You’d be forgiven for thinking a game that came out on a handheld console in between numbered installments is just a simple side game, easily ignored. Unfortunately, you’d be dead wrong! Today we’re covering the plot of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, a deckbuilding action game for the Game Boy Advance, with one hell of an impact on the wider KH story. As Sora & friends climb the many floors of Castle Oblivion, their memories laying before them like an open book, a mysterious force known then only as “The Organization” rolls up the sleeves of their cool black coats and gets elbow-deep in there to mess things around - and along the way, introduces an absolute trove of characters, whose staying power in the series (much like Larxene’s sick-ass lightning attacks) may shock you. Sponsors - Dispatch, a superhero workplace comedy game where choices matter. Pick it up now for PC or PS5! - Cornbread Hemp, USDA-certified organic CBD products grown in Kentucky. Use code “simpleandclean” for 25% off your order at cornbreadhemp.com Credits - Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin - Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte - A member of  Multitude - Support us on Patreon About Us Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.  Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We welcome filmmaker, podcaster & avid gamer David Tilstra back to the show to check back in on his KH progress! Some of the biggest twists, the baddest fights, and the best story beats happen in the back half of Kingdom Hearts 1 - how do they stack up against David’s expectations from Disney, other games, and storytelling in general? How many times did it take him to finally beat Riku? And what’s he looking forward to from the rest of the series? Sponsors - Dispatch, a superhero workplace comedy game where choices matter. Pick it up now for PC or PS5! - Insert Coin - where you can get 10% off with code “SIMPLEANDCLEAN” at insertcoinclothing.com! Credits - Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin - Guest: David Tilstra - Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte - A member of Multitude - Support us on Patreon About Us Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.  Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Few intellectual properties are as well-protected as the iconic Disney Princesses™. So how did this quirky little game handle having so many all at once? Enter: the “Princesses of Heart,” a translation of the cultural weight of those princesses (and also Alice) into the Kingdom Hearts cosmology. Who made the cut? Who else was left on the bench? And why don’t they ever make eye contact with each other? It’s kind of weird, actually. Sponsors - GFW Clothing, button-up shirts for all bodies. Use the code “SIMPLE12” for 12% off your first order! Credits - Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin - Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte - A member of  Multitude - Support us on Patreon About Us Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.  Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As your world is crumbling to pieces all around you, and you fall into unknown depths of pure darkness… if you’re very lucky, you may find yourself deposited onto the gaslamp-lit streets of a cozy little haven. Today we’re talking about Traverse Town, the first hub world of Kingdom Hearts - packed tight with little shops, therapy dogs, and anything else you might need on your way through to worlds beyond, all who need shelter may call this place home, for however long they need it. (Which, y’know, might be a little less time overall, if Sora would quit goofing around and get to Keyblading already!) Sponsors - Cornbread Hemp, USDA-certified organic CBD products grown in Kentucky. Use code “simpleandclean” for 25% off your order at cornbreadhemp.com Credits - Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin - Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte - A member of  Multitude - Support us on Patreon About Us Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.  Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Recording artist Pom Pom Squad - aka Mia Berrin, Mayanna’s younger sister - hops into the booth to gush with us about the music of Kingdom Hearts. A complex & mature score for what is purportedly a game for children, full of rich character details for a sprawling ensemble, the score of these games manage to weave together some of the most well-known musical themes of all time, original compositions and motifs whose beauty rivals the masters of classical Western music, iconic J-pop anthems, and mid-2000s-era video game technology into tracks that still get stuck in our heads to this day. We also got Mia’s thoughts on video game music as a whole from the professional music-maker’s side, as well as some more of that delicious Berrin family lore. Sponsors - Insert Coin - where you can get 10% off with code “SIMPLEANDCLEAN” at insertcoinclothing.com! Credits - Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin - Guest: Pom Pom Squad - Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte - A member of Multitude - Support us on Patreon About Us Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.  Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if we told you there was a character vital to the Kingdom Hearts narrative and world in multiple ways, who possessed all the qualities that make Sora a hero and TWICE his raw magical potential, who starts their journey across the universe by bravely forging into darkness at the exact same time Sora does, who learns to wield the legendary Keyblade right alongside him… and yet we all shove this person into the back seat, just because she’s a girl? Well today we’re shining the spotlight she deserves onto Kairi: warrior of light, capital-P Princess, and real hero (damn it!) of the KH series. For an even deeper dive, check out Bio-Roxas’s video “Changing The Narrative | The Psychology of Kairi” Sponsors - GFW Clothing, button-up shirts for all bodies. Use the code “SIMPLE12” for 12% off your first order! Credits - Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin - Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte - A member of Multitude - Support us on Patreon About Us Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.  Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re so glad you’ve followed your heart back to us! Today we’re talking all about Hearts: what they are, what they can do, and why everybody wants ‘em so dang much. Not just the core of every person’s being, driving their every action - they’re also a source of limitless power, whose true nature eludes even the most learned scholars of the Kingdom Hearts universe. Could that true essence really be darkness, as Ansem, Seeker of Darkness theorizes? (Probably not - having that be your name sounds like confirmation bias waiting to happen.) Sponsors - Cornbread Hemp, USDA-certified organic CBD products grown in Kentucky. Use code “simpleandclean” for 25% off your order at cornbreadhemp.com Credits - Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin - Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte - A member of  Multitude - Support us on Patreon About Us Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.  Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to the beach! It’s very spooky here. Today we’re covering Destiny Islands, a little backwater world somehow drawn deep into the heart of everything. It’s home for Sora, Riku, Kairi, and so many more - it’s their safe place, the place where nothing bad could ever happen. So why do so many bad things keep happening to it? How do so many of the heroes and villains of this series find themselves inexplicably drawn to those vibrant shores? There’s something in that PS2-era bright-turquoise water, that’s for sure. Sponsors - Insert Coin - where you can get 10% off with code “SIMPLEANDCLEAN” at insertcoinclothing.com! Credits - Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin - Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte - A member of  Multitude - Support us on Patreon About Us Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.  Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“We’ve always been rivals, haven’t we?” This week we’re talking about Riku, best friend turned villain turned deuteragonist of Kingdom Hearts. He’s strong, he’s confident, he’s ambitious, and when others turn away in fear Riku dives in head-first… but of course, that also leaves him vulnerable to forces he hasn’t even begun to understand, and paves the way for ultimate darkness to overtake the universe. Can even those who fall so far into darkness find their way back to light, despite all they might have done to the people they loved? For all of our sakes, we sure hope so. Sponsors - GFW Clothing, button-up shirts for all bodies. Use the code “SIMPLE12” for 12% off your first order! Credits - Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin - Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte - A member of  Multitude - Support us on Patreon About Us Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.  Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mischa & Mayanna have been fans of Kingdom Hearts for a long time, they’ve dived deep into the lore… but there’s one thing they’ll never understand: what it’s like to first experience these games with a full adult brain! To that end they’ve invited Mayanna’s partner, filmmaker, podcaster & gamemaster David Tilstra, to give his impressions of the series as he progresses through them for the first time as a grown-up. How has a lifetime as an avid gamer affected how Kingdom Hearts looks & feels with fresh eyes? Was it worth the wait? Sponsors - Cornbread Hemp, USDA-certified organic CBD products grown in Kentucky. Use code “simpleandclean” for 25% off your order at cornbreadhemp.com Credits - Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin - Guest: David Tilstra - Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte - A member of Multitude - Support us on Patreon About Us Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.  Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s a big key, and you hit stuff with it… but of course, it’s also SO much more. We’re taking a look at Keyblades, the signature weapon of the series. Filled to the brim with personality, power, panache, and plot relevance, these unique weapons make Kingdom Hearts simultaneously iconic and ridiculous. We’ll unlock all the important info for you: What can they do? Where do they come from? Why are they special? What are they for? And of course, which ones are the prettiest? Sponsors  - Insert Coin - where you can get 10% off with code “SIMPLEANDCLEAN” at insertcoinclothing.com! Credits - Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin - Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte - A member of Multitude - Support us on Patreon About Us Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.  Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hop in the Gummi Ship with us and journey to Olympus Coliseum, the world of Disney’s Hercules - one of the most prolific Kingdom Hearts worlds (for some reason), and the KH capital for death, heroes, and seemingly-random yet oddly resonant Final Fantasy cameos. Under the shadow of warriors both triumphant and fallen, it’s here that Sora learns what it means to be a capital-H Hero - and where we all learn exactly what Disney and Square Enix think it means too. Sponsors - Gender Free World, button-up shirts for all bodies. Use the code “SIMPLE12” for 12% off your first order! - Please help us out by filling out the Multitude Summer Survey! Credits - Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin - Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte - A member of Multitude - Support us on Patreon About Us Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.  Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oh Sora, the boy that you are! We start our dive into the KH series by covering the protagonist of (most of) the games, and the moral center around which the entire KH universe revolves. And sure, he has to be that way to be the main character of a game about love and connection - but where does that leave him? Does relying on his friends make him weak? Does believing in goodness make him dumb? And the most important question of all: Why are his shoes so big?? Sponsors - Cornbread Hemp, USDA-certified organic CBD products grown in Kentucky. Use code simpleandclean for 25% off your order at cornbreadhemp.com Credits - Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin - Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte - A member of Multitude - Support us on Patreon About Us Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.  Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hello, nice to meet you! We’re Mischa & Mayanna, and we love Kingdom Hearts. Allow us to introduce ourselves, say what we’re about, and explain why we want to spend so much time talking about this silly game series to you all. We can’t wait to get started! Credits - Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin - Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte - A member of  Multitude - Support us on Patreon About Us Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.  Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If we’re gonna make any amount of sense of this series, we have to start at the beginning: Kingdom Hearts. The story of three friends who wanted to see worlds beyond their own, and ended up with much more than they bargained for… and also every Disney character, just for good measure. And because we know that our friends are our power, we invite along our friend Oscar Montoya to help us find our way in the darkness, and drill down to the fundamental metaphor of this first of the franchise. Sponsors - Insert Coin - where you can get 10% off with code  “SIMPLEANDCLEAN” at insertcoinclothing.com! Credits - Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin - Guest: Oscar Montoya - Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte - A member of Multitude - Support us on Patreon About Us Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.  Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird  little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I've been having these weird thoughts lately... Like, is any of this for real, or not? Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.  Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday! Credits - Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin - Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte - A member of  Multitude See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.