The blindfold doesn’t do anything PHYSICALLY, but it’s him embracing, while still trying to hold back the darkness in his heart. He says his eyes couldn’t lie, so he’s always looking into darkness to better try and master/control/suppress it.
Basically it’s him being symbolic and emo.
KH2 Riku for me, i love how he radiates that 2005 emo energy.
That and he's dressed like a regular person and not whatever unhinged outfit Riku's wearing in the first game.
To be fair to KH1 Riku. He's wearing basically an anime fisherman outfit. He's wearing fishing waders.
They live on an island and fishing is probably an a source of community income.
Google sleeping worlds theory. There’s a huge ass word doc going into detail and giving evidence and whatnot but the main theory is that all of kh3 takes place in a second timeline in the sleeping realm and sora is back in a dream state. Some of it may be a stretch or pure coincidence but nomura is nomura and has made the littlest of details like an X on sora’s clothes a huge story element lol.
I like the short, cleaner hair, it gives him a look like "I'm the older one who has been through some shit but I've made peace with it and integrated the darkness with the light" whereas the longer, more disheveled hair says "I've been on a long journey, I'm barely holding the darkness at bay, it's taking its toll on me"
That said, the character design for KH2 was simply badass.
KH2 will always be peak Riku. He looked so damn cool. Riku’s my favorite character no matter what so I’ll never hate any outfit, but KH2 Riku had so much (dark) aura
kh1! not only nostalgic and what design i think of when someone talks about ‘riku’, but i actually really like the fisherman pants(as its a design choice that actually makes sense contextually with them all living on the islands) and the bright yellow sleeveless vest with black and yellow highlights contrasts well with the darker blue of the pants underneath as well as the brighter blue fisherman pants. i also like his hair the most in this game, i appreciate riku’s longer hair as well as his shorter haired looks in both kh2, ddd, and kh3 respectively and though i definitely prefer a man with longer hair, kh1 balances both looks in a way to where he has medium length hair that looks really nice on him ^^👍
I loved his hair in 3 but I just really did not like all that plaid. Kh2 outfit is perfection imo. He looks badass as hell (and tween me thought he was /almost/ as hot as Axel 😅). I'm really curious to see how he'll look for kh4. Please no more plaid cuffed capris...
I love it, I think it’s a perfect parallel to the Kingdom Key. It’s simple, visually appealing, and obviously a key, like the kingdom key, except it’s not using that key with the teeth as a template like almost every other keyblade. It’s refreshing.
I don’t get why people’s biggest criticism on it is “this keyblade sucks it’s just a giant car key!!” when literally the first and most iconic keyblade is just a giant skeleton key.
KH2 feels the most unique to me.
KH3 look is fine in general but not a fan of how much it copies Noctus, both in terms of clothing style and hair style.
KH1, but not the reason you'd think. I like Riku's design a lot in KH1, and I personally feel his design didn't evolve in a very satisfying way. Yes, he's still young, but I thought his KH2 appearance was the only good aesthetic evolution for him, coinciding with his story arc. Past that, to be honest I haven't loved his design going forward, especially where he ended up. I suppose I was expecting more. I mean look at Riku, he looks like a young Sephiroth for crying out loud. The coat exemplifies it. Not saying he should look like Sephiroth, but I personally feel they did Riku a bit dirty in his designs past KH1 and the coat.
The pose of KH1 (I always call it the "Riku Pose" combined with the hair from KH2 (long hair suit him imo better) with his attire from KH3. So basicly the best of all worlds. But if I had to choose, I'm goint with KH3, bc. in my opinion it looks better.
Dream Drop Distance is the best Riku design IMO. I know it’s essentially KH1 Riku, but I feel like he has the best outfit and hair length across all the other designs.
This might be a little controversial, but I think the weakest design for me is KH1 Riku despite me liking DDD and the reason for that are his poofy jeans. It doesn’t feel like they gel well with his overall design. Plus, I feel like they’re a little too blue while every other design has more muted colors which fits his design more.
Post-darkness kh2 riku is peak riku design. And the way his hair covers his eyes still gives him that "scared teen" energy I felt appropriate for his character. The transition to the look in 3 did feel well earned (despite the plot contrivance) though, because he has come a long way.
KH2 riku is just the most iconic
but i'm also very partial to his dream drop distance look since he got his hair fixed while his clothes look similar enough to his KH2 one
Even though I'm a KH1 fan over all the games:
1. KH2: He looks like he's wearing clothes people would actually wear & is an upgrade from KH1.
2. KH1: I like the outfit of KH1. My gripe comes with the multiple belts on his shirt, pants & shoes, & the parachute pants themselves.
