Aqua (Kingdom Hearts)

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Aqua
Kingdom Hearts character
Aqua as seen in Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
First gameKingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep (2010)
Created byTetsuya Nomura
Designed byTetsuya Nomura
Voiced byEN: Willa Holland
JP: Megumi Toyoguchi
In-universe information
WeaponKeyblade
HomeLand of Departure

Aqua (

Master Eraqus, and are the playable protagonists. As the only one among her friends to obtain the rank of Keyblade Master, Aqua is assigned to monitor Terra and Ventus as she combats dark creatures known as the Unversed
.

She has also appeared in other Kingdom Hearts titles, including Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue as the main character of the playable episode Kingdom Hearts 0.2: Birth by Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage, and as a boss and temporary playable character in Kingdom Hearts III.

Aqua is the only protagonist in Birth by Sleep whom Tetsuya Nomura did not have a point of reference to design from, and thus was designed from scratch. Later in the design process, Nomura became concerned that Aqua would not be popular, which drove his decision to make her more distinct in her personal bravery and combat abilities. Aqua is voiced by Megumi Toyoguchi in Japanese and Willa Holland in English. The character received mixed reviews from game critics upon her debut, citing boring plot lines and unenthusiastic voice acting combined with weak combat skills. However, her role in Kingdom Hearts 0.2 has been more positively received, with critics favoring her stronger characterization over previous depictions.

Appearances

Before her introduction as a main character in

Xemnas.[1]

In Birth by Sleep, Aqua and her friends are Keyblade apprentices in the Land of Departure, where she obtains the "Mark of Mastery" early in the game. Under Eraqus's orders, Aqua travels to various worlds to search for a missing Xehanort and defeat the Unversed, simultaneously monitoring Terra's vulnerability to darkness and trying to retrieve Ventus when he runs away to find Terra.

Ansem the Wise at the realm's edge and learns from him about the heroics of Sora, whom she had encountered as a young boy during her travels.[10] Her time in the realm of darkness is depicted in the game's Final Mix release and Kingdom Hearts 0.2: Birth by Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage; in the latter, she encounters her friend Mickey Mouse by chance during the events of the first Kingdom Hearts game before remaining behind to fend off the Heartless attacking Riku
.

Aqua makes cameo appearances in

Organization XIII
at the Keyblade Graveyard. There, they battle the possessed Terra, whom Sora helps free from Xehanort's control, reuniting the three friends. Aqua and the other Keyblade wielders later help keep the door to Kingdom Hearts closed, allowing Sora to defeat Xehanort. Afterwards, Aqua and her friends return home before joining their friends in a celebration on the Destiny Islands before Sora disappears as a result of using the power of waking to revive Kairi after Xehanort destroyed her body. In the Kingdom Hearts III Re Mind DLC, one year after Sora's disappearance, Aqua, alongside Terra and Ventus, head on a journey to the Realm of Darkness to look for clues to Sora's whereabouts.

Aqua also appears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a Spirit.[12]

Creation and development

For Aqua's unnamed first appearance in the secret ending of Kingdom Hearts II, director

Kairi's name.[14][15] However, a connection with Kairi was not intended, but rather with the series' main characters whose names bear various themes.[1]

Willa Holland has voiced Aqua in all her English appearances.

In contrast to Terra and Ventus, Aqua did not have a reference point for the characters design, leading Nomura to create a completely new character from scratch. Her outfit was based on Terra's Japanese-inspired clothes which are meant to expand the student-and-teacher bond shown in the game.

