Organization XIII (XIII機関 Jūsan Kikan) is a fictional group of characters featured in Square Enix and Disney Interactive Studios' Kingdom Hearts video game series. The group comprises thirteen beings without hearts called Nobodies[Note 1]
The Organization was originally introduced in the bonus trailer of Kingdom Hearts Final Mix, "Another Side, Another Story [deep dive]", where their Japanese name was translated as the "Thirteenth Order". The group was later introduced as the "Organization" in the game Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, where they serve as the main antagonists, and returns in the same role in Kingdom Hearts II. Organization XIII is prominently featured in Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days as characters available for play, along with a new, female member named Xion, and several members, prior to becoming Nobodies, appear in Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep.
The group was moderately well received by reviewers. Comments focused on their difficulty as adversaries and mysterious nature which fueled expectations of future titles. Roxas specifically received press comments, focused on his introduction in Kingdom Hearts II.
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The Organization XIII characters were created by Tetsuya Nomura, director of the series, and other members of his development staff. The concept began with Xemnas as the first member and Roxas as the last. Each member's name is an anagram of their name prior to becoming a Nobody, along with the letter "X".[1] The emblem associated with the Nobodies and Organization XIII was designed to look like a splintered heart as a complement to the Heartless emblem.[2] In terms of good and evil, Nomura tried to portray the characters ambiguously.[3] Throughout the development of the games, Nomura has often left certain events related to and connections between the Organization XIII characters—along with the series' other characters—unexplained until the release of sequels; he feels that games should have room for fans to speculate and use their imagination.[1]
In Chain of Memories, the staff had several of the Organization's members defeated as part of the plot. For Kingdom Hearts II, Nomura intended to allow players to fight these members again at the Coliseum. This idea, however, was dropped due to time constraints.[1] Instead, the characters were included in Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix along with the rest of the members as data-based versions in separate optional boss fights and in a new location.[4] Since the battles were optional, the difficulty levels of the fights was increased and the Chain of Memories-exclusive characters were given previously unseen powers.[4][5] After working with the first game, Nomura gained interest in mushroom Heartless, most of which served to gain rare items in the title. This interest continued during the development of Kingdom Hearts II. He intended to add new variants in the game, but was unable to do so due to time constraints.[4] Consequently, they are featured in the Final Mix release as the "Mushroom XIII", thirteen Heartless wearing black cloaks that also mimic traits of the Organization XIII members. For 358/2 Days, the developers believed the Organization and its large number of characters was a good fit for the intended multiplayer gameplay. Once the group was decided to be a central part of the gameplay, the staff felt Roxas's role as a member would be a suitable theme for the plot.[3]
In Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep, it is revealed that the "X" that is added to their names is derived from the concept of the χ-Blade, an extremely powerful Keyblade that has the ability to directly unlock Kingdom Hearts.
Prior to the first game in the series, the six former disciples of Ansem the Wise became Heartless and their Nobodies created the Organization. Members are numbered in the order in which they joined, with Xemnas, the Nobody of Xehanort, numbered one as their leader.[1] Each member is given a cloak made of a special material that allows them to pass through the Corridors of Darkness into other worlds safely without being attacked by the Heartless there.[6] Members are given titles indicating both their role in Organization XIII and their personality, as well as their own breed of lesser Nobodies to control, usually suited to their fighting style and unique themed powers.[7] As Nobodies, they lack emotion and morality, and are unable to feel guilt and remorse for their actions.[8] However, most of the members' personalities are based from what memories they have of their original selves. About half of the members were introduced in Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, with the remaining members introduced in Kingdom Hearts II. In Chain of Memories, Sora, the series' protagonist, and his friends, Donald Duck and Goofy, are led to a mysterious fortress called Castle Oblivion by members of the Organization, who intend to turn Sora into their pawn by manipulating his memories. Sora's friend Riku also arrives at Castle Oblivion, but in the basement where he encounters other Organization members. Sora and Riku traverse the levels of the castle to reach the top, fighting and defeating several members along the way. By Kingdom Hearts II, the actions of Sora and Riku, along with Roxas' resignation, reduced the Organization to seven members, who seeks to use the power of Kingdom Hearts[Note 2] to become complete beings.[9][10]
