdom Hearts II, Sora obtains journal entries for the Castle Oblivion-based members of the Organization after obtaining the password for the DTD. In Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, he instead receives them after defeating their respective Absent Silhouette.

Notes and references[edit]

  1. ^ Kingdom Hearts II Ultimania, Interviewer: "Previously you said 'The members of the XIII Organization have something hidden in their names', can you reveal the answer to us now?" / Tetsuya Nomura: "Before this, I've mentioned that when their names are spelt in Roman alphabets, there will surely be an "X", right? The truth is that when the "X" is taken away, the alphabets that are left behind is an anagram of the members' real names when they were humans." Translation via Maiki.
  2. ^ Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Ultimania, Interviewer: "Where did the Organization's coat and mark come from?" / Tetsuya Nomura: "One year after Birth by Sleep, Xehanort, as well as five other apprentices toss aside their hearts. Then the Nobody Xemnas was born, and the Organization which he creates takes a lot of things from his memories, as a human. But as Xemnas had two people who he was, Terra and Master Xehanort, he takes from both of their memories. [...] Xemnas gives Organization members names with an X in them. This has something to do with Master Xehanort's interest in the χ-blade." Translation via Lissar.
  3. ^ Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Ultimania "...the Nobody Xemnas was born, and the Organization which he creates take a lot of things from his memories as a human... The coat used by the Organization was something that Master Xehanort originally wore."
  4. ^ The Scenario Mysteries in "Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix+ (Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix+ Ultimania, page 502), Interviewer: "During the meetings, the members of Organization XIII are sitting in chairs. Is the height of these chairs determined by things like their skills and abilities?" / Nomura: "No, the height of the chairs is not fixated, they move. That is to say, the height is up to each person. The leader, Xemnas, is always the highest and to be at the same height as him would have a pretty bad feeling, so the other members wouldn't do that."
  5. ^ Lexaeus's title is "The Taciturn Stalwart" in Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX.

See also[edit]

