Welcome to MovieAnimeX, your ultimate hub for Kingdom Hearts storyline breakdowns, KH plot summaries, and deep dives into Square Enix’s epic Disney-Final Fantasy crossover saga. If you’ve ever felt lost in the Kingdom Hearts timeline—with its tangled web of Keyblade Wars, Heartless hordes, and multiverse-hopping heroes—this guide is your lifeline. We’re breaking down the complete Kingdom Hearts story in chronological order, covering every game, movie, and key media without skipping a beat. No spoilers hidden; just precise, accurate recaps with easy-to-grasp explanations.
Whether you’re a newbie wondering “What is Kingdom Hearts about?” or a veteran piecing together the Dark Seeker Saga, this Kingdom Hearts timeline, Updated for 2025, including post-KH3 entries. Grab your Keyblade (or a snack), and let’s unlock the worlds!
Table of Contents
Essential Kingdom Hearts Lore Terms: Quick Explainer
Before diving into the full Kingdom Hearts plot, here’s a beginner-friendly glossary of core concepts. These pop up everywhere in the KH universe:
- Keyblade: A mystical weapon forged from the heart, wielded by chosen “Keyblade wielders” (like Sora or Terra). It locks/unlocks worlds, fights darkness, and even accesses hearts. Think lightsaber meets magic key—versatile and iconic.
- Heartless: Shadowy monsters born when darkness corrupts a heart. They come in “Pureblood” (natural, shadowy) or “Emblem” (artificial) varieties. Their goal? Steal more hearts to spread chaos and summon Kingdom Hearts.
- Nobodies: Shells left behind when a strong-willed person loses their heart to become a Heartless. Humanoid and emotionless at first, they crave hearts to feel complete (e.g., Organization XIII members).
- Organization XIII: A secretive group of 13 elite Nobodies (led by Xemnas) plotting to forge their own Kingdom Hearts—a massive heart of worlds—to regain emotions. Their names have an “X” for a reason (twisted originals like “Axel” from “Lea”).
- Unversed: Negative emotions manifested as enemies, unique to certain stories (like fears or doubts given form).
- Kingdom Hearts: The ultimate “heart of all worlds”—a radiant moon-like entity granting wishes, but darkness twists it into a weapon. Multiple versions exist (e.g., real, artificial).
- χ-blade: A legendary Keyblade born from light and darkness clashing, key to the series’ ancient prophecies and wars.
- Realm of Darkness/Light: Parallel dimensions—Light for hope and worlds, Darkness for endless voids and trapped souls.
- Replicas: Artificial bodies/clones made from data or memories, often to house hearts (e.g., Xion).
- Master of Masters: Enigmatic ancient figure who kickstarts the lore with prophecies and shadowy schemes.
Got it? Now, onto the Kingdom Hearts chronological timeline. We’ll cover all 15+ entries from prequels to the latest, with release dates, key plot points, and ties to the bigger KH storyline.
The Kingdom Hearts Timeline: Full Chronological Order
1. Kingdom Hearts χ (X) / Union χ & Back Cover (2013–2017)
Release: Mobile game (2013), Back Cover cinematic (2017 in HD 2.8). Setting: Age of Fairy Tales—thousands of years before modern events. Story Summary: In radiant Daybreak Town, the Master of Masters—a hooded prophet with the Gazing Eye—trains six apprentices (Foretellers: Ira, Invi, Aced, Gula, Ava, Luxu) using the Book of Prophecies to foresee doom. He forges Keyblades from their hearts and creates Unions to collect Lux (pure light shards) against rising Darkness (13 formless entities). A Nightmare Chirithy (dark dream spirit) steals Lux, turning wielders into Darklings (corrupted fighters).
