Two more voice actors have been confirmed for the English version of Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, verifying that the game is currently in production. This announcement, which says King Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be voiced by Brett Iwan and Russi Taylor respectively, comes after the announcement of Stitch and Ven's voice actor, giving us a total of four confirmed voice actors for the English version of Birth by Sleep.
Two voice actors have confirmed that they will be voicing characters in the English version of Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep. This resultantly confirms that the English version of Birth by Sleep is currently in production. The first English voice actor to confirm their involvement, Chris Sanders, will be voicing the character Stitch. This was confirmed via an email between him and a member of Kingdom Hearts Insider, and can be seen here. The second person to confirm, Jesse McCartney, has stated on his Twitter account that he is recording for a Kingdom Hearts title. It is assumed he will be voicing Ven.
Episode 6 of Kingdom Hearts coded, which takes place in Hollow Bastion, was released in Japan on December 26, 2009. ReBirth Wings have written up a summary of this episode, and Kingdom Hearts Insider have translated it. It can be read below.
Maleficent destroys Sora’s keyblade and sends Heartless against him, thinking that now she is sure to finish him off. But the King and Riku jump in and drive off the Heartless. According to Pete, they had snuck into Disney Castle in the real world to ask the King about their plans, but he was surrounded by the bright light from the data world Disney Island, and was taken to the data world at the same time as the King. While the King ended up in the data room that Riku had created, Pete was thrown somewhere deep in the data world. Pete called on Maleficent and they started to make another evil plan, a plan to rule the world. The King and Riku try to stop them, but Maleficent kidnaps Riku, and runs off with Pete.
The King returns to the castle and tells Sora to stay there, as he plans to go and take on the Bugs in Hollow Bastion himself. The keyblade Sora had held was only data created in the outside world, so right now there is no way to get it back. Now that Sora has lost the keyblade, he won’t be able to do actions that use the keyblade. He won’t be able to attack Heartless or Bugs, and he won’t be able to use Debug abilities or Support abilities and items (but he’ll still be able to use defense abilities and healing items.) From the Moogle at the gate you can receive the avatar item “Hollow Bastion Bookshelf Wallpaper.”
First check the gate Pete went through. You’ll find it won’t open, so get on the left lift and ride down to the sewers. Here there will be two switches that you’ll have to press simultaneously under a time limit to open up the path. Continue along the path to find two more switches, which will make a different switch in the center appear. Pressing this will make the gate open and you’ll be able to enter the castle.
Pete is just below the entrance, but he runs when he sees you. When you try to chase after him you find that the door is locked. Peta has left some Shadows behind him, and if you run around for a bit and wait, Goofy will appear and defeat them for you. Now Goofy will join you, and you go searching for Donald who has become lost. You can’t control Goofy yourself, but you can give him commands like “Fight Heartless”, “Destroy Bugs”, “Follow Sora”. You can also give him free will. Normally he is just in “Follow Sora” mode. You have to keep changing it to fit the situation. If you run too far away from him, he’ll automatically warp to catch up with you.
You still won’t be able to open up the door Pete ran through, and you’ll go in search of the four “symbol shards”. One is in the library on a table. When you take it and return to the entrance you’ll see that Donald has gone outside and you’ll run after him. Return to the sewers and you’ll see a Prize Bug which contains the Debug Ability “Slow”, which will slow down your enemies. Press the switches to continue on, and you’ll find Donald. This is where he’ll join you. Donald, like Goofy, can only be controlled through commands. Now that you have Donald, you’ll be able to use his magic to work the red switches.
There are three red switches. The first red switch is beyond the switch in the sewer that opened the gate. If you go further in you’ll find a Prize Bug containing a “Break Recipe” (which you can use to make the item “Break Boost”) and the Support Ability “Regen” (when you’re in trouble you will slowly regain HP.) Inside the gate, release the red switch that is in the air. A Bug staircase will form. Walk up it and go straight to the library where you found the “symbol piece”. There will be the final red switch and you’ll be able to continue.
You will be able to get Trinity Balls from enemies here. If you gather enough of them you’ll fill up your “Trinity Gauge” and you’ll be able to perform a “Trinity” move in battle. (It won’t work if Donald or Goofy are unconscious.) In the middle of the gate room there will be a Prize Bug in the air which contains a “Shining Recipe” (for making a Shining Ring.)
When you hit the red switch in the library, you’ll be able to go up the stairs. Up ahead there will be more groups of switches that you’ll have to press to move on. On the bottom left of the third level there is a Prize Bug which you can only break open between the time you press the switch next to the entrance and the switch on the bookshelf. On the right of the second level there is a Prize Bug on the on the bookshelf which contains a “Crown Recipe” (makes Crown Bangle).