Paine, one of the game's protagonists. While Toyoguchi used a low tone with Paine, she used a tone closer to her original voice when performing as Aqua, which Nomura praised.[1]

From the beginning of Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep's development, the staff decided its story would have three plot lines centered around three different characters, with Aqua's being the last one written. The original ending of Aqua's storyline showed her trapped in the realm of darkness, which was moved to the game's "Last Episode" in order to keep the game from being too negative in tone.[1] In terms of gameplay, Aqua was designed to be a character that players would take some getting used to, and recommended them use her as the last one in order to understand the game's story better, pointing out the intention that Aqua would be the last character to leave the Land of Departure in her scenario.[18][1] The staff developed her movements to reflect her personality as a serious and dignified young woman.[19] In the making of Kingdom Hearts 2.8, co-director Tai Yasue expressed the staff wanted to explore Aqua's torment in this title as she became trapped in the realm of darkness to the point they showed how the character wanted to escape from it as she became isolated.[20]

Reception

Aqua's character has received mixed response from

1UP.com's Jeremy Parish stated that fans speculated the character would be male.[22] Having played a demo from Birth by Sleep as Aqua in the E3 2010, Ryan Clements from IGN enjoyed her character due to her gameplay mechanics.[23] Kimberly Wallace of Game Informer described her as "one of the best and most selfless characters in the Kingdom Hearts series". She further stated that "her story about going above and beyond to protect her friends is not only noble but comes with great sacrifice, locking her away in the Realm of Darkness."[24]

While reviewing Birth by Sleep, Adam Ghigiino from PALGN criticized her "idealistic" dialogues, finding them repetitive.

X-Play found Aqua similar to the protagonists from Kingdom Hearts, comparing her to Kairi.[31] In contrast to Van Ord, RPGFan's Ashton Liu found Aqua's voice "bored for almost the whole game", citing how it is notable when comparing her with other voice actors such as Mark Hamill and Leonard Nimoy.[32] On the other hand, HardcoreGamer regarded Willa Holland's acting as more appealing during Kingdom Hearts III.[33] In an ASCII Media Works poll, Aqua was voted as the twelfth most popular video game character from 2010.[34] In a Famitsu poll from 2011, Aqua was voted as the fourth-most popular Kingdom Hearts character.[35]

Aqua's role in Kingdom Hearts 0.2 was praised by

Siliconera. The writer enjoyed how the game explores Aqua's vulnerability as well as her strength and sacrifice to protect her friends. Additionally, the writer commented that "We see that she's not some perfect heroine capable of accomplishing everything, but rather a strong woman who's willing to do what she has to for the greater good".[36] Kimberly Wallace from Game Informer said Aqua was one of her favorite characters due to "her selflessness and determination to save the world, and getting some resolution to her story was satisfying". She also commented that she expected Aqua to play a bigger role in Kingdom Hearts III.[37]

Nomura was surprised by people's reaction to Aqua falling into the darkness in the

E3 2018 trailer for Kingdom Hearts III, and expects her role in the upcoming game to surprise the audience more.[38] In a general analysis of the portrayal of the franchise's female characters, Polygon saw Aqua as possibly the strongest one due to how central is her role in Birth by Sleep when compared to weaker ones like Kairi, Namine or Xion. Her return in Kingdom Hearts III was also praised even if she does not have much more of a character arc other than saving her friends.[39]

