Utada Hikaru Will Not Sing For Kingdom Hearts III

**Fate** · 06-07-2009, 09:59 PM

From what I've heard, Utada Hikaru, the amazing singer who sang Simple and Clean/Hikari and Sanctuary/Passion, will not be a part of Kingdom hearts III. It sort of makes Kingdom Hearts not fully complete without her, doesn't it?

But on the bright side, if she was indeed interviewed and she refused, then there must indeed be a Kingdom hearts III!

**Ralz** · 06-07-2009, 11:10 PM

Hmm... and she had such a good voice, too. But she's right, to sing in Japanese, and write for English, it gets confusing. I wonder who will replace her. And Fate, I think that was obvious from the moment we saw the Birth by Sleep trailer at the end of KH2.

**Fate** · 06-07-2009, 11:24 PM

Of course it was obvious because of that trailer. I meant that if she was interviewed, there willsoon be a KHIII!

**Led Zeppelin** · 06-10-2009, 02:43 PM

Utada Hikaru is not singing for Kingdom Hearts III O.O....NO!!!.... She was the best and she just made the intro for the games so epic why would she do this =[.... Nobody could possibly replace her talent she's the best of the best... Wow...I'm actually shocked about this XD Are you sure that there is absolutely no chance of her singing at all??... It wouldn't be Kingdom Hearts without her it really wouldn't... At the start of the games when you here Sora's speak (First game) and then Roxas (Second game) you're just waiting to hear the music and see some clips of the game... And it made it seem so nice and convenient =[...

**Fate** · 06-10-2009, 02:52 PM

She and her husband refused Disney's offer to sing. So, I'm not sure if that means her singing career is going down altogether, but she's certainly not going to be a part of Kingdom Hearts III. Maybe, she might return for Kingdom Hearts IV if there is one?

**Kilala** · 06-10-2009, 03:13 PM

This is awful news ;; It's so sad... She really just fits Kingdom Hearts and make the opening of the games so epic. <_<
But also... yeah... it may mean it's coming sooner than we think... which is good... but... No Utada Hikaru is so sad... I wonder if there's a petition anywhere... xD

**ZantetsukeN** · 06-10-2009, 03:59 PM

I'm really disappointed. I think the songs she did for the first 2 set the mood really well from the start, especially KHII.
Aside from this, however, I still think we are waaaay off from Kingdom Hearts III. It probably isn't on Square's agenda for now. They'll be focusing on others first. We'll probably get it some time in the next few years.

On the bright side, we have Birth By Sleep & 358/2 Days on the horizon. I, for one, can't wait!

**Fate** · 06-10-2009, 04:05 PM

She is a born pop singer, and the fact that she can sing that good in English is pretty special. But she was born in New York, after all. I saw a video of her singing Simple and Clean the first time, live, and although most singers are horrible singing live, she was really good.

And I think that Kingdom Hearts III is nearing its release. I mean, after the trailer of Kingdom Hearts II in Kingdom Hearts, we now have the game. So, if there's a trailer for Kingdom Hearts III in Kingdom Hearts II, shouldn't we be getting it soon? After all, Kingdom Hearts was released on March 28, 2002 in Japan, and Kingdom Hearts was released on December 22, 2005. That's three years. So that means around 2008 or 2009 is when the third Kingdom Hearts will be released in Japan, right. And about half a year after it has been released in Japan, it will come to North America.

**Cain Highwind** · 06-11-2009, 02:19 AM

Uhhh, link, seriously?

They haven't even ANNOUNCED KHIII yet, let alone who's singling the main theme. So I wouldn't worry just yet. I do like her KH themes as well, but I'm not going to freak out over an unconfirmed rumor.

**Yesha** · 06-11-2009, 02:58 AM

If this news is true.. then.. why did Utada Hikaru refused? Since she's been part of KH.. why did she have to refused to sing for the theme song of KH3.. aLso.. it doesn't matter to me if she's not singing the theme song, though.. I reaLLy Like her aLot.. but if the next singer wiLL be great.. then.. there's nothing to Lose, i think..

**Fate** · 06-11-2009, 08:38 AM

Are you going to be involved in the soundtrack for Kingdom Hearts III?

Utada: I don’t think so, I don’t know. Probably not.
Mr. Utada: We said no to Disney.
Utada: Ohh…

You turned down Disney?

Mr. Utada: Yeah. Because they don’t pay.

Because they don’t pay, yeah. My parents work for Disney World, so I’m sure they’d be in agreement with you on that.
Utada: They can have a drink over that [all laugh].

Okay, so going back a little bit, the fact that Exodus was released in English also in Japan, was that a conscious decision? Was there ever any pressure either on your label over there, or from other people to say, “Well, if you do Japanese versions of these songs, they’ll be so much more accessible, many more people will get to that?”