You play as a custom Keyblade wielder joining a Union, adventuring with pals like Ephemer and Skuld. Betrayal brews: Foretellers clash over a “traitor,” leading to the First Keyblade War in the Keyblade Graveyard. Ava forms the Dandelions (elite survivors) to seed a new world. Darkness possesses Ventus (a new leader), murders Strelitzia, and escapes with time-traveler Maleficent. The war shatters reality; survivors upload to a data world, erasing memories. Luxu (the Master’s vessel) escapes with a “true Dandelion,” reincarnating key hearts. Back Cover flashes back to the Master’s schemes, revealing he orchestrated the war to seal Darkness. Key Ties: Origins of the χ-blade, Keyblade Graveyard, and ancient Darkness—sets up Xehanort’s destiny. Why Play?: Epic lore dump on Keyblade War origins; mobile-friendly for casual fans.
2. Kingdom Hearts Dark Road (2020–2022)
Release: Mobile game (2020), integrated into KH Union χ. Setting: ~100 years before Birth by Sleep. Story Summary: Young Xehanort, the future big bad, grows up on Destiny Islands as the “Child of Destiny.” A blue-cloaked figure (Player’s reincarnated heart from χ) delivers baby Xehanort there for safety. He portals to Scala ad Caelum (a utopian Keyblade academy) via his future Heartless self (Ansem). Training under Master Odin with peers like Eraqus (future mentor), Urd, Bragi (Luxu in disguise), and others, they hunt seven missing students across Disney worlds.
Encounters include Beast’s Castle (rose theft drama) and Agrabah (Genie’s lamp quest for “seven lights” to banish Darkness). Tragedies strike: Maleficent kills classmates, Baldr (fallen to grief) summons Darkness in the Underworld, slaughtering more. Xehanort mercy-kills Baldr, meets the Master of Masters, and vows to master Darkness. Luxu jumps bodies to Bragi’s corpse. Xehanort selects Ventus for the Land of Departure, eyeing him for his pure light. Key Ties: Explains Xehanort’s fall, Eraqus’s youth, and the “13 Darknesses” prophecy. Why Play?: Xehanort origin story—humanizes the villain in this KH prequel.
3. Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep (2010)
Release: PSP (2010), remastered in HD collections. Setting: ~10–11 years before KH1. Story Summary: At the Land of Departure (future Castle Oblivion), Master Eraqus trains trio Terra (earnest but dark-tainted), Aqua (dutiful protector), and Ventus (innocent, half of the χ-blade). During Mark of Mastery exams, Xehanort sabotages, praising Terra’s darkness while failing him. Unversed (Ventus’s stray emotions) rampage; the trio splits to investigate.
Terra bonds with villains like Maleficent, gets a Earth Keyblade, and falls to darkness. Aqua charms baby Kairi in Radiant Garden and warns young Sora/Riku on Destiny Islands. Ventus chases Vanitas (Xehanort’s dark half, born from splitting Ventus’s heart). Xehanort forges the χ-blade in the Keyblade Graveyard clash, but Ventus absorbs it, shattering into fragments. Terra possesses himself with Xehanort’s heart (becoming Terra-Xehanort), who apprentices under Ansem the Wise, stealing research. Aqua seals Ventus in the Chamber of Waking; Eraqus dies protecting them. Terra falls to the Realm of Darkness; Aqua follows to save him but gets trapped. Xehanort time-travels as young self. Secret Episode (“The Gathering”): Foretellers from χ appear, recruiting for a new war. Key Ties: Birth of Roxas (looks like Ventus), Ansem’s fall, Destiny Islands setup. Why Play?: Emotional core of KH3 setup; three playable stories for replay value.
4. Kingdom Hearts 0.2: Birth by Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage (2017)
Release: DLC in HD 2.8. Setting: Immediately after BBS, ~10 years before KH1. Story Summary: Aqua survives in the Realm of Darkness, battling Heartless with her Rainfell Keyblade. She saves a lost Mickey (pre-KH1 shirtless look), fights possessed Riku illusions, and aids Ansem the Wise’s research pod escape. Darkness tempts her; she resists but weakens, glimpsing Terra’s armored form. Ends with her breaking her Keyblade in despair. Key Ties: Bridges BBS to KH1; explains Aqua’s KH3 role. Why Play?: Short, action-packed Aqua spotlight—perfect palate cleanser.
