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Xehanort

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Xehanort
Kingdom Hearts series character
File:Ansem.png
Xehanort, prior to the separation of his heart and body.
First gameKingdom Hearts

Xehanort (ゼアノート, Zeanōto) is a fictional character in the video game Kingdom Hearts series and is the main villain of the series. Out of ignorance born of deception, he is referred to as Ansem (アンセム, Ansemu) in Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories.[1][2] Xehanort is voiced by Richard Epcar in the English version of Kingdom Hearts II, and by Akio Otsuka in the Japanese version. His Heartless is voiced by Billy Zane in the English versions of Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, by Richard Epcar in the English version of Kingdom Hearts II, and by Akio Otsuka in the Japanese versions of the games. His Nobody Xemnas (ゼムナス, Zemunasu) is voiced by Paul St. Peter in the English version of Kingdom Hearts II and by Norio Wakamoto in the Japanese version. "Xehanort" is an anagram of "no heart" or "another" with a "X" added, whereas Xemnas is an anagram of "Ansem" with a "X" added.[3]

Kingdom Hearts

File:KingdomHeartsAnsem.jpg
"Ansem", Xehanort's Heartless. Art by Tetsuya Nomura.

In the beginning of Kingdom Hearts, as Sora, the later wielder of the Keyblade, a weapon to battle darkness, searches for supplies to prepare for a trip beyond his islands home, he encounters a man in brown robe, who dismisses the boy's knowledge and disappears afterwards.[4] Later on, Aerith explains to Donald Duck and Goofy that a person named Ansem studied the Heartless and detailed his findings in a report.[5] Ansem is later elaborated to the former ruler of Aerith's homeworld, Hollow Bastion.[6] The report's pages are held by the group of Disney villains led by Maleficent, and the player obtains them after defeating the villains in gameplay.

The reports detail how Ansem's experiments into the darkness created the Heartless,[7][8] his theories about hearts, and ends with him willingly giving his heart to the darkness, becoming a Heartless himself, but still retaining his self.[9] The brown-robed man appears to Riku, Sora's friend, but in association with Maleficent, and implores him to give into the darkness to make his heart stronger than Sora's.[10] Riku obtains a Keyblade, a weapon that can unlock hearts.[11] Revealing himself to be Ansem, possessing Riku,[12] Ansem battles Sora to get the trapped heart of Kairi, another friend of Sora, so that Ansem can find Kingdom Hearts, the source of all hearts.[13] Despite Ansem's defeat, Sora frees Kairi's heart with Ansem's Keyblade, opening the passageway to Kingdom Hearts.[14]

Ansem is met again in End of the World, where he explains his belief that darkness is the fundamental nature of the heart, and that Kingdom Hearts would be the ultimate darkness.[15][16] However, as Ansem forces open the door to Kingdom Hearts, light shines through, destroying Ansem's Heartless self.[17]

Kingdom Hearts Final Mix

Kingdom Hearts Final Mix, an expanded version of Kingdom Hearts, introduced a character, "Unknown" (謎の男, Nazo no Otoko), who the player can challenge in an optional boss battle. This character does not clarify his identity, instead uttering cryptic statements about himself and Sora. Final Mix also added more Ansem Reports, clarifying that Ansem sent Kairi away from their homeworld to find the Keyblade.[18]

Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories

Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories has members of "the Organization" refer to a powerful "Superior", whose identity is unclear.[19] The game also features a sidestory for Riku, where a mysterious character named DiZ is introduced,[20] and Ansem still haunts Riku's heart, troubling him.[21] Riku accepts the darkness inside him and defeats Ansem, but his traces still remain.[22]

Kingdom Hearts II

File:Xemnashighreso.png
Xemnas, Xehanort's Nobody, in Kingdom Hearts II.

Kingdom Hearts II introduces that Nobodies are born when a Heartless is created, and reveals that the Nobody of Ansem is "Unknown" and the "Superior" of Organization XIII, Xemnas. Mickey Mouse, who had met Ansem before the story of Kingdom Hearts, reveals that the Ansem that Sora encountered was actually the Heartless of Xehanort, one of Ansem the Wise's students.[1][2] "Secret Ansem Reports", written by Ansem the Wise, are found throughout the game, and explain that Xehanort was a castaway turned apprentice and subject who lost his memories[23] and that he took Ansem's name,[24] created the Heartless, and split his being into two, creating the sapient Heartless and Xemnas. Five other apprentices participated in the experiments, and their Nobodies formed the Organization with Xemnas.

