Editing Xehanort (section)

==Reception==
''[[USGamer]]'' praised Xehanort's debut in the series for giving the narrative a major impact as he takes over the role of the Disney villains and corrupts and possesses Riku's body. The scene is noted to gradually expand the series' lore, not only through Riku's actions but also because it explores the ruined Hollow Bastion, which is a former lively place now ruled by Xehanort.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/appreciating-hollow-bastion-where-shit-gets-real-in-kingdom-hearts|title=Hollow Bastion is Where Shit Gets Real in Kingdom Hearts|website=USGamer|date=14 August 2018|accessdate=March 2, 2022|archive-date=2 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302155524/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/appreciating-hollow-bastion-where-shit-gets-real-in-kingdom-hearts|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the book ''Kingdom Hearts II (Boss Fight Books Book 16)'', Alexa Ray Corriea describes Ansem as a mad scientist whose multiple personalities would confuse the audience. Xemnas' early characterization was described as the "gray area" of the series since, during ''Kingdom Hearts II'', the character and his group were not related to darkness or light.<ref>{{cite book|title=Kingdom Hearts II: Boss Fight Books #16|author=Corriea, Alexa Ray|publisher=Edición Kindle|year=2017|chapter=Riku and Redemption, Or What Doesn't kill you|isbn=9781940535166|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tvuEDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT40|access-date=2023-07-01|archive-date=2023-07-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701202115/https://books.google.com/books?id=tvuEDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT40|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Comic Book Resources]]'' enjoyed Riku's handling of Xehanort's powers, as he managed to use them to overcome his inner darkness in both ''Chain of Memories'' and ''Dream Drop Distance''. The same was said with how Riku once again used Ansem's power for justice in ''Kingdom Hearts II'' and ''358/2 Days'' to defeat Roxas and help in Sora's awakening in the former game, as Roxas was needed to awaken the comatose teenager. The site listed Sora's and Riku's fight against Xemnas's as one of Riku's best action sequences.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/kingdom-hearts-riku-best-fights/|title=Kingdom Hearts: Riku's 10 Best Fights|website=ComicBookResources|date=29 October 2021|accessdate=March 2, 2022|archive-date=2 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302142511/https://www.cbr.com/kingdom-hearts-riku-best-fights/|url-status=live}}</ref> Xehanort manipulating Riku into using the darkness has been compared to [[Queer Theory|Queer Lens]] due to parallels seen in his journey with self-acceptance and real-life experiences of accepting one's sexual identity, according to ''TheGamer''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegamer.com/riku-gay-allegory-metaphor-key-to-kingdom-hearts/|title=Riku Being Gay Is Key To Kingdom Hearts|website=TheGamer|date=15 June 2023|accessdate=November 7, 2023|archive-date=15 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615230438/https://www.thegamer.com/riku-gay-allegory-metaphor-key-to-kingdom-hearts/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[GamesRadar]]'' enjoyed the final boss fight from the game. The site noted that Ansem still manages to further corrupt Riku, labeling his resulting personality as unwilling to reunite with Sora. His next form Xemnas' handling in ''Kingdom Hearts II'' was called predictable. This led to more criticism as Ansem's and Xemnas' destructions led to the return of the original Xehanort, rendering the heroes' actions meaningless.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/kingdom-hearts-explained/2/|title=Kingdom Hearts history - One of gaming's most complicated stories explained|website=GamesRadar|date=3 December 2014|accessdate=March 2, 2022|archive-date=2 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302142502/https://www.gamesradar.com/kingdom-hearts-explained/2/|url-status=live}}</ref> William Humberto Huber from the [[University of California, San Diego]], compared Xehanort's multiple identities and antagonism to the rehabilitation of emperor [[Hirohito]] during the American occupation of Japan after the Pacific War.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digra.org/wp-content/uploads/digital-library/09287.47134.pdf|title=Kingdom Hearts, Territoriality and Flow|publisher=UC San Diego, Communication|accessdate=May 13, 2023|author=|archive-date=June 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608010152/http://www.digra.org/wp-content/uploads/digital-library/09287.47134.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Tiago Clariano from the [[University of Lisbon]] notes that the multiple Xehanorts have a tendency to contradict each other's goals, but even in his final defeat, the villains are being played by an unknown force, [[Luxu (Kingdom Hearts)|Luxu]], who will also replace him in upcoming games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://repositorioaberto.uab.pt/bitstream/10400.2/12387/1/READ_V5%20N2_e202208.pdf|title="May your heart be your guiding key": The Aesthetic Education of Kingdom Hearts|publisher=University of Lisbon|accessdate=May 13, 2023|author=|archive-date=May 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513151658/https://repositorioaberto.uab.pt/bitstream/10400.2/12387/1/READ_V5%20N2_e202208.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 