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 978-4-7575-2788-1
    .
  2. ^ Square Enix PDD 5 (September 7, 2010). Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep (PlayStation Portable). Square Enix, Disney Interactive Studios. Eraqus: Eliminate the Unversed and find Master Xehanort. I have unlocked the Lanes Between. You may use these forbidden pathways to travel between this world and countless others.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ Square Enix PDD 5 (September 7, 2010). Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep (PlayStation Portable). Square Enix, Disney Interactive Studios. Eraqus: I told Terra this could be a second chance to show the Mark of Mastery...and I meant it. However, that flicker of darkness he displayed during the examination--I can sense it runs very deep. If he were to-- If those powers were to prove too much for him to handle, I want you to bring him back to me at once. It's for his own good. I could not bear to lose any of you to the darkness. / Aqua: Of course. I would never let that happen. I promise you I will bring Terra back. Only this time, you'll see he has what it takes to be a Master. He's not as weak as you think.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Square Enix PDD 5 (September 7, 2010). Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep (PlayStation Portable). Square Enix, Disney Interactive Studios. Aqua: Wait, Ven! / Eraqus: No! He mustn't! You have to bring him back!{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ Square Enix PDD 5 (September 7, 2010). Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep (PlayStation Portable). Square Enix, Disney Interactive Studios. Terra: You mean you've been spying on me? Is that what he said to do? The Master's orders? / Aqua: He was only-- / ... / Terra: Just stay put! I'm on my own now, all right? / Aqua: Terra, please! Listen! The Master has no reason to distrust you, really! He was just worried.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Square Enix PDD 5 (September 7, 2010). Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep (PlayStation Portable). Square Enix, Disney Interactive Studios. Aqua: Ven! Ventus! / Yen Sid: The boy's heart is sleeping. / Aqua: When will he wake? / Yen Sid: I could not say. It is almost as though his heart has left.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ Square Enix PDD 5 (September 7, 2010). Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep (PlayStation Portable). Square Enix, Disney Interactive Studios. Eraqus's flashback: Just use the key, and this land will be transformed. From that day forward, all who visit this land will be lost to oblivion, none ever able to solve the mystery. None, Aqua, except you. / Aqua: I know it's a lonely place, but you'll be safe. Terra and I will be back to wake you up before you know it.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ Square Enix PDD 5 (September 7, 2010). Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep (PlayStation Portable). Square Enix, Disney Interactive Studios. Xehanort: Terra's heart has been extinguished — smothered by the darkness within him. / Aqua: My name is Master Aqua. Now return my friend's heart or pay the price!{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ Square Enix PDD 5 (September 7, 2010). Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep (PlayStation Portable). Square Enix, Disney Interactive Studios. Xehanort: Stop fighting back! / Aqua: Terra, I know you're in there! / Xehanort: This will teach you. Get out of my heart!{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ Square Enix PDD 5 (September 7, 2010). Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep (PlayStation Portable). Square Enix, Disney Interactive Studios. Ansem: In fact, I would like to believe... Maybe he can set things right. A boy like him who touches so many hearts--he could open the right door, and save all those people whose lives I managed to ruin. So many are still waiting for their new beginning, their birth by sleep. Even me...and even you. / Aqua: What's this boy's name? / Ansem: His name...is... /.../ Aqua: Sora.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ Square Enix, h.a.n.d. (October 7, 2010). Kingdom Hearts Re:coded (Nintendo DS). Square Enix, Disney Interactive Studios. Level/area: Castle Oblivion.
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  18. ^ Gantayat, Anoop (December 23, 2009). "Tetsuya Nomura Talks Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep". Andriasang. Archived from the original on December 26, 2009. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  19. ^ Famitsu Staff (August 27, 2009). キングダム ハーツ バース バイ スリープ [Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep]. Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain and Tokuma Shoten.
  20. ^ Dornbush, Jonathon (June 14, 2016). "E3 2016: KINGDOM HEARTS 2.8 IS A PRIMER FOR KINGDOM HEARTS 3". IGN. Archived from the original on June 15, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
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  24. ^ Wallace, Kimberley; Favis, Elise. "Celebrating Fantastic Female Characters In RPGs". Game Informer. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
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  34. ^ 電撃オンラインアワード2010結果発表 2010年一番おもしろかったゲームはコレ [Dengeki Online Awards - 2010 Results - The most interesting games in 2010] (in Japanese). ASCII Media Works. Archived from the original on April 20, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2011. Alt URL
  35. ^ Gantayat, Anoop (July 13, 2011). "Famitsu's Readers Want Kingdom Hearts on PS3". Andriasang. Archived from the original on September 13, 2011. Retrieved July 13, 2011.
  36. ^ "Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A Fragmentary Passage- Connects Many Characters". Siliconera. January 31, 2017. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  37. ^ Wallace, Kimberly (January 23, 2017). "A Great Collection Leading Into What Comes Next - Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue - PlayStation 4". Game Informer. Archived from the original on January 25, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  38. ^ "Nomura On Kingdom Hearts III's Final Fantasy Characters, Aqua's Popularity, And Ratatouille". GameInformer. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  39. ^ "Kingdom Hearts fails most of its women". Polygon. August 13, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
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