Since the start of the series, Final Fantasy has been an important part of Kingdom Heartsidentity, with a variety of characters appearing throughout the franchise. While Kingdom Hearts 3 moved away from Final Fantasy representation compared to previous entries, Kingdom Hearts 4 has the chance to double down on cameos thanks to a revival of Final Fantasy in recent years. One of the best ways to innovate Final Fantasy representation in Kingdom Hearts 4 is to introduce a new secret boss similar to Sephiroth in previous titles.
Although the popularity of Final Fantasy 7 the remake trilogy has made Sephiroth and the rest of the game's cast more relevant than ever, there is a large roster of characters from Final Fantasys history still untapped i Kingdom Hearts franchise. Although it is easy to see how the updated version of Sephiroth from Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth could make an interesting twist on the villain's previous appearances in the Kingdom Heartsincluding him as a secret boss again could feel like retreading old ground. As such, Kingdom Hearts 4 should see to some of Final Fantasys other iconic enemies to create a new secret boss who can go toe to toe with Sephiroth.
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Kingdom Hearts 4 has the lion's share of potential Final Fantasy Secret Bosses to choose from
Classic Final Fantasy villains who could be Kingdom Hearts 4 Secret Bosses
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Garland (Final Fantasy 1)
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Kefka (Final Fantasy 6)
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Ultimecia (Final Fantasy 8)
With Final Fantasys original villain, Garland, more fleshed out thanks to Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Originthere is room for the character and his alter ego Chaos to threaten Sora into Kingdom Hearts 4. Kefka from Final Fantasy 6 is another good option, with his iconic status in the franchise almost on par with Sephiroth's, and the potential for a multi-phase fight as the final encounter in his home match to compete intensely Kingdom Hearts boss fights like Ansem from the original and Xemnas from Kingdom Hearts 2 be incredibly high. Final Fantasy 8's Ultimiecia would be a good counterbalance to Sephiroth as a notable female antagonist and would fit with the other FF8 characters like Squall/Leon, Selphie and Seifer who have already appeared in the series.
Modern Final Fantasy Villains That Could Be Kingdom Hearts 4 Secret Bosses
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Ardyn Izunia (Final Fantasy 15)
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Barnabas Tharmr (Final Fantasy 16)
Even more relevant than classic Final Fantasy villains would be antagonists from recent games that Final Fantasy 15is Ardyn or Final Fantasy 16is Barnabas. Ardyn would work particularly well as a secret boss in Kingdom Hearts 4 if Noctis appears as an ally since the attacks he uses in his FF15 boss fight mirror Noctis own. Barnabas could be an even more menacing secret boss since he's dominated by Eikon Odin, which would be a great way to pit Sora against a classic Final Fantasy call.
The Final Fantasy 7 Remake Trilogy Shouldn't Make Sephiroth a Kingdom Hearts 4 Shoo-in
Despite Sephiroth's prominence in the ongoing Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy, the great potential others Final Fantasy villains hold as secret bosses in Kingdom Hearts 4 should be explored over FF7 villain. Sephiroth has already appeared as a secret boss in Kingdom Hearts 1 and Kingdom Hearts 2as a fighter in Olympus Coliseum, respectively as an optional boss fight in Radiant Garden. While these fights are memorable to be sure, they largely showcased Sephiroth's potential as a boss in Kingdom Hearts universe.
With Kingdom Hearts 4 to start a new story arc in the franchise, it would be the perfect opportunity for the series to completely reboot its Final Fantasy element. Then Final Fantasy 7 remake the trilogy already gives players plenty of opportunities to fight Sephiroth, including him as a secret boss again Kingdom Hearts 4 could feel repetitive. Instead, the game can create a whole new experience for players by pitting Sora against one of them Final Fantasy the series' many other villains for a secret boss fight.