Party
Playable characters
Sora | Riku | Roxas | Mickey Mouse | Data-Sora | Terra | Ventus | Aqua | Lingering Will | Kairi | Player | Xehanort
Mission Mode
Xemnas | Xigbar | Xaldin | Vexen | Lexaeus | Zexion | Saïx | Axel | Demyx | Luxord | Marluxia | Larxene | Xion | Donald Duck | Goofy
Party members
Donald Duck | Goofy | Tarzan | Aladdin | Ariel | Jack Skellington | Peter Pan | Beast | Pluto | Mickey Mouse | Mulan | Auron | Jack Sparrow | Simba | Tron | Riku | Xigbar | Xaldin | Vexen | Lexaeus | Zexion | Axel | Demyx | Luxord | Marluxia | Larxene | Xion
Hercules | Cloud | Terra | Ventus | Aqua | Prince Phillip | Zack | Experiment 626 | Woody | Buzz Lightyear | Rapunzel | Eugene Fitzherbert | Sulley | Mike Wazowski | Marshmallow | Baymax | Eraqus | Hermod | Bragi | Urd | Vor
Dream Eaters
Joint struggle characters
Mickey Mouse | Riku | Aqua | Ventus | Lea | Kairi | Roxas | Xion | Sora
Assistants
Riku | Squall Leonhart | Cogsworth | Megara | Philoctetes | Pegasus | Queen Minnie | Captain Pete | Yuffie | Tifa | Cloud | Hercules | Mickey Mouse | Axel | Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather
Escort characters
Winnie the Pooh | Lumière | Mrs. Potts | Megara | Queen Minnie | Abu | Timon | Pumbaa | Tigger | Roo | Piglet | Eeyore | Cinderella | Jaq | Snow White | Boo
Summons
Simba | Genie | Dumbo | Bambi | Tinker Bell | Mushu | Cloud | Chicken Little | Stitch | Peter Pan | Meow Wow | Wreck-It Ralph | Ariel
D-Links
Terra | Ventus | Aqua | Cinderella | Snow White | Maleficent | Mickey Mouse | Zack | Experiment 626 | Peter Pan | Donald Duck | Goofy | Pete | Vanitas
Nobodies
Organization XIII
I. Xemnas | II. Xigbar | III. Xaldin | IV. Vexen | V. Lexaeus | VI. Zexion | VII. Saïx | VIII. Axel | IX. Demyx | X. Luxord | XI. Marluxia | XII. Larxene | XIII. Roxas
Enemy Nobodies
Sorcerer - Sniper - Dragoon - Berserker - Assassin - Dancer - Gambler - Reaper - Ninja - Samurai
Dusk - Creeper - Specter - Twilight Thorn - Fake Vivi
Special Nobodies
Naminé - Absent Silhouettes - Organization XIII's Replica Data - Anti-Saïx - Data-Roxas - Data-Naminé
Kingdom Hearts II
Characters
Party members
Roxas - Sora - Donald Duck - Goofy
Fa Mulan - Beast - Auron - Jack Sparrow - Aladdin - Jack Skellington - Simba - Tron - Riku
Summons
Chicken Little - Genie - Stitch - Peter Pan
Antagonists
Organization XIII
Xemnas - Xigbar - Xaldin - Saïx - Axel - Demyx - Luxord
Villains
Maleficent - Pete - Hades - Ursula - Hector Barbossa - Jafar - Oogie Boogie - Scar
Shan-Yu - Master Control Program - Sark
Non-playable characters
Abu - Aerith - Ansem the Wise - Ariel - Ariel's Sisters - Auron - Bathtub - Belle - Biggs - Captain Pete - Carpet - Cave of Wonders Guardian - Cerberus - Chien Po, Ling, and Yao - Chip - Chip and Dale - Christmas Elves - Cid - Clara Cluck - Clarabelle Cow - Cloud - Cogsworth - Daisy Duck - Dark Figure - Dr. Finkelstein - Eeyore - Elizabeth Swann - Enchanted Brooms - Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather - Flotsam and Jetsam - Flounder - Fujin - Gopher - Gullwings - Hayabusa - Hayner - Hercules - Horace Horsecollar - Hostile Program - Huey, Dewey, and Louie - Hydra - Iago - Jasmine - Jessie - Jiminy Cricket - Kairi - Kanga - King Triton - Li Shang - Lock, Shock, and Barrel - Lumière - Maleficent's Raven - Megara - Merlin - Mickey Mouse - Minnie Mouse - Moogles - Mrs. Potts - Mufasa - Mushu - Nala - Naminé - Olette - Owl - Pain and Panic - Pegasus - Pence - Philoctetes - Piglet - Pluto - Prince Eric - Pumbaa - Rabbit - Rafiki - Raijin - Reindeer - Rock Titan - Roo - Sally - Santa Claus - Scrooge McDuck - Sebastian - Seifer - Selphie - Sephiroth - Setzer - Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed - Simba and Nala's cub - Squall Leonhart - Terra-Xehanort - The Emperor - The Experiment - The Ghost of Scar - The Mayor - The Peddler - Tifa - Tigger - Timon - Tinker Bell - Undead Pirates - Vivi - Wallace - Wantz - Wardrobe - William Turner - Winnie the Pooh - Wedge - Yen Sid - Yuffie - Zero
Locations
Worlds
Twilight Town - Destiny Islands - Hollow Bastion/Radiant Garden - The Land of Dragons - Beast's Castle - 100 Acre Wood - Olympus Coliseum - Disney Castle - Timeless River - Atlantica - Port Royal - Agrabah - Halloween Town - Pride Lands - Space Paranoids - The World That Never Was - End of Sea
Places
The Other Twilight Town - Dive to the Heart - Mysterious Tower - Kingdom Hearts
Terms
Cornerstone of Light - Drive Form - Gate - Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee - Kairi's Letter - Keyblade - Kingdom Hearts Encoder - Organization XIII - Princesses of Heart - Reaction Command - Secret Ansem Report - Sidecar Glider - Skateboard - The End - Twilight Town Disciplinary Committee
Music
Kingdom Hearts II Original Soundtrack - Kingdom Hearts Original Soundtrack Complete - Sanctuary
Archives
Accessories - Artwork - Bosses - Enemies - Items - Keyblades - Other Weapons - Songs - Removed content
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
Characters
Party members
Roxas - Axel - Demyx - Larxene - Lexaeus - Luxord - Marluxia - Saïx - Vexen - Xaldin - Xemnas - Xigbar - Xion - Zexion
Secret characters
Donald Duck - Goofy - King Mickey - Riku - Sora
Non-playable characters
Abu - Aladdin - Ansem the Wise - Beast - Belle - Captain Hook - Card Soldiers - Carpet - Cave of Wonders Guardian - Cheshire Cat - Cogsworth - Dark Figure - Doorknob - Dr. Finkelstein - Genie - Hayner - Hercules - Jack Skellington - Jasmine - Kairi - Lock, Shock, and Barrel - Lumière - Moogle - Mr. Smee - Naminé - Olette - Pence - Pete - Philoctetes - Queen of Hearts - Tinker Bell - White Rabbit - Zero
Locations
Worlds
Agrabah - Beast's Castle - Castle Oblivion - Destiny Islands - Halloween Town - Neverland - Olympus Coliseum - The World That Never Was - Twilight Town - Wonderland
Places
The Other Twilight Town
Terms
Heart - Heartless - Keyblade - Kingdom Hearts - Mission Mode - Nobody - Organization XIII - Organization XIII Device - Replica - Replica Program - Roxas's Diary - Sea-salt ice cream - The End
Music
Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep & 358/2 Days Original Soundtrack - Sanctuary
Archives
Rings - Artwork - Bosses - Enemies - Keyblades - Other Weapons - Removed content
Retrieved from "https://www.khwiki.com/index.php?title=Organization_XIII&oldid=895064"