There is another Prize Bug on the fourth level which must be opened between pressing two switches, but it contains nothing important. From the exit of the fourth level you will arrive at the top of the entrance hall, where you will find another “symbol shard” on top of pedestal in the center. You can also find a Prize Bug which contains a “Night Recipe” (makes a Night Chain) and the Support Ability “Defender” (when you’re in trouble it will lower your attack and raise your defense.) Once you get the “symbol shard” you have to go back to the library to initiate Debugging Mode. You must defeat the Defender[s?] in 4 minutes. When Debugging Mode is finished you will receive another “symbol shard”. If you finish in 30 seconds you can get a “OO drop”.
Now that you’ve gathered all the shards you will be able to go to the Symbol Wall. At the Symbol Wall you will have to defeat several groups of Heartless while riding on the lift. At the next tower near the bottom you’ll find another Prize Bug which contains a “Ghost Recipe” (makes Ghost Brace. Once you press the switch you won’t be able to get it, so you must take it first.) Here there will be a pair of switches that open the door, which will lead you to the Great Hall.
Pete is there. They try to defeat him, but instead Donald and Goofy end up cornered, with Sora on his own. Just when Donald and Goofy are going to meet their end, a bright light appears in Sora’s hand, and in the next moment he is holding a keyblade again. According to the King, the keyblade he holds is “a power only you have after connecting with all the worlds.” Holding that power, Sora goes to the other side of the keyhole to finish everything with Pete. This will be a boss stage, but before you go you’ll be able to open the menu and change your equipment. Since you won’t be able to use the Debug Ability you ought to unequip those abilities and put on something else.
During the boss stage you will be able to get different prizes depending on how long it takes you to finish the stage. It’s similar to Agrabah. The first boss will be Pete. He will throw balls and try to hit you, as well as firecrackers. Defend with Barrier and move around with Teleport to avoid attacks. Sometimes he will attack with the Debug Ability “D-Thundaga”. You will have to run around until it finishes. (But before he releases the attack there will be one moment where you can stop him.) Once you’ve defeated him, he still won’t give up. Next, he will call out Riku, who has been invaded by Bugs and is nothing but a puppet. Riku has his own mind, but his body is unable to go against Pete’s orders. There are three levels to the battle with Riku. Each time he will gain more HP, and the types of attacks he uses will increase. On the first level he will just jump around, but the second level will include a spinning attack, and on the third he will use Dark Aura and Dark Break. From the second level on he might also use Debug Abilities. At the second level he will use “Haste”, on the third level he’ll use “Haste Homing Invisi Damage Drain” [?? is this the name of multiple abilities or just one. She has it written as one full ability.] Especially on the third level attacks won’t work anymore, so you’ll have to run around a lot. When you defeat him, you will receive the Debug Ability “Cure”.
Once you’ve finished the story, you will see Riku fall onto the ground. He seems to be asleep, and his body is filled with bugs. Sora runs to him. Then a light shines from the keyblade, and it opens a keyhole, one of a completely different shape from what we’ve seen before. The King says that unless the Bugs are defeated Riku will never wake. Sora looks at Riku, he looks worried...
Famitsu.com have posted an article concerning Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, the upcoming Kingdom Hearts title for the PlayStation Portable. This article includes screenshots and information that were previously seen in Famitsu magazine, and these screenshots can be seen below, in our gallery, in high quality.
Famitsu.com (November 28, 2009)
All images are from Famitsu.com.
Square Enix have updated their official website for Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, the upcoming Kingdom Hearts title for the PlayStation Portable. This update, which is specifically an update to the system section, includes two new gameplay videos. Both feature Terra, Aqua and Ven in various worlds from the game. The videos can be downloaded from the game's trailers section, or viewed below.
The January 2010 issue of Famitsu magazine has included an article on Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, the upcoming Kingdom Hearts title for the PlayStation Portable, as well as episodes 5 and 6 of Kingdom Hearts coded, which is set in Hollow Bastion. The article, which was uploaded and translated by Kingdom Hearts Insider, contains information on the original members of the Organization's complete beings, including our first look at Ienzo, information about Disney Town and other general aspects of Birth by Sleep. Both the original and translated versions can be seen below, in our gallery.
Famitsu (January 2010)
All images are translated by Kingdom Hearts Insider.
Famitsu (January 2010) *translated*
All images are translated by Kingdom Hearts Insider.
Episode 4 of Kingdom Hearts coded, Olympus Coliseum, has surfaced online. The cutscene at the conclusion of this episode, The Quiescent Shadow, is now available to view below or download from our exclusive page for the video. A subtitled version can also be seen below. The video is recorded by ハトスケ from ニコニコ動画 and translated by Nanani from GameFAQs.
