Square Enix announces Kingdom Hearts IV, which means a new Hikaru Utada theme song in 2043

So, Square Enix just announced a new Kingdom Hearts game.

In fact, they didn’t just announce a game. They announced three, and showed footage of each of them. Because Square Enix can’t just show and work on one game in a series at a time. They have to show a dozen. And then have to do contend with everybody asking where the games are for 3 years straight, why there is radio silence on them, and then get giddy over release dates 5 years later, just for them to all get pushed back.

Project management is not a strong suit at Square Enix when it comes to anything Final Fantasy or Kingdom Hearts related. 

I don’t know why Square Enix always choose to show off gameplay from their games SO early, when EVERY single time their games get delayed by a decade and everything ends up changing. We saw the same shit play out with Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy Versus XIII (which then became Final Fantasy XV) and Final Fantasy VII Remake. 

I also don’t like how Kingdom Hearts IV looks visually. It’s so bland. Especially compared to the look Kingdom Hearts had, and something like The World Ends With You. I’m sure Square Enix will refine the look of the game, which is why they shouldn’t have shown it so early. The whole thing reminded me of Final Fantasy Versus XIII, which is probably the only reason there is a Kingdom Hearts IV. Especially after that Vernum Rex foolery in Kingdom Hearts III. If Tetsuya Nomura can’t release the Final Fantasy Versus XIII game he originally planned, then he’s gonna make damn sure to do it through Kingdom Hearts. That man will not let Versus XIII go.

But the real tea (and relevant tea in regards to why I’m talking about video games on this here music blawg) is that a Kingdom Hearts IV means a new theme song from Hikaru Utada.

When The Artist’s Son ran into the living room with his iPad like ‘Mummy! There’s a new Kingdom Hearts game!’, I know Hikaru was like...

What Hikaru thought was going to be a cute one off thing 20 years ago, has now become a life long commitment. I think it’s great. Hikaru Utada’s songs are the only thing consistent about Kingdom Hearts aside from how much of a mess the series is. But I won’t get into that here.

Now, I remember when y’all thought I was crazy when I kept telling y’all that Kingdom Hearts III would absolutely have a song from Hikaru Utada. So maybe you’ll rock with me this time. The reason why I was SO adamant back then and am adamant about this? Three reasons.

One. Hikaru Utada is synonymous with Kingdom Hearts, whether they or their fans like it or not. A Kingdom Hearts game releasing without a Hikaru Utada theme song would be like a Kingdom Hearts game releasing without Yoko Shimomura doing the soundtrack.

Two. Teruzane. Regardless of whether Hikaru wants to do another Kingdom Hearts song or not, Teruzane ain’t leaving Square Enix and Disney money on the table. When he got the Google Alert about Kingdom Hearts IV, he hopped straight onto a Zoom with Square Enix and Disney Japan like...

Teruzane gon’ make sure his child stays getting money when and where the opportunity arises, because he knows Hikaru isn’t going to make bank with tours, because a bitch barely tours. And he knows Hikaru isn’t going to make regular bank with album sales, because they don’t release albums annually like most other hoes in J-pop do.

Three. Japan likes traditional and generally isn’t one for change. And loyalty is a BIG thing in Japan when it comes to business. Hikaru Utada has recorded a song for three Kingdom Hearts games now, and Square Enix STILL uses “Hikari” / “Simple & Clean” in every single Kingdom Hearts game and for a bunch of their trailers. Regardless of business politics, money issues and what-not, Square Enix will always want Hikaru Utada to grace a new entry into the Kingdom Hearts series with a song. There’s 20 years of history of Kingdom Hearts and Hikaru Utada. That means something, as it rightly should.

Kingdom Hearts IV | 2022, Square Enix

Kingdom Hearts IV is not imminent. Not even close. If it follows Square Enix’s usual timeline, the game won’t release until 2043. So talking about a song now is premature as all hell. But the time will come.

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🎛️ Kingdomkaru Heartada: The Sanctuary of Passion
💿 Singlekaru Reviewtada: Pink Blood | One Last Kiss | Dare ni mo Iwanai | Time
💿 Albumkaru Reviewtada: Hatsukoi | Fantôme | This is the One | Heart Station | Ultra Blue | Exodus | Deep River | Distance | First Love
🎧 Spotifykaru Playlistada: Slaykaru Queentada | Hikaru Utada: R&B | Hikaru Utada: Ballads | Hikaru Utada: Bops | Hikaru Utada: Remixes

🎮 Video Game Music Playlists: VGM | VGM: Easy Listening