Kingdom Hearts II Kairi's Character

A great number of people have a lot of reasons for why Kairi is not an adequate character, or why Namine/ Olette are stronger characters than she is.

I am not explicitly going out and saying "KAIRI IS AWESOME AND STOP HATING ON HER!!!"

I am here to ask why you all have your intelligent reasons for liking or disliking Kairi. It's nice to see all the sides, don't you agree?
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My personal reason for liking Kairi as a character is this:
Although Kairi is the classic "damsel in distress" she doesnt express a WANT to be this way. She may not have a flushed out character, and she may not be able to kick a**, but she isnt USELESS as often described. Kairi has expressed a desire to help Sora in any way she can (i.e.- when she tells Sora in KH that she wants to help him save Riku, in KH2 when she obtains her keyblade and attempts to fight [as in she is actually TRYING]). Honestly, yes she does get kidnapped (or almost) 3 times. However, the first time was not entirely her fault, seeing as she was fading away with the island and the rest of the time was immobile. The second time she refuses Axel's offer to see Sora. The third time (which many of you have said "ALL SHE DOES IS STAND THERE AND LET HERSELF GET TAKEN BY AXEL!") however, Axel is visibly taller and stronger than she is, able to take her easily though she visibly does struggle. Kairi may be a damsel in distress, but that doesnt mean she has no drive. She could be one of those damsels in distress who merely sits there thinking "Oh when will someone come rescue me??". She constantly resists and quite visibly wants the ability to do something for herself, even if she's not quite strong enough to do so.
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Please give me your opinions on this subject, I like to see all sides.

 

AGREED! I TOTALLY agree!!! Some people are just haters lol, even though sometimes I think she could do more than she does... but still. Can't wait to see all the people in KH3 like how they aged and all :P

 

Absolutely. I mean, I certainly hope that she will have some more fight in her (hopefully Nomura can take some hints from Dead Fantasy...? lol)

 

I personally like Kairi I just wish she had a bigger role in the game than she did :|

 

Yeah, she's a character with a lot of potential that just needs some screen time boosting!!

 

I agree. Hopefully the next game that centers around Sora will give Kairi some more screentime xD

 

this.

Right now she is the common Damsel in Distress character always seeming to get kidnapped. But like you said, she does not want to be that way, she actually DOES want to help, seeing as she DOES go into Kingdom Hearts in KH2 but runs out with Mickey because of that building flying at them, and then getting locked out.

 

Nothing against her personally, but she has two recolours, both of which have had more screen time than her and have more character than her. Sure, she resisted against Axel. It can't compare to Namine, who openly defied Larxane and Marluxia after months of abuse. She wielded a keyblade? So did Xion, and she did it for longer. She pales in comparison to her counterparts. Heck, I felt more eager to save Xion and Namine than I did her.

 

I can completely see your perspective, she is a weak character, I'm not denying that, I think they need to flush out her personality.

(By the way- thanks for being intelligent and not just screaming KAIRI SUCKS at me)

 

No damsel in distress wishes to be that way. Besides waiting, she practically does nothing herself. Yes, she went to find Sora, but that was merely because she was dragged into a position where she could.

Saix captured her, she didn't really do much to escape, except being freed by Namine. She may wish to help, but she really has no power to back it up, or resolution for that matter. She was pretty much opened every door possible to help, which she never really went for herself.

The only thing I can find useful is her mysterious powers that opened the door to light to save sora. But, I think she had no idea her letter would have such effect, so she wasn't aiming to help, either.

 

I also hope she gets more screentime. She deserves it :)

 

I like her character a lot, and I really hate that she was completely snuffed in KHII. I mean, there's a lot of narrative subtleties in Kingdom Hearts that I attribute to differences of opinion, but that's one of the few things I genuinely think was done wrong about the story. After Sora found out she was okay, he completely forgot she existed. I understand that he was really worried about Riku, but come on. With how much he ignored Kairi, he practically made Soriku canon.

 

She may not want to be, but her efforts prove worthless time and time again. She is constantly causing Riku and Sora to put their lives on the line for her, though they don't seem to mind this, being the classic hero type. This proves to me she is a little naive/stupid, because if she keeps trying, and isn't making it, she is clearly doing something wrong and therefore should do something different, i.e practicing her fighting skills and wearing different clothes instead of cute little mini skirts. Square Enix obviously is trying to endear her by making her try, but you would hope they would learn too.

I agree, the first time wasn't her fault, the island was gone anyway, and she would have died if not faded. Riku chose darkness, saving himself, but Kairi couldn't do that, she was a Princess.

She almost took Axel's offer, she was tempted until the Nobody crept up behind her, then she ran. This was a smart thing, and one of the only smart things she did do. I also agree you are correct on this.

This is a scene I have immense issues with. While Kairi is struggling, and Axel shows how far and above the rest he is by dodging Hayner and Pence, Kairi is a Princess of Heart. She has been through worse, she is equal to his status, and all she does is dig in her heels. Had it been me, I would have been kicking and screaming all the way, screw dignity. Either that, or she just has to rely on Sora enough that she can think he will save her. Me? I woulda relied on myself a little bit more.

 

I used to hate Kairi. I thought she was weak and underdeveloped and all that. I'll also NEVER forgive her for her KH1 line of: "Let's take the raft and go - just the two of us!" It seemed totally out of place and disgusting to me. I'll also admit it scratched on my Riku-fangirl pride :rofl:.

But if they can give her some goddamn chara development for KH3 and take advantage of her willingness to be useful, I think I'll like her.

 

I think she's a bit....well...she cant fend for herself. Sora's love intrest is her, yeah, but maybe she needs to become stronger. To be honest, shes okay and all, but she doesnt need to be all over Riku all the time too...

 

She's hot...

Sorry, fanboy side took over.

I really don't like her. She's... well...

Yeah, that.