The January 2009 issue of V Jump magazine has included an article on Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, the upcoming Kingdom Hearts title for the PlayStation Portable. This article, which has surfaced online, focuses on the worlds of Disney Town and Radiant Garden, and discusses Braig's role in the game in detail. He fights with Terra at some point, and also captures Master Xehanort. Kingdom Hearts Insider have uploaded a scan of and translated this article, which can be seen below, in our gallery, and read at our forum, respectively.
V Jump (January 2010)
Thanks to Kingdom Hearts Insider.
The December 2009 issue of Monthly Shōnen Jump has included an article on Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, the upcoming Kingdom Hearts title for the PlayStation Portable. This scan reveals a new world that will be included in the game, Disney Town. Disney Town will include the characters Minnie Mouse, Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Pete in his Captain Justice costume. The world will feature minigames, including Keyblade Ride, a racing game, Rhythmic Ice, a rhythm game, and Fruit Ball, a shooting game. FF-Reunion have uploaded a scan of this article, and it can be viewed below, in our gallery.
Monthly Shōnen Jump (December 2009)
Thanks to FF-Reunion.
Square Enix's official website for Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep has, on November 17, been updated. This update includes an addition to the worlds section, in particular information on the Enchanted Dominion and the Land of Departure. Also included in the update is the introduction of a "special" section, which announces that a PlayStation Portable bundle will be released in Japan with Birth by Sleep. This will be released on January 9, 2010, on the same day of the Birth by Sleep release, and will be available at a price of ￥22,000.
The December 2009 issue of Monthly Shōnen Gangan includes an article concerning Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep and Kingdom Hearts coded. This article shows previously revealed screenshots and information about Birth by Sleep, and also announces Episode 6 of Coded, which will feature Hollow Bastion and be released in November 2009. Kingdom Hearts Insider have uploaded scans of this article, which can be seen below, and translated it, which can be read in our forum.
Monthly Shōnen Gangan (December 2009)
Thanks to Kingdom Hearts Insider.
Square Enix have updated their official website for the upcoming Kingdom Hearts title for the PlayStation Portable, Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep. This update confirms the January 9, 2010 release date, and features information on Never Land and Dwarf Woodlands. It includes screenshots and character profiles for each respective world.
The second piano compilation for music from the Kingdom Hearts series, revealed to be titled Piano Collections Kingdom Hearts Field & Battle, has been announced by Square Enix through the opening of an official website. The website reveals the release date of the album, January 13, 2010, as well as the price, ￥2,500. It is implied that music from Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep will be featured on the album, as both releases are within a week of each other, and the website links to Square Enix's Birth by Sleep website.
The December 2009 issue of Dengeki PlayStation magazine has included an article on the upcoming Kingdom Hearts game for the PlayStation Portable, Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep. This article includes previously seen screenshots, as well as information about Enchanted Dominion and the Land of Departure. RPG Land have uploaded scans of the article, and Kingdom Hearts Insider have translated it. Both can be seen below.
Dengeki PlayStation (December 2009)
Thanks to RPG Land.
The truth behind these mysteries will soon be revealed!
Lots of new information about the story and system have been revealed by these new screenshots and illustrations. They’ve finally decided on a release date, so we’re closing in on finding out what is behind all these mysteries in this new game.
World Guide 1 -Land of Departure-
Our heroes’ long grim adventure starts from here.
The story starts in a new original world. Here is where the heroes train in hopes of becoming a Keyblade Master. The latest movie that was shown at TGS09 showed them taking the “Master Qualification Exam”. It was revealed that Master Xehanort watched them take the test, though we’ll have to wait and see how the story will unfold from there.
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Master Xehanort [er... the scan cuts off about half of the words, but it’s essentially the same as before. I will guess:]
Master Xehanort is a powerful Keyblade Master, as well as an acquaintance of Master Eraqus. He looks very different from the Xehanort we have seen in previous games. Just who is he?
Master Xehanort is giving advice to someone. Had he been planning something at this time as well?
Vanitas
He is the only apprentice of Master Xehanort, and his name has only just been revealed. In the movie that was shown at TGS09 we were able to see him talking and hear his voice. Just what face is he hiding behind the mask?
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He talks about the princesses of light! Where the princesses of light something that people sought after even in the past?
Our three heroes in training This is the world where they start out on. But perhaps the picture shown here is not from the very beginning of the game?
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Let’s look take a look at some of the things in the story we’re wondering about! It’s quite interesting that in this game that the important characters already seem to know each other. We get to see scenes of them all talking before the problems start, and these will be the key that connects the rest of the story together. The things Master Xehanort says also have quite a few connections to previous games in the series.
Point 1 Terra and Master Xehanort It seems that Terra trusts Master Xehanort. We see that he obeys him, but it seems that in the end he betrays him!? What is Master Xehanort after?
Point 2 Ventus and Vanitas Is it just a coincidence, or is there some connection? We see quite a few scenes with them together. Their names also sound similar. Just what is between the two of them!