''CinemaBlend'' praised how the prequel explores Xehanort's character while highlighting how he nearly succeeds in defeating all the protagonists from the game.<ref name="nimoy">{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/games/2465716/kingdom-hearts-history-a-look-back-at-birth-by-sleep|title=Kingdom Hearts History: A Look Back At Birth By Sleep|date=26 January 2019|publisher=[[CinemaBlend]]|access-date=March 2, 2022|archive-date=2 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302143714/https://www.cinemablend.com/games/2465716/kingdom-hearts-history-a-look-back-at-birth-by-sleep|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Comic Book Resources'' noted that several of Xehanort's actions contribute to the heroes' downfall.<ref name="xehanort">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/kingdom-hearts-xehanort-worst-things/|title=Kingdom Hearts: 5 Worst Things Xehanort Did (& 5 Best)|date=15 April 2021|publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=March 2, 2022|archive-date=2 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302142509/https://www.cbr.com/kingdom-hearts-xehanort-worst-things/|url-status=live}}</ref> Another aspect of ''Birth by Sleep'' touched on by ''3DJuegos'' was the relationship between Xehanort and Eraqus.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.3djuegos.com/juegos/articulos/2099/0/recordamos-kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-uno-de-los-juegos-mas-importantes-de-la-saga/|title=Recordamos Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, uno de los juegos más importantes de la saga|date=November 2020|publisher=3DJuegos|access-date=March 2, 2022|archive-date=March 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302143716/https://www.3djuegos.com/juegos/articulos/2099/0/recordamos-kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-uno-de-los-juegos-mas-importantes-de-la-saga/|url-status=live}}</ref> In "How Kingdom Hearts Reframed Darkness", ''Fanbyte'' writes that Xehanort is the foil of Eraqus based on his research from his diaries and how their values of light and darkness contrast with each other. Xehanort's further exploration of darkness and light was compared with the writing of [[Hayao Miyazaki]]'s work as well as [[Clamp (manga artists)|Clamp]]'s, especially ''[[X (manga)|X]]''. Xehanort constantly performs experiments on the main characters to further develop his studies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fanbyte.com/legacy/how-kingdom-hearts-reframed-darkness|title=How Kingdom Hearts Reframed Darkness|website=Fanbyte|date=14 June 2022|access-date=January 6, 2023|archive-date=29 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129153531/https://www.fanbyte.com/legacy/how-kingdom-hearts-reframed-darkness|url-status=live}}</ref> ''GamesRadar'' claimed that ''Kingdom Hearts III'' further developed Xehanort in the ending when Eraqus' spirit contacts his dying friend in regards to how there is "more to light than meets the eye", referring to the chess game they played as children. Giving up, Xehanort fully yields, sees the power of the light, and entrusts the χ-blade to Sora before dying.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/kingdom-hearts-3-ending/|title=Kingdom Hearts 3 ending explained|website=GamesRadar|date=29 April 2022|access-date=June 6, 2023|archive-date=25 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225030904/https://www.gamesradar.com/kingdom-hearts-3-ending/|url-status=live}}</ref> The chess game was replicated in real life, with ''GamesRadar'' finding it ridiculously expensive.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/this-kingdom-hearts-3-chess-set-costs-dollar700-and-doesnt-actually-play-chess/|title=This Kingdom Hearts 3 chess set costs $700 and doesn't actually play chess|website=GamesRadar|date=18 November 2021|access-date=June 6, 2023|archive-date=26 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230626164852/https://www.gamesradar.com/this-kingdom-hearts-3-chess-set-costs-dollar700-and-doesnt-actually-play-chess/|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite calling him a mystery, ''HardcoreGamer'' said that ''Kingdom Hearts Union χ Dark Road'' further explores Xehanort's origins as it further examines the origins of the Keyblade weapons and their wielders.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hardcoregamer.com/news/xehanorts-story-becomes-a-little-clearer-with-release-of-kingdom-hearts-union-x-dark-road/381420/|title=Xehanort's Story Becomes a Little Clearer with Release of Kingdom Hearts Union X - Dark Road|website=HardcoreGamer|date=23 June 2020 |access-date=January 6, 2023}}</ref> ''Comic Book Resources'' listed his alter egos as the sixth most difficult boss in the game, while his true persona ranked second behind [[Yozora]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/kingdom-hearts-iii-bosses-ranked/|title=The 10 Hardest Bosses Of Kingdom Hearts III, Ranked|date=18 February 2022|publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=March 2, 2022|archive-date=2 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302142504/https://www.cbr.com/kingdom-hearts-iii-bosses-ranked/|url-status=live}}</ref>

