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Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days #1
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days Vol. 1
Soon after his birth as a Nobody, Roxas joins the mysterious Organization XIII, knowing nothing of his identity. With the help of Axel, another member of the Organization, and the mysterious No. 14, who is also missing her memories, Roxas slowly begins to learn what it takes to be a part of Organization XIII...and what it means to have a heart.
198 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
27 people are currently reading
1071 people want to read
About the author
Shiro Amano
133 books239 followersShiro Amano (天野 シロ, born January 4, 1976) is a Japanese manga artist who has worked on several projects, including his adaptation on the popular Kingdom Hearts series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
October 24, 2017
I love Kingdom Hearts so much, and Roxas is my fave, so I am very glad that I am finally reading this series of the KH manga. I think that these volumes will be actually be better than the game. Even though I liked the game (again, Roxas is my fave), it wasn't the best in the series so the manga could be an improvement over it. Very excited to continue with it!
February 27, 2015
Having followed the KH series for a long time, both games and manga, I was somewhat worried when I saw they were turning this entry into the KH saga into a manga. The original game was only so-so and certainly wasn't my favorite in the series *is shot by Organization fans*, and after having read and been disappointed with Kingdom Hearts II, Vol. 2, I started this with trepidation.
I was WOWED by this volume. And I mean WOWED. Granted, I came in expecting to read the first volume and drop the series, but that's beside the point. Somehow, the episodic nature of 358/2 Days translated FAR better to manga than KH1 and 2 did. It also helped that we had Roxas's thoughts as they were happening (whereas in the game we had to read Roxas's diary afterword). Also, the art seemed a step up from previous volumes, and the quirky-art-moments were more well-placed.
This probably is not a good place to start the KH series, but you could probably read this one without reading KH2's manga (so, just read KH1's and CoM's).
EDIT UPON FINISHING THE SERIES: Even if you've played the game, read the manga. So much has been fleshed out and improved upon compared to the series. It actually made me like Xion and hope to see her in future installments, and I didn't much care for her after the original game.
I was WOWED by this volume. And I mean WOWED. Granted, I came in expecting to read the first volume and drop the series, but that's beside the point. Somehow, the episodic nature of 358/2 Days translated FAR better to manga than KH1 and 2 did. It also helped that we had Roxas's thoughts as they were happening (whereas in the game we had to read Roxas's diary afterword). Also, the art seemed a step up from previous volumes, and the quirky-art-moments were more well-placed.
This probably is not a good place to start the KH series, but you could probably read this one without reading KH2's manga (so, just read KH1's and CoM's).
EDIT UPON FINISHING THE SERIES: Even if you've played the game, read the manga. So much has been fleshed out and improved upon compared to the series. It actually made me like Xion and hope to see her in future installments, and I didn't much care for her after the original game.
October 16, 2022
Kingdom Hearts-saaga jatkuu. Nyt seikkaillaan salaperäisen XIII organisaation piirissä ja selvitetään outoja tapahtumia.
Tämä on siis suoraa jatkoa Kingdom Hearts Final mixille ja Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories-sarjoille ja ilman niiden lukemista voi kokemus jäädä hieman pinnalliseksi.
Ja pakko tunnustaa, että rakastan tämän sarjan kuvituksia 😍 Ne ovat vain niin upeita ja elokuvamaisia. Ne kuljettavat tarinaa ja rakentavat upeita kohtauksia, joita vain pysähtyy ihailemaan 🥰 Ai että.... *Syvä huokaus*
Suosittelen tätä kirjaa kaikille, jotka ovat lukeneet edelliset osat ja ovat kiinnostuneita mangasta, seikkailuista ja upeasta kuvituksesta 😊
Tämä on siis suoraa jatkoa Kingdom Hearts Final mixille ja Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories-sarjoille ja ilman niiden lukemista voi kokemus jäädä hieman pinnalliseksi.
