#kh3 novels

[flummoxx]

KH NOVEL RESOURCES

A collection of links to fulfill all of your kh novel needs

Info:

The Kingdom Hearts novels are a series of books written by Tomoco Kanemaki, containing artwork drawn by Shiro Amano. Originally, they were only released in Japan, but we now have the official English translations for most books. (we are only missing the spin offs) The few games that don’t have novels made for them are the mobile games. (unfortunately)

Keep in mind that most of the books when translated into English, were combined into larger volumes. For example, kh2 vol 1 and 2 were put together to make a bigger volume 1. So, if you come across any fan translations titled "vol 4 of _" or " vol 5 of _" it might be labeled as a different vol in the English version, but it contains the same story.

Youtube Audiobooks:

@celestesoleil on Youtube read the entire official English series and uploaded it to her channel. Please go check her out!

Disclaimer:

I could be wrong, but I read online that Yen Press recently lost the rights to the English novels and manga. This makes it hard to find the physical english copies anymore. When shopping for the books online, please make sure you're purchasing the correct language.

ALSO none of these translations are mine; all of the credit belongs to those who spent the time to translate them. And of course I'd like to thank @rhythmmortis on tumlbr as well, who has mercifully uploaded every official English translation on google docs. (they're a lifesaver, seriously.)

—☆—

KH1 - "Kingdom Hearts: The Novel (light Novel)"

| Official English Translation(complete) | Fan Translation(incomplete) |

| Novel Illustrations | Youtube Audiobook(complete) |

| Amazon | Ebay |

COM - "Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories The Novel"

| Offical English Translation of Sora and Riku's Story(complete) | Fan Translation of Riku’s Story(complete) |

| Novel Illustrations |

| Youtube Audiobook of Sora's Story(complete) | Youtube Audiobook of Riku's Story(complete) |

| Amazon | Ebay |

KH2 - "Kingdom Hearts II: The Novel, Vol. # (light Novel)"

KH2 - Vol 1

| Official English Translation of vol 1(complete) | Fan Translation of vol 1(incomplete) |

| Vol 1 Novel Illustrations | Youtube Audiobook of vol 1 (complete) |

| Amazon | Ebay |

KH2 - Vol 2

| Official English Translation of vol 2(complete) | Fan Translation of vol 4 aka vol 2 in en(incomplete) |

| Vol 2 Novel Illustrations | Youtube Audiobook of vol 2(complete) |

| Amazon | Ebay |

Short Stories Vol. 1 OTHER DIAMONDS

This is a spin off exclusive to the books. It currently has no official English translation. Keep in mind, that If you choose to download the fan translation off the second link, the website's not guaranteed to be completely safe. Unfortunately, I don’t know much about it. Please be careful!

| Other Diamonds Prologue Fan Translation |

| Fan Translation(complete) | Other Info |

| Amazon | Ebay |

Short Stories Vol. 2 AXEL SEVEN DAYS

This is the second spin off in the series. It also lacks an official English translation. Although the fan translation is technically unfinished, It's only missing the chapters that according to the translator, were just retellings of the Pride Lands and Halloween Town worlds. This website is safe and has no download option available.

| Fan Translation(incomplete) |

| Amazon | Ebay |

358/2 days - "Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days: The Novel (light novel)"

| Official English Translation(complete) | Fan Translation of vol 1(complete) |

| Fan Translation of vol 2 aka vol 1 in en(complete) | Fan Translation of vol 3 aka vol 1 in en(complete)

| Novel Illustrations | Youtube Audiobook(complete) |

| Amazon | Ebay |

KH BBS - "Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep: The Novel (light Novel)"

| Official English Translation(complete) | Fan Translation of vol 1(incomplete) |

| Fan Translation of vol 2 aka vol 1 in en(incomplete) |

| Novel Illustrations | Youtube Audiobook(complete) |

| Amazon | Ebay |

KH RC - "Kingdom Hearts Re:coded (light Novel)"

| Official English Translation(complete) |

| Novel Illustrations | Youtube Audiobook(complete) |

| Amazon | Ebay |

KH DDD - "Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance The Novel (light Novel)"

| Official English Translation of Sora and Riku's side(complete) | Fan Translation of Sora's Side(incomplete) |

| Novel Illustrations | Youtube Audiobook of Sora and Riku's Side(complete) |

| Amazon | Ebay |

KHX - "Kingdom Hearts X: Your Keyblade, Your Story (light Novel)"

| Official English Translation(complete) |

| Novel Illustrations | Youtube Audiobook(complete) |

| Amazon | Ebay |

KH3 - "Kingdom Hearts III: The Novel, Vol. #: ____(light Novel)"