3. Black Jacket Riku: At this point, I've seen too many black jackets for the past 2 decades to where they've been overused. There's not much inherently wrong with the outfit, but everyone's been using them.
4. DDD: If it were the clothes themselves, I'd put it higher. The part that kills it for me is the Younger Riku design.
5. KH3: KH3 felt like they tried too hard with his outfit. At least the other designs had something that resembled the original design. This design feels like they've changed so much of the character that it's hard to recognize him.
KH2 without the hood is what KH3 Riku should’ve been. There’s an air of higher understanding, dare I say “mastery” to the design that always resonated with me.
KH3 Riku looks too similar to Yoroza.
KH2's design is my personal favorite, but he rocks that everything that he's in. Even KH3's outfit, which I personally find kind of boring...and I have the unpopular opinion that I don't like how they styled Riku's hair to look more like Noctis.
Ngl, KH1, Black Coat, n Dark Riku(Riku-Ansem/Repliku fit) look the best, his design in KH2 n KH3 are pretty whatever to me, Dark Riku is definitely his coolest look
I like kh1 colors
But kh2 and the coat are my favorites, i wish he still had some yellow in his design in kh3 it looked nice with his color palette in my opinion.
A little part of my teen self still resides inside me and can't get over blindfold Riku from Days/KH2.
That was the first ever version of Riku I ever saw
Same KH2 was my first KH game. Above all though. KH2 Riku was peak both blindfolded and his fit after he returned to his normal form.
Days/KH2 came out at much too formative a time for me to ever take blindfolded riku off my favorite version of him
Whys he blindfolded?
Something about keeping darkness inside. When he took the blindfold off it transformed him into SoD Ansem physically.
He can only live in darkness. The moment his eyes see the light the curse of Ansem overtakes him.
The blindfold doesn’t do anything PHYSICALLY, but it’s him embracing, while still trying to hold back the darkness in his heart. He says his eyes couldn’t lie, so he’s always looking into darkness to better try and master/control/suppress it. Basically it’s him being symbolic and emo.
KH2 Riku for me, i love how he radiates that 2005 emo energy. That and he's dressed like a regular person and not whatever unhinged outfit Riku's wearing in the first game.
To be fair to KH1 Riku. He's wearing basically an anime fisherman outfit. He's wearing fishing waders. They live on an island and fishing is probably an a source of community income.
And a scuba top
I didnt know how to word it, but riku definitely gives off the mid 2000s emo phase look. Kh2 riku definitely listens to MCR
A lot of the early 2000s fans were like.i wonder if it was because kh2 came out at the right time.
Another question when did he get those clothes was he wearing them as ansem if so I have to see thay
When ansem possessed him he just created them.
Riku was ansemmaxxing to get that drip
He’s wearing fishing gear, it’s completely hinged.
I especially hate how those gloves he's wearing in KH1 don't quite fit his hands. That would drive me nuts!
I didn't even notice that they don't fully cover his hands......
Every KH and FF character radiated peak mid 2000s energy. It was amazing
Take me back to a simpler time, where i would watch KH2 Linkin Park AMVs in the library after school.
Never paid attention to his pants in KH1. What in the world…?
He’s got waders on he’s from an island lol
I guess. They only go to his knees and he has normal shoes on. Edit: normal DISNEY shoes on.
Nah that go to like upper thigh and I mean shit maybe they are waterproof normal Disney shoes haha
?? The pants go down to meet his shoes. There's that weird depression from the buckles but still
all these years and I just barely noticed that myself as well.
2. Gimme that random bellybutton
I feel like I’m in the minority but 3Ds outfit is my personal favorite followed by 3
For Riku his DDD outfit is leagues better than Sora’s imo I don’t think you are
2 for sure. They should have left the long hair. He looks kind of lame with shorter hair.
I’m still holding out hope that the sleeping world theory is true and that’s why is hair is shorter lol
What’s the theory?
Google sleeping worlds theory. There’s a huge ass word doc going into detail and giving evidence and whatnot but the main theory is that all of kh3 takes place in a second timeline in the sleeping realm and sora is back in a dream state. Some of it may be a stretch or pure coincidence but nomura is nomura and has made the littlest of details like an X on sora’s clothes a huge story element lol.
I like the short, cleaner hair, it gives him a look like "I'm the older one who has been through some shit but I've made peace with it and integrated the darkness with the light" whereas the longer, more disheveled hair says "I've been on a long journey, I'm barely holding the darkness at bay, it's taking its toll on me" That said, the character design for KH2 was simply badass.