Ja pakko tunnustaa, että rakastan tämän sarjan kuvituksia 😍 Ne ovat vain niin upeita ja elokuvamaisia. Ne kuljettavat tarinaa ja rakentavat upeita kohtauksia, joita vain pysähtyy ihailemaan 🥰 Ai että.... *Syvä huokaus*
Suosittelen tätä kirjaa kaikille, jotka ovat lukeneet edelliset osat ja ovat kiinnostuneita mangasta, seikkailuista ja upeasta kuvituksesta 😊
November 15, 2017
As a fan of the Kingdom Hearts series, 358/2 Days was one of my favorites in the series. I like Roxas and the life he spent in Organization XIII through out the whole series. I found every character in Organization XIII to be quite interesting, including some characters that I despised with a passion in the games for "specific reasons". this manga gave me laughs and feels from start to finish, and I enjoyed it all the way.
September 5, 2014
2 many feels n0pe
April 15, 2018
So I checked this book out when it was covered with paper for Blind Date with a Book. I kinda guessed it was Kingdom Hearts because manga + Disney cover description. Initially it was a little silly for me. I don't understand why the organization's members don't have hearts and why Kingdom Hearts exists. What is going on with Roxas and Xion? Do they know each other from before? Do they have other identities they don't remember? Yeah, I guess I'm supposed to keep reading to find out.
Note: I own at least one Kingdom Hearts game but have never played it. I like Final Fantasy (I've played FF 4-10 and 13 + 13-2.. and Tactics) and Disney separately, but the mix seems really weird to me. I think I recognized the butt of a duck (Donald?) on one page, but no overt Disney-ness yet. Probably will read the next one.
Note: I own at least one Kingdom Hearts game but have never played it. I like Final Fantasy (I've played FF 4-10 and 13 + 13-2.. and Tactics) and Disney separately, but the mix seems really weird to me. I think I recognized the butt of a duck (Donald?) on one page, but no overt Disney-ness yet. Probably will read the next one.
November 25, 2025
I have not played this game, but I have seen Let's Plays of it, so I know enough about it. Seeing the Org XIII members in this manga was so enjoyable, especially from Roxas's perspective was a lot of fun!
I will say this is an abridged version of the game, with a lot of bits not in the game, but it was still a lot of fun to read.
I think people who haven't played or watched Let's Play's of the game might be a bit lost as to how things happen and why.
I will say this is an abridged version of the game, with a lot of bits not in the game, but it was still a lot of fun to read.
I think people who haven't played or watched Let's Play's of the game might be a bit lost as to how things happen and why.
March 18, 2018
There’s something so magical about Kingdom Hearts, but I love the tragedy that is 358/2 Days. This manga volume really pulls at your heart strings near the end, and if you already played the game then you know how it all plays out. But I love all of the little jokes and comedic relief bits that they’ve added in.
March 15, 2022
Been a while since I read these, so I'm reading them again.
I really like how the humor and overall way the story is told morphed in these. Some of the jokes are still eye-rollingly silly, like in the KHI section of the books, but the author was able to take some creative liberties with the world in the manga that differ from the game in interesting and fun ways.
I really like how the humor and overall way the story is told morphed in these. Some of the jokes are still eye-rollingly silly, like in the KHI section of the books, but the author was able to take some creative liberties with the world in the manga that differ from the game in interesting and fun ways.
February 14, 2021
Really love the kingdom hearts manga’s and video games! This is probably my favorite KH series so far😻👌😁❤️
February 4, 2022
I'm not ready for the pain but I love the writing and comedy here 🥺 its just gold! 👌
July 9, 2024
Super interesting, this hinted at Marluxia's and Larxene's identity even back then. Didn't expect that little easter egg.
November 17, 2019
I love this book. I really enjoy reading about my favorite video game series, Kingdom Hearts. ~ Lizzie :)
October 9, 2021
This was probably the most hilarious manga I’ve ever read. I was laughing every two seconds 😂
July 23, 2018
With the long awaited announcement of the release date of Kingdom Hearts 3, I felt like I really wanted to read some Kingdom Hearts 2 manga. But 358/2 Days was all I had in my possession, so I settled for it instead.
