#kh pluto

Ya'll know how Pluto just... shows up?

Gosh, Pluto and I are best buds, but he's so curious about everything around him, he's always running around and into trouble! Every time he gets the opportunity to travel to another world to sniff around, he takes it!

Last week he even ended up at Xion's place in Twilight Town. I wanted to go pick him up right away, but Xion said she'd love to hang out with him again, so now her and Roxas are taking care of him for the month. Xion sends me photos every other hour, and it looks Pluto's smile never fades! Roxas walks him around Sunset Hill every day: Pluto even met a new pal there!

I’d still feel the same as I do about Skuld being Subject X. The only character who deserved to be Subject X was Isa. He was made for that role. It was ridiculous that KH3 tried to pass Saïx off as a normal person when he was clearly a science experiment gone wrong, lol. I also put Ava and the other foretellers into the same category as the rest of the Union X characters. They are great background characters that add interesting lore to the series. But I don’t feel like they should all be transported to the present and become the main focus of the new arc. The KHUX characters aren’t really that personable. There’s also enough main characters as it is, at least for now. If Lea and Isa were to grow closer to other characters, I’d prefer it be with the existing protagonists. There is so much more potential there.

Other than Subject X, what I didn’t like about Lea’s characterization in KH3 was his single-minded focus on Roxas. He’s grown so much as a character since KH2, it felt like such a waste to make him go back to that again. It’s not that I didn’t like Roxas and Axel’s friendship or anything. I did like it. I just hated how that one relationship eclipsed everything else about Lea’s character. 

His relationships with everyone else were left very underdeveloped because I guess Square thought fans only cared about Axel/Roxas, and to a lesser extent, Axel/Roxas/Xion. I don’t like the characters being stuck in their separate trios in general, which was another reason I didn’t like KH3. I want to see everyone interact. But with Lea specifically, there is so much potential with his other relationships. The Xehanort Saga went out of its way to show that he had a lot in common with everyone, not just Roxas. The LAST thing I wanted for Lea in KH3 was to go back to being Axel and go back to being in the sea-salt trio of all things. Talk about character regression. I’ve complained a lot about how Lea/Isa was such a wasted opportunity, but so were Lea’s other relationships.

Lea/Sora: These two have had almost no development together, even after Lea joined the good side. Why? Sora was the one who inspired Axel to betray the organization in CoM, and it wasn’t just because he was connected to Roxas. Axel gave up his life for Sora in KH2. He made him feel like he had a heart. Sora is the one who can connect with anyone. Lea was the perfect person to benefit from a character like Sora. Axel’s whole character arc in 358/2 Days was about reconnecting with his inner child—his true self—and changing back into Lea. Lea wanted to be with his friends forever. Axel told himself to grow up and stop wishing for the impossible, but then he changed his mind at the end. Axel said he and Sora had a lot in common and they did. Lea was a natural optimist who would do anything for his friends, like Sora. I want a heartfelt scene where Lea thanks Sora for everything and tells him about how much he changed after meeting him.

Lea/Kairi: Yes, they did get a little development in KH3, but not nearly enough. This relationship would have been a lot better if Xion’s bond with Axel carried over to Lea and Kairi. That’s what I think Nomura originally wanted, anyways. Instead of having an underdeveloped bond with Kairi and and an underdeveloped bond with Xion, focus on ONE well-developed bond with Kairi. Same with Ventus. Kairi and Lea were both from Radiant Garden and both were implied to be test subjects. They both had a lot in common, too. They both missed someone they cared about which led to them summoning Keyblades. Isa also has a lot in common with Kairi. They both wanted to be helpful but felt like they just got in the way. Neither of them were naturally good at fighting and needed to be protected a lot. This made them feel like a burden. Kairi and Isa have the potential to grow very close and I think it would be an adorable friendship.

Lea/Riku: Axel actually got a lot more interaction with Riku in the novels, which was great. They became friends. Axel acted playful and childish in a way he never did with Roxas or Xion. They ALSO have a lot in common since they’re the leader. They both worry about their friends and want to step in and do everything for them. They also both have a tendency to keep their feelings a secret from others and handle their emotional problems on their own. I think Lea would be comfortable talking with Riku about certain things he might not with other characters. Riku spent a long time battling the darkness, for Sora’s sake. And Lea was all alone for many years trying to help Isa, who was possessed. And since Riku was possessed, he could also understand how Isa felt, being used as a vessel.