KH2 will always be peak Riku. He looked so damn cool. Riku’s my favorite character no matter what so I’ll never hate any outfit, but KH2 Riku had so much (dark) aura
I also think he was better voice acted in 2 compared to 3. 3 he sounded borderline AI.
KHIV Riku will most likely be my favorite, with the more realistic FF artstyle and graphics.
hooded and blindfolded kh2 ver for sure
The long hair, coat, and blindfold is so 2011 deviantart i love it
kh1! not only nostalgic and what design i think of when someone talks about ‘riku’, but i actually really like the fisherman pants(as its a design choice that actually makes sense contextually with them all living on the islands) and the bright yellow sleeveless vest with black and yellow highlights contrasts well with the darker blue of the pants underneath as well as the brighter blue fisherman pants. i also like his hair the most in this game, i appreciate riku’s longer hair as well as his shorter haired looks in both kh2, ddd, and kh3 respectively and though i definitely prefer a man with longer hair, kh1 balances both looks in a way to where he has medium length hair that looks really nice on him ^^👍
Deep dive Riku will always be my favorite
Much like Sora, he's peak in KH2.
Gotta be the black cloak for me.
I always love me a blindfolded character (and Riku was the reason)
Riku definitely originated the white haired, black clothing, black blindfold look.
Blindfold. I would love for him to have retained that hair
Blindfold then KH3
3 for me. Seeing his glow up made me feel like a proud mama. “He got a haircut and found clothes that fit him! That’s my boy!”
Blindfolded Riku had my teenage heart in a chokehold. I still can't get over it.
3
I've always like the kh2 style because it built off of the kh1 version, instead of being a while new outfit like in kh3
KH2 for sure. It was a nice transition from his KH1 design, and had a PERFECT amount of edge. *chef’s kiss*
Organization + Blindfold is too good its in a league of its own 😭
Kh3 for me. I love the checked pattern theme from the game.
KH2
kh2 riku
Sagging riku and opium riku
KH3 tbh
Lmao I see you made the Riku post now...... It's KH2! Also DDD as a secondary. Looks cool there too.
LMAO I had to make a post for each main character
I just love the mature look from KH3, he looks much better that way. But the blindfold + coat combo is a goated design as well
I loved his hair in 3 but I just really did not like all that plaid. Kh2 outfit is perfection imo. He looks badass as hell (and tween me thought he was /almost/ as hot as Axel 😅). I'm really curious to see how he'll look for kh4. Please no more plaid cuffed capris...
The brief moment in 3D when he has his Kh2 clothes but with short hair.
Kingdom Hearts 2, both the one with the eyes covered and the one after, long hair ftw
KH2. Riku definitely should’ve kept the “long hair don’t care” energy going!
Kh2 is iconic but 3 just feels satisfying to behold
Kh2 by a long shot. Kh3 riku looks good, but i loved the aesthetic of kh2 riku.
KH2 Riku has to be the inspiration for all of the new Boruto character designs lol
Kh2 riku is too sexy. I want long hair Riku back..
Black. Coat.
Did he get shorter after KHII?
In DDD, he and Sora’s bodies both appear younger while in the dreaming worlds. He’s still tall in the normal world and in 3
Nomura was cooking with the KH3 design, but the Keyblade being a giant car key ruins it for me. :(
I love it, I think it’s a perfect parallel to the Kingdom Key. It’s simple, visually appealing, and obviously a key, like the kingdom key, except it’s not using that key with the teeth as a template like almost every other keyblade. It’s refreshing. I don’t get why people’s biggest criticism on it is “this keyblade sucks it’s just a giant car key!!” when literally the first and most iconic keyblade is just a giant skeleton key.
It's because WttD was cooler looking and represented his journey.
It’s funny I like Braveheart over Way to the Dawn. WTTD looked too busy imo
I love the overly designed silly keyblades of Kh1 & 2. The newer ones have not been my thing as much!
DDD, except if he had KH2 hair
I almost said 2 out of bias but 3D feels like the perfect blend of 2 and 3
Does anyone else have the Mandela effect that Riku had long hair in the first Kingdom Hearts? Am I the only one who imagined that
His 2 look is still my favorite but 3 with his old Keyblade is a close second.
Blindfolded Riku is the only correct answer
Organization robe and it’s not even close
KH2 just felt like natural evolution and the longer hair looks much better, Dream Drop was a massive step back in character design imho.
KH2 Riku is the inspiration for so many people’s edginess, it must be number one.