Honestly, I'm really confused. I knew about Xion, I know what happens to her and what she is and why she can't use the keyblade when Roxas is using it. However, I'm still so confused. Does this take place before or after the events of Kingdom Hearts 2? Because, I've only read the first volume of that as well but Roxas seems to also have no memory of the Nobodies and fighting the Heartless, etc. Where in 358/2 Days he has no memories AT ALL to the point where he's just a shell, a zombie, until Axel teaches him how to live without a heart, and makes memories with him.
It has been two years since I really touched anything Kingdom Hearts related so I don't remember a lot, which made me really confused. If I better understood what I was reading, maybe I would have given this a fourth star.
Honestly, I'm really confused. I knew about Xion, I know what happens to her and what she is and why she can't use the keyblade when Roxas is using it. However, I'm still so confused. Does this take place before or after the events of Kingdom Hearts 2? Because, I've only read the first volume of that as well but Roxas seems to also have no memory of the Nobodies and fighting the Heartless, etc. Where in 358/2 Days he has no memories AT ALL to the point where he's just a shell, a zombie, until Axel teaches him how to live without a heart, and makes memories with him.
It has been two years since I really touched anything Kingdom Hearts related so I don't remember a lot, which made me really confused. If I better understood what I was reading, maybe I would have given this a fourth star.
June 10, 2015
Review is for the entire series.
Maybe it's the slower pace, but, once again, I enjoyed this more than the first Kingdom Hearts manga series and definitely more than Chain of Memories. Even when Roxas visits all the worlds that we've seen over and over again, this series manages to give it a new twist. Which might have something to do with the drawing style, which felt smoother and more detailed than all the others.
Some of the plot did feel overdone and repetitive, but I enjoyed the relationship between Roxas, Xion, and Axel. I wanted even more! ...with a side of sea salt ice cream.
I'd actually recommend going straight from KH to this, then into KHII. Or maybe even skipping over KH if you've played the game already.
Maybe it's the slower pace, but, once again, I enjoyed this more than the first Kingdom Hearts manga series and definitely more than Chain of Memories. Even when Roxas visits all the worlds that we've seen over and over again, this series manages to give it a new twist. Which might have something to do with the drawing style, which felt smoother and more detailed than all the others.
Some of the plot did feel overdone and repetitive, but I enjoyed the relationship between Roxas, Xion, and Axel. I wanted even more! ...with a side of sea salt ice cream.
I'd actually recommend going straight from KH to this, then into KHII. Or maybe even skipping over KH if you've played the game already.
May 23, 2017
These were a great manga representation of the game! I feel that the author/illustrator did a great job capturing the essence of the characters especially the nuances of each organization member and the antics of the Dusks. Seriously, I was smiling if I wasn't having feelings about certain Nobodies...
April 4, 2023
I love all my goofy little guys in their dumb little organization
October 3, 2017
I'm kind of surprised how much I liked the manga adaptations of Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, especially since the actual game was sort of a miss for me. I found the the pacing of the game glacial and the feeling of the Org XIII Headquarters very bleak. However, the manga goes along steadily and the interaction between the Organization members is really entertaining.
It seems like the strange humor that occurs in the previous mangas (KH1, Chain of Memories, and KH2) is better managed. I never really understood why people liked the nobodies of Organization XIII so much. From playing the games, I just couldn't relate or sympathize with any of them, but Roxas and Axel. However, I legitimately liked a few of the members by the end of this manga series. Reading 358/2 before I read the KH2 manga series paid unexpected dividends, because I was able to enjoy the humorous interactions between Sora and the Org XIII members so much more.
By the way, can anyone confirm that Demyx is the Org XIII member that gets blasted by the Claymore system in the 2nd KH2 manga? Because that would have been even more HILARIOUS than it already was if true.
Anyway, there's a good improvement in the overall quality of this manga adaptation. The art is consistently good. The story is well managed, even with the extras thrown in. I really get a sense of Roxas, Axel, and Xion's "feelings" throughout. I would absolutely recommend this series to anyone who wants greater insight into the characters and story line between KH1 and KH2.