Point 3 Aqua’s Good Luck Charm Aqua gives them charms to make sure they’ll see each other again. The charms look just like the one that Kairi made in KH!
Point 4 The search begins The three of them are ordered to go searching for Master Xehanort, but in this scene we don’t see Ventus anywhere. Where could he be?
Point 5 What is Ventus doing? What is Master Eraqus and Aqua looking at? It almost seems as though Ventus is acting violent...
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from Tetsuya Nomura Their adventure begins here.
Though not all scenes are, most of these screenshots show the prologue to the story, in Land of Departure, where they start their journey. What exactly were Terra and Master Xehanort talking about? What is Ven doing? You’ll have to find out more in the game. Master Eraqus is Ven, Terra and Aqua’s master, and he will have a lot to do with the story. He is a new character for the series, so I’d like you to watch him closely.
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Master Eraqus
He is a Keyblade Master with three apprentices. We don’t know much about him yet, but he seems like a calm and collected “samurai” type. The armor around his middle and his boots look similar to the other three. Perhaps he can change into armor as well? His keyblade design is rather interesting.
“Now we will be having the Master Qualification Exam.”
The Three Apprentices
Terra
A young man who is always calm and cool even under pressure. He fights with power, and can pack a lot of destruction into one attack.
Ventus
A boy who is curious and has a cheerful personality. He fights with speed, and uses light, quick actions.
Aqua
A serious young woman who both kind and strong. Her style is to fight with magic, so her attacks might be a bit erratic!?
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System - Let’s look at two new things that have been revealed!
Command Levels - Important for growth of your commands!
Deck Commands, Action Commands, and Shoot Lock Commands all have levels. You can gain CP (Command Points) from defeated enemies which once you’ve gotten enough will raise the levels of your Commands. Levels will effect just how strong your Commands will become.
Set your Commands before battle CP will be given to all Commands that you have set in your Deck. When your Commands level up it will tell you on the screen. You can also check their growth on the menu screen.
Support Abilities - Master your abilities to make them more powerful
Some Deck Commands will also have Support Abilities attached to them. When you set the Command you will gain the effect of the Support Ability, but if you unequip it you will lose the effect. But if you set the Command and get the ability to the highest level, your character will then have that ability mastered, and even if the Command is unequipped the effect of the Support Ability will remain.
Support Abilities will grow by gaining CP. Then you will be able to level them up.
Barrage - A Deck Command. You will draw close to the enemy and hit them with a rapid fire multi-hit attack. If you manage to press the buttons with good timing you gain extra hits.
Strike Raid - A Deck Command. You use the keyblade like a boomarang to attack your enemies. Sora has used the same attack before in the KH series.
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Vanitas has his face hidden, so he is even more mysterious than other characters. There is a very important reason that his face is covered, but I can’t tell that yet. I will tell you that you won’t see it until the end of the story. I chose his name first through the meaning I wanted, then when I was looking up words this one also sounded similar to Ventus. So the reason I chose this name was because it felt like he was destined for it.
Message from the KINGDOM has updated with a blog post from Tetsuya Nomura, the director of the Kingdom Hearts series. Tetsuya Nomura discusses the development of Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, and explains that the package age, secret movie, opening movie, promotional movie and commercial are yet to be finalized, but are being worked on. Kingdom Hearts Insider have translated this blog post, and it can be read below.
A blog? How modern. Or, no... I guess it’s a little late for that. Nevermind. I’m the director Nomura.
The staff asked us to write our first entry, but I was just too busy. But it was around TGS that Yasue was going to update, so I put a stop to it. I’m very sorry.
Between then and now we’ve already announced the release date. Now all we have to do is finish it. But we still have tons of things to do, and we’re in the middle of running around trying to get everything finished.
Right now on my desktop I have 5 files containing work for Birth by Sleep, 4 for Coded, and 7 for other titles.
They’re listed in order of predecence, and now as I’m writing this the time for these files has finally come.
Of course there are not only writen documents, but pictures I have been needing to draw have been waiting for me to get around to it. Right now the most important being the package art for Birth by Sleep.
Today I have to go to edit the Staff Roll. Since there are three main characters in Birth by Sleep, we alse have different Staff Rolls for each one. We already have experience making two for Chain of Memores, but this time it’s a little bit different and we have a little bit of a trick with each, so it’s quite difficult.
In the Kingdom Hearts series when we put the music into the Staff Roll, we aren’t just lining up the music second by second, but frame by frame. So we’re working hard to find a good way to time it.
We also still have the Opening Movie, the Secret Movie, the CM and the PV to edit. But that will be on a later day. Next week we will be working on the CM for FFXIII.
So we’re working quite hard now, and I have to get going. I have to get to the editing studio. When I have another opportunity I will write again soon. Thank you.
Director Tetsuya Nomura
