A story filled with unbreakable bonds and memorable team-ups, Kingdom Hearts is a series often described as one of the most ambitious and ludicrous crossovers in gaming history. Combining beloved Disney characters and environments with the likes of Final Fantasy, as well as the Square Enix universe as a whole, the series also introduced its own original characters exclusively created for the franchise.
Sora, the ever-positive protagonist of the series, hero, and chosen wielder of the Keyblade has befriended many characters throughout his adventures. These infinite bonds he maintains give him his strength, and they are one of the main themes of Kingdom Hearts in its entirety, so it's only fitting to take a look at the hero's best friends.
10 Aladdin
During his numerous journeys to Agrabah, Sora has become very close with the popular Disney icon, Aladdin. The two pals have accomplished many feats together throughout Kingdom Hearts lore defeating flurries of Heartless, saving Princess Jasmine, and defeating the evil Jafar on multiple occasions.
Aladdin teams up with Sora in the original Kingdom Hearts, Kingdom Hearts: Chain Of Memories, and Kingdom Hearts 2/2.5, making him one of Sora's longest friends from a world outside of his own.
9 Jack Sparrow
The swash-buckling and carefree Pirate from Pirates Of The Caribbean, Jack Sparrow befriended Sora in Kingdom Hearts 2/2.5, and adventures with him in Kingdom Hearts 3 as well. The unique thing about Sora's friendship with Jack is that the two are very similar in personality. This is often highlighted by Sora's companions, Donald and Goofy.
Sora and Jack remain predominantly cheerful and unbothered in the face of danger. Sora somewhat idolizes Jack and the pirate lifestyle in general, whereas Jack is fascinated by Sora's abilities and the Keyblade. Having these things in common has led the two to a wholesome friendship.
8 Roxas
Roxas is essentially Sora's other half introduced first in the Kingdom Hearts: "Deep Dive" secret episode of the original game, but officially making his uncloaked appearance in Kingdom Hearts 2/2.5. Originally a "Nobody," Roxas was created when Sora sacrificed his heart during his first adventure in order to save the character Kairi, by whom he is later revived.
Essentially a shadow of who Sora is, Roxas eventually meets and battles Sora within Sora's subconscious, submitting to him and accepting his fate as Sora's Nobody. The two eventually become friends and grow to respect and care about each other's well being. Sora frees Roxas's lingering spirit from his own heart, enabling Roxas to be his own separate being during Kingdom Hearts 3.
7 Hercules
From his earliest days of becoming a hero, Sora has been great friends with Disney's Hercules. Immediately seeing Sora's potential, the two became friends early on in the series, fighting in tournaments together under the guidance of the coliseum trainer Phil, as well as foiling and defeating the evil god of the Underworld, Hades, on multiple occasions.
Hercules fights alongside Sora at some point in every single one of his adventures, the most recent of which being Kingdom Hearts 3 in which the two work together once again to save all of Olympus.
6 Jiminy Cricket
Jiminy Cricket has been friends with Sora from the beginnings of his heroic escapades, starting from when he met him inside the giant Whale "Monstro" during the first Kingdom Hearts game. Originally the conscience of Pinocchio, Jiminy decides to tag along with Sora, living inside the hood of the hero's outfit while keeping a record of all of his adventures within a journal.
Jiminy is always watching and often provides Sora with hints or forgotten details of his past experiences. The little Cricket is one of Sora's longest-standing allies and has become an important part of his journeys throughout the overall series.
5 Mickey ("The King")
From Kingdom Hearts's first moments, Mickey Mouse, who is often referred to by those who know him in the series as "The King," has been an integral character within the franchise lore. A Keyblade Master himself, Mickey was the one who instructed Donald and Goofy to find "The Key," or the chosen one, Sora.
Although they officially met during Kingdom Hearts 2/2.5, and the character Riku is perhaps closer to Mickey than Sora is, Sora and Mickey quickly became close friends, trusting each other thoroughly and backing each other up on numerous occasions. The two have an organic trust and respect for each other, an unspoken understanding that is connected by destiny.
4 Donald
Always by Sora's side, the Disney Castle's powerful head mage, Donald, teamed up with Sora from his earliest days of being the chosen one of the Keyblade. He is undoubtedly one of Sora's closest friends and fights alongside him in every Kingdom Hearts game thus far in which Sora appears as a playable character.
Donald has aided Sora in countless battles throughout the hero's years and is a hero in his own right. The short-tempered duck is not a "yes man" friend; there are plenty of times these two friends tease, bicker, and disagree, but they always squash things and will forever back each other up in times of need.
3 Goofy
Just like Donald, Goofy, captain of the Disney Castle royal guard, has been by Sora's side from the hero's earliest days of being the Keyblade's chosen one, aiding him in hundreds of battles along with the help of Donald. The trio together has accomplished a multitude of impressive feats, and Goofy serves as the moderator and "calm-headed" member of the team.
With a will as strong as his shield, the knight deeply cares for his friends, and being one of Sora's closest companions, he is a hero always ready to support him through thick and thin.
2 Riku
Friends to the point of brotherhood, Riku is Sora's best friend and has been a main character in the franchise since its beginning. Long before the days they both wielded Keyblades and took on world-ending threats together, Sora and Riku were childhood friends on the Destiny Islands where they grew up alongside their mutual companion, Kairi.
Originally very competitive over Kairi's affection, Riku and Sora eventually squashed their rivalry, bringing their friendship even closer as a result. The heroes care for each other like blood brothers and are willing to go great distances in order to be there for one another. Riku is the Yin to Sora's Yang, the redemptive hero who mastered the power of Darkness, whereas Sora is the chosen one of Light. When using their abilities together in tandem, the two are a near unstoppable force.
1 Kairi
Kairi is the most important person to Sora in the series lore. She is his closest friend in a sense, although their friendship is not platonic, but rather coded as romantic. During Kingdom Hearts 3 Sora states that his entire journey started with him being separated from Kairi.
Throughout the series she keeps him grounded, focused, and gives him the courage to do the impossible. Though they spend long periods of time apart due to circumstances outside of their control, the two long for each other constantly and continuously strive to be together, no matter the obstacle.