Lea/Mickey: After being in Organization XIII for so long, Lea needs to be around upbeat, lighthearted characters. Mickey was the one he turned to for help when he was recompleted. Without him, he never would have summoned a Keyblade. In the KH2 novels, Mickey trusted Axel and was glad Riku became friends with him. Any Disney characters would provide good character development for Lea. Let’s not forget that Pluto adored Axel. I’d rather see Lea grow close to Pluto than any Union X character…  

Lea/Ventus: I’m of the opinion that Axel’s relationship with Roxas was always meant to carry over to Ventus. I hated the way Roxas was handled in KH3 because it prevented Lea from forming a deeper bond with Ven, who Lea was obviously meant to grow close to ever since BBS. I don’t think it was a coincidence that Lea’s best friend was a vessel, and Ventus was best friends with Terra, who was also a vessel. Roxas never understood Axel or learned about his past, but Ven could definitely understand Lea if he got to know him. Too bad he was never given the chance. Ven and Lea are both outgoing and have a childlike sense of fun. And Ven is also one of the only characters to have an established friendship with Isa. Ven is a great person to help Isa come out of his shell and be more comfortable around new people. I liked that they were playing frisbee together in the ending. I would prefer to see their friendship developed more rather than Lea and Isa being used as props to introduce Skuld.

Lea/Aqua: I think these two have great potential. Out of the wayfinder trio, Aqua was the most complex and had the most emotional depth. Out of the sea-salt trio, Axel was the most complex and had the most emotional depth. Both of them keep their more sentimental feelings to themselves, though. Both of them know what it’s like to lose hope and be lost in darkness for a very long time. Both of them know what it’s like to give up everything for a friend. Aqua is mature and more of an adult than most of the other characters, so I think Lea could talk with her about serious stuff, like his past. Isa also has a lot in common with her. Both are mature, reserved and a bit shy. 

Sora: "Hi and thank you! Hope you're having a great day too, wherever or whoever you are :) Mmm, let's see... I like red because I think it looks really good on me, I like blue because it makes me think of-

Wait a second, didn't I answer this question already?

...

I totally did!

Well, I guess I could just tell you about the colors I left out of my previous answer! I like violet because-"

Donald: "Hey, no fair! You already got me to answer this one, why not let us answer it?"

Sora: "Yeah but- alright, go ahead!"

Donald: "I love gold: how it sparkles, how rare it is, how much munny you can make by selling gold... Hey Sora, are we gonna revisit Agrabah anytime soon?"

Sora: "Don't think so!"

Donald: "Awww..."

Jiminy: "I greatly appreciate the white color of a blank page, because it's just waiting for you to fill it up with inked knowledge! I'll admit the Gummiphone is very useful, but I do miss that feeling of carrying my books around..."

Goofy: "Gawrsh, I don't really got an explanation for why green's my favorite, I just think it looks good on me! What about you, Pluto?"

Pluto: "Woof!"

Sora: "Uhm... let's just assume that's yellow."

Isa-- A quiet and cool-headed youth. Though he does come out of his shell when talking to his best friend Lea, toward others he is distant and untalkative.

Oh, I absolutely think he was. A quiet boy who is always alone, has no friends, and doesn’t smile much? Of course Lea would be drawn to him. Given their personalities, I can definitely picture Lea viewing Isa as a stray puppy at first and being the one to approach him. And after that, Isa started following him around like a lost puppy. Then they became best friends.

“You have your own mission, Roxas,” Saïx told him before Xion could answer.

“I can’t trade with Xigbar or something?”

“What an extraordinarily childish notion. Do you need Axel to walk you everywhere now?”

And I think Saïx had quite the inferiority complex over his past. It’s definitely hinted that the icing on the cake started with Lea and Isa long before it involved Roxas and Xion. Roxas was acting like a zombie following Axel mindlessly, then he surprised Axel by acting more alert. And Xion was mindlessly following Roxas around, then she spoke normally and saved him by using the Keyblade. This surprised him so he took her out as a reward.

Xigbar, standing and watching their exchange with his arms folded, opened his mouth. “You’ve been working really well lately haven’t you, Poppet.”

“…Thank you,” Xion replied in a small voice.

“Thank you? Why do you have to say thanks?

“Well, you were praising me, weren’t you? Was I wrong?”

