What a beautiful video. Since I knew that Sora and Riku are the main focus of the entire series, I always wondered how the usage of Dearly Beloved and it's variants factor into that. I'd call myself a music enjoyer, though I'm no expert on the topic and your video made me realize just how much Sora and Riku's love is entrenched into the whole series. Aside from that, it was also very interesting to see how the different aspects of connections are tied to specific variants of Dearly Beloved and how light and darkness connects to all of that. And my mind was blown you explained the difference between diegetic and non-diegetic music. Like, the probably first music Sora and Riku officially hear in this franchise is associated with their connection. With their hearts being always in tune. And it's Dearly fucking Beloved. As a waltz. And it's even one of the most beautiful and serene versions of it. Wow. Thank you for this amazing analysis.
Dearly Beloved is also in "The Key"(Fight against Venitas), Vector to the Heavens, and a Fight to the Death. Sora and Riku Resonance in all these/ Light and Darkness to control Kingdom Hearts, climbing from Earth to Sky, and escaping Nothing in the Kingdom Hearts of Peoples' Hearts. hmmm..
Yeah I’m getting weepy watching this. The music and the soriku of it all. The power of friendship so strong you can defeat a literal multidimensional ending threat 13 times and counting. Bonds strong enough that even when the memories of your friend are wiped from existence, you cling to the barebones of what’s left of them in your memory.
Ok, the analysis and the music accompanying it already was giving me chills; then you “pulled a Nomura” and needless to say the only reason I didn’t collapse to the floor in shock is because I’m at work rn on my lunch break and I can’t make a scene. I’ve seen the comparisons of Dearly Beloved and the moment in Dream Drop has always stuck with me but it hasn’t been until recently when another video - and now this one - has really let the text become clear to me. The games’ main theme is their heart song/their hearts singing in tune with one another … oh my godddd, my own heart feels like it’s going to burst with emotions. I wish I could put into words more clearly but please know this is definitely a video I will be rewatching multiple times. Thank you for sharing ❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏
Here is another fun time. Sora and Riku's Resonance is reason why when Sora "sees the Heart' in Something, it becomes Real. True Love's Resonating Love into "Fictional Things". The Light is the Words of Song, and that Song is God (Kingdom Hearts) and that God is Love. And Darkness is the Stage the Light shapes.
This essay deserves more love! It's a brilliant analysis on the main motif of the series. Very well done. As a music lover, this video made my day. Thank you sm for sharing. ❤️
Yessss! Very happy to see another well-made KH video essay. I've been thinking about Dearly Beloved's story significance for years, and this video was just what I needed. Good work, and I hope to see more from you! ✨
Oh my goodness this was an absolute joy to watch. I adore the series' music and leitmotifs and you did such a fantastic job with this video! I don't know what to say other than I loved loved loved it
absolutely on point, every single moment cheering your essay on. amazing job!!!! also, why, yes, shera is exactly like kh, especially kh1, if we condensed it in a single short series, yeah!!! (almost to a ridiculous point, same goes to various degrees with madoka magica and Luca)
When you explained the difference between Diegetic and Non-Diegetic Music which I didn’t know but had inherently recognized. It clicked for me and mentally I became the meme of the guy on the floor who yells on his knees dragging his hands down his face and passing out on the floor
I apologize for being selfish here, but I think this video made me realize that I lost my Sora, and it's probably why I've been spiraling for the last 5 years, all I have left is my past mistakes. Hold tight to those close to your hearts, everyone. I noticed my weakness far too late.
They are true brothers and they are never truly separated. Kinda how Sasuke and Naruto were destined to collide with each other but more on the lines of being as one fellowship and being able to overcome adversity. Sora may very well be the one needing saving by the time kh4 comes out but we’ll have to wait and see. I’m looking forward to what is brought in terms of story and lore over this.
In Character files Ultimania, Sora doubts his connection to Riku is Brotherly, and Riku directly states it isn't. Riku says when he was young, he playacted "the Brother" badly, and that their dynamic is different now. So, Canonically, the "Brother" thing isn't a thing. So, no, not really.
You say Sasuke and Naruto have a sibling dynamic, while, at least from my limited knowledge of the series and its vast following, they are the most popular ship in the fandom. ok. i believe you. no hate meant, it could just be your reading, but this is mine
What I mean by true brothers is a deep friendship/ bond that can’t be broken (ala familial bond in a sense). It’s a bond that, no matter where the person is, they find their way back to each other. I don’t think the intention by the main writer of the KH series was to write Sora and Riku as lovers but a deep friendship that can’t be broken.