5. Kingdom Hearts (2002)
Release: PS2 (2002), remastered. Setting: ~10 years after BBS. Story Summary: On Destiny Islands, Sora, Riku, and Kairi dream of other worlds. Darkness engulfs their home; Sora bonds with the Kingdom Key (Ventus’s lingering heart). He teams with Donald and Goofy (King Mickey’s aides) to seal worlds from Heartless. They thwart Maleficent’s schemes, rescue worlds like Traverse Town and Agrabah. Riku, jealous, opens a dark door, gets possessed by Ansem, Seeker of Darkness (Terra-Xehanort’s Heartless). Kairi’s heart (with Aqua’s charm) hides in Sora. Climax at Hollow Bastion: Sora stabs himself to restore Kairi, briefly becoming Heartless (births Roxas Nobody). They defeat Ansem; Riku and Mickey seal the Door to Darkness, trapping Riku inside. Key Ties: Introduces Sora’s journey; sets up Organization XIII. Why Play?: The magical KH entry point—Disney nostalgia meets RPG action.
6. Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories (2004)
Release: GBA (2004), remastered in Re:Chain of Memories. Setting: Weeks after KH1. Story Summary: Sora, Donald, and Goofy enter Castle Oblivion (reformed Land of Departure), losing memories via Cards (Naminé’s power). Naminé (Kairi’s Nobody) manipulates for Marluxia (Organization traitor). Sora recreates bonds, fights Larxene and Vexen. Riku’s side: He battles Ansem’s remnant in his heart, aided by Mickey, choosing light over darkness. Sora defeats Marluxia; Naminé restores memories, but Sora sleeps 1 year for true recovery. Axel kills Vexen; Zexion exposed. Key Ties: Introduces memory themes, Organization infighting. Why Play?: Card-battle twist on KH combat; deepens Riku’s arc.
7. Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (2009)
Release: DS (2009), remastered. Setting: Parallel to Chain of Memories (1 year). Story Summary: Roxas (Sora’s Nobody) awakens in Twilight Town, joins Organization XIII as #13. Befriends Axel (#8) and Xion (#14, Sora replica from Ventus/Riku data). They ice-cream and mission-hunt Heartless for Kingdom Hearts. Xion glitches, revealing her origins; Organization fears her. Roxas questions his existence, fights Riku (disguised). Xion absorbs replicas, becomes monstrous; Roxas mercy-kills her. Axel betrays; DiZ captures Roxas, merging him back into Sora. Key Ties: Explains Roxas’s pain, Xion’s tragedy—fuels KH2 emotions. Why Play?: Mission-based Roxas prequel; heartbreaking found-family vibes.
8. Kingdom Hearts II (2005)
Release: PS2 (2005), remastered. Setting: 1 year after KH1/CoM. Story Summary: Sora awakens in Twilight Town via data-Twilight setup by DiZ (Ansem the Wise). Roxas merges in, causing identity flashes. Sora storms Organization HQ (The World That Never Was), fights Xaldin, Luxord, Saïx. Riku, post-darkness purge, aids as Ansem (Wise disguise). They save Hayner/Pence/Olette (data Roxas friends). Climax: Dual Ansem/Xemnas (Xehanort’s Heartless/Nobody) battles. Xemnas summons fake Kingdom Hearts; heroes shatter it. Riku reveals true self; post-credits hint at Aqua. Cavern of Remembrance: Reveals Naminé/Axel origins. Key Ties: Defeats Organization; reunites Riku/Sora. Why Play?: Epic scale-up—KH2’s Gummi Ship and drive forms rock.
