Kingdom Hearts: The Novel Cover Art Revealed!
- Details
- Published on January 7, 2015 @ 10:57 pm
- Written by Arielle
Last year in September, it was revealed that Yen Press would finally be publishing the Kingdom Hearts novel series in North America to the delight of hundreds of fans who have always wanted to experience the novels in English. Fans can expect the first novel of the series that will cover the events of the first Kingdom Hearts game to release on March 24th 2015!
The Kingdom Hearts novel series, written by Tomoco Kanemaki (scenario writer for Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days) and illustrated by Shiro Amano, was first published on June 30, 2005 and has seen a release of 18 novels based on the games & two special novels thus far. The on-going novel series serves as a unique experience for fans of the Kingdom Hearts series, providing more in-depth looks into the lives and personalities of beloved characters as well as adding new events and backstories that were previously not seen in the games.
Yen Press will publish Kingdom Hearts: The Novel under their light novel imprint, Yen On. You can check out the cover of the novel below along with links to where you can order it!
Also, don't forget to pre-order the fifth & final volume of the Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days manga from your local or online book retailer before it releases this month!
KINGDOM HEARTS: The Novel Volume 1
Page Count: 288
Price: $16 USD
Release Date: March 24th 2015On the Destiny Islands, three children–Sora, Riku, and Kairi–are living out their peaceful, carefree lives while yearning for whatever lies beyond the great ocean. But one night, an unexpected disaster takes place, and the three are torn from each other and their island home. Meanwhile, at Disney Castle, Donald Duck and the other castle residents are in an uproar upon discovering King Mickey has suddenly gone missing. When fate brings them together, Sora, Donald, and Goofy set out on a grand Disney adventure to find their friends!
Source: Yen Press
COMMENTS
Can't wait! : D
*stares at release date*
Isn't that around the 13 year anniversary? : 0
Right you are! Just 4 days before it!
Something for us all to celebrate with, right?
[FONT=Arial]Last year in September, it was revealed that [/FONT] Yen Press would finally be publishing the Kingdom Hearts novel series[FONT=Arial] in North America[/FONT] |
Wait, what?! I only remember them saying that they considered it if the mangas sold well.
I'm so fucking hyped right now :)
I just hope they're cheap to ship or that they get here oversea.
Wait, what?! I only remember them saying that they considered it if the mangas sold well.
I'm so fucking hyped right now :)
I'm not sure how you missed it but it's good you know now!
| I just hope they're cheap to ship or that they get here oversea. |
If you use Book Depository, shipping is free!
Ahhhh pre-ordering the minute I get paid!
I can't even with how cute the cover is. <3
I'm not sure how you missed it but it's good you know now!
If you use Book Depository, shipping is free!
nice, thanks for the tip :)
What's the difference between the novels and the mangas?
What's the difference between the novels and the mangas?
If I had to guess then probably a lot less pictures and a lot more words. Wow 18 novels to cover it all. I am excited!
Big question about this though ("
providing more in-depth looks into the lives and personalities of beloved characters as well as adding new events and backstories that were previously not seen in the games")
So we should consider this "new stuff" canon or not? :\
What's the difference between the novels and the mangas?
Besides the obvious difference, the manga is written by Shiro Amano and diverges from the games A LOT and aren't considered canon whereas Kanemaki's novels are meant to be companion pieces to the games and are 3rd tier canon since Nomura oversees the information put into them.
The novels (specifically the KH2 novels) were where we first learned that Axel and the other Nobodies were likely returning because of the whole "kill a Heartless + Nobody = Somebody returns"
If I had to guess then probably a lot less pictures and a lot more words. Wow 18 novels to cover it all. I am excited!