@@Random_Dude2013A thing to think about. Sora and Riku are parallelled to Disney True Love Romantic Couples on a Loop. Adam/the Beast and Belle (Riku and Sora) , Prince Philip and Aurora (Riku and Sora) are a few examples. Food for thought.
I always felt that it was kinda obvious DB was tied to those 2, I see them as brothers. Even before Kairi showed up it felt like siblings who wanted to keep an eye out for one another. In KH1 it feels like they didn’t belong, like they were too different from the other kids and maybe even their parents. Kairi coming along only solidified this as a fact, they knew there was more thanks to her. Events after the Island's fall even up until DDD showed their dedication to this brotherhood. Sora knowing Kairi was safe and her encouraging him to go find Riku and so he does - was she kidnapped yes, but he had faith she could handle it until he got to her. She did, as for Riku he had no definitive answer abouth whether his brother was alive or not, that faith was almost wavering up until he saw him again. It's understandable why he fell to his knees in relief. 1 of the 2 people that mean more than any world or happiness in his life was finally found. And Riku after realizing his wrongs and that before he can truly emulate Sora's way of living - he has to start by saving his brother, it is finally time to follow his promise and keep true to the words he said not only to himself but to Terra as well. Going so far as to become the literal embodiment of his fear and pain - Ansem. Feeling shame when Kairi and Sora realize it was actually him felt so real. Even more so was Sora reassuring his brother with a silly dumb face that sometimes you just gotta take a step forward. These 2 are the definition of brotherly love to me. A dynamic duo that share the spotlight as equals and despite how Riku may have felt, Sora never shied away from letting him and others know that they were equals. That their bond as brothers will never shatter and Sora makes good on that even in 3, he proved the bonds he holds with Riku and everyone else will never be broken by anyone or anything. Dearly beloved to me represents the duality of these 2, by extension the journey Riku embarked on to find his own way and the love Sora has for Kairi and the unbreakable bonds Sora has with those he truly cares for, the same bonds that Riku is a part of.
@@Fragmentsinfractals488 While I wholeheartedly agree with you, I would advice against going around correcting everyone who reads Sora and Riku as brothers, so long as they make it cleae it's their own reading. Which this person did.
@@Fragmentsinfractals488 Yeah I really understand that and it annoys me too. But I want to believe that there are people who just wholeheartedly see them as brothers, connect to Sora and Riku because they feel similar to their own siblings or even always dreamed of such a sibling bond. So I don't want to take away this reading from those people. Also I don't want to accidentally make them feel like there's no room for their interpretation, when they don't really try to force it onto others. You know, like how we Sorikus get treated. :') That said, if poeple go around and act like them being brothers is the only truth, then yes, go ham with correcting.
Then why is it when I beat KH3 Re:Mind I specifically get Kairi in the main menu with Dearly Beloved in the background? That's literally the last thing we get to see as our final reward for playing all of Kingdom Hearts. This gaslight attempt and narrative assassination is so unreal. This also downplays the significance of every other song and their meanings when we so heavily focus on just this one song. It's not even the "Main Theme" of most Kingdom Hearts games. Simple and Clean, Sanctuary, and Face my Fears have way more significance than Dearly Beloved. Tenellle Flowers follow-up video pretty much proves this is all head canon. The end of her essay concludes that Sora is so engrained with "Comphet" Riku no longer sees them dating as a possibility. He sees that "His Heart Is Made Up" and then it essentially ends as a failed gay romance rather than a legitimately supported gay romance. So now I have no idea what SoRiku is even about
What a beautiful video.
Since I knew that Sora and Riku are the main focus of the entire series, I always wondered how the usage of Dearly Beloved and it's variants factor into that. I'd call myself a music enjoyer, though I'm no expert on the topic and your video made me realize just how much Sora and Riku's love is entrenched into the whole series.
Aside from that, it was also very interesting to see how the different aspects of connections are tied to specific variants of Dearly Beloved and how light and darkness connects to all of that.
And my mind was blown you explained the difference between diegetic and non-diegetic music. Like, the probably first music Sora and Riku officially hear in this franchise is associated with their connection. With their hearts being always in tune. And it's Dearly fucking Beloved. As a waltz. And it's even one of the most beautiful and serene versions of it. Wow.
Thank you for this amazing analysis.
Dearly Beloved is also in "The Key"(Fight against Venitas), Vector to the Heavens, and a Fight to the Death. Sora and Riku Resonance in all these/ Light and Darkness to control Kingdom Hearts, climbing from Earth to Sky, and escaping Nothing in the Kingdom Hearts of Peoples' Hearts. hmmm..
