Ashwin Lewis
The Sleeping Realm Theory is a fan-created theory that emerged following the release of Kingdom Hearts III. It suggests that the events of the game occur within a time loop, with the characters reliving the same events multiple times. This theory has been a subject of discussion and interpretation among fans, with some embracing it and others critiquing it. The theory also explores the roles of Riku and Kairi in maintaining the loop and the potential implications for the character development of Kairi as a Keyblade Wielder. The Sleeping Realm Theory adds a layer of complexity to the Kingdom Hearts universe, inviting players to consider alternate timelines and the nature of dreams and sleep within the game's narrative.
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What You'll Learn
Characters can be pulled into a dream world
The Sleeping Realm Theory, released after Kingdom Hearts III in January 2019, suggests that the events of the game occur within a time loop, and that the characters are re-living the events of the game for a second time. This theory has been debunked by some fans, who argue that there is only one timeline, and that Sora folded time over itself to create a paradox, rather than travelling to a different timeline.
However, the idea of characters being pulled into a dream world is a pre-existing concept within the Kingdom Hearts series. In the game, characters can enter the dream world physically, and it is described as a form of alternate reality. In one instance, Young Xehanort drags Sora into his own dreams, and then into a second layer of sleep, or a 'sleep coma'. This results in Sora's sleeping body being present in his own dreams, and Riku is able to see it before fighting Anti Black Coat.
In another instance, Ava describes the process of 'worldline hopping', where the player enters a dreamlike world and lives out a timeline up to a point of disaster without any memory of it. This allows the player to connect to a new worldline where the disaster never occurred. Ava refers to this as an unchained state on another plane, seated in sleep and dreams.
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Time loops can occur
The Sleeping Realm Theory, released after Kingdom Hearts III in January 2019, suggests that the events of the game occur within a time loop. This theory argues that the plot of the game prior to its climax is not the first time the characters are experiencing the events of the game.
The theory is supported by fans of the game regardless of whether they enjoyed Kingdom Hearts III or not. Some fans have said that the Sleeping Realm Theory enhanced their enjoyment of the game and gave them a new perspective on the creative team's choices. The theory also gave fans a deeper appreciation of previous games by encouraging them to look more closely at how information is presented in past titles.
The theory suggests that the game's second timeline takes place within the Sleeping Realm, or the "Unchained State", which is a kind of dream or alternate timeline. In the game, Sora and Riku are sent to the Sleeping Worlds to unlock the seven Sleeping Keyholes and return the worlds to the Realm of Light to obtain the power to defeat Xehanort. However, Xehanort arranged for his younger self to appear in the Sleeping Worlds. Young Xehanort dragged Sora back into the realm of sleep and into Sora's own dreams.
While some fans have debunked the Sleeping Realm Theory, it has provided an interesting perspective on the game's plot and encouraged closer examinations of the game's lore and story structure.
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Characters can enter a world with no memory
The Sleeping Realm Theory, which gained popularity following the release of Kingdom Hearts III, suggests that the events of the game occur within a dreamlike world, with the characters having no memory of past events. This theory posits that the game's plot takes place within a time loop, and the events witnessed by the audience are not the first time the characters are experiencing them.
In the game, Sora, the protagonist, finds himself in a "weird sleep coma", where he is pulled deeper and deeper into dreams within dreams. This results in Sora's sleeping body entering his own dreams, a concept that has been established in the series prior, blurring the lines between dreams and reality.
The theory also explores the roles of Riku and Kairi in creating and maintaining this time loop. While some fans embrace the Sleeping Realm Theory, enhancing their enjoyment of the game and its narrative choices, others refute it, claiming that the game's lore explicitly describes a "paradox" within a single timeline.
The concept of characters entering a world with no memory is not unique to Kingdom Hearts. Various video games and novels explore similar ideas:
- Amnesia: The Dark Descent: In this game, the protagonist, Daniel, wakes up in a mysterious castle with no memory of who he is or what has happened. He must explore the castle to uncover the truth and survive, piecing together his memories through notes he wrote to himself.