Xemnas (ゼムナス Zemunasu) is the Nobody of Xehanort, he is also known as "The Superior of the In-Between" (狭間の指導者 Hazama no Shidōsha). The character's name is based on Xehanort's alias, "Ansem". Xemnas is the leader of the Organization and the primary villain of Kingdom Hearts II. He controls Sorcerer Nobodies, and fights with Ethereal Blades called "Interdiction" (フォービドゥン Fōbidun, lit. "Forbidden"). The character can manipulate nothingness to phase through solid matter and manifest energy-based shields and projectiles.[7] The character first appeared in Kingdom Hearts Final Mix as an optional boss labeled "Unknown" (謎の男 Nazo no Otoko, lit. "Enigmatic Man"). During their first meeting at Hollow Bastion, Xemnas tests Sora to glance into his memories to use them to create Xion as a back-up plan, in case Sora is unable to be useful in the Organization's plans; later, he decides to use her to not only kill off Roxas, but also ensure Sora remains asleep. Other than his agenda of becoming one with Kingdom Hearts to transcend into a higher state of being, Xemnas has another goal: to reach the Chamber of Wakening for reasons none of the other Organization members know, hinting that he possesses his original self's obsession with regaining his full memory. Xemnas is voiced by Norio Wakamoto and Paul St. Peter in Japanese and English respectively.[11]
In Kingdom Hearts II, Xemnas initially appears in Roxas's dream recollection of meeting him on his sixth day as an Organization member.[1] Xemnas also makes two appearances at Hollow Bastion; in the second, his identity is clarified and his face is revealed. His plan is to increase the power of Kingdom Hearts by having Sora destroy Heartless, releasing the hearts inside them. At the World That Never Was, Xemnas was waiting for the completion of Kingdom Hearts until Ansem the Wise attempts to digitally contain its power. However, Ansem's machine overloads and explodes, sending him into the Realm of Darkness and damaging Kingdom Hearts. After Sora refuses to aid him in restoring Kingdom Hearts, Xemnas uses what is left of Kingdom Hearts' power to take on a new form to fight Sora's party. Though Xemnas is thought to be defeated, he separates Sora and Riku from the others to attack them. However, the two defeat Xemnas and he fades into darkness, eventually reforming Xehanort.[12]
Xigbar (シグバール Shigubāru), the "Freeshooter" (魔弾の射手 Madan no Shashu, lit. "Magic Bullet Shooter"), is the second member of Organization XIII. The character is voiced by Hōchū Ōtsuka and James Patrick Stuart in Japanese and English respectively.[11][13] His original self was named Braig (ブライグ Buraigu, misspelled as Bleig in the North American version), a man with a profound interest for the Keyblade who allied himself with Master Xehanort. He encountered Terra and engaged him in a battle using his weapons the twin Arrow guns, which ended up with the left side of his face scarred and sporting an eyepatch over his right eye. He later appeared at the Keyblade Graveyard, battling Aqua after being glared at by Ven for mocking them. After returning to his world, Braig is the first of Radiant Garden's residents to find Xehanort, befriending him as they became apprentices to Ansem to begin the next step in their plan.[14] Because of this fact, Xigbar is the only Organization member who knows Xemnas' true intentions, but believes he'll fail in being one with Kingdom Hearts.[15] Xigbar controls Sniper Nobodies, and attacks with a pair of Arrowguns called "Sharpshooter" (シャープシューター Shāpushūtā), which can be combined to form a sniper rifle. Xigbar can also manipulate space to teleport himself, warp his bullets, and levitate in battle.[7]
During Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days, Xigbar has an interest in Roxas and drops several hints about his true nature.[16] He finds out about the Replica Project much sooner than most of the members, and takes it upon himself to monitor Xion.[17] Xigbar battles Roxas at the Olympus Coliseum in the middle portion of the game to test his strength during a mission, much to the chagrin of the latter.[18] Later, while assigned in Wonderland with Axel and Xion, Xigbar fights the latter as she leaves the Organization, smirking how she assumed the form of Ventus from his perspective.
