From Keyblade Master To Hawkgirl: The Secret Voice Role Of Isabela Merced In Kingdom Hearts χ Back Cover

Isabela Merced is set for an explosive 2025 and 2026, transitioning from a rising star to a bona fide Hollywood powerhouse with roles in some of the biggest upcoming franchises, including the DC Universe and HBO’s critically acclaimed drama. However, a deep-cut credit from her pre-superstar days reveals a surprising connection to one of the most complex video game sagas of all time: a voice role in the *Kingdom Hearts* universe. As of December 2025, fans are rediscovering her pivotal, yet often-overlooked, contribution to the lore of the Keyblade War.

The role in question is that of Keyblade Master Ava in the 2017 short film, *Kingdom Hearts χ Back Cover*. This project, which was included in the *Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue* compilation, serves as a crucial piece of the franchise's backstory, detailing the events leading up to the great Keyblade War. Merced's involvement highlights her versatility and provides a fascinating piece of trivia for both gamers and blockbuster movie enthusiasts.

Isabela Merced: A Biography and Filmography Profile

Isabela Merced (born Isabela Moner) is an American actress and singer who has rapidly built a diverse and impressive career across film, television, and voice acting. Her Peruvian heritage is a key part of her identity, and she is known for her bilingual performances.

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• Full Name: Isabela Yolanda Moner Pizarro (Changed stage name to Isabela Merced in 2019 in honor of her late maternal grandmother).
• Date of Birth: July 10, 2001.
• Place of Birth: Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
• Nationality: American (with Peruvian ancestry).
• Breakout Role: C.J. Martin in the Nickelodeon television series *100 Things to Do Before High School* (2014–2016).
• Major Film Roles:
  • *Transformers: The Last Knight* (2017) as Izabella.
  • *Sicario: Day of the Soldado* (2018) as Isabel Reyes.
  • *Dora and the Lost City of Gold* (2019) as Dora.
  • *Sweet Girl* (2021) as Rachel Cooper.
  • *Madame Web* (2024) as Anya Corazon / Araña.
• Upcoming Blockbuster Projects (2025/2026):
  • *Superman* (2025): Cast as the DC superhero Hawkgirl (Kendra Saunders).
  • *The Last of Us* Season 2 (2025): Cast as the fan-favorite character Dina, Ellie's love interest.
  • *Alien: Romulus* (2024): Starring in the new installment of the classic sci-fi horror franchise.

The Pivotal Role of Keyblade Master Ava in Kingdom Hearts Lore

The reason Isabela Merced's voice work in *Kingdom Hearts χ Back Cover* remains a talking point years after its release is due to the immense importance of her character, Ava, within the franchise’s intricate mythology. Ava is not a minor character; she is a foundational figure.

Who is Keyblade Master Ava?

Ava is one of the five Foretellers, a group of Keyblade Masters who are apprentices to the enigmatic Master of Masters. Each Foreteller is tasked with leading a Union—Ava leads the Vulpes Union—in the era before the Keyblade War.

Her name, Ava, is derived from the Latin word *Avaritia*, meaning "Greed," reflecting the Master of Masters' strategy of assigning virtues/vices to his apprentices.

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The Significance of the *Back Cover* Short Film

*Kingdom Hearts χ Back Cover* is essentially a 60-minute cinematic that retells the events of the mobile game *Kingdom Hearts χ* from the perspective of the Foretellers. The film is critical because it:

• Explains the Keyblade War: It reveals the machinations that led to the devastating conflict that nearly destroyed the world.
• Introduces the Dandelions: Master Ava's most important task was to secretly gather a group of Keyblade wielders, known as the Dandelions, and send them to a new world before the war began. This act was intended to ensure that "light lived on" after the cataclysm.
• Sets Up Future Plots: Ava's mysterious disappearance and the fate of the Dandelions are central mysteries that continue to influence the plot of the main games, including discussions about their potential relevance in the upcoming *Kingdom Hearts IV*.

Merced provided the English voice for this powerful and compassionate leader, a character whose actions fundamentally shaped the entire *Kingdom Hearts* timeline.

Isabela Merced’s Voice Work: A Bridge to Blockbuster Stardom

The voice role in *Kingdom Hearts χ Back Cover* represents a fascinating, early career milestone for Isabela Merced. While many stars often begin with voice work, this particular credit is a niche gem that showcases her range and willingness to take on complex, lore-heavy projects.

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From Ava to Dina and Hawkgirl

The transition from voicing a mythical Keyblade Master to portraying two of the most anticipated characters in modern media is staggering:

• Dina in *The Last of Us* Season 2: Dina is a central, emotionally complex character in the source material, and Merced's casting alongside Bella Ramsey (Ellie) was a major industry announcement in early 2024. This role demands high-level dramatic acting, a significant departure from her earlier work.
• Hawkgirl in *Superman* (2025): Her casting as Kendra Saunders, the winged superhero Hawkgirl, is her official entry into the main DC Universe (DCU). This is a physically demanding, high-profile role that cements her status as a global action star.

The common thread between all these roles—Ava, Dina, and Hawkgirl—is their strength and pivotal importance to their respective narratives. Master Ava is a leader who carries the burden of saving the future; Dina is a survivor and a crucial anchor for Ellie; and Hawkgirl is a powerful metahuman. Merced's early experience in conveying the gravitas of a Keyblade Master like Ava likely contributed to her ability to secure these later, massive roles.

LSI Entities and Topical Authority

The discussion of Isabela Merced's deep-cut voice role allows us to connect a wide array of relevant entities, enhancing the article's topical authority. Key terms linking her career include: *Dora and the Lost City of Gold*, *Transformers*, *Madame Web*, James Gunn's DCU, Bella Ramsey, Naughty Dog's The Last of Us, and the Square Enix *Kingdom Hearts* franchise. Her initial voice role as Ava, a Keyblade Master, is a testament to her versatile talent that blossomed into a career defining the next generation of blockbuster cinema. This early work proves that even the smallest, most lore-specific roles can be stepping stones to global fame.