Yeah I’m getting weepy watching this. The music and the soriku of it all. The power of friendship so strong you can defeat a literal multidimensional ending threat 13 times and counting. Bonds strong enough that even when the memories of your friend are wiped from existence, you cling to the barebones of what’s left of them in your memory.
Ok, the analysis and the music accompanying it already was giving me chills; then you “pulled a Nomura” and needless to say the only reason I didn’t collapse to the floor in shock is because I’m at work rn on my lunch break and I can’t make a scene.
I’ve seen the comparisons of Dearly Beloved and the moment in Dream Drop has always stuck with me but it hasn’t been until recently when another video - and now this one - has really let the text become clear to me. The games’ main theme is their heart song/their hearts singing in tune with one another … oh my godddd, my own heart feels like it’s going to burst with emotions.
I wish I could put into words more clearly but please know this is definitely a video I will be rewatching multiple times.
Thank you for sharing ❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏
Here is another fun time. Sora and Riku's Resonance is reason why when Sora "sees the Heart' in Something, it becomes Real. True Love's Resonating Love into "Fictional Things". The Light is the Words of Song, and that Song is God (Kingdom Hearts) and that God is Love. And Darkness is the Stage the Light shapes.
ohhhh these boys make me feel so soft ;w; I'm in tears. Thank you for this vid! It deserves so many more views!
Thank you so much for this video! You just have to love those two and all those unspoken declarations of love, those games present to us ☺️
That's true love if I ever saw it.
This was great 👏🏻 i love soriku so much, I started sobbing watching this
This is one of the most beautiful videos I've watched. Its also so interesting, and touching. Thanks ❤
This essay deserves more love! It's a brilliant analysis on the main motif of the series. Very well done. As a music lover, this video made my day. Thank you sm for sharing. ❤️
Yessss! Very happy to see another well-made KH video essay. I've been thinking about Dearly Beloved's story significance for years, and this video was just what I needed. Good work, and I hope to see more from you! ✨
Brilliant analysis!!!
This video is so good!! You deserve more views!
This is so brilliant. I keep rewatching it. I hope my friends get into the franchise soon so I can share this with them.
Oh my goodness this was an absolute joy to watch. I adore the series' music and leitmotifs and you did such a fantastic job with this video! I don't know what to say other than I loved loved loved it
absolutely on point, every single moment cheering your essay on. amazing job!!!! also, why, yes, shera is exactly like kh, especially kh1, if we condensed it in a single short series, yeah!!! (almost to a ridiculous point, same goes to various degrees with madoka magica and Luca)
YESSSSS
A NEW KINGDOM HEARTS VIDEO TO FEAST UPON, ONE ABOUT ONE OF YOKO SHIMOMURA’S BEST WORKS NO LESS!!!! THANK YOU FOR SHARING👏👏👏👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
this video is amazing, im so glad i found it omfg
When you explained the difference between Diegetic and Non-Diegetic Music which I didn’t know but had inherently recognized. It clicked for me and mentally I became the meme of the guy on the floor who yells on his knees dragging his hands down his face and passing out on the floor
I love music analysis vids!!!! Thank you for this 🥺 Edit: Im not crying you are
Thank you so much for this video so much ❤
holy shit this was a fantastic analysis of the song! it honestly made me emotional.
This is a beautiful music analysis.
This was a fucking brilliant video
Love it completely ❤😊
After watching this amazing video essay, now I'm really curious about your thoughts on the other leitmotif of the series, Destati.
ohh, interesting idea! If I get enough time, I could take a deep dive into it.
I apologize for being selfish here, but I think this video made me realize that I lost my Sora, and it's probably why I've been spiraling for the last 5 years, all I have left is my past mistakes.
Hold tight to those close to your hearts, everyone. I noticed my weakness far too late.
I hope you find them again, if it's possible in our reality.
They are true brothers and they are never truly separated. Kinda how Sasuke and Naruto were destined to collide with each other but more on the lines of being as one fellowship and being able to overcome adversity. Sora may very well be the one needing saving by the time kh4 comes out but we’ll have to wait and see. I’m looking forward to what is brought in terms of story and lore over this.
In Character files Ultimania, Sora doubts his connection to Riku is Brotherly, and Riku directly states it isn't. Riku says when he was young, he playacted "the Brother" badly, and that their dynamic is different now. So, Canonically, the "Brother" thing isn't a thing. So, no, not really.