It seems like the strange humor that occurs in the previous mangas (KH1, Chain of Memories, and KH2) is better managed. I never really understood why people liked the nobodies of Organization XIII so much. From playing the games, I just couldn't relate or sympathize with any of them, but Roxas and Axel. However, I legitimately liked a few of the members by the end of this manga series. Reading 358/2 before I read the KH2 manga series paid unexpected dividends, because I was able to enjoy the humorous interactions between Sora and the Org XIII members so much more.
By the way, can anyone confirm that Demyx is the Org XIII member that gets blasted by the Claymore system in the 2nd KH2 manga? Because that would have been even more HILARIOUS than it already was if true.
Anyway, there's a good improvement in the overall quality of this manga adaptation. The art is consistently good. The story is well managed, even with the extras thrown in. I really get a sense of Roxas, Axel, and Xion's "feelings" throughout. I would absolutely recommend this series to anyone who wants greater insight into the characters and story line between KH1 and KH2.
November 1, 2016
My Book Review
Kingdom Hearts 356/2 days gives us a strong view over the Kingdom Hearts series. The story shows us some parts of what happened in KH1 and KH2. I strongly recommend this book if you like Kingdom Hearts. It shows you the in between line of the main series games. The main plot is how there is a new Organization 13 member and their name is Xion, user of the KeyBlade. She is connect to Roxas in more ways than one. They share Sora’s Memory. The more that Xion is hanging around Roxas, the more she regains that Memory. While Roxas dreams those Memory’s, Xion has flashbacks during Battles, talking to someone, etc. I would rate this book 9 out of 10. The reason that I didn't give it 10 out of 10 is because the story isn't the same as the videogame. The videogame for the DS is different than the book, because they were in made in different years. If you like Anime and Manga, then, you should read this book.
Kingdom Hearts 356/2 days gives us a strong view over the Kingdom Hearts series. The story shows us some parts of what happened in KH1 and KH2. I strongly recommend this book if you like Kingdom Hearts. It shows you the in between line of the main series games. The main plot is how there is a new Organization 13 member and their name is Xion, user of the KeyBlade. She is connect to Roxas in more ways than one. They share Sora’s Memory. The more that Xion is hanging around Roxas, the more she regains that Memory. While Roxas dreams those Memory’s, Xion has flashbacks during Battles, talking to someone, etc. I would rate this book 9 out of 10. The reason that I didn't give it 10 out of 10 is because the story isn't the same as the videogame. The videogame for the DS is different than the book, because they were in made in different years. If you like Anime and Manga, then, you should read this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2018
Lo compré por pura nostalgia. El 358/2 days es mi videojuego favorito (siempre que lo juego lloro), y les tengo muchísimo cariño a los personajes. Así que cuando vi que tenían los primeros tomos en Norma comics, me los tuve que comprar (en realidad, me compré primero este, y una semana después el siguiente).
No leo manga, así que no puedo comparar las ilustraciones con otras, pero me han parecido una maravilla (sobre todo las de la torre del reloj de Villa Crepúsculo). Es muy fiel al juego, y bastante más divertido: a veces hay casi más memes que trama entre sus páginas.
Si le tienes tanto cariño a Roxas, Axel, Xion y el resto como les tengo yo, es una buena adquisición. No me ha cambiado la vida, pero nunca está de más visitar de nuevo el mundo de las llaves espada y los incorpóreos, buscando respuestas y un corazón.
No leo manga, así que no puedo comparar las ilustraciones con otras, pero me han parecido una maravilla (sobre todo las de la torre del reloj de Villa Crepúsculo). Es muy fiel al juego, y bastante más divertido: a veces hay casi más memes que trama entre sus páginas.
Si le tienes tanto cariño a Roxas, Axel, Xion y el resto como les tengo yo, es una buena adquisición. No me ha cambiado la vida, pero nunca está de más visitar de nuevo el mundo de las llaves espada y los incorpóreos, buscando respuestas y un corazón.
March 18, 2020
I love Roxas and company so much better than Sora and company. Donald and Goofy are kinda annoying and an eye sore. The Disney side stories typically done in Kingdom Hearts are also really shallow and boring. I've always preferred the Kingdom Hearts original plot, even though it is convoluted and strange. It's refreshing to see the main protagonists all being Kingdom Hearts original characters.