Organization XIII members explain that Xemnas seeks to increase Kingdom Hearts' power by having Sora defeat Heartless, releasing the hearts trapped within them, which flock back to Kingdom Hearts.[25] Xemnas desires to create a "brand new world, one heart at a time."[26] At Organization XIII's base, DiZ reveals himself to be Ansem the Wise, and uses a machine to take Kingdom Hearts' energy. This causes many hearts from Kingdom Hearts to fall out, removing much potential. Regardless, Xemnas takes what is left of Kingdom Hearts' power and battles Sora in multiple forms, eventually defeated and "fading to darkness". Kingdom Hearts II Ultimania describes Xemnas as using the power of nothingness and red energy blades called Aerial Blades in battle; and controlling Sorcerer Nobodies, a lesser type of Nobody. [3]

Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix

Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix added new cutscenes that expanded on the Organization and Xemnas. Xemnas is often seen in meetings between the Organization members, presiding over them. Xemnas, in a flashback sequence, is seen walking into the depths of the laboratory at the Radiant Garden to enter the "Chamber of Sleep" and speak to armor that belongs to a female knight with a Keyblade, referring to it as a friend. Xigbar, a member of the Organization, explains that after people with "blades of keys" appeared, fought, and were gone, Xehanort was found by Ansem the Wise.

An added optional boss, the Nazo no Senshi, expresses that hatred for Xehanort is the only thing he has left. What this means should be expanded upon in the next installment. In addition, a bald old man with clothing almost exactly like that of Xehanort's heartless, Ansem, is seen fighting Nazo no Senshi (as well as two other armored knights) in the secret ending.

