Summary

  • A Kingdom Hearts fan noticed a keyblade reference in an episode of PAW Patrol.
  • The pose and giant key held by Toodles the Clown in the show resemble Sora from Kingdom Hearts.
  • Fans speculate that animators purposefully included the reference.

One Kingdom Hearts fan was met with an incredible surprise after discovering a reference while watching the children's show PAW Patrol. The Kingdom Hearts series is well-known for including Disney film references and locations, though it has never been made into a proper show.

The Kingdom Hearts franchise began in 2002 with the eponymous Kingdom Hearts, following protagonists Sora, Goofy, and Donald through various Disney-themed worlds to fight against the enemy known as the Heartless. Since the first game's release, the series has seen three main installments across over 15 total entries. Now, fans eagerly await the release of Kingdom Hearts 4, also known as the beginning of the end. Some fans couldn't contain their excitement and managed to sneak a reference to the franchise as a whole into an episode of PAW Patrol.

While watching an episode of PAW Patrol titled Pups Save a Clown, Reddit user AffectionateSpite160 noticed Toodles the Clown's peculiarly familiar pose. In the episode, Toodles strikes a pose similar to Sora from the Kingdom Hearts franchise after he has completed a combo. To complete the look, he even wields a giant key that resembles the keyblade. Many commentators immediately flooded the replies, stating that the animators definitely knew what they were doing. Toodles is holding a giant purple and silver key in the air, much like a sword, while bent down with one hand on the floor. When put side-by-side with an image of Sora in the same pose, it's uncanny. Despite Kingdom Hearts 4 being a reset for Sora's story, it seems that fans will still see remnants of the protagonist in other media.

Kingdom Hearts Fan Notices a Keyblade Reference in PAW Patrol

The reference to the keyblade in this episode of PAW Patrol is unmistakable, with some commentators theorizing that the animators were surely laughing among themselves while making it. Another commentator notes that, despite it being such a clever crossover, children might not even realize the homage. In the sea of replies, a different user made an even keener discovery: the key that Toodles is holding vaguely resembles the Starlight keyblade from Kingdom Hearts 3. Both blades are silver with purple-blue handles, so it's easy to see where the connection is being made.

Whether it's an episode of PAW Patrol or any other medium, Kingdom Hearts fans would likely agree that finding a reference to the franchise isn't easy. Hopefully, amid the hype surrounding Kingdom Hearts 4 and the beginning of the Lost Master Arc, more references to the Kingdom Hearts franchise will find their way to other television shows.

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Kingdom Hearts Tag Page Cover Art

Kingdom Hearts
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Action RPG
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Systems
PlayStation-1
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Released
September 17, 2002
ESRB
E for Everyone: Violence
Developer(s)
Square Enix
Publisher(s)
Square Enix
Engine
Unreal Engine 4
Cross-Platform Play
android, ios
Cross Save
yes
Franchise
Kingdom Hearts
Steam Deck Compatibility
yes
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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Kingdom Hearts follows a young boy named Sora and a cast of beloved Disney icons like Donald Duck, Goofy, and Mickey Mouse, as they fight back against the forces of the Darkness and the Heartless.

Platform(s)
PS2
Genre(s)
Action RPG
How Long To Beat
29 Hours
X|S Optimized
no
PS Plus Availability
Extra & Premium