List of Kingdom Hearts references in other media

This is a list of assorted media references to the Kingdom Hearts games shown outside of the series.

Disney media

Amphibia

"True Colors" promo.

A promotional image by series's color designer Andy Garner-Flexner for the episode "True Colors" mimics the "Heart" Key Art from Kingdom Hearts II.

Chang Can Dunk

The Olympus level from Kingdom Hearts III is being played on a PS5 in the background when Chang gets locked in the basement during a party.

Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers

The Kingdom Key and Sora's hair are both featured amongst the items that have been stolen from the bootlegged characters.

D23 Expo 2020

At the 2020 D3 Expo, the "Fantastic Worlds" map was issued to gold members of the Disney Fan Club. The map, which combines several locales from Disney media into one map, includes Twilight Town in the top left section.

D23 Expo 2022

At the 2022 D3 Expo, a poster celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Walt Disney Company was available to Gold Members. Said poster contains fifty-eight different references to Disney media, including a silhouette of the Kingdom Key on the left side of Sleeping Beauty's castle, near a TRON Identity Disc.

Disney Emoji Blitz

A few Kingdom Hearts characters appear as emojis for the player to collect, namely Sora, Aqua, and Donald and Goofy in their attire from the series. A Shadow was later added as a free collectible in honor of the Kingdom Hearts series' 20th anniversary, though it is unusable in the game itself.

Disney Infinity 3.0

At the D23 Expo 2015, all attending fans were given a power disc which unlocked Mickey's Kingdom Hearts outfit in the game.

The Kingdom Key appears in the game as the Ultimate Unlock, requiring players to purchase and scan figures of 39 different characters - the amount of figures initially planned for the game (7 additional characters were released afterwards). The Kingdom Key is able to perform 5 spells depending on the player's inputs: Fire, Blizzard, Ars Arcanum, Stun Impact, and Ragnarok. Outside of combat, the weapon is stored in a heart-shaped backpack resembling the logo of the original Kingdom Hearts.

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  The power disc unlocking Mickey's Kingdom Hearts outfit.

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  Screenshot of Mickey in his Kingdom Hearts outfit in-game.

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  Screenshot of the Keyblade being used in-game.

Disney Tsum Tsum

Two main Kingdom Hearts events were available for a limited time in 2019 and 2023, featuring stages based on worlds from the series. Over 20 collectable Tsum Tsum based on Kingdom Hearts characters have been created, both as part of the special collaboration events and separately.

DuckTales

In the episode "The Shadow War!", Mrs. Beakley creates a dessert which includes sea-salt ice cream and mentions it being Scrooge's favorite dessert, a reference to the Kingdom Hearts series.

Marvel Heroes

Deadpool can wield a series of weapons named "Keyblades". The in-game description of the Keyblades, "A heart, a heart, my kingdom for a heart", is a reference to William Shakespeare's Richard III, as well as a pun on the Kingdom Hearts series.

Star vs. the Forces of Evil

In the episode "St. Olga's Reform School for Wayward Princesses", Rat Princess wears a crown shaped exactly like the reccuring crown motif in the Kingdom Hearts series.

The Ghost and Molly McGee

In the episode "Game On", the Kingdom Key appears on the weapons selection menu for a video game.

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder

In the episode "Home School", the character KG can be seen playing a game that looks similar to Kingdom Hearts, with him playing through a section that looks near identical to Dive to the Heart, and the side panels bearing resemblance to Destiny Islands.

The Simpsons Game

• Comic Book Guy quotes Ansem's "Every light must fade, all hearts return to darkness" in the Big Super Happy Fun Fun level of the game.
• The Statues of Santa's Little Helper in the Super Happy Fun Fun level of the game have a Keyblade in their mouths.

The Wonderful Spring of Mickey Mouse

The Kingdom Key D appears amongst the objects in Mickey's house.

Tokyo Disney Resort

In November 2010, a statue inspired by Kingdom Hearts Re:coded was shown at the Ikspiari complex in Tokyo Disney Resort to promote the release of the game.

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  The Kingdom Hearts Re:coded statue at Tokyo Disney Resort.

Final Fantasy series

• In Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy, DLC costumes are available for Cloud Strife, Squall Leonheart, and Sephiroth based on their appearance in Kingdom Hearts.
• In Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy, when Tifa Lockhart is in EX Mode, she equips the Premium Heart gloves, which have the heart symbol from the Kingdom Hearts series on them.
• In Final Fantasy XIII-2, a scene appears, involving Lightning and Serah, emulating the iconic scene in Kingdom Hearts where Riku reaches for Sora to follow him into the darkness, later echoed by Vanitas and Young Xehanort.
• In the iOS port of Theatrhythm Final Fantasy and Theathrythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call, Auron is available as a DLC character in his Kingdom Hearts II appearance.
• In World of Final Fantasy, Sora in his Dream Drop Distance attire appears as a limited-time free DLC Champion Summon.
• In Final Fantasy XV, Prompto refers to the Keyblade by mentioning “a magical key that can unlock any door—like from the video games!”
• In Final Fantasy Brave Exvius:
  • In 2018, an event was held to commemorate the launch of Kingdom Hearts III. Sora, Riku, Cloud, and Sephiroth in their Kingdom Hearts attire appear as playable characters, while Darkside and Guard Armor appear as bosses for players to fight.
  • In 2020, an event taking place in Scala ad Caelum was held. Sora, Riku, and Kairi in their Kingdom Hearts III appearances, as well as Young Xehanort in his Dark Road appearance, are available as playable characters.

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  Cloud Strife's Dissidia 012 DLC costume based on his appearance in Kingdom Hearts.

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  Squall Leonheart's Dissidia 012 DLC costume based on his appearance in Kingdom Hearts.

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  Sephiroth's Dissidia 012 DLC costume based on his appearance in Kingdom Hearts.

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  Tifa Lockhart's Premium Heart Gloves in Dissidia 012.

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  Lightning and Serah emulating the iconic scene in Final Fantasy XIII-2.

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  Auron's Kingdom Hearts II appearance in Theathyrthm Final Fantasy.

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  Sora's appearance in World of Final Fantasy.

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  Prompto referencing the Keyblade in Final Fantasy XV.

Video Games

CrossCode

The "Salty Ice Cream" is a reference to sea-salt ice cream. The item's description reads "Best enjoyed at sunset on top of a clocktower."

Nobody Saves the World

A Keyblade appears on a wall together with several other iconic video game weapons.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

A Wrench and Hammer Swap for the player characters called "Key" is unlockable. This weapon heavily resembles a Keyblade.

Saints Row (2022)

A skin for the pickaxe called the "Saintsblade" can be unlocked. This weapon strongly resembles a Keyblade, including a keychain, and will generate star-shaped particle effects upon hitting an enemy.

Skullgirls

A skin for the character Eliza recolors her to be based on Sora's appearance in Kingdom Hearts III; her lackeys, Horace and Albus, are additionally respectively recolored to be based on Donald and Goofy, and her Parasite, Sekhmet, is recolored to be based on a Shadow.

The character Marie, has a recolor based on Ansem, Seeker of Darkness, with her skeletal partner, Hilgard, being recolored to be based on the Dark Figure, and her vacuum being recolored to be based on Soul Eater.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Sora is available as a DLC fighter, based on his appearance in Kingdom Hearts. He comes with alternate outfits of his appearances in Kingdom Hearts II, Dream Drop Distance, and Kingdom Hearts III, as well as his appearance in Timeless River, Valor Form, Wisdom Form, and Ultimate Form. Hollow Bastion and the Dive to the Heart are featured as a stage, several characters are available as Spirits, and numerous songs from the Kingdom Hearts series are featured as music tracks.

Terraria

A melee weapon called the "Keybrand" can drop from certain enemies. The item bears a strong resemblance to the Kingdom Key and is swung in a similar fashion, hitting enemies with the blunt end of the weapon rather than with the key's teeth.

The World Ends with You series

See also: TWISTER, CALLING, and SOMEDAY

The arrangement album The World Ends With You -Crossover- includes the three Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance arrangements of The World Ends with You songs, as well as a remix of a Kingdom Hearts remix titled "TWISTER -KINGDOM REMIX-"

On November 26, 2012, "CALLING -KINGDOM MIX-" and "SOMEDAY -KINGDOM MIX-" appeared in the The World Ends With You 5th Anniversary Live -Crossover- concert. The former was released on the The World Ends with You -Solo Remix- ~Tribute album alongside the new "SOMEDAY -KINGDOM MIX JP Ver.-", while the live version of "SOMEDAY -KINGDOM MIX-" remains exclusive to limited physical releases of the concert recording.

