Xehanort (Japanese: ゼアノート, Hepburn: Zeanōto, English: /ˈzeɪ.ənɔːrt/) is a fictional character who is the main antagonist of the Dark Seeker Saga, the first phase in the Kingdom Hearts series by Square Enix.

He was introduced as the original form of the sentient Heartless "Ansem, Seeker of Darkness" in the first game and the Nobody Xemnas in Kingdom Hearts II.

While Kingdom Hearts III is the last major installment focusing on Xehanort, the 2020 mobile game Dark Road explores his childhood and descent into villainy.

The organization's members wear black, hooded coats that shield them from the corrosive effect of prolonged use of the Corridors of Darkness, portals they use to traverse among worlds.

Diskin had played the numbered titles of the franchise and thus had little knowledge about his character since Xehanort's identity was primarily explored in the non-numbered games.

Throughout the series, Xehanort is driven by an obsessive interest in the Keyblade War, a historic cataclysm that produced the universe's present, fragmented state.

[19] The mobile game Kingdom Hearts: Dark Road explores the character's backstory, during his time training with Eraqus in his youth, and reveals him to be the descendant of Ephemer.

USGamer praised Xehanort's debut in the series for giving the narrative a major impact as he takes over the role of the Disney villains and corrupts and possesses Riku's body.

The scene is noted to expand the series' lore little by little, not only through Riku's actions but also because it explores the ruined Hollow Bastion, which is a former lively place now ruled by Xehanort.

Xemnas' early characterization was described as the "gray area" of the series since, during Kingdom Hearts II, the character and his group were not related to darkness or light.

[24] Comic Book Resources enjoyed Riku's handling of Xehanort's powers, as he managed to use them to overcome his inner darkness in both Chain of Memories and Dream Drop Distance.

[25] Xehanort manipulating Riku into using the darkness has been compared to Queer Lens due to parallels seen in his journey with self-acceptance and real-life experiences of accepting one's sexual identity, according to TheGamer.

[27] William Humberto Huber from the University of California, San Diego, compared Xehanort's multiple identities and antagonism to the rehabilitation of Emperor Hirohito during the American occupation of Japan after the Pacific War.

[28] Tiago Clariano from the University of Lisbon notes that the multiple Xehanorts have a tendency to contradict each other's goals, but even in his final defeat, the villains are being played by an unknown force, Luxu, who will also replace him in upcoming games.

[33] GamesRadar claimed that Kingdom Hearts III further developed Xehanort in the ending when Eraqus' spirit contacts his dying friend in regards to how there is "more to light than meets the eye", referring to the chess game they played as children.

[36] Comic Book Resources listed his alter egos as the sixth most challenging boss ever in the game, while his true persona ranked second behind Yozora.

[37] MeriStation referred to the character in general as complex and manipulative, while at the same time redeeming in his final moments, he accepts his defeat to Sora and gives him the χ-blade to the youth as he moves to the afterlife with Eraqus.

With Xehanort's eventual death in Kingdom Hearts III, Inverse believes that creator Tetsuya Nomura is aiming to create a proper successor to Xehanort, as seen in extra cutscenes revealing that one of the villain's comrades, Luxu, turned out to have his own proper agenda and is seen busy aiming his new plans with other warriors.

When Xehanort possessed Terra, the writer gave such form the nickname of "Terranort" who becomes one of the biggest culprits behind several lost across the franchise until Sora reaches him in the Keyblade Graveyard from Kingdom Hearts III.

[43] Zane's work as Xehanort (Ansem) was noted by Kotaku in an article involving "cheesy video game voice acting", as the writer claimed "Zane's performance is a combination of rocky growlings and deep bass utterances" as a result of how many taunts he makes during the cutscenes, making the villain stand out.