Discover the Surprising Weakness of These Kingdom Hearts Characters

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Summary

  • Xaldin, Lexaeus, and Julius are notable Kingdom Hearts characters who turn out to be weaker than expected.
  • Maleficent, despite her role in Sleeping Beauty and Kingdom Hearts 1, was overshadowed by stronger villains later on in the story.
  • Kairi’s potential as a fighter was undermined in Kingdom Hearts 3, disappointing fans who were hoping for her growth as a character.

Beneath its playful Disney exterior, Kingdom Hearts conceals an expansive fantasy narrative with dynamic action sequences and a cast of characters who excel in combat. Consequently, some of the franchise’s most recognized figures, such as Sora, Riku, Roxas, or King Mickey, prove to be much more powerful than one might initially perceive.

occasionally, it’s the case that powerful or intimidating characters from popular Kingdom Hearts series don’t live up to their initial impression. This can be due to their swift defeat by the heroes or because they were involved in relatively simple boss battles. The following characters serve as the most apparent instances of this disappointing trend.

1. Maleficent

A Prominent Villain Who Was Left Behind By The Story

As a devoted admirer, let me share that none other than the formidable fairy Maleficent was not just the chief adversary in Disney’s 1959 classic “Sleeping Beauty,” but she also reigned supreme over a band of legendary Disney miscreants in the initial version of “Kingdom Hearts.” Her true might was on full display during the thrilling showdown, where she transformed into an enormous, fire-spewing dragon. This colossal beast put Sora, Donald, and Goofy to the test as they tirelessly battled to bring her down.

Sadly, despite her efforts throughout the game, Maleficent was ultimately outmatched by Ansem, Seeker of Darkness and left in his shadow. This setback seemed to follow her in subsequent games, where she was often portrayed comically, appearing weaker compared to Xehanort and Organization XIII in terms of strength. Her association with the clumsy Pete didn’t help improve her image either. Yet, loyal Kingdom Hearts fans remain hopeful that Maleficent will regain her power and become a formidable adversary in the upcoming Lost Masters Saga.

2. Kairi

The Main Heroine Of The Franchise Feels Like Wasted Potential

Compared to Sora and Riku, Kairi wasn’t particularly skilled in combat, initially serving a supporting role as the Princess of Heart. However, she was given a Keyblade at the end of Kingdom Hearts 2, suggesting her future development and possible participation in battles alongside the other Light Guardians in the upcoming Kingdom Hearts 3, hinted by the secret ending of Dream Drop Distance.

As a gamer, I must confess, despite the high hopes built around her by the fanbase and my own anticipation following my training sessions with Lea, Kairi’s showdown in the climactic battle of Kingdom Hearts 3 left me rather disappointed. She seemed to slip back into the stereotype of a damsel in distress, getting kidnapped effortlessly by Xemnas and meeting an abrupt end at the hands of Xehanort. The Re: Mind DLC and Melody of Memory attempted to rehabilitate her image, but she still failed to project strength convincingly, especially when she couldn’t even confront a mere illusion of Master Xehanort alone. Here’s hoping that Kairi will be much more formidable in the upcoming Kingdom Hearts 4, as she’s currently learning under Aqua’s guidance.

3. Darkside

The Most Iconic Heartless Boss Was Never Much Of A Threat

In the realm of Kingdom Hearts, I was the one to face off against the history-making boss – Darkside. This colossal titan, brimming with darkness, could summon other Heartless minions at will. Surprisingly, our initial encounter was surprisingly simple, a fitting introduction given that it marked the beginning of my journey in this epic franchise.

However, the issue with Darkside lies in its lack of significant power enhancement beyond its initial form. In various games such as Chain of Memories, 358/2 Days, Birth by Sleep (0.2), Kingdom Hearts 3, where it isn’t even the primary fight, defeating Darkside has become more of a routine task than an engaging challenge. Many fans share this sentiment, finding the Demon Tide, a massive shadow entity, to be far more formidable than the iconic boss, Darkside.

4. Lexaeus

The So-Called “Silent Hero” Is Way Too Silent And Far From A Hero

Initially, Lexaeus appears to be a formidable figure among the initial Organization XIII due to his colossal frame, towering Axe Sword, and battle prowess that allows him to summon earth and rocks. However, quite unexpectedly for many Kingdom Hearts fans, he turned out to be one of the weakest and least impactful members within this nefarious group of Nobodies.

In the narrative of Riku’s journey in “Chain of Memories,” Lexaeus is portrayed as a significant adversary. However, his potential is underutilized, both in the storyline and gameplay. Initially, he poses a challenge for Riku, but this tough facade crumbles swiftly when confronted by Riku’s Dark form. The battles against Lexaeus, whether in “Chain of Memories” or “Kingdom Hearts 2,” are surprisingly straightforward, given his imposing presence.

Similarly to Dilan, Aeleus, his human counterpart, remains as a mute guard within Radiant Garden throughout the events of “Kingdom Hearts 3.” Despite being present, he doesn’t participate in any significant battles that impact the game’s plot.

5. Julius

A Disappointingly Easy Secret Boss

In every Kingdom Hearts game, there’s a particularly tough hidden boss that is hard to conquer, such as Lingering Will in Kingdom Hearts 2 Final Mix or the Mysterious Figure in Birth by Sleep. Due to this, fans eagerly awaited the appearance of another super boss in Dream Drop Distance, but were later disappointed due to its ease of defeat. The secret boss of this game is none other than Julius, an artificial creature and the main villain from the 1995 Mickey Mouse short, Runaway Brain.

Despite his imposing figure and menacing demeanor, one might expect Julius to be an adversary in an arduous battle. However, quite the contrary is true. Although he possesses immense power, his bulky frame and clumsiness make it effortless to dodge his attacks, draining his health points swiftly. Additionally, much like other enemies in Dream Drop Distance, Julius is exceptionally vulnerable to the Balloon command. It’s safe to say that Julius stands out as the most underwhelming secret boss across the entire franchise.

6. The Elemental Titans

It Took 17 Years For Hades To Unleash His Secret Weapons (And It Was Not Worth It)

In the peak moment of the animated movie “Hercules”, the central antagonist Hades summons four titanic creatures representing the elements (a massive rock-like being, an icy colossus, a blazing lava giant, and a whirling tornado behemoth) to attack Mount Olympus. It was thrilling for Disney enthusiasts to anticipate battling these formidable monsters in the “Kingdom Hearts” series, but ultimately they were left disappointed due to their perceived weakness.

Initially, the Rock Titan and Ice Titan were optional adversaries introduced in Kingdom Hearts 1, yet they proved to be rather simple for even novice gamers to defeat. In subsequent games like Kingdom Hearts 3, these two, along with the Lava Titan and Tornado Titan, resurfaced, but they still failed to offer much resistance against Sora, Donald, and Goofy, as they were designated as tutorial bosses in the opening level. For those seeking a tougher battle, engaging Cerberus or Sephiroth in Olympus Coliseum would be more suitable.

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2025-02-13 10:23