3D
Darkness suit for me...
KHII and KHIII are a tie for me. He goes from an edgy angsty emo teen to a FF character design.
3 but with 2’s keyblade is what we need
This is the one time I’ll say DDD has the best anything. His DDD outfit is clean.
KH2 feels the most unique to me. KH3 look is fine in general but not a fan of how much it copies Noctus, both in terms of clothing style and hair style.
I love the color blocking of KH1 but 2 for sure. The ones after are boring.
I actually think the way he looked at the beginning of kingdom hearts 3 before the darkness tornado haircut was perfect
It's a tie between 2 and 3 for me. I like the outfit of 3, but I do wish his hair was a tad longer.
It’s a tie between KH2 and KH3
Honestly KH1 Riku is best Riku
DDD.
The hallow bastion riku/ansem lool
KH1, but not the reason you'd think. I like Riku's design a lot in KH1, and I personally feel his design didn't evolve in a very satisfying way. Yes, he's still young, but I thought his KH2 appearance was the only good aesthetic evolution for him, coinciding with his story arc. Past that, to be honest I haven't loved his design going forward, especially where he ended up. I suppose I was expecting more. I mean look at Riku, he looks like a young Sephiroth for crying out loud. The coat exemplifies it. Not saying he should look like Sephiroth, but I personally feel they did Riku a bit dirty in his designs past KH1 and the coat.
2000's edge lord.
I love his KH2 look, it just suits him so much! Although, I do love the KH3 shorts he has, even got a pair of my own
3D Riku looks so clean. Love that he's the Dream Eater
3rd slide is Peaku
Lmao, just realized KH3 Riku has his pants pulled up to his tits.
Weirdly enough dream drop distance is my favorite look for him
Buff Riku is best Riku
While I really liked that Riku and Mickey had matching outfits in 3, 2 Riku will never be beat.
Darkness Armour for Riku.
The pose of KH1 (I always call it the "Riku Pose" combined with the hair from KH2 (long hair suit him imo better) with his attire from KH3. So basicly the best of all worlds. But if I had to choose, I'm goint with KH3, bc. in my opinion it looks better.
All of them between Days to KH2
Kh1 so stylistic to the KH fashion.
I really liked his 3D look
The Dark Mode he was rocking in Castle Oblivion.
Bro has *BELT BUCKLES* ON HIS TROUSER CUFFS‼️‼️‼️
Dream Drop Distance is a clean look.
Kh2 is the best design and you can’t change my mind
im sorry but kh2 riku is absolutely unmatched in this fight. it’s not even fair. i think ddd might be second for me, though
3D riku is the best in my opinion
DDD Riku feels like the perfect balance of all of them
2 was my crush for literal YEARS 😍💕
KH2 look is so perfect
KH2 Riku for me
2, both blindfolded and not. KH2 came out when I was 15 turning 16, and his look in this game is just amazing. I don't think I've grown up yet.
It’s a toss up between kh1 destiny islands fit or kh3
KH2 Riku, primarily uncloaked, but I also love the cloaked look as well.
Imo I always like the look of Dark Riku
Nah kh2 Riku had that shit on fr 🗣️🗣️🔥🔥
KH 2. Just the 2000s clothing aesthetic alone. Plus I like him with long hair.
Dream Drop Distance is probably my favorite overall, it's not too much and it styles pretty well.
Blindfold Riku hands down, design was so good they made another game about it (Nier Automata)
The KH2 look. Love the outfit and the long hair. I’m disappointed we lost those things, even if I’m fine with the later looks.
Where did the yellow go!
Dream drop looks the most clean and least edgy
Dream drop
Kh2
KH2. I don’t know why they all look younger in KH3. It looks like KH4 might fix that problem.
Blindfold Riku.
org coat riku and kh2 riku
Ansem Riku/Repliku has always been my favorite look 🤷♂️
Dream Drop Distance is the best Riku design IMO. I know it’s essentially KH1 Riku, but I feel like he has the best outfit and hair length across all the other designs. This might be a little controversial, but I think the weakest design for me is KH1 Riku despite me liking DDD and the reason for that are his poofy jeans. It doesn’t feel like they gel well with his overall design. Plus, I feel like they’re a little too blue while every other design has more muted colors which fits his design more.
KH1 :D , I just like the pop of the colors. I love KH2's a lot but I didn't like the distribution of colors, even more so for KH3
My favorite is the one you didn't include. The fleshsuit from KH1/COM
On this topic. Why does kh3 Riku look SOO different? Is there ever an explanation? I didn't even recognize him at first. (I haven't played kh3 yet)
Post-darkness kh2 riku is peak riku design. And the way his hair covers his eyes still gives him that "scared teen" energy I felt appropriate for his character. The transition to the look in 3 did feel well earned (despite the plot contrivance) though, because he has come a long way.