“Haha… Yeah, I guess you could see it like that.” He pressed his hand to his mouth and snickered.

“Did I say something funny?”

“No, no. You’re fine.”

Xion looked up at Xigbar, anxiously. Beside them, Saïx didn’t show any notable reaction. He just watched.

Xion insisted on tagging along on the day she collapsed again. She was more interested in spending time with her friends and getting ice cream later. She passed out and Axel blamed himself because he was supposed to look out for her.

Long ago—I remember, I didn’t hate fighting. Saïx flung his claymore at Roxas.

And so, Saïx remembered things from a long long time ago.

It might have been the same for Isa. He might have liked fighting, but only with Lea. 

“So, Saïx, what am I doing to—? Oh, boy. Awfully early for such a bad mood, don’t you think?” Saïx had whirled to face him with a rather pronounced scowl.

“…Nobodies do not have ‘moods’ to be ruined,” he said at length.

“Well, sure, technically…”

“It’s just that the failure was functioning better than expected until recently.”

I think Isa was probably careless one day and Lea got hurt while protecting him. Axel was angry remembering that. And Saïx has a complex about being a useless failure.

If I’m trying to get away from Saïx—from the organization itself—what am I doing here? The truth struck home—Nobodies had no place where they belonged.

“Now what do I do…?” he muttered, his face still upturned to the distant moon. A heart. Maybe the answer was closer than he thought. Suddenly he felt something brush his leg.

“Wh—whoa!” Axel jumped. It was a big yellow dog.

This scene from the manga takes place on Day 117 ~Secrets~. This is the day Axel was asked to work with Xion and observe her, then she talked about her memories. In the novel, it was hinted that Axel remembered praising Isa while he was praising Xion. Presumably that’s where the icing on the cake tradition started. In the manga, they referenced Axel’s memories of the past in a different way. Pluto showed up. 

“Hey, what’re you doing here?”

The dog looked up at him, tail wagging wildly.

“Are you all alone?” As if in reply, the dog made a single tiny bark.

“Look, I don’t have time to play.” Axel gave it a pat on the head and began walking away between the buildings.

Xion really liked him and wanted to bring him home. Axel was annoyed that she was getting too attached to him, because Saïx would never allow her to keep him. Although Isa might have seemed like the “cold” one and Lea the “nice” one during the scene with Ventus, I doubt that was the whole truth.

“Hey, don’t follow me, okay?” He turned and shook a warning finger in front of the dog’s nose. It barked again. The animal almost seemed to understand him.

“Get off me already!” Axel shouted as he tried to stand, but this left him open to a slobbery attack from the front. 

“Ugh! Quit it…!” Eventually Axel noticed Kairi watching this exchange with mild astonishment and finally shoved Pluto away. Sand covered his black cloak, red hair, and face.

It was probably framed that way on purpose so that when we saw Isa’s real personality, it would have been more of a twist. The manga characterization is often more humorous and not meant to be canon per se. But that doesn’t mean it’s arbitrary or that it isn’t meant to be true to the characters in some way. 

“Look, I gotta go.” Axel opened up a dark rift in space and plunged into the blackness. The dog tilted its head again and plopped down in front of the closing portal as if to wait for him. 

And Saïx actually DOES let Xion keep Pluto because Isa was fond of dogs. Sure, Saïx letting Xion have a pet is out of character. But the purpose of the scene with Pluto was to tell you something important about Isa and what type of person he was compared to Saïx.

All of it disgusted him. Saïx looked up at the skyscrapers, tracking Axel’s presence. 

He remembered what the witch Naminé had said. Axel seemed lonely. The man himself had denied it, but she was absolutely right. Axel was lonely. He’d lost Roxas. Lonely. Didn’t that mean he had a heart? How had he gained one? Why only him?

Axel was amazed and happy that Saïx still had some memories from the good old days. The manga probably didn’t mention that Isa liked dogs for no reason. Anyways, Axel’s happiness didn’t last. Saïx brushed him off and told him that he had to go back to Castle Oblivion soon, then went back to being his usual cold self.

Saïx’s searching gaze fell on a yellow dog, and he paused. The dog turned to him with a full-throated bark. He scowled, crinkling the scarred skin between his eyebrows, and lifted his hand to open a Corridor of Darkness behind the dog. If something was in his way, he would just get rid of it. 