In his next chronological appearance, Xigbar appears at Hollow Bastion near the beginning of Kingdom Hearts II, though he never takes off his hood as he compares Sora's glare to Ven's. During the player's second visit to the Land of Dragons, he transforms a dragon into a Heartless, and leaves after Sora confronts him in the Emperor's Palace, summoning his Nobodies to cover his escape. In the World That Never Was, Xigbar confronts Sora again, confusing him by calling him Roxas and cryptically mentioning his three predecessors by telling Sora that he doesn't "look like half the hero the others were." Xigbar fights Sora's party, and after they defeat him, he fades into the darkness, refusing to clarify to Sora the mystery of "Roxas".[19]
Xaldin (ザルディン Zarudin), the "Whirlwind Lancer" (旋風の六槍 Senpū no Rokusō, lit. "Six Lances of the Whirlwind"), is a silver- tongued Nobody that uses the wind to manipulate his six lances, named Lindworm (竜牙閃 Ryūgasen, lit. "Dragon's Fang Flash"), and to shield himself. Xaldin's lances can transform into a dragon-shaped contraption to attack opponents with whirlwinds. He controls the lance-wielding Dragoon Nobodies.[7] Xaldin's original self was named Dilan (ディラン Diran, misspelled as Dilin in the North American version), a palace guard working under Ansem who met Ven and later took Aqua's armor and Keyblade into the castle. Becoming a Nobody to be free of emotion, Xaldin understood the set backs of lacking a heart, but kept a clear disdain towards people who follow their hearts, especially towards the Beast.[20] The character is voiced in Japanese by Yōsuke Akimoto and in English by David Dayan Fisher.[11][13]
Supporting Roxas in his missions at Beast's Castle, after learning of the enchanted rose, Xaldin secretly begins his attempt to manipulate the Beast's rage to create a powerful Nobody and Heartless.[21] After first appearing in Kingdom Hearts II at Hollow Bastion with other members, Xaldin later confronts Sora in Beast's Castle, the latter forcing Xaldin to steal the Beast's mystical rose to stoke the Beast's rage. Sora and the Beast find him, and he reveals that the Organization needs Kingdom Hearts to become complete beings.[22] He then kidnaps Belle, forcing the Beast to choose whether Belle or the rose is more important to him. The plan fails when Belle gets away with the rose and Xaldin falls against Sora and the Beast, fading into nothingness.
Vexen (ヴィクセン Vikusen) is a Nobody known as the "Chilly Academic" (いてつく学究 Itetsuku Gakkyū). Vexen's original self was a scientist named Even (エヴェン), who met Ven and felt they would cross paths someday. His later interest in studying Xehanort"s memories resulted in him becoming a Nobody. Vexen can control ice and carries a large shield called "Frozen Pride" (フリーズプライド Furīzu Puraido, lit. "Freeze Pride") in battle.[7] The character first appeared in Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, where Tatsuya Kando provided the voice for simple battle expressions.[23] Vexen was included as an optional boss in the Japanese exclusive Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, and was voiced by Nachi Nozawa.[24] Nozawa returned to provide voice acting for dialogue in Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories and Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days.[13] Vexen's English voice acting was done by Derek Stephen Prince.[25]
As revealed in 358/2 Days, training Roxas before leaving for Castle Oblivion, Vexen has been experimenting with the creation of Replicas, the first of which is Xion. In Chain of Memories, Vexen sides with Zexion and Lexaeus, other members occupying Castle Oblivion's basements, to prevent Marluxia's plan to overthrow the Organization.[26] He battles Riku in order to gather data to create a Replica of him, and is later assigned to investigate Marluxia's intentions.[27][28] Vexen allows Naminé to manipulate the Riku Replica's memories to test Sora's worth.[29] When the Replica fails to defeat Sora, Marluxia threatens to reveal the shortcoming to Xemnas, forcing Vexen to fight Sora himself in an attempt to kill the boy. After their battle, Vexen gives Sora the card to access Twilight Town in Castle Oblivion with the intention of revealing Roxas's existence.[30] As a result, Marluxia considers him a traitor and sends Axel to kill him.[31] In Twilight Town, Vexen attempts to reveal to Sora why Twilight Town feels familiar to him.[32] Vexen battles Sora again, but is struck down and incinerated by Axel as he is about to reveal Marluxia's plot.[33] Though Vexen's death was unintended, putting the Organization at a disadvantage, Axel did it to ensure his research isn't used by Marluxia, in addition to gaining his and Larxene's trust.[34]