KH3 - Vol 1 Re:Start!!

| Official English Translation of vol 1(complete) |

| Vol 1 Novel Illustrations | Youtube Audiobook of vol 1-3(complete) |

| Amazon | Ebay |

KH3 - Vol 2 New Seven Hearts

| Official English Translation of vol 2(complete) |

| Vol 2 Novel Illustrations | Youtube Audiobook of vol 1-3(complete) |

| Amazon | Ebay |

KH3 - Vol 3 Remind Me Again

| Official English Translation of vol 3(complete) |

| Vol 3 Novel Illustrations | Youtube Audiobook of vol 1-3(complete) |

| Amazon | Ebay |

Extras - Another Report

In Japan, if you preordered Kh2 Final Mix, the book Another Report, was provided with your game. Roxas—Somewhere in Time, and a directors report are included in this book, which thankfully have fan translations that I've linked below. These have never been officially translated to English.

| Roxas—Somewhere in Time | Director’s Secret Report XIII |

—☆—

Before you leave, feel free to send me any questions about the kh novels. I'm lucky to own every en novel, and I'm always free to talk about them!

[verathena14]

ex husbands <3

kh novel illustrations my beloved

[oveliagirlhaditright]

"After a short time, they reached a fork in the path. Sora was wondering how to best make their way through the narrow corridors of the maze with so many people when Riku offered an idea:

'Looks like splitting into two groups might be our best option.'

'Yeah, I agree.'

Riku walked down one passage, while Mickey walked down the other. Aqua and Ventus followed the king, while Kairi and Axel joined Riku.

'Be careful, everyone,' called Kairi.

'Same to you,' Sora said back, then let out a deep breath." - Kingdom Hearts III novel 3: Remind Me Again, page 148. Based on the game by Tetsuya Nomura, novel written by Tomoco Kanemaki.

The last of my "let's see if I can adapt scenes that weren't in the games from the novels" attempts. At least for SoKai. And here's the KHIII one.

Maybe it's just me, but I felt like this moment was a little foreboding (which is what I was going for with the picture and Sora's face there). I mean, we all know what soon comes after this: Kairi's kidnapping and then murder at the hands of Xehanort:(

Edit: Oh! And my computer is pretty much broken right now, and making me see weird glitches on my screen. I don't think they're there in reality. But on the off-chance I'm wrong and some are actually there in this picture I made, please let me know so I can try and fix it. Thank you.

[mythicalartistx]

Vanitas in the novels is not what I expected....

I saw someone BBS sections online and it was just the Vanitas sections and it was worse than I thought.

I knew everytime you hurt or kill Unversed, Vanitas feels pain. That I knew and was sad. I knew the novels had more added extra details about that, BUT I DIDN'T EXPECT HIM TO BE SO SAD AND JUST WANTED TO STOP FEELING PAIN

That's why he looked so sad when Ventus defeated him. He only wanted to feel whole again so he wouldn't feel hurt or pain.

He was so miserable. He questioned his existence. He felt pain because he was separated. He hated looking at Ven, but when MX brought him to Eraqus he then started to missed him.

All the pain, sadness, nervous, and basically any emotions would create unversed. And he hated the sight of the Unversed as they also made him feel weak. When he destroyed them and it caused him to feel intense and physical pain. But it also made Vanitas feel slightly better because the Unversed being alive made him miserable. However the pain was so intense and it often made him create more Unversed because of it in an endless cycle.

He hated Ventus cause he got to live happily without feeling anything. He also reminded him of how weak he was because when they were one person he used to be weak and timid, but when separated Ven grew stronger due to Eraqus, Aqua, and Terra's influence. When Vanitas saw his other half, after Sora's heart touched both of theirs, he despised him and wanted to hurt him.

Vanitas actually didn't really want anything to do with MX but only helped him so it makes the pain go away. MX often told him the pain and hurting will make him stronger and to use those feelings. Vanitas only really went with him and wanted to forge the χ-blade and connect so he will stop hurting.

He just wanted to feel better and it's like really sad.

And MX often laughed at his pain or just watched , not doing a single thing.

Also sometimes MX would hurt and fight Vanitas to make him stronger and then disappear. And Vanitas would just be in the keyblade graveyard alone and hurt. Because of how alone he was and how much pain and all the sad feelings he got, he turned cold and a bit twisted. He didn't know nice things for himself, he only saw other people having this and it was never him.

It's just all so sad.