Utada: Uh-huh. Well, from the beginning, yeah…before doing that contract, I’d done a few songs where I had to translate, like for Kingdom Hearts, I had to make an English version of the song “Hikari,” which became “Simple and Clean,” and then also for Kingdom Hearts II, I had to make the Japanese version which was the song “Passion” and then the English version that was “Sanctuary,” and that was so hard, it’s just—and it felt strained—and as a result, I’m happy that I worked hard to do those, because those English versions are really good and “Simple and Clean,” I think, is a really good song, and people…most of the people that know me here, they know me for that—but it’s not ideal for me as a writer, to…because, actually, I changed the melodies for “Simple and Clean” and “Hikari,” because when you change the language you’re singing in, the same melodies don’t work—and as a writer, it’s just very frustrating to have, like…I wrote these melodies for Japanese words, and to have to write in English for that, it’s just not right. And then, so, for this, uh, this contract with Island Def Jam, in the beginning I separated it to this English language album, and I don’t do Japanese translations. I just, my integrity as an artist just would not take that, could not take that.

This here is part of the interview. For the full interview, with the part about her refusing Disney's offer, go to this link right here.

It's a PDF file.

**Kilala** · 06-11-2009, 09:07 AM

Looks like her husband is pushing her more xD But she's like trying to keep it open. Who knows, funnier things have happened.
I wonder who they would consider replacing her with... If say she doesn't come in at the end for whenever the game may be release.

**Azuteor** · 06-11-2009, 11:23 AM

It's a little disappointing that she's not gonna sing for Kingdom Hearts III. The music she created for the game does a great job at capturing the dreamy, fantasy feeling. I really hope that the new artist lives up to what Utada Hikaru has done. *salutes*

**Yesha** · 06-12-2009, 02:54 AM

From what I understand 'bout the quote from Fate.. it isn't Utada Hikaru's fauLt to turn down Disney.. it's Disney the one who's not paying to Utada Hikaru and her husband, i think.. if that's true then.. they're not giving any important attention to Utada Hikaru.. in my opinion Utada Hikaru is one big part of KH that is why KH is very popuLar and successfuL.. Mmm..

**Benjisan** · 06-13-2009, 07:13 PM

This is disappointing news, i was looking forward to hearing Utada Hikaru's angelic voice on the next KH game

Hopefully, she will change her mind and sing for us, her devoted fans!

**Andromeda** · 06-13-2009, 07:52 PM

Kingdom Hearts III remains undetermined and the teaser at the end of KH2 and KH2+FM is not for KH3, but for Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, which is dealing with a completely different cast of characters unrelated to Sora. We will not be seeing a KH3 this year or possibly even next year. In 2011 perhaps, but they are making spinoff KH games right now and not continuing the story of the main series. The only thing that makes the idea of a KH3 possible as a continuation, since KH2 pretty much wrapped up everything, is the very ending of the final FMV which has Mickey sending them a letter like there is something wrong.

If memory serves me Birth by Sleep is a PSP title while 358/2 is a DS title.

Also if I remember right, a good amount of the KH team is working on FF Versus XIII. So they are busy doing something else entirely. Unless Square is planning on putting different team on the game, its unlikely there will be a KH3 for a very long time.

**~FANTASY-ENDER~** · 07-26-2009, 05:32 AM

WHAT!!!!!! Utada Hikaru isn't going to be the singer for Kingdom Hearts 3 thats kind of sad, but then again it gives others a chance to try their singing ablities. I wonder who square-enix will take for the important role of the singing, well I guess we'll have to wait and see.

**KeybladerXIII** · 07-26-2009, 10:35 AM

That is quite disheartening that she won't sing, but it doesn't bother me as much. As long as the new song has a good techno beat and meaningful lyrics, they can use another singer.

**Arch** · 07-26-2009, 11:26 AM

Birth By Sleep is not gonna be Kh III. sorry to disappoint. I believe that they are making a Kh III just not anytime soon probably in 2011 and it should be on a Ps3, not psp as Birth BY Sleep is gonna be on the psp. Birth by Sleep takes place before Sora and the others were even born so they cant call it Kingdom hearts III without sora thats almost blasphemous. as of the arrival of the game is still TBA but i think we have waited long enough and Birth By sleep should arrive in 2010

But to get back on subject..

NOOO. Utada is an awesome singer she has made amazing songs,sad but i guess she has moved on

**Arch** · 07-26-2009, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by *Yesha*

From what I understand 'bout the quote from Fate.. it isn't Utada Hikaru's fauLt to turn down Disney.. it's Disney the one who's not paying to Utada Hikaru and her husband, i think.. if that's true then.. they're not giving any important attention to Utada Hikaru.. in my opinion Utada Hikaru is one big part of KH that is why KH is very popuLar and successfuL.. Mmm..

I dont think taht she was the one that made Kh so popular and successful...Yes she was a great singer and sang some awesome songs but she does not MAKE kh, so i think Disney will easily replace her,it will be interesting to see who does though

**Yesha** · 07-27-2009, 06:57 AM

Originally Posted by Anarchy_W

I dont think taht she was the one that made Kh so popular and successful...Yes she was a great singer and sang some awesome songs but she does not MAKE kh, so i think Disney will easily replace her,it will be interesting to see who does though

Yes.. But I onLy said that she's one big PART.. I didn't said she was the onLy reason that KH was popuLar and aLso I didn't said she made KH.. yeah.. of course.. the story was great and the characters.. of course.. why does SimpLe and cLean (song) is popuLar? Of course because she sang it! That's what I'm saying.. :-)