We aren't getting 18 volumes, though! They are compiling volumes by game so we will have significantly less volumes to buy xD
| Big question about this though (" providing more in-depth looks into the lives and personalities of beloved characters as well as adding new events and backstories that were previously not seen in the games") |
Many consider it 3rd tier canon because Nomura provides direct input to Kanemaki for the novels. There are certain things that clash because they were written before certain games were made (lol Kanemaki wrote a side story for Axel & Roxas then goes and retcons it with her own script for Days) so that kind of information can be discarded, but a lot of it is meant to be a companion to the games. In the end, it is a personal preference if you want to accept the novels as canon.
Just keep in mind the hierarchy:
1st Tier = Games
2nd Tier = Interviews
3rd Tier = Novels
I have a (probably) stupid question: on Book Depository the 5th volume of Days is listed as " Available", but since the release date is the 20th, will it be considered a preorder if I buy it now? :Oc
I have a (probably) stupid question: on Book Depository the 5th volume of Days is listed as " Available", but since the release date is the 20th, will it be considered a preorder if I buy it now? :Oc
Huh, you know I'm not really sure. I think if it doesn't say "pre-order", then the pre-order period is over. They would charge you regardless if it was a pre-order or regular purchase, though.
| Do you charge for Pre-orders up front? We offer many pre-order titles on the site and try to price these with a good up front discount. We currently charge for pre-orders in advance, often we source difficult to find titles so this process is helped along the way by knowing there is a firm order. |
Huh, you know I'm not really sure. I think if it doesn't say "pre-order", then the pre-order period is over. They would charge you regardless if it was a pre-order or regular purchase, though.
Alright, well it doesn't really change that much, I was just curious :D Was waiting for the final volume to come out to get all of Days manga, bless Yen Press *-*
Bless Yen Press (or Yen On in this case). They've really done a great job shelling out the KH products. I have all of the manga to date. That 3rd KHII omnibus was a sheer joy to read, and I can't wait for the conclusion of Days, despite reading scanlations. Overall, they've done spectacular work, and I'm ready to experience the novels!
Wow! Wasn't expecting to see a release date so soon! I'll be looking forward to reading it! Are they making novels for all the games? And is this particular one the whole first story? Or the first part of it?
I cant believe this is the 13th anniversary! That's like, a very important number in the series in case anyone has noticed. You think Square knows this? I wonder what they have in store for us!
Wow! Wasn't expecting to see a release date so soon! I'll be looking forward to reading it! Are they making novels for all the games? And is this particular one the whole first story? Or the first part of it?
I cant believe this is the 13th anniversary! That's like, a very important number in the series in case anyone has noticed. You think Square knows this? I wonder what they have in store for us!
They have novels up to Dream Drop Distance in Japan, so Yen Press will most likely bring them over. However, they'll compiling all the individual novels into larger chunks (for instance, the Kingdom Hearts novel is combining the first and second halfs of the Japanese novels).
Alright, well it doesn't really change that much, I was just curious :D Was waiting for the final volume to come out to get all of Days manga, bless Yen Press *-*
Yes! ;~; I am so happy they have brought it all over. KH has taken over my bookshelf and it is beautiful!
Bless Yen Press (or Yen On in this case). They've really done a great job shelling out the KH products. I have all of the manga to date. That 3rd KHII omnibus was a sheer joy to read, and I can't wait for the conclusion of Days, despite reading scanlations. Overall, they've done spectacular work, and I'm ready to experience the novels!
Oh man KH2 vol. 3 was definitely wonderful to read. ;~; Shiro Amano adds so much life to everything
Wow! Wasn't expecting to see a release date so soon! I'll be looking forward to reading it! Are they making novels for all the games? And is this particular one the whole first story? Or the first part of it?
The novels have been around for years, but Tomoco Kanemaki has written them for every game like Shogo-Kun has explained.
| I cant believe this is the 13th anniversary! That's like, a very important number in the series in case anyone has noticed. You think Square knows this? I wonder what they have in store for us! |
Well, this is the year we'll be getting more KH3 news so that is something to be excited for! It'd be a shame if they missed out on celebrating this year.
"Hmmm. I guess I outta check up on the site again and s-"
*sees the release date for Volume I of the novels is up*
Huzzah!