The parts that were just about his creation is just so 😔😔🥹💔

Like he still did all those things but it's understandable where he's coming from now. You feel bad for him now and NOW MORE THAN EVER he should get redeemed.

I already thought he should be redeemed because of how he was in his KH3 battle and he can stay as darkness if he wants but still be friends with them and maybe feel better.

GIVE HIM A HUG PLEASE he deserves it even if he bites

He's a silly little chaotic guy that deserves to be loved

[blowingoffsteam2]

A strong will and a very precious dream…

[namedafterflowerstournament]

Botanic Tournament : Asters Bracket !

Round 2 Poll 2

[dayringblossom]

selfless act of true love

[rikuissogay]

I'm so happy KHIII's novel is split into 3 instead of one large one like...every other one in the series-

I don't wanna read the COM novel which is 600 pages. 😕

[star-shapedfruit]

Kairi Day- Destiny’s Embrace

For Kairi Day 2023 I'd like to share my pride and joy, Destiny's Embrace; a post-KH3 fic featuring our favourite princess. Set just after the events of KH3, a grieving and guilt-ridden Kairi sets out on her own quest to find her inner strength and discover the mystery behind Sora's disappearance.

You can read it here!

We've got:

-Kairi and Aqua mentor-student bonding, Terra being a protective big brother, Ven and Kairi get to train together and develop a sweet friendship

-Revisiting Radiant Garden with the Sea Salt fam to try and remember her past. Isa comes along to try and atone for himself. She hates his guts.

-Axel on helium.

-Moana and Coco worlds.

-Did I mention ✨FRIENDSHIP✨

-Pining and angst. Yen Sid is called out on his bullshit.

*This was written before Re:Mind and Melody of Memory so doesn't feature anything to do with the Quadratum plot. It’s its own separate little thing with its own unique ending~

[voidedgear]

i think my favorite description of vanitas is like

"you took half a kid's heart and FILLED IT WITH ANCIENT DARKNESS"

[gemstonerose]

EXCITEMENT!!! Don’t know exactly when I’ll start them but I am excited

[somacruising]

the devil inside me is like “make a rp blog for Vanitas KH…do it”

[mythicalartistx]

KH Japanese Translations Part 6

Part 5

Series where I discuss fantranslations and this time it's on Vanitas

Ever since seeing Vanitas backstory in the novels I became more interested in him, I already loved him as a character but the novels really increased that. So I'm going to look at some of the fantranslated kh3 scenes

Everyone knows how the translations can be off, now translations aren't perfect in general but its kinda odd when there are entirely new meanings or censored in the localization.

I'm glad I looked up translations for his death because it's so much more. It's more about freedom to choose and it's not even about darkness that much.

Sora: That face is—

Vanitas: I am Ventus' missing piece. You made up for the missing part of Ventus' heart. That's why my appearance came from you. I am made from you both, Ventus and Sora. We're brothers who make up for what the other lacks.

Sora: If you think that, why are you fighting us? We should be working together

Vanitas: It's my reason for being born. It is because I am darkness, that you both belong to the light, able to exist there. If that isn't 'working together' I don't know what is.

Sora: But I never—

Ventus: But I never asked for that.

Ventus: There's no need to divide which one is the light and which one is the darkness. I am me and you are you, just live freely the way we want.

Vanitas: Freedom? Ah, I am living freely... like this.

Ventus: Is living trapped in darkness freedom to you?

Vanitas: That's the way I chose to live

Ventus: I see

Sora: Is that really okay? Vanitas!

And it's just great, it's bittersweet. I like it a lot more. It shows that Vanitas decides to be trapped with darkness and is working with them so they could live and exist in the light. And it makes me wonder if he wasn't, would Sora and Ventus be unable to exist or live in the light. That's just something. All three of them affect the others. And these FT explains the appearance better and how they relate to the other.

I spent time looking at fan translations through various websites, people's comments, old posts, YouTube videos comments— and especially content relating to SR because those are the people who tend to care more.

Eng:

Sora: Your face!

Vanitas: I am the piece of Ventus that was taken away. And you're the piece Ventus needed to be whole again. So why shouldn't you and I look exactly the same? You define me Sora, the same way Ventus does. We are brothers who together, make a greater whole.

Sora: Then why don't you stand by our side instead with darkness?

Vanitas: Because I am darkness. And I do stand by your side. I'm the shadow that you cast. How much closer could I be?

Sora: But I didn't —

Ventus: But I didn't ask for this. To be sifted apart nice and neat. We should be free to choose. Not just light, not just darkness. We decide what we are.

Vanitas: But Ventus, I did decide who I am. You see?

Ventus: And what you are is darkness ?

Vanitas: What I am is darkness

Ventus: Okay

Sora: How is that okay? Vanitas?

And there's differences and it's honestly moreso the whole concept about freedom to choose is left out. The official translation focuses on darkness and him being darkness because that's what he is when it's honestly not just that. I feel like he's more than just darkness but that's my take. The JPN also explains how Vanitas appearance is better and the separation between Ven and Vanitas as well was stated better as well.

And I bring it up because I once was talking about how I thought the ships were odd because he calls them his brothers and someone mentioned that it was just an English translation thing, people can ship whatever they want I'm not here to stop that but does that mean the person say something incorrect?

Now I'm going through the monster's inc where Vanitas realizes where Ven is and he says this line.

JPN:

Vanitas: Ventus! So you were hiding in such a place all along, remnant of my heart.

ENG:

Vanitas: Ventus. What a strange place to slither off to... you insignificant speck

Now I want to point out how the phrasing in such a place is said as an insult. It is stated that somewhere like that is worthless as if Sora is worthless. Then he insults him by saying you are little of his heart. Like he isn't worth much. The changes here make sense and it kinda flows better. Like insignificant speck is an insult that clearly from the way the original statement was said.

Final Words:

As much as it would be interesting to have Roxas also there, it wouldn't really fit. The only relation he has to Vanitas is through Sora by looking the same as Ventus. Roxas is a great character but for that scene in particular it made sense that he wasn't present. Now it be cool if we got a reaction to seeing him in another scene.

Sora is the one that helped both Ven and Vanitas. He saved both of their hearts. Vanitas gained his form and appearance by Sora ability to connect with them. Sora saved Ven's heart from being destroyed and Vanitas—a being that was with Ven so long merged with his heart that when he was taken out it affected Ven. This is stated in re: mind, speaking of remind someone said something that I honestly think is interesting:

Post Notes:

I once heard that Vanitas referring to them as brothers was only a localization thing so I wanted to look into that, but I couldn't find anything through all the sources I used. I even listen to jpn audio and he still says kyōdai which means brother. Not sure why someone once said that

And I bring it up because It was about how I thought the ships were odd because he calls them his brothers and someone mentioned that it was just an English translation thing, and they aren't like that in the JPN version people can ship whatever they want I'm not here to stop that but it seems like they still do so why did that person say it?

Unless they're referring the the remind scene when Ven is like we're not brothers we're the same but Vanitas tells him you're naïve for believing that I've been with you for a long time and is another being entirely. But that's all the English version and I didn't really look at any translations for that scene... If anyone does know more about that scene....

Also Vanitas is my second favorite character now 😌

[ajdrawshq]

gonna be honest. i had a harder time w the kingdom of coronas boss than everything in the late game so far and i dont know how to feel abt that

[blowingoffsteam2]

Ok so now that we know that Darkness is in some way tied to Vanitas (I don’t really think Vanitas IS the same being as Darkness, and this kh3 novel bit also seems to imply that) this quote is super interesting. Yet another thing that shows that Kanemaki is privy to story information that hasn’t been shown in game yet. Also I actually don’t know how I feel about the Sora=Player theory anymore even though it’s still very much on the table. But we still don’t know why Sora’s unborn heart was drawn to Ven in the first place so….

Hi there. I got question about kh3 novel monologue about vanitas. He said he is half ventus and the other name was cut off. I find that very curious and so mysterious about that. He said he has ancient memories are not his own or ventus memories and the unversed is the form of trauma that ventus suffered from khux. Also he heart make of two people. Don't you think find that odd? What do you think about all this? I would like to know your thoughts and feelings about that?

I actually haven’t read that part yet and I’m not sure where to find it, do you have a link (or anyone else?)

That stuff sounds super interesting, so I’ll get to your questions once I read it.

