After previous rumours that Kingdom Hearts will be featured at the Square-Enix Party 2007, it appears to be becoming less and less likely, although Yoko Shimomura will still be present. Tetsuya Nomura’s “surprise” should still be revealed and may or may not be related to Kingdom Hearts.

The Square-Enix Party 2007 will be this coming weekend (12th & 13th May) and there is now a commercial for it in Japan:

TheWertle translated yet more of the stuff in Dengeki PS Magazine (shown on FF13Vids). I’ll put a summary here of the most important points from this and other interviews:

• Nomura has stated in the past that the “New Project” MAY be a “Non-game project” and that it WILL NOT have “Kingdom Hearts” in the title.
• Nomura has now stated that this project may be an interesting side-story focusing on characters other than Sora, although Sora still has a big role.
• He should be explaining “Birth By Sleep” a bit more, what Mickey did in the World of Darkness, and how Mickey got his Keyblade.
• He’ll want to work on developing Roxas the most. He thinks it’s interesting that his birth and disappearance have both been drawn within a year.
• He wants to make this “New Project” slightly different from the Kingdom Hearts series including slight changes in the system.
• The armoured figures in the “Birth By Sleep” video are connected to Xemnas/Xehanort. There may be elaboration on this.
• Nomura has previously confirmed that after the Final Fantasy XIII games, he will be concentrating on the story of Kingdom Hearts.
• Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix+ was confirmed to be Nomura’s final PlayStation 2 game, and therefore any future Kingdom Hearts games will only be on PlayStation 3 or possibly other gaming systems.
• The “New Project” should be announced soon, although Nomura wants to keep the title a secret for awhile and tell us at just the right time.
• Multi-developing makes Nomura want to put the “New Project” on another system. If he does, he wants to decide whether to make it for PSP, Nintendo DS or mobile phones.
• Square-Enix are currently working on three projects in total. One of them is confirmed to be Final Fantasy Versus XIII, but it’s unknown what the other two are. They’re unrelated to eachother though.
• Yoko Shimomura will be attending the Square-Enix Party 2007. She’s looking forward to meeting people and asks everyone to wait patiently.

In other news, Deathspank from KH-Vids, with TheWertle’s help, has now translated some of the Reverse/Rebirth cutscenes:

Hi everyone. Thought you might be interested in seeing some pics from the Eminence concert in Sydney, Australia. It was a wonderful night and a great experience (being my first gaming concert). The piece from Kingdom Hearts, “Fantasia alla Marcia” was the final piece in the program and well worth the wait. Even better was the encore, which was recognised by the whole audience as soon as the orchestra had struck the first few notes, “One Winged Angel”.

We were lucky enough to get to meet the seven special guests of honour following the concert and get some autographs. I got a chance to meet Yoko Shimomura, composer of the Kingdom Hearts music and, even though she only speaks Japanese, she understood enough English for me to tell her I love Kingdom Hearts and ask her about if there will be a Kingdom Hearts 3. She replied “Maybe. There is very good chance.” Then I asked if she would be doing the music and she answered “I hope to be”.

I just want to say if Riku hadn’t told me about the concert, I’d never have known about it or had such a great night. Thanks Riku.

Enjoy the pics.

Aerith

(Click any image to enlarge it)

(Riku: We also have a video of the Eminence Symphony Orchestra rehearsing for this 2007 concert. Enjoy it!)

The cover of the Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix+ Ultimania Book has been released as you can see above (click it to enlarge). It’s 512 pages long, costs 1,700 Yen (~$14, ~£7), and will be released on May 2nd only in Japan. The book doesn’t include any new artwork but it does include:

• Organization XIII, Enigmatic Soldier, Puzzle Mode and Organization XIII Mushroom Capture Guides and FAQs.
• An explanation of the what’s changed in Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix+ from Kingdom Hearts II.
• An Re: Chain of Memories Guide with the changes made for PS2.
• Voice actor interviews about what they think the fans should expect.
• Information on all important characters.
• A new Nomura Interview.

Of course, as promised, here are some more Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix+ videos:

Tomogirl from KH-2.net has translated some information posted in a blog about the Character Report Volume 2. I’m only posting Nomura’s views on different elements of Kingdom Hearts II:

• Tron

Nomura: “The new world in the computer was greatly related to the main plot of Kingdom Hearts II and was very interesting when it was finished.”

• The Re: Chain of Memories Side of the Final Mix+ Artwork

Nomura: “There is no shoulder part of Axel this time because of a single specification. However, this illustration is on the game case used together with the left side being published on the case, and Volume 1 used it alone (Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix). Moreover, Donald and Goofy were made as cards just in case they were matched together because they mustn’t be in one picture, and no two existences of the Disney characters should share a card. It’s exceptional of what the two have become.”

• Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix+ Cover

Nomura: “This illustration has the version of where there are some versions of Sora and Riku existing at certain intervals on the back and the version that doesn’t have them. When using it for the package, two of the Chain of Memories illustration versions were slightly put in for the meaning for Re: Chain of Memories. The commodity of Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix+ was expressed to the end that made this version the formal, in which the two characters are missing in the illustration. It is possible to look for their appearances that they variously stick to.”

• Xemnas

Nomura: “Although he was a handsome character, the voice actor was out of control, and so the character was complete. He likes his expression so he ‘moreover, is starting from scratch’, and I am also using that expression occasionally.”

• Xigbar

Nomura: “His position has changed thanks to the voice actor. I would have added him in fast because he did the expression that hooked me in so much. However, although this was only one dialogue, there was a habit of saying ‘it was all talk’.”

• Vexen

Nomura: “As for him, this heartless feeling is already incontrovertible to him because his character is only of the brain.”

• Zexion

Nomura: “Xemnas is a character whose relations are strong, as well Zexion as the subordinate-superior relationship, master-apprentice, or Sikes Corp. Zexion says that he will destroy the body because he thinks he’s excellent although, he is excellent. He might have been a person who became the center of the organization if he hadn’t betrayed Marluxia and Axel in Castle Oblivion.”

• Axel

Nomura: “It wasn’t originally thought that he’d grow up to reach this stage. At first, I scheduled for Roxas to be knocked down in the opening of Kingdom Hearts II, and then leave it to the entire staff to decide who would be strong and active afterwards. From thereafter, there would be a possibility that he began to move on, shown by his dialogue.”

• Demyx

Nomura: “The character who stood a turn short or more, because of his voice actor though he was made from the beginning as a light hearted character. His dialogue was a hit on site and was instantly put in.”

• Luxord

Nomura: “He is honest, and my most favourite Organization member. I wanted him to stand out more in reality, although he speaks differently in the scene of the Organization Conference that was added because of an original drawing. Luxord exists and is sure to be able to have done more.”

• Marluxia

Nomura: “To balance with Larxene, Marluxia was a woman originally. But can a ‘man’ perform in front of Xemnas, even though it was not possible for him to show up? It is considerable to those who can act.”

• Larxene

Nomura: “She consequentially became her own individuality, and even though she wasn’t too good, she became the only female character of the Organization. As her voice’s style had hardened, the voice actor thought about it the most. Her ‘brutality’ has increased by the voice being attached. In that hairstyle, even I, who drew her, still think it’s a mystery. Why did I apply that forelock?”

Of course, there are more videos as well: