- "Don't even think of taking over for me again!"
- —Santa Claus
Santa Claus, known as Sandy Claws to the residents of Halloween Town, is a character in Kingdom Hearts II. He is the leader of Christmas Town, and is constantly asked questions about Christmas by Jack Skellington.
Story
Between Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep and Kingdom Hearts II
Six years prior to the Heartless' invasion of the Destiny Islands, Sora was convinced by Riku not to believe in Santa Claus and went around informing the rest of the island's citizens of this fact. However, while Sora did not remember the incident afterwards, Santa did, to the point where Sora was not on the nice list.
Kingdom Hearts II
When Sora, Donald, and Goofy arrive in Halloween Town, Jack asks them to accompany him to Christmas Town to get Santa's blessing on taking over Christmas for the year, as well as to protect him from the Heartless. They find Santa in his workshop, where he informs a shocked Sora that the Keyblade wielder is not on the "nice" list due to telling his friends seven years earlier that he didn't believe in Santa; however, he reassures Goofy and Donald that they are still listed.
Later, Santa is kidnapped by Oogie Boogie at the request of Maleficent, who plans on turning Santa into a Heartless. Sally saves Santa from Oogie Boogie, while Sora and company battle the villain. After Oogie's defeat, Santa tells Jack that he should concentrate on Halloween, and Santa should concentrate on Christmas. Before the group leaves, Santa recalls that Riku may have been the one who convinced Sora not to believe, but professes his belief that the two friends will reunite someday.
During Sora's second visit, Santa's presents get stolen by Dr. Finkelstein's Experiment. He helps Jack make decoy presents to attract the Experiment, as well as a larger decoy for Jack and company to hide in. After they defeat the Experiment and retrieving the original presents, Santa Claus decides to give Jack a taste of what it's like to deliver them. When Jack finishes delivering presents, Santa takes back his sleigh and brings forth beautiful snow drops as a present to those in Halloween Town.
Appearance
Santa Claus is a very fat man dressed in a faded red, white fur-lined coat closed with a darker red belt. His very tiny hands are covered by black gloves that also have white fur lining. His feet and legs, though usually hidden by his coat, are even smaller than his hands, and covered by black boots. His hat is also red and lined with white fur, and ends in a white fur ball. The hat itself is quite long and thin. Santa has white hair and eyebrows, and a very long, thick beard that nearly reaches the floor. His cheeks and bulbous nose are faintly pink, as are his lips.
Personality
Santa is jolly, fun, caring, and good individual who adores children. As evidenced by his Good/Bad children list, he is also wise, fair and thoughtful. However, when he deals with Halloween Town, he becomes much more serious, and is strict with his duties when it comes to Christmas.
Origin
Santa Claus originates in Tim Burton's Disney 1993 film The Nightmare Before Christmas. In the film, Jack orders Lock, Shock, and Barrel to kidnap Santa Claus so that Jack can take over Christmas. However, instead of taking Santa to their lair as Jack requested, the trio brings him to Oogie Boogie. Sally, who doesn't like Jack's idea of taking over Christmas, is worried about Santa and wants to save him, but ends up being captured by Oogie Boogie as well. Later, Jack hurries back to Halloween Town to save Santa and Sally. After Oogie Boogie is defeated, Jack apologizes to Santa, who then leaves to fix Christmas. He flies around the world and delivers real presents to all the children. He and Jack also wish each other Merry Christmas and Happy Halloween as Santa brings snow to the Halloween Town.
Trivia
- Santa's advice that Sora should believe that he would find Riku is an echo of what happens in the third visit to Traverse Town in Kingdom Hearts, where Goofy tells Sora to believe that he would find Kairi.