The Sanctuary of Kingdom Hearts

Before I begin today’s blog post, I know we have been very quiet this week. While there is no podcast episode this week (due to both Rebecca and I recovering from COVID), I did want to put out a blog post to supplement.

Now, I know what you might be thinking “why are you talking about a video game”? Well, to be honest, this game is a very popular franchise, to which I have played all the games in said franchise and incorporates mostly animated Disney movies, so it fits! But I want to focus primarily on the the song “Sanctuary” which was the title track for Kingdom Hearts 2 (musicality did a wonderful cover of the song, you can listen to here).

Kingdom Hearts, combining the facets of video gameplay with Disney characters. When this came out in the early 2000’s, I was already sold! Even now as an adult, I enjoyed replaying the series. This came sets itself apart from many others today. This game has a message about the human condition and the human heart. While other games are putting people down, Kingdom Hearts offers a “light” at the end of the tunnel.

I love the story, the characters, the game play, the creativity of different worlds, but I also like the music and that brings us to the song “Sanctuary”. Sanctuary, I always thought could be done in the style of a worship song. If you look at this set of lyrics.

In you and I, there’s a new land Angels in flight (Wonk uoy naht noitceffa erom deen I) My Sanctuary, my Sanctuary, ah Where fears and lies melt away Music will tie (Wonk uoy naht noitceffa erom deen I) What’s left of me, what’s left of me

This right here, could easily be connected to talking about the sovereignty of God’s presence, heaven, the secret place between you and God, etc…. While the artist Utada may not have meant for this to be a “spiritual” song, I certainly welcome that interpretation.

I could go on and on about this, but to tell you, I feel would do a disservice unless you were to play the game yourself. Even if you are not a gamer, I could recommend picking up the manga (may be a bit easier to follow the story). All this to say, Kingdom Hearts is uplifting, encouraging and to quote the main character, Sora, “Kingdom Hearts is Light”!