"Hmmm. I guess I outta check up on the site again and s-"
*sees the release date for Volume I of the novels is up*
Huzzah!
(It's been up since September haha)
(It's been up since September haha)
D'oh, I missed!
I seem to have forgotten...again...
Oh man KH2 vol. 3 was definitely wonderful to read. ;~; Shiro Amano adds so much life to everything
Highlights for me included his handling of Maleficent and Pete's relationship, all of the FF characters (particularly petty Squall - and YRP), and Gooby's "death"). The man is full of wit, and I appreciate the life he especially breathes into KHII.
D'oh, I missed!
I seem to have forgotten...again...
xD I don't blame you. It's been forever since it was revealed
Highlights for me included his handling of Maleficent and Pete's relationship, all of the FF characters (particularly petty Squall - and YRP), and Gooby's "death"). The man is full of wit, and I appreciate the life he especially breathes into KHII.
Poor Squall...so petty and everybody knew it haha. I loved all of the Tron parts where he'd show emotion after looking super cool. Best part was when Tron started blushing after he screamed out he had all of his functions back. Sobbing and Kairi escaping just to go back to her cell because Demyx was too precious
Being in the UK, KH doesn't seem that big over here. Thankfully there is a shop over here that sells the KH Manga and I bought all of the Manga today. Do we know anything about when KH2 Volume 4 Omnibus will be released? I assume after they've finished Days and KH2 they will move onto Birth By Sleep, then ReCoded and then Dream Drop Distance?
I am intrigued by the novel too so it would be good to get my hands on it if I can! Are the novels written for children or teenagers? Just curious as to what level of reading they will put them at...
I assume after they've finished Days and KH2 they will move onto Birth By Sleep, then ReCoded and then Dream Drop Distance?
If Shiro Amano decides to moves on to BBS rofl.
| I am intrigued by the novel too so it would be good to get my hands on it if I can! Are the novels written for children or teenagers? Just curious as to what level of reading they will put them at... |
It's a light novel series, which in the west can be compared to young adult books. So, yeah...teenagers. Official rating on the book says "Ages 8-18"
Yeah, I hope they give us some good information on the 3rd this year. We probably won't get the game until sometime next year though I think.
What I would love to see soon, is a picture of the characters and their new clothes! I'm sure they're planning on spoiling that much. They always do!
I was so excited the first time I saw Sora and Riku's new clothes from 3D. I can't imagine what KHIII will be like!
I'll be counting the days for the novel!
Being in the UK, KH doesn't seem that big over here. Thankfully there is a shop over here that sells the KH Manga and I bought all of the Manga today. Do we know anything about when KH2 Volume 4 Omnibus will be released? I assume after they've finished Days and KH2 they will move onto Birth By Sleep, then ReCoded and then Dream Drop Distance?
Omnibus 3 covered the japanese volumes 6 & 7 and the latest in Japan is vol 8. They'll need to wait for atleast vol 9 to come out, which I'd expect around spring/summer, and then at a later point put them together as Omnibus 4 in English. Basically, don't expect Omni 4 before the end of this year.
As for what comes after KH2, if it happens, I'd bet on either BBS or DDD since they're more relevant (and interesting). Probably leaning more towards DDD. Unless KH3 comes out before Amano even finishes his current work/prepares for the next, that is.
Any thoughts as on when the novell will be released in the Europe? I live in Norway and would love to read it as well. :D
Any thoughts as on when the novell will be released in the Europe? I live in Norway and would love to read it as well. :D
Pretty certain Yen Press doesn't publish in Europe so it is entirely on whatever publisher is there. If you are cool with reading it in English (I know some people prefer it in other languages sometimes), you can import a copy via Book Depository.
As a new member of the "Kingdom Hearts" family this makes me very happy indeed and I also think the cover art looks gorgeous.:smile:
I just pre ordered. I'm looking forward to it.
I just pre ordered. I'm looking forward to it.
Whoo! I hope you enjoy it!
The extra character and background exposition is what I'm looking forward to the most, especially because it's considered third tier canon and not just alternative timeline fan faction.
Pretty certain Yen Press doesn't publish in Europe so it is entirely on whatever publisher is there. If you are cool with reading it in English (I know some people prefer it in other languages sometimes), you can import a copy via Book Depository.
Yeah, the only way for people in Europe to get the novels or even manga of the KH series is via a specialist shop in London or any of the online retailers like AmazonUK where I got some of my manga and where I've pre-ordered the novel from.
The extra character and background exposition is what I'm looking forward to the most, especially because it's considered third tier canon and not just alternative timeline fan faction.
The novels have definitely a higher stance in the series canon than the manga does (which has its own continuity), mainly because Nomura does have some input on the novels in the form of providing the authoress Tomoco Kanemaki with some background information.
Yeah, the only way for people in Europe to get the novels or even manga of the KH series is via a specialist shop in London or any of the online retailers like AmazonUK where I got some of my manga and where I've pre-ordered the novel from.
I've already pre-ordered both the KH 1 and CoM novel for import at my usual trusted publisher where I get most of my english books from.
The manga is a different issue though as at least here in Germany you can regularily buy it in german language in any shop that sells mangas.
But this might also have to do with that the german version never changed the publisher at all and continued to publish it even when they stopped doing it in the US.
Time to order it from my local bookstore.
So great that Kingdom Hearts is FINALLY receiveing some rightfull love from the west to it's merchandise.
So, I got my copy a day early and it is pretty good. Very easy read, and I learned about a new kind of tree.
Also Novel!Kairi = Manga!Kairi >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Game!Kairi
[strike]sori[/strike] sorikai lives
(I'm only on chapter 2 lol)
So, I got my copy a day early and it is pretty good. Very easy read, and I learned about a new kind of tree.
Lucky you! I preordered mine and it should arrive tomorrow or Wednesday. Can't wait!
| Also Novel!Kairi = Manga!Kairi >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Game!Kairi |
This is great and sad at the same time.
Mine is expected to arrive on the 30th or 31st. Thanks for the preview!
And now I've finished. ;~;
Very fantastic translations by Yen Press! Thankfully I'm light on my load of coursework so I have time to review it.
It fits perfectly next to my Spice & Wolf novel collection~
Got mine today too. Since I'm currently reading a different book at the moment I can't delve straight into it like I would like to. However I've had a quick look through it and I'm impressed with what I've read so far!
Despite having not read it yet, it makes me even more excited for the rest of the novels and hopefully they will make their way into the West too... I assume one may come every 6 months or so. I wonder what one will be next after the CoM novel?
Got mine today too. Since I'm currently reading a different book at the moment I can't delve straight into it like I would like to. However I've had a quick look through it and I'm impressed with what I've read so far!
Despite having not read it yet, it makes me even more excited for the rest of the novels and hopefully they will make their way into the West too... I assume one may come every 6 months or so. I wonder what one will be next after the CoM novel?
Kingdom Hearts II would be the logical next step. Unlike Shiro Amano, Tomoco Kanemaki has followed the series in release order so the novels would follow the order she wrote them in
I got my copy today!! just started reading and enjoying it so far. Brought back happy memories of playing Kingdom Hearts 1 when I first played it (When I was 12 years old)
Gonna go get my copy on Thursday right before I have class. From what I've heard, Yen Press did a really good job with the translation.
Actually, now Amazon says I'll have mine tomorrow. Nice!
About the novels. Are they different when compared to the games? At leas Kairi gets more space in the novels I presume. I have always thought that KH1 story is pretty solid, so how does the novel work?
Also how many of the fan base even know KH has novels? :D
About the novels. Are they different when compared to the games? At leas Kairi gets more space in the novels I presume. I have always thought that KH1 story is pretty solid, so how does the novel work?
Also how many of the fan base even know KH has novels? :D
Events unfold slightly different, but for the most part it is like the games. More is added, a lot of redundancy is removed. Nomura supervised.