Lexaeus (レクセウス Rekuseusu) is one of the two members of the Organization in Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories that only appears in Riku's story mode. He is also known as the "Silent Hero" (静かなる豪傑 Shizuka-naru Gōketsu) and he employs a large axe-sword, "Skysplitter" (破天 Haten), able to break rocks and shake the area itself with his elemental power of earth and superhuman strength.[7] Lexaeus was originally one of Ansem the Wise's assistants, a guard named Aeleus (エレウス Ereusu, misspelled as Eleus in the North American version) who met Ven. The character was first voiced by Tatsuya Kando, who provided simple battle expressions for Chain of Memories.[23] For the Japanese releases of Re:Chain of Memories and 358/2 Days, he was replaced by Fumihiko Tachiki; Dave Boat voiced the character in the English releases.[13][25]
Lexaeus makes a minor appearance in Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days, training Roxas before he leaves for Castle Oblivion. During the events of Chain of Memories, discovering Marluxia's plans to overthrow the Organization by capturing and manipulating Sora, Lexaeus and Zexion decide to capture Riku and use him in the same fashion to counter Marluxia. When they believe that Sora might fall into Marluxia's grasp, Lexaeus confronts Riku directly, trying to convince him to open himself up to the power of the darkness in his heart. In the original Chain of Memories, Riku manages to defeat the warrior, but with his last bits of strength, Lexaeus releases all of the darkness within him in hopes of overwhelming and consuming Riku.[35] In Re:Chain of Memories, however, Riku is knocked unconscious by Lexaeus, only to be possessed by Xehanort's Heartless, who swiftly cuts Lexaeus down, the dying warrior lamenting his decision to battle Riku.[36]
Zexion (ゼクシオン Zekushion) is also known as the "Cloaked Schemer" (影歩む策士 Kage Ayumu Sakushi, lit. "Shadow-walking Schemer") and he uses his power of illusion to mimic others' weapons, disguise himself as others, and create duplicates of himself.[4] He uses a lexicon, "Book of Retribution" (裁きの書 Sabaki no Sho), as his weapon. He was originally Ienzo (イエンツォ Ientso), a silent young boy adopted by Ansem after his parents passed away for unknown reasons. He would then become Ansem's apprentice, meeting Ven while he was attacked by the Unversed, and suggested the creation of an underground lab for their research on the heart. Prior to Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, Zexion's weapon and powers were not revealed because Nomura was unsure if it would be revealed later. Nomura decided to keep it a secret and the development team depicted the character's gravestone in the World That Never Was that would have shown his weapon as destroyed.[1] The character's voice actors are Akira Ishida for the Japanese game releases and Vince Corazza for the English releases.[13][25]
Zexion makes a minor appearance in 358/2 Days, training Roxas before he leaves for Castle Oblivion. Zexion is one of two Organization members who only appear in Riku's story mode in Chain of Memories. Originally, Zexion had planned to use Riku against Marluxia and his co-conspirators. After Sora defeats the Riku Replica and Marluxia, however, Zexion sees Riku to be of no use and attempts to destroy him.[37] Using the card Axel created from Sora's memories, Zexion draws Riku into a simulation of Destiny Islands where he torments the Riku with his guilt over the islands being destroyed. He then assumes the guise of Sora and attacks Riku, telling him that he's become a pawn for the darkness. He engulfs Riku in light, but Naminé (disguised as Kairi) intervenes to convince Riku to accept both darkness and light. With newfound confidence, Riku overpowers Zexion, causing him to retreat. Afterward, Axel brings the Riku Replica to Zexion, convincing the replica that he can become "real" by gaining power that the real Riku does not have.[38] The replica agrees and kills Zexion to take his power as his own. It is later revealed that Zexion's death wasn't due to betrayal, but rather that he "knew too much".[38]