[starrieisdelusional]

why kairi might be the one who manipulated sora's memory

yes you read that right, and no i did not mis-type this (if you're thinking hey that should be namine!)

i was going back a few times to kh3 and i found many patterns and cutscenes in 3 that can be compared to previous installments of the game, even side by side, this one particularly caught my eye:

crazy am i right

so remember that scene in 3 where sora falsely exclaimed "the light in the darkness" to be kairi? (it's actually riku) where sora and kairi goes enters the light to made it back to the real world

previous clip in link because tumblr isn't working with me ("riku, answer me!!" comparison with "okay! i have to protect them (aitsu)! Namine can you hear me?")

as you've seen in the comparison i realized it probably a direct paralell to namine's fake meteor shower scene back in COM Sora's side. And these lines of dialogue in particular interest me

it got me thinking, and i think that kairi purposely did something to sora's memory at some point in their lives. The exact when i'm not too sure, but she had inserted herself into some of riku's part in sora's life as sora's taisetsu na hito (special someone)

i know this sounds crazy, but i think there's a valid reason to this theory

Why??

the motive is clear: that kairi is lonely. i personally relate to her character struggle, loneliness can be suffocating, just like how namine portrayed hers that resulted to the events in COM

kairi's main theme has always been about 'seperation' and being left behind by sora and riku. so it would make sense for her to crave attention

kairi might feel sad that sora and riku doesn't pay attention to her unlike how they pay attention to each-other, so i don't see it as off character for her to insert herself into a fake picture if she had the chance, especially as the love interest of her crush

she even said this back in KH1 which sora responded with "Huh!? What's gotten into you?"

or is it done out of malicious intentions? there might be a possibility for that, but i don't think it is as it goes against kingdom hearts thematic story that stays consistent over the years, that portrays every character struggle in a sympathetic way that honestly you can relate too

(xehanort is even a subject to this in dark road)

i think that kairi felt really guilty about it and didn't realized the impact that she had done to sora and riku's relationship. or maybe she thrived for it, because even if the affection is not real, kairi is still loved and remembered by someone as their precious person, and it feels nice especially with someone like sora

snippet from kh3 novel

in the novels, there's a strong hint that kairi cut her hair because riku cut his, which contributes a lot to the theory of kairi wanting to be sora's precious person (riku) where she somewhat mimics his behavior (she probably realized deep down sora cares more about riku than her)

Passing Memories

i think this also made sense lore wise, because why else would sora suddenly lost his memory of riku? and i don't think sora's sort-of infatuation with kairi is caused by comphet alone

forgotten promises is a recurring theme in sora and riku's relationship, everything up to this point has always leads to hidden thoughts and burried memories, you have to dig deeper if you want to find a connection between sora and riku, the examples currently are:

whatever is happening between soriku

passing memories jp name of oblivion keyblade that is owned by roxas

riku is the TRUE light

necklace theory: the fact that THE necklace is everywhere in the game but is never brought up like ever

aitsu (check full discussion on the internet)

COM the game (just everything related to COM, the only game with riku and sora beside DDD? it's sus if you ask me)

compared to sora and kairi who's relationship always seems shallow and on the surface. i think it made more sense with the 'why' factor answered, because every time sora is thinking of riku, kairi would replace herself in his position, just like the light-tunnel scene in kh3

the 'oathkeeper' (promise charm) and 'oblivion' (passing memories) also reflected sora keeping his promise to kairi, but forgetting about his to riku, riku might not be affected in the same way that sora does, so this happens:

+ the multiple and many instances, riku is straight up covered by kairi

some of those instances:

kairi is true darkness (ex: sea is metaphor for darkness)

xion (is said to be kairi but proven also to also be riku)

the final world

Power?

honestly, i think kairi is more than she lets on (like LUXU), let's talk about her nobody:

i think it's already suspicious that namine has the power to mess with sora's memories (because she's from kairi's body and sora's heart?) when existing nobodies like roxas and xion for example has powers directly tied to their somebodies (kingdom key), xehanort doing xehanort things, marluxia possessing the same rose petals as his somebody counterpart, (and a lot more...)

so, with a game like kingdom hearts, does namine's powers really came out of no where? we know that sora doesn't have the ability to manipulate people's memories, so who else could it be?? kairi's powers might even be more powerful

this would also aligns with the theory 'riku is light-kairi is darkness' because even at front value the game is telling you 'hey kairi is LIGHT and riku is DARKNESS' time and time again its always the reverse in certain situations, but you never got to wonder what it actually mean

yes riku is the light, but why is kairi the darkness?? yes she sort-of brings demise as xehanort's pawn, but is it really just that?

lastly, kairi is a princess of heart, and might even came from the lost masters era as it is decorated and spammed with stars (every symbol is replaced by stars i'm not joking)

it's very on-theme with the 'traitor' plot point that has been consistent in every khux game, so... (i have a theory that kairi is master ava, or master ava is her grandma, OR kairi is mom... or skuld)

in addition to all of this, i also think that kairi can also be a creature, maybe she's actually a chirithy:

however i do think as opposed to riku as a dreameater (spirit), kairi is a nightmare chirithy, as seen in their color pallet (might be a coincidence but who knows)