The next day is the vacation and Saïx told Axel that he was getting too attached to Roxas and Xion. It’s very similar to the way Axel told Xion that she was getting too attached to the stray doggy. When Axel reacted sarcastically, Saïx told Axel that he changed. Axel looked sad, and almost like he was smirking at the irony.

“She doesn’t need you anymore.” Saïx smiled, but the expression didn’t reach his eyes. That was the world’s most obvious lie, Sora thought.

Axel said Saïx had changed and looked up at the heart-shaped moon. The scene is also made to look just like the scene where Sora confronted Saïx after Kairi escaped with Pluto. Saïx said she didn’t need him anymore. This made me think: they created the situation with Pluto to emphasize that when Saïx and Axel said the other had changed, it was specifically referring to getting attached. What Saïx said about Axel was probably very true, especially after he became a Nobody. But it was probably not limited to him as Nobody, either.

The two of them seemed to be enjoying themselves. Ven was just a tad jealous. “Already?” Ven asked, a little lonely.

He turned around. “I’ll see ya when I see ya. After all, we’re friends now. Get it memorized.”

“Okay, Lea.” Ven nodded with a smile. He hadn’t thought he would make friends here of all places.

If you think about it, who is more likely to become easily attached to others? A sociable extrovert who interacts with every person they meet? Or a quiet introvert who only opens up with one person? Definitely the introvert. Lea was very warm and quick to help other people, but he probably didn’t get attached to the stray puppies he picked up very often. He was probably just happy creating memories with new people (or animals). He seemed satisfied to play with Ventus for a few minutes, then move on. He’d see him whenever. Ven was the one who didn’t want him to leave, because he was lonely without Terra and Aqua. Then their situations became reversed.

“Sora and Riku are best friends.” Axel’s eyes crinkled as he remembered his own best friend—the only friend he’d ever had, in fact.

“If your best friend goes away, you’re sad, and if you get to be with them, you’re happy,” Naminé added. “Isn’t that how it is, Axel?”

“…That’s about the size of it.” Axel nodded and sat down on the remaining empty sofa, staring at the sea-salt ice cream he held.

Axel was very friendly, but he was also cool and detached. Roxas laughed at him when he they’d never be apart as long as they remembered each other. And in the manga, he was embarrassed when Roxas called him his “best friend” out loud. But over time, he became desperately lonely and needy. It was a core aspect of his character. No one was called “lonely” more times than Axel. And he became VERY attached and clingy with Roxas and Xion, which was unusual behavior for him. 

“What?” The irritated furrow between his brows deepened.

“You seemed lonely,” Naminé repeated, raising her eyes.

“Lonely? Me, a Nobody, lonely? That doesn’t even make sense!”

And I just loved how in the KH2 novel, Axel was simultaneously trying to avoid both Pluto AND Saïx, who always showed up at exact the same time. It was like escaping the two of them was...the same thing, in a way. Not only Saïx’s stalking, either. Axel’s stalking of Kairi was parallel to Pluto’s stalking of Kairi, too. When Axel was trying to see Roxas again, he was acting like an abandoned stray puppy. Ironically, Axel was so clingy with Roxas because he felt abandoned by Isa. He missed how emotionally attached Isa was to him and was very desperate for his affections once more. Then he transferred that neediness onto Roxas. But as a human, it probably wasn’t Lea who got overly attached.

As he watched Ven go on his way, Isa commented to Lea in a frosty tone, “What is it with you and picking up stray puppies?”

Lea just shrugged. “I want everybody I meet to remember me. Inside people’s memories, I can live forever.”

“I know I won’t forget you. Believe me, I try all the time,” Isa replied with a bit of humor in his tone.

It was probably Isa. That’s probably why he kept his distance from most people. I bet this was a pretty important aspect of their characters. Saïx was always utterly cold and detached towards everyone. But deep down, Isa was nothing but an abandoned puppy. He was being sarcastic in BBS. But in KH2, that was exactly what was going on. He wanted nothing more than to forget Axel and tried ALL the time. But he couldn’t. And that was probably the main reason they included so many more Pluto scenes. The real stray puppies were Isa AND Lea.

Axel had seen Pluto jump fearlessly into a portal to the Corridors of Darkness. And Kairi had done the same. This was no time to hesitate, then.

He gave Pluto a good hug and pressed his cheek against his fur. “Okay, let’s go.” Pluto woofed in reply. Axel got to his feet and headed deeper into the bowels of the castle.