Saïx (サイクス Saikusu, also spelled without diaeresis as Saix), also known as the "Luna Diviner" (月に舞う魔人 Tsuki ni Mau Majin, lit. "Devil Dancing in the Moon"), is a Nobody with an X-shaped facial scar who can assume a berserker state of mind by using moonlight. Wielding a claymore called "Lunatic" (ルナティック Runatikku), he commands the Beserker Nobodies who wield weapons similar to his.[7] His original self was named Isa (アイザ Aiza),[39] and used to be best friends with Lea, Axel's original self.[40] Being in charge of relaying Xemnas' orders to the other members, Saïx joined the Organization around the same time as Axel. However, lacking the care-free personality and morals his original self had, Saïx used Axel to become Xemnas' second in command, and later feels betrayed when Axel befriends Roxas and puts his plan to get leverage over Xemnas on hold. Saïx appears completely void of emotion and completely embraces his status as a Nobody, yet continually reflects on previously having a heart. The character's Japanese voice actor is Ginpei Sato, while the English voice is provided by Kirk Thornton.[11]
During Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days, Saïx assigns missions to the other Organization members. He is also assigned by Xemnas to oversee the progress of Xion. He is also the one who discovered Marluxia was a traitor to the Organization and the one who sent Axel to eliminate all of the traitors. Late in the game, he attacks Roxas when he attempts to leave the Organization, only to lose to the younger Nobody. Later in Kingdom Hearts II, after appearing at Hollow Bastion along with the other members, Saïx appears in Twilight Town after Sora defeats his Berserker Nobodies and warns Sora of Axel's intention of turning him into a Heartless with intentions to stirring unrest in the boy. After Sora defeats the Heartless army at Hollow Bastion, Saïx appears and explains Sora's purpose in the Organization's plans and refuses Sora's request to meet Kairi, whom Saïx kidnapped prior from Axel after Xemnas gives him orders to. After Saïx summons a horde of Nobodies, Maleficent attempts to use her own Heartless to battle Saïx, but his Nobodies quickly dispatch them and overwhelm Maleficent. On his climb through the Castle That Never Was, Sora confronts Saïx. Saïx fights Sora while using the moonlight from Kingdom Hearts to assume a beserker state, but Sora defeats him and he fades into darkness while pining for Kingdom Hearts to give him his heart back.[7]
Axel (アクセル Akuseru), the "Flurry of Dancing Flames" (おどる火の風 Odoru Hi no Kaze), is a Nobody introduced in Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories. His original self was named Lea (リア Ria), and used to be friends with Isa before he became Saïx.[40] The character is voiced by Keiji Fujiwara in the Japanese release of the games, while Quinton Flynn provided the voice for English releases.[11][13][23] Much like his original self, to an extent, Axel wishes to achieve his own ideal of immortality by having everyone he comes in contact with remember him, saying the phrase "Got it memorized?" on multiple occasions. Entrusted to deal with Organization traitors, Axel controls the Assassin Nobodies, and fights with a pair of "chakrams" called "Eternal Flames" (エターナルフレイム Etānaru Fureimu) (although the weapons are more like wind and fire wheels from their construction) and fire manipulation.[7] Tasked with showing Roxas the ropes, Axel befriends the boy as his interactions with both him and Sora eventually cause him to express actual emotions as a result.[41] Nomura designed Axel based on a similar concept as Reno from Final Fantasy VII; Nomura wanted to see what it would be like to have a similar character in a different role and world.[2]
While as Roxas' mentor in the first half of 358/2 Days, Axel is reassigned to Castle Oblivion during the events of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, pretending to join with Larxene and Marluxia in their plan to seize control of the Organization. To gain their trust, he kills Vexen when ordered by Marluxia.[31][33] He then derails the plans by setting Naminé free so she can reveal the truth about Sora's manipulated memories to him. Axel then confronts Marluxia to finish the job, only to be forced to fight Sora instead. After Sora defeats him, Axel states the existence of their relation before vanishing. Axel later enlists the aid of the Riku Replica to get rid of Zexion in Castle Oblivion's basement levels before he attempts to locate the Chamber of Wakening. When Axel returns, he and Roxas befriend Xion, the fourteenth member of the Organization who, unknown to them, is an imperfect replica of Sora created by Xemnas. Learning of the truth, Axel reluctantly hides it from Roxas as his friendship with Saïx ended overtime while being forced in hunting down Xion when she attempted to leave the Organization. Later letting Xion go, with Roxas leaving the Organization, Axel attempts to persuade him to stay mainly out of fear of what Xemnas and the others would do to him.[42] Soon after, a frustrated Axel goes after Xion, refusing to let her sacrifice herself as he captures her.
In Kingdom Hearts II, Axel attempts to rescue Roxas from Ansem the Wise's virtual Twilight Town. Despite being faced with lethal punishment, Axel decides to let him be after a brief fight. Axel later begins acting on his own and kidnaps Kairi to bait Sora to him. Because Axel's actions began to appear increasingly deluded and foolish to his former comrades, Saïx later takes Kairi from him under Xemnas's orders. Axel meets Sora, Donald, and Goofy at Hollow Bastion, informing them that Organization XIII has been using them to get hearts.[43] Axel later finds Sora in a pathway to the World That Never Was and chooses to fight the Nobodies with him. The numbers get overwhelming and Axel performs a suicide attack to save Sora, who stays with him until he dies. Fading away, Axel apologizes for kidnapping Kairi and asks Sora to rescue her.[44] When asked what he was trying to do, Axel admits he wanted to see Roxas, revealing the effect both Roxas and Sora had on him.[45] With the last of his strength, Axel opens an entrance to the World That Never Was. In Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, Axel posthumously contacts Roxas's consciousness following the latter's battle with Sora, reflecting on old memories and sharing one final conversation on the mysteries of the heart with him before fading away; a teardrop is seen falling as the two former Nobodies disappear (the tear drop later being revealed as Axel's). In the secret ending of Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep, Axel makes a cameo on Twilight Town's clock tower along with Roxas and Xion. The scene is explored in Kingdom Hearts coded, revealing that Axel is connected to Sora's heart through both his friendship with Roxas and his original self's meeting with Ventus. In a recent Kingdom Hearts 3D trailer, now a complete being again, Axel returns as Lea to save Mickey from Maleficent.
Demyx (デミックス Demikkusu) is the Organization's reconnaissance agent who is also referred to as the "Melodious Nocturne" (夜想のしらべ Yasō no Shirabe). A slacker who would rather play his sitar "Arpeggio" (アルペジオ Arupejio) than go on missions, Demyx especially despises those that require him to perform physical labor. He is a smooth liar, but not on par with Xaldin, as he tricks Roxas every time they were sent to Olympus Coliseum. Though he admits he's not much of a fighter (which, in physical terms, is correct), Demyx has power over water, using it to create duplicates of himself. He also has control over the Dancer Nobodies.[7] Demyx is voiced by Kenichi Suzumura and Ryan O'Donohue in Japanese and English respectively.[11][13]
In his first chronological appearance in 358/2 Days, Demyx reluctantly participates in the missions Saix assigns to him out of fear of what Xemnas could do to him (such as turn him into a Dusk).[46] He then appeared in Kingdom Hearts II at Hollow Bastion with the other Organization XIII members. Soon after, much to his chagrin, Demyx was assigned to look over Sora's progress in the Organization's plan, and confronted Sora in The Underworld while in possession of Zeus' medallion. After attempting to talk to Roxas through Sora, Demyx sends his water copies after him and leaves after losing. Demyx later crosses paths with the protagonists again at Hollow Bastion, and battles Sora and his friends after they enrage him enough about his nature as a Nobody.[7] Demyx, however, is defeated and fades into darkness.
Luxord (ルクソード Rukusōdo) is a Nobody also known as the "Gambler of Fate" (運命を賭す者 Unmei o Tosu Mono). The character is voiced by Jouji Nakata in Japanese and Robin Atkin Downes in English.[11][13] He controls the Gambler Nobodies, can transform Sora into a card or a die and uses a deck of cards called "Fair Game" (フェアゲーム Fea Gēmu) as offensive and defensive weapons. Luxord also has power over time, which he uses to force his opponents to play timed games.[7] Luxord speaks very formally and often suggests rhetorical questions. He will refers to things in game terms; most often when Roxas talks to him on their missions in Wonderland.
Chronologically, Luxord made his first appearance 358/2 Days, where he assists Roxas in various missions. Like most of the surviving members, he does not know about the Replica Project and Xion's origin until late in the game.[47] Shortly after, he laments his subordination to the Organization to Roxas.[48] His next appearance was in Kingdom Hearts II, revealing himself at Port Royal where he revives the curse of the Aztec gold and uses it on the Grimreaper Heartless, indirectly cursing Jack Sparrow in the process. Sora later frees Jack from the curse, but Luxord escapes without fighting Sora and his party. At the World That Never Was, Luxord traps Sora's companions in his cards, leaving Sora to fight alone in a game-like battle. Sora, however, defeats him, cutting through him when he makes a card barrier, and Luxord fades into darkness asking "Roxas" why he attacked him.
Marluxia (マールーシャ Mārūsha) is lord of Castle Oblivion and the main antagonist of Sora's story in Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories. Also known as the "Graceful Assassin" (優雅なる凶刃 Yūga-naru Kyōjin, lit. "Graceful Assassin's Blade"), he uses a scythe called Graceful Dahlia (優美なるダリア Yūbinaru Daria) and has control over rose petals to attack.[7] Tatsuya Kando provided simple battle expressions in the Japanese and English releases of Chain of Memories.[23] Shūichi Ikeda took over voice acting for the Japanese releases of Re:Chain of Memories and 358/2 Days. Keith Ferguson provided the voice in the English releases.[13][25]
Marluxia makes a minor appearance in 358/2 Days, training Roxas before he leaves for Castle Oblivion. In Chain of Memories, Marluxia lures Sora to Castle Oblivion so Naminé could manipulate Sora's memories as part of his plan to take over the Organization. He gives Sora a set of world cards that allows Sora to proceed through the castle. Marluxia assigns Axel to eliminate Vexen to prevent him from revealing the conspiracy to Sora. After kidnapping Naminé in the aftermath of Larxene's death, Marluxia is later confronted by Axel, who attempts to kill Marluxia for conspiring against the Organization. However, Marluxia uses Naminé to have Sora fight Axel for him. After Axel's defeat, Marluxia orders Naminé to erase Sora's memories so he can rebuild Sora into his pawn. She refuses and Marluxia threatens to kill her.[49] Marluxia engages Sora, but Sora discovers he is fighting an illusion. Sora later finds the real Marluxia and defeats him, who fades into darkness.
Larxene (ラクシーヌ Rakushīnu), also known as the "Savage Nymph" (非情の妖姫 Hijō no Yōki, lit. "Callous Vixen"), was first introduced in Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories where she conspired with Marluxia to overthrow Organization XIII. Larxene wields a set of knives called Foudre (エクレール Ekurēru, lit. "Éclair"), the French word for lightning, and uses the power of electricity to fight.[7] The character was first voiced by Rieko Katayama in Chain of Memories.[23] Yuko Miyamura took over the role for the Japanese releases of Re:Chain of Memories and 358/2 Days, while Shanelle Workman provided her voice in the two titles' English releases.[13][25]
Larxene makes a minor appearance in 358/2 Days, reluctantly training Roxas before she leaves for Castle Oblivion. When Larxene first meets Sora in Chain of Memories, she helps manipulate his memories by causing him to remember Naminé's name.[50] She then fights him and gives him new cards to access more areas of Castle Oblivion. She intimidates Naminé to keep with their plan and later taunts Vexen after the Riku Replica failed his mission. After she discovers Axel's betrayal and sees that Marluxia's plans have fallen apart, she decides to kill Sora.[51] After Sora finds Naminé, Larxene taunts the two before she attempts to kill them. However, Donald and Goofy arrive to assist Sora. Together, the three defeat Larxene, and she fades into darkness.
Roxas (ロクサス Rokusasu) is the Nobody of Sora.[52] The character's voice actors are Koki Uchiyama and Jesse McCartney in Japanese and English respectively.[11][13] Xemnas found him in Twilight Town and gave him the epithet, "Key of Destiny" (めぐりあう鍵 Meguriau Kagi, lit. "Serendipitous Key"), using him to gather hearts for the Organization. Prior to the release of Kingdom Hearts II, screenshots and video showed Roxas without an Organization coat, in a black outfit with a white jacket and light brown pants. Roxas controls Samurai Nobodies and initially uses the Kingdom Key, the initial Keyblade, in battle. He can manipulate the power of light to augment his physical attacks and create energy-based melee weapons and barriers.[7] After Xion's sacrifice, Roxas inherits her Kingdom Key and turns both his and her Keyblades respectively into Oblivion and Oathkeeper, which both symbolize Sora's bond to Riku and Kairi and Roxas's promise to Xion to free Kingdom Hearts.[53] Roxas' backstory and his joining of Organization XIII were further explored in Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days.[54] Roxas first appeared in "Another Side, Another Story", a bonus trailer found in Kingdom Hearts, and is mentioned in several cryptic comments made by other Organization members in Chain of Memories.
