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These are the Best Members from Organization 13 in Kingdom Hearts

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On May 23, 2025

Organization XIII from the Kingdom Hearts franchise is one of the most iconic villain groups in gaming. Everything about this group of Nobodies primed them to be popular among all groups of gamers, from their easily identifiable black cloaks to their fighting styles that mimic classic Final Fantasy jobs.

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Of course, not every member of Organization XIII is built equally. Some members are clearly more important or simply better than the others and if one were to analyze each of them based on factors like their role in the story, popularity, and just plain cool factor then the following ranking of the best members of Organization XIII can be formed.

10

Vexen

The Chilly Academic

Topping off the list is the fourth member of Organization XIII and one of the original apprentices of Ansem the Wise: Vexen. This chilling figure has complete control over the element of ice and is one of the most loyal members of the Organization, even when surrounded by traitors he only cared about furthering his research, a price he paid highly for.

While Vexen was originally just an evil scientist character in his debut game, he would later gain an extra layer of depth in Kingdom Hearts 3 where he underwent a journey of seeking atonement for what he had done, sacrificing his humanity for this goal and helping the heroes. A noble act like that is more than enough to earn him a place on this list, even if it’s at the bottom.

9

Zexion

The Cloaked Schemer

Zexion is an odd member of Organization XIII as he was one of the few members of the original team to have never actually met Sora, only fighting against Riku. Despite that though, Zexion and his illusions created some of the most memorable and mind-breaking scenes in Chain of Memories and 358/2 Days and got some added backstory in the prequel game Birth by Sleep that established he was younger than most members of the Organization.

Zexion had very little presence in the franchise after Chain of Memories (he didn’t even speak in Birth by Sleep), but thankfully Kingdom Hearts 3 gave him some extra depth and allowed him to have conversations with Sora to fully bring out the joy of this character. While he may not be the best member of Organization XIII, he at least deserves a place on this list.

8

Xigbar

The Freeshooter

Next up on the list is the second member of Organization XIII and Xehanort’s most loyal soldier: Xigbar. This sharpshooter commands the Sniper nobodies and has been a boss battle in nearly every single game since his debut. With a smooth attitude and a unique way of talking, players will always be on the edge of their seats whenever Xigbar appears in a scene.

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Xigbar is an enigma of a character at present because of a certain plot twist in Kingdom Hearts 3 which revealed that there is much more to this character than meets the eye. While the future of this character and how he will affect the franchise is uncertain, what is certain is how amazing he’s been in the games so far and how he easily belongs on this list.

7

Luxord

The Gambler of Fate

Placing at lucky number seven on this list is the gambler of Organization XIII: Luxord. This cunning man, voiced by the ever-fantastic Jouji Nakata, was one of the first members of Organization in Kingdom Hearts 2 and although he didn’t have much of a role in the plot, every gamer remembered him for his sheer presence in the Disney world he inhabited the as well as the cool fight he had near the end of the game.

In addition to his pure cool factor, the franchise has begun to foreshadow and imply that there is more lore and backstory to Luxord that the audience has yet to learn. Perhaps this wildcard of a character will be playing a large role in the series’ future, but for now, he’ll simply be playing a large role on this list.

Just be sure to actually participate in his boss fight mechanics instead of purely attacking him.

6

Marluxia

The Graceful Assassin

Next up on the list is a member of Organization XIII who was so iconic that his Reaper class would later become a Final Fantasy XIV job: Marluxia. This rose-covered Reaper was the eleventh member of the Organization and was given domain over Castle Oblivion, where he was one of the first Nobodies to challenge Sora and his friends in one of the coolest final boss fights in the series.

The only reason Marluxia isn’t ranking higher on this list is because of his questionable loyalty to the organization, as his introduction game centered around him betraying the Organization for his own needs. While he did eventually return in Kingdom Hearts 3, a single betrayal is enough to put him in the bottom half of this list.

5

Xemnas

The Superior of the In-Between

Any fan of the Kingdom Hearts franchise can remember the very first time they encountered Xemnas in Kingdom Hearts 2 and heard the word “Xehanort” for the first time, truly kicking off the saga that the series would become. Xemnas has always been one of the best villains in the franchise, coldly giving orders to his subordinates under the threat of death and conniving multiple schemes behind their backs over and over again.

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Xemnas is one of the most intriguing members of Organization XIII as while most of them long to have emotions and feel human again, he actively suppresses his emotions and refuses to acknowledge them. Being one of the most intriguing villains and having some of the coolest boss fights in the series automatically earns Xemnas a high placement in this ranking.

4

Axel

Flurry of Dancing Flames

Image of Axel in Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

Placing fourth on the list is the first member of Organization XIII gamers saw the face of: Axel. Axel is a very interesting character as his debut game portrayed him as a schemer who played all sides of the conflict at Castle Oblivion before all future games began to peel away at that characterization and show gamers the true depths of the character underneath all of those icky jobs.

The biggest piece of characterization Axel gets in later games is his relationship with Roxas and Xion. While he is often put through some of the worst situations imaginable and has to play the bad guy at times, Axel would do anything for those two and that devotion earns him a high placement on this list. It may have taken him a long time to get a keyblade, but he was more than worthy.

3

Saix

The Luna Divider

Ranking third on the list is the sixth member of Organization XIII and the most threatening middle manager in gaming: Saix. Ever since his introduction in Kingdom Hearts 2, Saix has been one of the most intimidating villains in the series, with a cold voice that can turn any monologue into an iconic speech. Commanding the Berserker class of nobodies, he can quickly switch from a cold scheme into a raging foe.

What truly makes Saix interesting enough to place him so high on this list though is the dynamics he has with other characters. Not only is he the perfect foil for Roxas and Xion during, but he also has a deep backstory and friendship with Axel that he repeatedly uses to emotionally manipulate him. As one of the series’ best villains, he needed to rank this high.

2

Roxas

The Keyblade’s Chosen One

Taking the #2 slot on this list is the thirteenth member of Organization XIII and the Keyblade’s chosen wielder: Roxas. Debuting in Kingdom Hearts 2 as the game’s fake-out protagonist, he quickly won over the hearts of fans as players quickly became connected to this poor boy who didn’t get to live out his summer vacation.

Roxas is by far one of the most popular and iconic characters in the Kingdom Hearts franchise, to the point where Roxas has practically become a name in real life because of him. Combine that with the fact that he had an entire game starring him as the protagonist and you have a recipe for a high placement on this list. However, there is just one member who ranks higher than him.

1

Xion

The Imaginary Number

Coming in first on the list is the only member of the original Organization XIII not to receive an official number or command of her own Nobody type: Xion, the imaginary number. Originally created as a replica of Sora and put into Organization XIII merely as a puppet, gamers grew to love Xion and her character arc of accepting her identity and growing to be more than the puppet she was created as.

When thinking about the most emotional moments in the Kingdom Hearts franchise, almost any player will think of at least one of Xion’s scenes. Seeing her return and get the happy ending she deserved was a big motivator for many fans during the Xehanort saga and for these reasons, she must rank at the top of this list.