Ranked #973

Kingdom Hearts 2 (Manga)

The Kingdom Hearts 2 manga is the sequel series from it's predecessors KH1 and Chain of Memories. Like it's prequels, it brings back the characters from the previous novels plus add new ones introduced in the original game.

One thing that this manga series has yet to forget is the creativity. Like it's prequels, this manga is based on the original KH2 game. If you've played the game before, you will notice a lot of similar stories and concepts throughout the series, a lot of which is slightly altered to make the situation more comedial than how it was in the original game. Most (if not all) the alterations tends to be very well done and it keeps most of the general ideas in play. The characters are amazing as usual as right off the bat, you'll meet tons of new and old faces; Something that's different from it's prequels, which tends to slowly introduce their characters as the story goes on. Art and style of the manga is still very nice and clean, might be better in some cases.

One thing that is noticeably different about the KH2 manga compared to it's prequels it that there are a LOT more fighting scenes. Although I've only read two volumes so far, I can say that I've seen more action in this one then all the other series combined...and that's only the first 2 volumes. This is a good thing considering that one giant fault in the prequels is the lack of combat and more sped through of the story. While we're on the topic, the combat is still one of the lower aspects of the manga. Although it's done much of a better job than the prequels, it doesn't match up completely to the game's standards.

All in all, KH2 is a very great read. The story is the closest to the original game thus far in the series. Tons more action, new and old characters and worlds, awesome art, and a funny setting. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who hasn't read it yet. read more

Disclaimer: This manga is based on KH2, the Square Enix video game. Although I LOVE LOVE LOVE KH BBS and KH COM, as I got older, I grew a little out of KH2. Nevertheless, the game was epic when it first came out. BUT the manga is a little different...

The original plot of the video game is actually pretty decent, but the manga...The manga adaption emphasized the Disney aspect of the story than the actual plot, as it seems. Sora and his buddies are drawn in an almost-cartoon style, and the Organization looks more like a bunch of people with hearts pretending not to have them then a group of Nobodies willing to do anything for a heart. The manga also highlighted the cute/funny parts, and glossed over much of the little character development for Sora and the gang.
Another thing is that after Sora got a character upgrade from pubescent trying to be 14 (Seriously, Sora in KH1 is supposed to be 14!) into an actual 15 year old guy. That doesn't really happen in the manga, so Sora is stuck looking like an idiot, despite his costume change.

BUT...The beginning "Roxas" arc is the most redeeming quality of the manga. For one thing, Roxas isn't drawn like a doodle and doesn't joke every thirty seconds. Another point is that this arc is made many viewers quite emotional, even more so than the original video game did. Shiro doesn't take KH very seriously, but he isn't without talent.

Basically: If your a fan of the series for its deepness and complexity while managing to have Disney in it, especially the more recent games, the manga won't suit you, but at least read the "Roxas" arc. If you like the series because it provides an opportunity to play/ally/defeat various Disney characters, than you'll like the manga. read more