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Kingdom Hearts fans have long speculated that Sora had lost his memory in Kingdom Hearts 4, and the latest trailers make that theory look stronger than ever.

Even though up until the last few months we hadnt seen much of Kingdom Hearts 4 at all, that hasnt stopped fans from cooking up some wild theories. Sora being from Quadratum all along is a popular one, but my favourite of the bunch is the idea that the move to unreality has caused Sora to lose his memory.

This wouldnt be a first for Kingdom Hearts considering Sora still doesnt remember the events of Chain of Memories, but it would make sense considering our boy has basically died and gone to the afterlife. There wasnt too much backing the theory at first beyond it just making sense, but the most recent trailers at D23 have two scenes that strongly suggest memory loss.

Sora Looks Like He’s Lost His Memory In Kingdom Hearts 4

You Can’t Tell Me He Wouldn’t Scream After Seeing Riku

[A closeup of Sora in Quadratum in Kingdom Hearts 4.]

During the first new trailer for Kingdom Hearts 4, theres a scene where Sora sees projections of Donald and Goofy in Quadratum. Youd expect him to be very excited about that, but we only see him look a bit shocked and confused before completely passing out, implying that he cant handle whatevers happening.

That already got me thinking that hes forgotten who they are after finding himself in Quadratum, but the extended scene has an even more interesting example. Right at the end of the trailer, we get to see Riku landing in Quadratum and saving Sora, Sigurd, and Streletzia from a bunch of Heartless.

Some fans have also pointed out the Oathkeeper Keyblade from the Disney Tokyo hotel that featured a strangely different design, which some thought might hint at altered memories.

If you know Kingdom Hearts, youd expect Sora to be ecstatic and start screaming Rikus name as he does pretty much any time he sees him, but thats not what we get. Instead, Sora once again looks confused at who hes seeing, with perhaps the tiniest hint of recognition. After a year spent apart, youd think his reaction would be much more intense.

Instead, its very much looking like Sora doesnt know who Riku, Donald, and Goofy are. The trailers are all cut in a way to not show much of his reaction, which makes me think that its going to be a key plot point of Kingdom Hearts 4 as Sora has to reconnect with them and remember whats going on.

This would also play into Cocos role in Kingdom Hearts 4. Death is the most obvious theme of that movie that works here, but being forgotten or forgetting people is another throughline. Kairis appearance at the end of the trailer where she tells Sora to wake up and see cements this even further, so its looking like anyone who guessed memory loss is right on the money.