There is something about the story of friendship that hits differently when the characters aren't goofy looking anthropomorphic characters. The story about friendship is delivered more seriously and sincerely. It's heart warming to see the friendship develop between Roxas and Axel. I also love the Organization. They were among my favorite characters in the game, so seeing more focus on them as characters, even doing mundane things, was adorable to me.
There is something about the story of friendship that hits differently when the characters aren't goofy looking anthropomorphic characters. The story about friendship is delivered more seriously and sincerely. It's heart warming to see the friendship develop between Roxas and Axel. I also love the Organization. They were among my favorite characters in the game, so seeing more focus on them as characters, even doing mundane things, was adorable to me.
February 8, 2022
Na minha opnião, 358/2 Days é um dos poucos jogos de Kingdom Hearts que valem a pena jogar pela história, pois, apesar de ainda ser a confusão que é Kingdom Hearts, o foco dele na Organização e no trio principal, junto a repetição, ajuda bastante a amenizar a confusão que é o lore de Kingdom Hearts.
Este mangá não é diferente. Muito pelo contrário, ele reforça a personalidade dos personagens, adiciona humor em algumas cenas, e é o primeiro mangá de Kingdom Hearts onde eu não senti que a história foi apressada demais.
Ao menos neste primeiro volume, excelente. É um inicio promissor para a melhor história da série.
Este mangá não é diferente. Muito pelo contrário, ele reforça a personalidade dos personagens, adiciona humor em algumas cenas, e é o primeiro mangá de Kingdom Hearts onde eu não senti que a história foi apressada demais.
Ao menos neste primeiro volume, excelente. É um inicio promissor para a melhor história da série.
June 17, 2022
Love it
I played 358/2 Days so I know the overall story, but the manga really adds to it. It takes advantage of the format to insert some visual comedy and character reactions. Another thing I like is it ties directly with the events of Chain of Memories so it’s easier to understand 358/2 Days place in the timeline sense both stories take place simultaneously which wasn’t as easily understood if all you did was play the games. Anyway it’s a really good manga and Roxas and Xion are both adorable.
I played 358/2 Days so I know the overall story, but the manga really adds to it. It takes advantage of the format to insert some visual comedy and character reactions. Another thing I like is it ties directly with the events of Chain of Memories so it’s easier to understand 358/2 Days place in the timeline sense both stories take place simultaneously which wasn’t as easily understood if all you did was play the games. Anyway it’s a really good manga and Roxas and Xion are both adorable.
May 26, 2023
I haven’t read any of the Kingdom Hearts manga, so I definitely feel like I’m missing a big chunk of the story. There just wasn’t a lot of information in this book - someone (for an unknown reason) wakes up one day with no memory and no heart? And some of them (also with no explanation) are able to harvest hearts from other creatures, but not use them for themselves. It seems like they may be the bad guys in the Kingdom Hearts story, but they don’t think they are, and I don’t really have any basis for that thought, just kind of a hunch.
October 7, 2024
Roxas knows only that he must use the Keyblade to collect hearts for himself and the other members of Organization XIII, but as he befriends others like Axel and the mysterious Xion, he ponders what it means to be without a heart, and what their leader Xemnas sees in him...Amano begins another fun and exciting adaptation with this entertaining first entry, its vibrant sense of humour and emotion a delight in every panel. Where did Roxas come from, and can he pull his weight amongst the rest of this strange organization?
April 14, 2022
As someone who honestly doesn't care about "358/2 Days", this adds a cute element to an otherwise extended version of the sad story between Roxas and Xion. So many funny and small details add to the experience, making it special from the video game. So yes, as a fellow Kingdom Hearts fan, this is still a fun experience.
August 9, 2017
"Pitiful Heartless, mindlessly collecting hearts. The rage of the Keyblade releases those hearts. They gather in darkness, masterless and free... until they weave together to make Kingdom Hearts. And when that time comes, we can truly, finally exist"
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews