Haley Joel Osment, best known for his roles in The Sixth Sense and Artificial Intelligence, is also famous for voicing Sora, the protagonist of the Kingdom Hearts video game series. After portraying the character across 12 games, Osment discussed in an interview with IGN the possibility that it might be time to step away from the role. He reflected on the longevity of the series and the importance of ending things at the right time.
During the conversation, Osment was surprised to learn that Kingdom Hearts 4 had already been officially announced. He admitted that he usually finds out about new installments later in the process since voice acting typically occurs in the final stages of production. Despite being unaware of the news, he expressed hope that he would soon be back in the studio to continue Sora’s journey.
When IGN brought up comments from series creator Tetsuya Nomura about moving the story toward its conclusion, Osment shared his belief that Nomura would craft a satisfying ending. He acknowledged that while many fans would love to see the series continue forever, it might be better to end it on a high note rather than risk diluting its impact. He trusts that Nomura has a plan to close the narrative in a meaningful way.
Osment emphasized that it’s often wise to say goodbye to a beloved series before it overstays its welcome. Letting a story continue beyond the creator’s original vision can sometimes weaken its overall impact. While he cherishes his role as Sora, he feels it’s important to conclude the Kingdom Hearts saga when the time is right, maintaining its integrity and emotional resonance.
Even as the series nears its end, Osment reassured fans that they have plenty of content to enjoy. He highlighted the vast amount of gameplay available across the existing titles, humorously noting that even characters like Donald Duck, portrayed as a powerful black mage in the game’s universe, continue to offer fans countless hours of entertainment.
