Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance contains a combination of characters from Disney films, Square Enix games, and a cast of original characters made specifically for the Kingdom Hearts series. This game's main protagonists are Sora and Riku, arguably the two most popular characters in the series.
In addition to the characters mentioned below, there are dozens who appear on individual worlds or otherwise have minor roles.
Sora[edit]
This fifteen-year old boy is the traditional hero of the Kingdom Hearts series. He is best friends with Riku and Kari, and grew up with them on the Destiny Islands. However, after darkness attacked those islands, he was chosen by the Keyblade. Since then, he has been to dozens of worlds, saving them from various threats, and has defeated some of the most menacing characters the worlds have ever seen.
Sora is a classical hero, being brave, loyal, and protective. He is an optimist, always viewing the best parts of the people and worlds he meets, and ready to forgive those who have seen the error of their ways. That said, Sora is somewhat gullible and simple-minded, making him easy to fool and manipulate.
Sora is obsessed with both his friends and the concept of friendship in general. He considers this, rather than the Keyblade, to be the source of his considerable power. Combined with his gregarious demeanor, this means that Sora constantly makes friends on the new worlds he visits, though he clearly considers his closest friends to be even more important.
Riku[edit]
Sora's best friend and fellow Keyblade wielder. Sixteen-year-old Riku is a major character in the Kingdom Hearts universe, though this is only the second time he's been a main playable character. Although Riku once allowed darkness into him, he has since trapped in inside his heart, allowing him to wield a Keyblade. However, despite having accomplishments that nearly match Sora's, he often questions his ability to keep the darkness locked away and his qualifications as a Keyblade wielder.
At a glance, Riku can be described as "emo," but there is more to his character than that. He shares many traits in common with Sora, including his bravery and devotion to his friends. However, while Sora is hot-headed and impulsive, Riku is calm and collected.
One of Riku's most valuable traits is his thoughtfulness and introspection. He is very aware of how he's done wrong in the past, and seeks to improve himself, often by using Sora as a role model. Riku is also more clever and savvy than Sora, giving him more control of his own destiny.
King Mickey[edit]
The King of Disney Castle and a Keyblade Master. He was among the first of the protagonists to take action against the rising threats at the start of Kingdom Hearts, helping to launch the events of the game. Since then, he has done many things to aid Sora and Riku, becoming especially close friends with the latter.
Mickey in the Kingdom Hearts series has much in common with his traditional appearances in Disney animation. On one hand, he is as friendly and loyal as ever, respected by the denizens of his kingdom. On the other hand, he is something of a mischievous soul, particularly before he became King.
Donald Duck[edit]
Donald is the Royal Magician of Disney Castle, and one of Mickey's chief lieutenants. In the past, he and Goofy were Sora's closest companions on his adventures, visiting dozens of worlds and fighting some very powerful foes. However, Donald is sitting out on this adventure, as it is meant to test Sora.
Donald is hot-headed and rash, often rushing into danger or getting into fights. He is notably less loyal than the likes of Sora, and has abandoned people in the past. However, Donald is an ultimately good-hearted character. His devotion to King Mickey is unmatched, to the extent that he was willing to spend over a year searching for him.
Goofy[edit]
Goofy is the Captain of the Knights at Disney Castle, and is Mickey's other chief lieutenant. Along with Donald, he was Sora's companion for most of his journey, but is sitting on the sidelines this game.
Goofy is something of a foil to Donald, much like Riku is to Sora. When Donald is outraged and leaps into action, Goofy will be calm and, despite his slow nature, be the reasonable one. In previous games, he provided the middle ground when Sora and Donald disagreed.
Yen Sid[edit]
Yen Sid is a powerful sorcerer and retired Keyblade master, and was Mickey's teacher back in the day. He was the one who decided that Sora and Riku needed the Mark of Mastery exam.
Yen Sid carefully observes the relationship between Light and Dark. He is, like many traditional sorcerers, wise and mysterious, making him arguably the best of the protagonists at seeing through the antagonists' plans.
Yen Sid is notably very stern, rarely smiling despite the constant smiles of the company he keeps.
Robed Figure[edit]
A mysterious man who Sora met the day before the Destiny Islands were consumed by Darkness.
Maleficent[edit]
An evil fairy and mastermind who seeks power over all worlds. She was the main antagonist for most of the original Kingdom Hearts, and has been a constant threat throughout the series.
Pete[edit]
A constant source of trouble for the heroes, Pete is possibly Mickey's oldest foe. He is currently serving Maleficent.
Ansem[edit]
The Heartless of Xehanort, and the true antagonist of Kingdom Hearts. He has appeared before Riku in various worlds (most noticeably La Cité des Cloches), often taunting him. He was killed by Sora, Donald and Goofy at the end of the original Kingdom Hearts, but was somehow revived since.
Xemnas[edit]
The Nobody of Xehanort, and the main antagonist of Kingdom Hearts II. He has appeared before Sora in various worlds (most noticeably The Grid), often taunting him. He was killed by Sora and Riku at the end of Kingdom Hearts II, but was somehow revived since.