Kairi...she is still like her game self but also more considerate. In the games, she was making one charm, but in the novel she was making one for all three of them. It is changes like that which makes her better than her game counterpart who seemed way too centered around Sora.
Well, the novels have existed since 2005. I'd say enough are aware of them...
Got mine today! I'll look through it tonight and hopefully get a good start on it this weekend.
NNNF~
Please to being mine soon. Already craving more after the latest manga releases
Got my novel yesterday, and just finished it last night. And I am thrilled, thrilled, thrilled:) After so many years, my dream of reading it has finally come true! Yay! :D
I just loved it so much: the little added parts were especially nice. Sora, Donald, and Goofy's banter with each other was particularly great.
And I have to say, I'm surprised at just how much this novel covered. I guess I shouldn't be, seeing as how this is Nomura approved and third tier canon, but I didn't think it would keep as much as it did. Really, only the Hundred Acre Wood, Atlantica, and Halloween Town were missing, which is understandable.
And I even liked how they combined some moments together seamlessly (like the trio fighting the Guard in Armor again is at the same time that Riku has reappeared).
I also didn't expect them to get into the Final Mix scenes at all for some reason, so that was a nice surprise. Their addition really makes the novels a more connected and cohesive story that way, I think.
The fight scenes were also great. In some of the fan translations I've read of the other novels, I feel like they get lessened some, in order to fit more plot stuff in? But here they were just fantastic! ^_^
Another thing I really enjoyed is how they made the game dynamics make more sense, in a lot of ways. (i.e. Sora literally rips off a plank with the Heartless' footprints to use as evidence in Alice's trial, Sora isn't a mage in this--which makes the trio better balanced and Donald more useful, as he should be, etc.)
Anyway, fantastic read, and I can't WAIT for CoM now!
Also... Sora didn't know what a trial was: bless this child's soul!:D He was characterized perfectly. In fact, I feel like I just played KH1 for the first time again, and have once again become obsessed by its splendor. LOL.
[strike]Also... Sora and Kairi's extended moments were great, and they held hands three times here: I can die happy now.[/strike]
Some rumors I once heard about this novel are now put to rest, too (like how someone had said there was an added scene between Riku and Kairi together before the Islands fell, which turned out to not be true).
And yay for this novel's prose, diction, and vocabulary. It, and the detail presented, was magnificent, I think. Better then I was hoping for, actually. I'm a bit confused about the choice of calling the Lanes Between "The Other Sky", however, but whatever. It's no big deal.
...This review's all over the place and weird, so I'm gonna just shut up now and go see if someone's posted a review for novel on YouTube yet; I need to actually see someone loving this like I am. LOL.
Edit: Oh, and them reading the Ansem's Reports was something very much needed, and that I'm happy for. The part where Sora found out how Kairi got to their Island was particularly something to write home about :)
Overall, it was good. I appreciated how they cut certain segments out and focused more on the parts of the adventure that were more relevant to the bigger picture. The extra background information was kind of cool, too.
Got the novel finally on easter and I gotta say that concerning the story itself, the characterizations and interactions of the characters it beats the game by far.
Even the actual cross-over-premise gets some more weight by simply featuring the FF cameos more often and even have Aerith chatting with Jiminy the frickin' Cricket.
Got the novel finally on easter and I gotta say that concerning the story itself, the characterizations and interactions of the characters it beats the game by far.
Even the actual cross-over-premise gets some more weight by simply featuring the FF cameos more often and even have Aerith chatting with Jiminy the frickin' Cricket.
Completely agree with this. The author did an excellent job with the characterizations from what I've read thus far. I'm currently only at Wonderland, but I've cheated a little and saw small glimpses of the rest of the novel. The mere fact that Xemnas is even shown in here at all makes me all kinds of happy. Aerith speaking to Jiminy was also a really nice touch.
SquarePhoenix
January 8, 2015 @ 04:05 amOffline