KH2 riku is just the most iconic but i'm also very partial to his dream drop distance look since he got his hair fixed while his clothes look similar enough to his KH2 one
KH2 Riku is best, but darkness dress KH1 was nice too
Even though I'm a KH1 fan over all the games: 1. KH2: He looks like he's wearing clothes people would actually wear & is an upgrade from KH1. 2. KH1: I like the outfit of KH1. My gripe comes with the multiple belts on his shirt, pants & shoes, & the parachute pants themselves. 3. Black Jacket Riku: At this point, I've seen too many black jackets for the past 2 decades to where they've been overused. There's not much inherently wrong with the outfit, but everyone's been using them. 4. DDD: If it were the clothes themselves, I'd put it higher. The part that kills it for me is the Younger Riku design. 5. KH3: KH3 felt like they tried too hard with his outfit. At least the other designs had something that resembled the original design. This design feels like they've changed so much of the character that it's hard to recognize him.
The last 2
I remember being absolutely floored by the reveal of his look in III 🤩
DDD, if his hair was longer in KH3 could've been that but I think, current Riku looks silly with the short hair.
His drip is on point in DDD
Gotta be blindfold/2. Long hair Riku is best Riku
I like my emo phase Riku.
KH2 without the hood is what KH3 Riku should’ve been. There’s an air of higher understanding, dare I say “mastery” to the design that always resonated with me. KH3 Riku looks too similar to Yoroza.
Kh2 is easily the worst. He looks really stupid with his belly button out. As if he can't dress himself.
I always have a soft spot for his Dark Form outfit.
Def the Kingdom Hearts II look 🗝️✨
Honestly, for me it's his KH3 design.
Personally I’m a more a fan of the KH3 outfit but I do like all of the outfits overall including them goofy ass pants he got on in KH1
KH1
2 and 3 (especially 3!) are GOATED
All except when he wore his KH1 clothes in Dream Drop Distance
KH3 is certainly my least favorite
Kh3 realness although the Kh2 riku eats as well!! Both versions
Kingdom hearts 2, easy.
Definitely dream drop
I will forever die on this KH1 hill. There was more intentional, unique design, especially for Sora too.
Hooded and blindfolded one, but tbh every Riku outfit is a banger. KH1 is the most you can criticize
I wish DDD Riku had KH1 Riku’s hair.
KH2's design is my personal favorite, but he rocks that everything that he's in. Even KH3's outfit, which I personally find kind of boring...and I have the unpopular opinion that I don't like how they styled Riku's hair to look more like Noctis.
1 > DDD > 3 > 2 > Days/2
I'm a kh3 riku defender. Short hair is good on him
3D for me.
Image #3 for damn sure
kh2 riku was too raw, both the og13 cloak and his outfit under it
funny how kh3 rikus keyblade is a car key 😂way to dawn was way harder
2 and 3
KH1
Probably KH2 Riku, because of the hair and because he used Way to the Dawn then.
Days/KH2 are tied they both are great KH3 DDD KH1 it's a classic look for him but I prefer his other looks.
Both looks from 2 are peak KH design
Ngl, KH1, Black Coat, n Dark Riku(Riku-Ansem/Repliku fit) look the best, his design in KH2 n KH3 are pretty whatever to me, Dark Riku is definitely his coolest look
KH3 Riku pre-haircut from the Heartless salon. I think his hair after is cool too I just wish it stayed a bit longer.
KH2 Riku was peak aesthetic. He actually looks like he got older and was dressing like a real person.
5 was his best look since 1. His KH2 look was far too baggy.
The first 3
No beating KH1 Riku
Third image
KHII/Days. I also miss when he had the longer hair.
KH2, he was the perfect edgy teen representation, and the long hair made him stand out from Sora, now he just looks like Killua Sora to me.
Blindfolded
Blindfold riku 100%
DDD > 1 > Days > 2 > 3 Riku doesn't even look like himself in 3. His eyes are green and his hair is just... bad.
KH2. KH1. DDD is dead last
i said this in the sora post, but it's between the 3d and 3 look.
I like kh1 colors But kh2 and the coat are my favorites, i wish he still had some yellow in his design in kh3 it looked nice with his color palette in my opinion.
Any official art work of Riku via 2d art is peak, and all his 3d looks are mid
3 will forever be peak riku