''MeriStation'' referred to the character in general as complex and manipulative, while at the same time redeeming in his final moments, he accepts his defeat to Sora and gives him the χ-blade to the youth as he moves to the afterlife with Eraqus.<ref>{{cite web |date=7 February 2019 |title=Xehanort, el Maestro de la oscuridad (Kingdom Hearts) |url=https://as.com/meristation/2019/02/07/reportajes/1549526408_520606.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302181801/https://as.com/meristation/2019/02/07/reportajes/1549526408_520606.html |archive-date=2 March 2022 |access-date=March 7, 2022 |publisher=MeriStation}}</ref> Fanbyte noted that there were several theories about Xehanort's character within the fandom that could become true in ''Kingdom Hearts III''. The two of them are whether or not enigmatic Luxu was his true identity or whether Sora's replica [[Xion (Kingdom Hearts)|Xion]] became another vessel carrying Xehanort's heart.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fanbyte.com/legacy/5-kingdom-hearts-3-fan-theories-that-just-might-be-true|title=5 Kingdom Hearts 3 Fan Theories That Just Might Be True|website=Fanbyte|access-date=January 6, 2023|archive-date=December 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201071909/https://www.fanbyte.com/legacy/5-kingdom-hearts-3-fan-theories-that-just-might-be-true|url-status=live}}</ref> ''GameDeveloper'' lamented that Xehanort's role in ''Kingdom Hearts III'' was poorly developed as Square Enix was more focused on developing the Disney properties, with Xehanort and his underlings having little screen time until Sora ends most of his journey. This further gave the ending an arc fatigue as the player has to face all of Xehanort's incarnations in a single row without breaks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/kingdom-hearts-iii-a-conclusion-without-a-story---part-2|title=Kingdom Hearts III: A Conclusion without a Story - Part 2|website=GameDeveloper|access-date=January 6, 2023|archive-date=September 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926214122/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/kingdom-hearts-iii-a-conclusion-without-a-story---part-2|url-status=live}}</ref>

In retrospect, ''Inverse'' claims that Xehanort was a villain shrouded in mystery due to his early appearances as a man possessing Terra until his proper introduction as Master Xehanort in ''Birth by Sleep''. With Xehanort's eventual death in ''Kingdom Hearts III'', ''Inverse'' believes that creator Tetsuya Nomura is aiming to create a proper successor to Xehanort, as seen in extra cutscenes revealing that one of the villain's comrades, Luxu, turned out to have his own proper agenda and is seen busy aiming his new plans with other warriors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inverse.com/gaming/kingdom-hearts-4-villain-tetsuya-nomura|title=TETSUYA NOMURA DROPPED A MASSIVE CLUE ABOUT THE KINGDOM HEARTS 4 VILLAIN|website=Inverse|date=18 June 2022|access-date=January 15, 2024|archive-date=16 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116002920/https://www.inverse.com/gaming/kingdom-hearts-4-villain-tetsuya-nomura|url-status=live}}</ref> Nevertheless, the same website found Xehanort to be one of the most incoherent characters in gaming due to the multiple plans he carries across the franchise.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inverse.com/gaming/kingdom-hearts-anniversary-incoherent|title=20 years ago, Square Enix made the most incoherent video game of all time|website=Inverse|date=28 March 2022|access-date=January 15, 2024|archive-date=16 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116002920/https://www.inverse.com/gaming/kingdom-hearts-anniversary-incoherent|url-status=live}}</ref> In ''La Légende Kingdom Hearts'', Xehanort's multiple alter egos are noted to be enigmatic.<ref>{{cite book|title=La Légende Kingdom Hearts - Tome 3: Partie 2 : Univers & Décryptage|publisher= Third Editions|asin=B08MV2KLC1|year=2020}}</ref>

Billy Zane's work as Xehanort (Ansem) was noted by ''Kotaku'' in an article involving "cheesy video game voice acting", as the writer claimed "Zane's performance is a combination of rocky growlings and deep bass utterances" as a result of how many taunts he makes during the cutscenes, making the villain stand out.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/i-miss-cheesy-video-game-voice-acting-1840245782|title=I Miss Cheesy Video Game Voice Acting|date=5 December 2019|publisher=Kotaku|access-date=March 7, 2022|archive-date=7 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307155038/https://kotaku.com/i-miss-cheesy-video-game-voice-acting-1840245782|url-status=live}}</ref> CinemaBlend enjoyed Leonard Nimoy's performance.<ref name="nimoy" /> Rutger Hauer's portrayal was praised by ''MeriStation'', who noted that Xehanort was one of the actor's final works before his death.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rutger Hauer, la voz de Xehanort en Kingdom Hearts 3, muere a los 75 años|url=https://as.com/meristation/2019/07/24/noticias/1563996630_572223.html|website=Meristation|date=24 July 2019|access-date=March 2, 2022|archive-date=2 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302202746/https://as.com/meristation/2019/07/24/noticias/1563996630_572223.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Christopher Lloyd]]'s performance in the DLC was praised by ''TheGamer'', as they believed he fit the character.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thegamer.com/kingdom-hearts-re-mind-dlc-best-worst-things/|title=The 5 Best Things About Kingdom Hearts III Re:Mind (& The 5 Worst)|date=27 January 2020|publisher=The Gamer|access-date=March 2, 2022|archive-date=2 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302212819/https://www.thegamer.com/kingdom-hearts-re-mind-dlc-best-worst-things/|url-status=live}}</ref>