You say Sasuke and Naruto have a sibling dynamic, while, at least from my limited knowledge of the series and its vast following, they are the most popular ship in the fandom.
ok. i believe you.
no hate meant, it could just be your reading, but this is mine
What I mean by true brothers is a deep friendship/ bond that can’t be broken (ala familial bond in a sense). It’s a bond that, no matter where the person is, they find their way back to each other. I don’t think the intention by the main writer of the KH series was to write Sora and Riku as lovers but a deep friendship that can’t be broken.
@@Random_Dude2013 understood. The clarification is welcome. thank you
@@Random_Dude2013A thing to think about. Sora and Riku are parallelled to Disney True Love Romantic Couples on a Loop. Adam/the Beast and Belle (Riku and Sora) , Prince Philip and Aurora (Riku and Sora) are a few examples. Food for thought.
….
*_but nobody came..._*
I always felt that it was kinda obvious DB was tied to those 2, I see them as brothers. Even before Kairi showed up it felt like siblings who wanted to keep an eye out for one another. In KH1 it feels like they didn’t belong, like they were too different from the other kids and maybe even their parents. Kairi coming along only solidified this as a fact, they knew there was more thanks to her.
Events after the Island's fall even up until DDD showed their dedication to this brotherhood. Sora knowing Kairi was safe and her encouraging him to go find Riku and so he does - was she kidnapped yes, but he had faith she could handle it until he got to her. She did, as for Riku he had no definitive answer abouth whether his brother was alive or not, that faith was almost wavering up until he saw him again. It's understandable why he fell to his knees in relief. 1 of the 2 people that mean more than any world or happiness in his life was finally found.
And Riku after realizing his wrongs and that before he can truly emulate Sora's way of living - he has to start by saving his brother, it is finally time to follow his promise and keep true to the words he said not only to himself but to Terra as well.
Going so far as to become the literal embodiment of his fear and pain - Ansem. Feeling shame when Kairi and Sora realize it was actually him felt so real. Even more so was Sora reassuring his brother with a silly dumb face that sometimes you just gotta take a step forward.
These 2 are the definition of brotherly love to me. A dynamic duo that share the spotlight as equals and despite how Riku may have felt, Sora never shied away from letting him and others know that they were equals. That their bond as brothers will never shatter and Sora makes good on that even in 3, he proved the bonds he holds with Riku and everyone else will never be broken by anyone or anything.
Dearly beloved to me represents the duality of these 2, by extension the journey Riku embarked on to find his own way and the love Sora has for Kairi and the unbreakable bonds Sora has with those he truly cares for, the same bonds that Riku is a part of.
@@Fragmentsinfractals488 While I wholeheartedly agree with you, I would advice against going around correcting everyone who reads Sora and Riku as brothers, so long as they make it cleae it's their own reading. Which this person did.
@@oras7745 I can see your point, but you know the Games people play, using the Brother thing, to cover prejudice.....
@@Fragmentsinfractals488 Yeah I really understand that and it annoys me too. But I want to believe that there are people who just wholeheartedly see them as brothers, connect to Sora and Riku because they feel similar to their own siblings or even always dreamed of such a sibling bond. So I don't want to take away this reading from those people.
Also I don't want to accidentally make them feel like there's no room for their interpretation, when they don't really try to force it onto others. You know, like how we Sorikus get treated. :')
That said, if poeple go around and act like them being brothers is the only truth, then yes, go ham with correcting.
@@oras7745 I see. I will remember to look for that. I appreciate your feedback.
@@Fragmentsinfractals488 and I truly appreciate you considering my feedback. :)
Then why is it when I beat KH3 Re:Mind I specifically get Kairi in the main menu with Dearly Beloved in the background? That's literally the last thing we get to see as our final reward for playing all of Kingdom Hearts. This gaslight attempt and narrative assassination is so unreal. This also downplays the significance of every other song and their meanings when we so heavily focus on just this one song. It's not even the "Main Theme" of most Kingdom Hearts games. Simple and Clean, Sanctuary, and Face my Fears have way more significance than Dearly Beloved.
Tenellle Flowers follow-up video pretty much proves this is all head canon. The end of her essay concludes that Sora is so engrained with "Comphet" Riku no longer sees them dating as a possibility. He sees that "His Heart Is Made Up" and then it essentially ends as a failed gay romance rather than a legitimately supported gay romance. So now I have no idea what SoRiku is even about
Hey, just as a heads up, Tenelle uses He/They pronouns