9. Kingdom Hearts Coded / Re:coded (2008/2010)
Release: Mobile (2008), DS remake (2010). Setting: Shortly after KH2. Story Summary: Mickey finds “May your heart be your guiding key” in Jiminy’s corrupted journal. Data-Sora enters a digital Jiminy dive, battling bugs (data Heartless). Uncovers Organization remnants, learns of Strelitzia’s murder (χ tie-in). Data-Riku/Aqua/Naminé appear; reveals locked hearts in Sleeping Worlds. Data-Sora absorbs lost data, messages real Sora: “Thank Naminé.” Ties to Dream Drop Distance. Key Ties: Data world links to χ; foreshadows trapped allies. Why Play?: Puzzle-RPG hybrid; subtle KH lore bridges.
10. Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance (2012)
Release: 3DS (2012), remastered. Setting: Post-KH2, pre-KH3. Story Summary: Xehanort’s 13 vessels plan: Young Xehanort time-travels to recruit. Mickey/Riku take Mark of Mastery in “sleep” trials via Nightmare Dream Eaters. Sora dives into Sleeping Worlds (Traverse Town, The Grid), befriends Data-Sora echoes. Riku passes, becoming Master; Sora fails, trapped by Xehanort. Organization XII reforms with new Xehanorts. Lea (Axel) trains as Keyblade wielder; Ienzo/DiZ help. Ends with Xehanort’s χ-blade tease. Key Ties: Launches KH3 saga; introduces Dream Eaters. Why Play?: Flowmotion combat shines; Riku’s hero turn.
11. Kingdom Hearts III (2019)
Release: PS4/Xbox One (2019), remastered. Setting: Immediate post-DDD. Story Summary: Sora seeks “power of waking” in Toy Box, Monstropolis, etc., with Donald/Goofy. Reunites with Roxas (Data Ventus), Xion, Naminé, Even (Vexen). Frees Aqua from Realm of Darkness; Terra breaks Xehanort possession. Full 7 Guardians of Light vs. 13 Seekers of Darkness at Keyblade Graveyard. Xehanort forges real χ-blade; Sora seals him away via time travel. Post-battle: Chirithy warns of new threats; Yozora (Verum Rex tease) appears. Key Ties: Climax of Dark Seeker Saga; resolves BBS trio. Why Play?: Open-world Disney worlds; emotional KH payoff.
12. Kingdom Hearts III Re Mind (2020)
Release: DLC (2020). Setting: Interwoven with KH3 finale. Story Summary: Playable “what if” scenarios: Control Aqua/Riku/Ventus/Terra in Graveyard battles. Master Yen Sid explains Xehanort’s redemption. Sora time-travels to save everyone, but vanishes (hinting Quadratum). Yozora/Maleficent crossover tease. Key Ties: Fills KH3 gaps; sets KH4 mysteries. Why Play?: Boss-rush rematches; alternate endings fun.
13. Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory (2020)
Release: Switch/PS4/Xbox (2020). Setting: Bridges KH3 to future. Story Summary: Rhythm-action flashbacks: Kairi trains with Axel/Lea/Merlin. Sora’s voice guides through key moments (from KH1 to Re Mind). Reveals Quadratum (unreal world) and “nameless star” (lost hearts). Ends with Kairi/Aqua/Elsa in icy limbo, Mickey/Riku searching. Key Ties: Teases Lost Master Arc; Kairi focus. Why Play?: Music-driven recap; rhythm game twist on lore.
Wrapping Up the Kingdom Hearts Saga: What’s Next?
There you have it—the complete Kingdom Hearts timeline in chronological order, from the ancient Keyblade War to Sora’s uncertain fate. This sprawling KH storyline blends Disney magic, Final Fantasy grit, and original heart-pounding lore into a masterpiece that’s as confusing as it is captivating. We’ve explained every twist without skips, keeping it easy to understand for fans and newcomers alike.