Xion (シオン Shion) is a new member introduced in Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days. The character's voice actors are Risa Uchida in Japanese, and Alyson Stoner in English. Later in the game, it is revealed that as a replica, she is not technically a member of Organization XIII, or even a real Nobody.[13] In battle, she basically copies of Roxas' fighting style, even having the same Final Limit as him. She forged a friendship with Axel and Roxas during her time in existence; though all memories of her vanish, she still exists within Sora along with Roxas. Xion was first shown in trailers for the new game and has also made brief appearances in demonstrations.[55][56][57] She was first believed to have been Naminé, but Nomura later informed the press that it was a different character.[58]
The obscure nature of the Organization's activities throughout Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories and Kingdom Hearts II have led reviewers to describe them as an "ominous" group that "seems to be intent on guiding Sora and his friends to accomplish some dark purpose".[59][60] Similarly, Rice Burner of GamePro emphasizes this plot when reviewing the group's debut, noting how the "strange inhabitants of the castle trap our heroes" and "force Sora on a ponderous journey into his own memories to face his subconscious thoughts and fears".[61] This mysterious perception is furthered by the fact that some members of Organization XIII present themselves as dark silhouettes with their faces covered, acting as an "enigmatic robed and cowled figure speaking in riddles".[59] These interrogatives surrounding the group have created expectation; Andrew Reiner of Game Informer included "What secret lies behind Organization XIII?" as one of the main questions that are answered and that serve as plot devices in Kingdom Hearts II, creating situations that "certainly give you shivers and make your heart leap".[62] Visually, the artwork of Organization XIII's members is based more on the styles of Final Fantasy rather than those of Disney. Bethany Massimilla of GameSpot referred to their models as "very much cut from the Final Fantasy spiky-haired cloth".[59]
While writing BradyGames' Kingdom Hearts II strategy guide, Beth Hollinger, Matt Berner, David Cassady and Grag Sepelak reviewed the role of Organization XIII's members as adversaries. Both Axel and Demyx were described as providing easier battles during their first encounters.[63] The ones found later in the game were regarded as more difficult enemies, as is the case with Xaldin, Xigbar, and Saïx, the first of which were described as "tough" and "tricky" opponents respectively, while the ferocity of Saïx's "Berserk" attack was noted.[64] Luxord's battle was considered one that "brings something new to the table", mostly based on the unique use of a "Time" parameter instead of the common system based on "Health Points".[65][66] The various battles against Xemnas gathered different points of interest; during the first one, the writer praises the "Facedown" Reaction Command, while the final battle’s focus is on its difficulty and the need of constantly using Reaction Commands to switch between Riku and Sora.[67] GameSpot's Kevin VanOrd noted in a preview of Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, that Xigbar's ranged magic proved helpful while fighting as an ally along Roxas.[68]
Individually, the members of Organization XIII have received varied receptions. Jeff Haynes of IGN felt that Roxas was a "likable kid", Ron Fahey of Eurogamer concurred calling him a "likeable enough young chap who just happens to be troubled by memories and visions of people he doesn't even know".[60][69] His playable involvement in the game was regarded as a transitional arc, being used to introduce the gameplay players that are new to the franchise. Fahey also considered it a good introduction, as it lets the player become familiar with the basic elements in a manner that "isn't a bad way at all of setting the scene for the game".[69] However, Reiner emphasizes his role as a "troubled boy", calling his story arc "an amazing chain of events", particularly noting that the revelation of his nature as a Nobody creates a "devilish yet remarkable plot twist" which may impact the player in a way that he "may not want Sora back".[62] The introduction of Xion in trailers for Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, created expectation, particularly based on the facts that her face could not be distinguished and that she wields a keyblade.[70] In the 2009 Nintendo Power Awards, the magazine's readers voted Xion the "Best New Character" of the year.[71]
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