- Disco Elysium: The player character, a detective, wakes up in their room with no memory of their identity, location, or the current year. They must unravel their surroundings and the case at hand while also gradually recovering their memories.
- Final Fantasy 7: Cloud, the protagonist, possesses the memories of Zack while having no recollection of his own past.
- Se Dagens Lys: In this sci-fi novel, a computer governs the world, wiping everyone's memories daily and providing them with new lives, lovers, jobs, and more. People must relearn their surroundings and adapt to new circumstances each day.
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Characters can be trapped in a sleeping world
The Sleeping Realm Theory, a meta posted following the release of Kingdom Hearts III, suggests that the events of the game occur within a time loop, with the characters trapped in a sleeping world. This theory has been interpreted in different ways by fans, with some believing it enhances their enjoyment of the game and others finding it disappointing.
The theory posits that the game's plot takes place within a dreamlike world, where the characters live through the events of the game without any memory of a disaster that has occurred. This dream world is referred to as the "Unchained State", a displaced state outside of the world lines seated in sleep and dreams. Ava, a character in KHX, describes this process of world line hopping, where the Dandelions will be entering a world akin to a dream.
In the game, Sora finds himself trapped in a sleeping realm, pulled into a deep sleep by Young Xehanort, who drags him into his own dreams. This results in Sora's sleeping body being present in his dreams, which is witnessed by Riku. Xigbar then pulls Sora into a second layer of sleep, leading to a coma-like state.
While some fans have embraced the Sleeping Realm Theory, others have argued that it has been debunked by the game's lore, specifically the gummiphone's lore explanations. They claim that there is only one timeline and that Sora's actions created a tear in the fabric of reality, allowing for a paradox within the same timeline. Despite this, the theory has sparked interesting discussions and interpretations of the game's events, with players analyzing the roles of characters like Riku and Kairi in maintaining the loop.
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Characters can be dragged into multiple sleeps
The Sleeping Realm Theory, which emerged after the release of Kingdom Hearts III, suggests that the events of the game occur within a time loop, with the characters reliving the same events multiple times. This theory has been debated by fans, with some embracing it as enhancing their enjoyment of the game and providing new perspectives, while others have criticised it as incompatible with certain aspects of the game's lore and narrative.
Within the Sleeping Realm Theory, the concept of multiple sleeps or dreams within dreams is a key element. This idea is supported by in-game events, such as Young Xehanort dragging Sora into his own dreams and then Xigbar dragging Sora into a second layer of sleep, creating a complex web of dreams and reality.
The theory also proposes that the game's events unfold across multiple timelines, with the first timeline ending with Sora diving into the heart and the second timeline, up to a certain point, taking place within the Sleeping Realm or the "Unchained State". This "Unchained State" is described as a displaced state outside of the world lines, seated somewhere in sleep or dreams, further complicating the layers of reality within the game.
Additionally, the character Ava's plotline in KHX involves her preparing the Dandelions for travelling to a new realm, which she describes as world line hopping and entering a dreamlike world. Ava explains that this dream connection will allow the player to be pulled into another plane, blurring the boundaries between dreams and reality. These elements of the Sleeping Realm Theory introduce the concept of characters being dragged into multiple sleeps or dreams within dreams, creating a complex narrative structure.
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Frequently asked questions
The Sleeping Realm Theory is a fan theory that argues that the plot of Kingdom Hearts III takes place on a time loop, and that the events of the game are not the first time the characters are experiencing them.
The theory is supported by various pieces of evidence, including the roles of Riku and Kairi in creating and maintaining the loop, as well as the idea that Sora is diving into a heart at the end of the first timeline.
The theory offers a new perspective on the creative choices made by the development team and encourages a closer examination of how information is presented in the game. It also suggests that the game's plot takes place within an alternate timeline or a dreamlike world.
No, the theory has been explicitly debunked by the game developers, who have stated that there is only one timeline and that Sora did not time travel but instead created a tear in the fabric of reality.
The theory suggests that the player is experiencing a second timeline, which takes place within the Sleeping Realm or the "Unchained State". This adds a layer of complexity to the player's actions and decisions, as they are experiencing an alternate version of events.