References

  1. ^ a b Mickey: But, what you actually fought was his Heartless. Ya see, he wasn't really Ansem. He just went around telling everybody that he was. Square Enix (2006-03-28). Kingdom Hearts II (PlayStation 2). Square Enix U.S.A., Buena Vista Games.
  2. ^ a b Ansem the Wise: Xemnas, the Organization's Superior, is the Nobody of Xehanort, my foremost apprentice. Square Enix (2006-03-28). Kingdom Hearts II (PlayStation 2). Square Enix U.S.A., Buena Vista Games.
  3. ^ a b Studio BentStuff, ed. (2005). Kingdom Hearts II Ultimania (in Japanese). Square Enix. ISBN 4-7575-1621-5.
  4. ^ Ansem: A meaningless effort. One who knows nothing can understand nothing.Square (2002-09-17). Kingdom Hearts (PlayStation 2). Square, Disney Interactive.
  5. ^ Goofy: Ansem? / Aerith: He was studying the Heartless. He recorded all of his findings in a very detailed report. Square (2002-09-17). Kingdom Hearts (PlayStation 2). Square, Disney Interactive.
  6. ^ Leon: Our ruler was a wise man named Ansem. Square (2002-09-17). Kingdom Hearts (PlayStation 2). Square, Disney Interactive.
  7. ^ Ansem Report 2: The experiments caused the test subject's heart to collapse, including those of the most stalwart. ... I confined those who had completely lost their hearts beneath the castle. Square (2002-09-17). Kingdom Hearts (PlayStation 2). Square, Disney Interactive.
  8. ^ Ansem Report 3: They still need a name. Those who lack hearts... I will call them the Heartless. Square (2002-09-17). Kingdom Hearts (PlayStation 2). Square, Disney Interactive.
  9. ^ Ansem Report 10: My path is set. I shall seek out the wielder of the Keyblade, and the princesses. My body is too frail for such a journey, but I most do this. I will cast it off and plunge into the depths of darkness. Square (2002-09-17). Kingdom Hearts (PlayStation 2). Square, Disney Interactive.
  10. ^ Ansem: The heart that is strong and true shall win the Keyblade. / Riku: What? You’re saying my heart’s weaker than his? / Ansem: For that instant, it was. However, you can become stronger. You showed no fear in stepping through the door to darkness. It held no terror for you. Plunger deeper into the darkness, and your heart will grow even stronger. / Riku: What should I do? / Ansem: It’s really quite simple. Open yourself to the darkness. That is all. Let your heart, your being, become darkness itself. Square (2002-09-17). Kingdom Hearts (PlayStation 2). Square, Disney Interactive.
  11. ^ Riku: Yes. A Keyblade. But unlike yours, this Keyblade holds the power to unlock people’s hearts. Square (2002-09-17). Kingdom Hearts (PlayStation 2). Square, Disney Interactive.
  12. ^ Sora: Tell me. Who are you? / Riku: It is I, Ansem, the seeker of darkness. Square (2002-09-17). Kingdom Hearts (PlayStation 2). Square, Disney Interactive.
  13. ^ Riku: The Keyhole cannot be completed so as long as the last princess of heart still sleeps. Square (2002-09-17). Kingdom Hearts (PlayStation 2). Square, Disney Interactive.
  14. ^ Ansem: So, you have awakened at last, Princess. The Keyhole is now complete. You have served your purpose. But now it’s over. Square (2002-09-17). Kingdom Hearts (PlayStation 2). Square, Disney Interactive.
  15. ^ Ansem: Don’t bother. Your voice can no longer reach him where he is. His heart belongs again to darkness. All worlds begin in darkness, and all so end. The heart is no different. Darkness sprouts within it, grows, consumes it. Such is its nature. In the end, every heart returns to the darkness whence it came. You see, darkness is the heart’s true essence. Square (2002-09-17). Kingdom Hearts (PlayStation 2). Square, Disney Interactive.
  16. ^ Ansem: Kingdom Hearts! Fill me with the power of darkness... Square (2002-09-17). Kingdom Hearts (PlayStation 2). Square, Disney Interactive.
  17. ^ Ansem: Lights? But why...? Square (2002-09-17). Kingdom Hearts (PlayStation 2). Square, Disney Interactive.
  18. ^ アンセムレポート10: しかし、これは一つの可能性であり、実験である。彼女が鍵を持つ者のいる場所へ私を導いてくれるのか… 異空の海に送り出してみよう。 Square (2002-12-16). Kingdom Hearts Final Mix (PlayStation 2) (in Japanese). Square, Disney Interactive.
  19. ^ Marluxia: In the name of the Organization, I pronounce your project a failure. This lapse must be reported to the Superior. / Vexen: No... Please, don't! I beg of you! Leave him out of this! Jupiter (2004-12-07). Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories (Game Boy Advance). Square Enix, Disney Interactive.
  20. ^ DiZ: Call me DiZ — it's as good a name as any. Jupiter (2004-12-07). Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories (Game Boy Advance). Square Enix, Disney Interactive.
  21. ^ Riku: You always were chatty when it came to darkness. So let me guess... You want to pull me back into the darkness and play puppet master again... right? / Ansem: Clever boy. You'll make a fine host. Now, surrender to me again and — Jupiter (2004-12-07). Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories (Game Boy Advance). Square Enix, Disney Interactive.
  22. ^ Riku: I don't know if I can. It's still there. His scent...it's faint, but not gone. I can't go home until it is. His darkness may still have a hold on me... Jupiter (2004-12-07). Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories (Game Boy Advance). Square Enix, Disney Interactive.
  23. ^ Secret Ansem Report 1: I shall perform an experiment to probe the depths of a person's heart. One of my own apprentices, Xehanort, has volunteered to be a subject. The young man has served me ever since I nursed him back from death's door some years ago. He had lost all his memories at the time Square Enix (2006-03-28). Kingdom Hearts II (PlayStation 2). Square Enix U.S.A., Buena Vista Games.
  24. ^ Secret Ansem Report 2:That is when I discovered the "Ansem Reports." Though they bore my name, the only one I had written was number 0. Apparently he had gone on to pen numbers 1 through 8 himself. Yes- the first subject in my foolish experiments. Square Enix (2006-03-28). Kingdom Hearts II (PlayStation 2). Square Enix U.S.A., Buena Vista Games.
  25. ^ Saïx: Pitiful Heartless, mindlessly collecting hearts. And yet they know not the true power of what they hold. The rage of the Keyblade releases those hearts. They gather in darkness, masterless and free...until they weave together to make Kingdom Hearts. Square Enix (2006-03-28). Kingdom Hearts II (PlayStation 2). Square Enix U.S.A., Buena Vista Games.
  26. ^ Xemnas: All that and more. I'm carrying on what you yourself began, and I'm creating a brand new world, one heart at a time. Square Enix (2006-03-28). Kingdom Hearts II (PlayStation 2). Square Enix U.S.A., Buena Vista Games.
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