Shedding Starlight

The beloved older brother figure to Sora has some complicated traumas to work through on his journey throughout Castle Oblivion; one of which being that he is tied to the Seeker of Darkness himself. This week, join us as we talk about Riku and Ansem.  Thank you to Josh and Adrian for your questions on this episode! Next episode: Riku Replica. Send your questions to sheddingstarlight@gmail.com  She...

An angelic presence amongst a sea of black darkness; a witch with the power to unfurl and orchestrate memories. On this episode, we're joined by YouTube's Sonny Novus to discuss one of the most enigmatic presences in the Kingdom Hearts series: Naminé. CW: light discussion of abusive dynamics. Sonny Novus YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SonnyNovus (SPOILER WARNING: Sonny's videos a...

Who are all these HOT people in this CASTLE with the weird NAMES with X's in them? Why do they have flower powers? And they have numbers assigned to them? Don't worry, we're "smash or passing" each one. Spoiler alert: they're all smashes.  Thank you to Adrian, Flynn, and Dani for your questions on this episode! Next episode: Naminé & memory, with a special surpris...

Sterile white walls, a mysterious exterior, even more mysterious inhabitants. In our first episode of our new season on Re:Chain of Memories, we explore the game's main setting: Castle Oblivion. Mostly, what it can do and its connection to the mysterious cards of memory.  Thank you to Adrian, Ryan Flynn, Kestrel, and Andrew & the Couch Kids for your questions on this episode! Next episode...

We've gone through every topic we want to discuss about the very first Kingdom Hearts title; join us as we take you through a quick study guide through World Order, Heartless, losing your heart, the Princesses of Heart, Kairi, the Realms, Ansem's lost report, and Ansem's 13th report. Test your knowledge! https://bit.ly/3PqDWON Next time: Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories. Send in yo...

In this finale episode of the first season of Shedding Starlight, we look at clues given to us by the game's antagonist to see what the future may hold for the series. Heart, body, and soul. Heartless. Nobody. What will these new factors bring to us?  Thank you to Adrian and Lucas for your questions on this episode! Next season: Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories. Send your questions to sheddin...

“Ones born of the heart and darkness, devoid of hearts, ravage all worlds and bring desolation. Seize all hearts and consummate the great heart. All hearts to be one, one heart to encompass all. Realize the destiny: the realm of Kingdom Hearts. The great darkness sealed within the great heart. Progeny of darkness, come back to the eternal darkness. For the heart of light shall unseal the path. Sev...

One of the very last reports we gather in Kingdom Hearts is arguably one of the most important foundationally in the entire series: Ansem's 12th Report. It establishes the Realm of Light, the Realm of Darkness, and affirms Ansem's overall goal of finding "true nirvana." Well, where is it, and how do we find it? Thank you to Dyxo, Flynn, Kronsi, Shard of Truth, and Neronova888 f...

A secret held for the entire game: when confronted by darkness, Kairi dwelled within Sora's heart for refuge and safekeeping. This event set off many others that taught us so much about hearts, memories, and connections, events that are built upon for the rest of the series. This episode is required reading for homework down the line!  Thank you to Adrian, Dyxo, and crystalkey2294 for your qu...

Cinderella, Aurora, Belle, Jasmine, Snow White, Alice, and, of course, Kairi. These seven mistresses hold the key to the game's most important concept: the door to Kingdom Hearts. But what about Ariel, Wendy, and Jane? What are the reasons behind the women who got chosen, and what exactly are they capable of?  Thank you to Dani, ShardofTruth, Adrian, and Eric for your questions on this episod...

Losing your heart is a dangerous ordeal; undergoing a transformation to being a Heartless... it's not pretty. In this episode, we explore three characters who didn't quite follow the rules when it comes to separation of the heart: Sora, Kairi, and Ansem, and a quick deep dive into what happened with Riku. Thank you to EuphoniousGlow and Betwixtyiff for your questions on this episode! Nex...

A red heart encroached by thorns; we've all seen it, we all recognize the shape, and we know what we're fighting: the Heartless. Though, not every Heartless bears this symbol. In this episode, we explore Pureblood and Emblem Heartless, and why the red heart is the LEAST important distinction between the two.  Thank you to shadesofnier1, Kronsi, and Shard of Truth for your questions on th...

NOTICE: This episode used to be called "WorId Order," but a certain video streaming platform thought we had different intentions with that title. In all of Kingdom Hearts, it's only ever said once: WorId Order. For a phrase rarely mentioned in the dialogue, it's actually one of the most important building blocks to the whole series itself, taking Sora through the delicate balan...

Welcome to Shedding Starlight! In this short introductory episode, Hannah and Mel take you through a guide to the guide; what the show will look like, what to expect, and how YOU can be a part of it.  Shedding Starlight YouTube: https://youtube.com/@SheddingStarlight Shedding Starlight Patreon: patreon.com/SheddingStarlight Hannah's Twitter: https://twitter.com/hanmckinley Mel's Twitter:...

Kingdom Hearts is a series about love, friendship, good vs. evil, and light prevailing in the dark. Sounds simple? What about soul possession, human experimentation, and the end of times? The rumors are true, it’s deeper than you think.  We are Hannah and Mel, hosts of the podcast Shedding Starlight: A Guide to the Kingdom Hearts Mythos. If you’ve ever played the Kingdom Hearts games and wanted to...