The four Kingdom Hearts remixes in The World Ends With You -Crossover- appear as in-game items in the mobile port The World Ends with You -Solo Remix-. The enhanced port The World Ends with You -Final Remix- adds every other Kingdom Hearts arrangement with the exception of the live version of "SOMEDAY -KINGDOM MIX-". This includes "TWISTER -UNION χ MIX-", which has never been released on an album in either series.

Song	Item Name	Info	Tips	Obtained
"TWISTER -KINGDOM MIX-"	(CD) Track 57	When true hearts are hard to find...	Thanks to the ultimate crossover, this tune has been reborn as a voluptuous, avant-garde marathon of beats to expand every dreamer's horizons.	Solo Remix/Final Remix: Purchase from Towa Records for ¥1,500
"CALLING -KINGDOM MIX-"	(CD) Track 58	When worthy spirits are out of reach...	A vertical slice of the universe: earthy vocals and a spacey bass line. This tune will dig deep into your heart and awaken the mysteries within.	Solo Remix/Final Remix: Purchase from Towa Records for ¥1,500
"SOMEDAY -KINGDOM MIX-"	(CD) Track 59	When sublime thoughts elude you...	The laid-back, tender pulse of this track puts all of Shibuya's harshness on pause and lets you reach for those forgotten memories.	Solo Remix/Final Remix: Purchase from Cyco Records for ¥1,500
"TWISTER -KINGDOM REMIX-"	(CD) Track 62	When you achieve a sublime state of mind...	The pressure pumped out by these digital beats will shake your spine and buck your brain. Strap in, enjoy the ride, and try not to fall off.	Solo Remix: Purchase from Coco's Secret Reaper Shop for real-world currency (¥85/$0.99) Final Remix: Purchase from Pegaso Atelier for 35 Rare Metals
"SOMEDAY -KINGDOM MIX JP Ver.-"	(CD) Track 82	When you're about to burst into tears..	Sink into the chill vibes of this track and let the calming chorus wash over you. All those feelings you've got pent up inside start to melt away...	Final Remix: Purchase from AMX for ¥1,500
"TWISTER -UNION χ MIX-"	(CD) Track 83	When you arrive in a brand new world...	You and your friends vow to meet again at a designated time and place-and it's that promise that keeps you going every day.	Final Remix: Purchase from AMX for ¥1,500
"CALLING -KINGDOM MIX- (Live Ver.)"	(CD) Track 90	When you get the urge to shout out loud…	Something summons you forth... Is it fate or free will? Whichever it may be, this track will give you the strength you need to accept whatever comes your way.	Final Remix: Purchase from Cosmic Corner for ¥1,500

Undermine

An item called the "Key Blade" can be obtained. The item's description reads "A sword in the shape of a dull key. Not practical as a key or blade."

Film and television

The Big Bang Theory

In the episode "The Excelsior Acquisition", on the back of a comic that Raj is reading, there is a ad for Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days.

Dragon Ball Heroes

The Key Sword (キーソード Kī Sōdo?) is a weapon that appears in the manga, anime, and game adaptions of Dragon Ball Heroes. Originally created to seal the Demon Realm, Xeno Trunks uses it to combat the Dark Empire. Its name, design, and function are references to the Keyblade.

Hazbin Hotel

KeeKee, Charlie's pet and key to the Hazbin Hotel, can shapeshift into a large key that looks similar to the Keyblade. She took this form in "The Show Must Go On" and was held by Lucifer during the reconstruction of the Hotel.

My Adventures with Superman

In the episode "Kiss Kiss Fall in Portal", a holographic image of an alternate version of Lois Lane from Earth-24 is shown dressed in clothing similar to Sora's and holding a key that resembles a Keyblade.

Rick and Morty

In Rick and Morty issue 50 of the tie-in comic, the character of Morty is seen playing a videogame called Imagine Balls, featuring a key-wielding hero of appearance similar to Sora battling alongside a cartoon character, being a clear parody of Kingdom Hearts. Rick criticizes Morty for playing the game because of its premise, but later gets hooked into it, enough to buy a cosplay and changing his hairdo to be close to Sora's.

Robot Chicken

In the episode "May Cause Numb Butthole", Sora, Donald, Goofy, and Master Xehanort were featured in the skit "Kingdom Hearts' Key Party", alongside other Disney characters.

Miscellaneous

2020 Summer Olympics

During the 2020 Summer Olympics opening ceremony, "Olympus Coliseum" and "Hero's Fanfare" played during the Parade of Nations.