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Kai is a minor character in Disney's 2013 animated feature film, Frozen and its 2019 sequel. He is the overseer and steward of Arendelle Castle and a trusted advisor to Elsa.[2] He later becomes the advisor to Anna after she becomes the new queen of Arendelle.

Background

Kai was born in a kingdom called Snoob, where he grew up alongside his brother, Karl. At some undetermined time, Kai left Snoob and came to work at the Arendelle castle during the reign of King Runeard.[3] Following Runeard's unexpected death in the Enchanted Forest, his teenage son, Prince Agnarr, was named the new king of Arendelle, though an advisor named Lord Peterssen acted as the kingdom's regent since Agnarr was not yet of age to rule.[4] Kai remained a member of the staff for many years in which he served Agnarr during the latter's unofficial and official kinghood, his marriage to his wife Iduna, and the births and childhoods of the princesses, Elsa and Anna. Throughout these years, Kai remained in touch with his family until Agnarr ordered for the castle gates to be closed, thus terminating any contact between the outside world and the castle's inhabitants.[1]

Personality

As the chief assistant of Agnarr and Iduna, Kai is diligent and loyal. When not tending to the king and queen, Kai acts as the caretaker of Elsa and Anna.[1] Following Agnarr and Iduna's deaths, Kai continues to serve Arendelle as the attendant to Queen Elsa, and later to Queen Anna.

Kai is known for his strict adherence to royal protocol, bowing down to his employers upon greeting them, despite Elsa and Anna constantly insisting him to tone down the formalities.[5] While appearing to be seemingly subservient and emotionless at first, and at times nervous, he does, however, show a warmer, relaxed side to his personality, such as whenever he gives Olaf a warm hug, and when he participates in his hometown's festivities alongside his brother. In addition, the royal family views Kai, and by extension, the other servants, as more of a friend or part of their extended family than a mere employee, as evidenced when the two sisters take the effort of coming to Snoob to reunite him with his brother in spite of the dangers they face.

Kai is also shown to have zero tolerance to anyone who brings harm to Arendelle, like when he happily sees Hans be arrested and deported back to the Southern Isles for attempted murder on Elsa and when he smugly informs the Duke Of Weselton that Elsa has decided to sever the kingdom's trade deal with the Duke's town as punishment for trying to kill her on account of his delusional paranoia.[1]

Appearances

Frozen

Kai is featured very briefly in the film. In the beginning, he is one of the few servants who remains within the castle by orders of King Agnarr and Queen Iduna when the castle is locked away from the rest of the kingdom. During "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?", Kai can be seen aiding the couple prior to their ill-fated sea voyage. When the king and queen perish in a storm, Kai and another servant are seen veiling the royal portrait.

When the castle gates finally open for Elsa's coronation, Kai introduces the Duke of Weselton to the royal siblings at the coronation's ball, but mistakenly mispronounces his home's name as "Weaseltown", leading him to be sternly corrected by the Duke.

After Elsa finally returns to Arendelle and lifts the winter curse, Kai is made aware of Hans' fate by the French dignitary. Kai then informs the Duke that Arendelle will be cutting ties with Weselton permanently, made official by Elsa herself. To the Duke's dismay and irritation, Kai pronounces his kingdom as "Weaseltown" once again, this time deliberately.

Kai is last seen in the film at the castle courtyard, cheering Elsa on as she creates an ice skating rink for her subjects' enjoyment. Afterward, Kai can be seen skating along the ice with a servant woman.

Olaf's Frozen Adventure

In the featurette, Kai is first seen tending to Christmas preparations in the castle, when he receives a surprise visit from Olaf, who bursts out of a tree. Kai chuckles, then tells him "Not yet, Olaf." He is later seen during "Ring in the Season", as Anna and Elsa prepare to bring in the Yule bell to kick off the holidays. Near the climax, Kai, Anna, and Elsa learn from Sven that Olaf has gotten lost in the woods and is being chased by hungry wolves. When they find the snowman, Olaf reveals that he had been on a mission to find holiday traditions for Elsa and Anna. This kicks off a party in the woods, attended by all of Arendelle.

Frozen II

Kai appears briefly after the film's prologue, informing Elsa about the guests who just arrived at the castle. After Elsa awakens the spirits of the Enchanted Forest, Kai emerges from the castle with Anna and other servants just in time to see the water in the fountains drying up. He is then later shown standing beside Oaken on the cliffs above Arendelle as Elsa saves the kingdom from the tidal wave released by the destruction of the dam in the forest. At the end of the film, Kai introduces Anna as the new Queen of Arendelle.

Gallery

Frozen

Olaf's Frozen Adventure

Frozen II

Trivia

  • Kai is named after one of the protagonists of the original Snow Queen tale by Hans Christian Andersen, by which Frozen was inspired. In the original story, Kai (or Kay) was the imperiled best friend (brother in some interpretations) of Gerda, a brave heroine determined to rescue him from the Snow Queen.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Frozen: Reunion Road Part One, by Dark Horse Comics
  2. Frozen II: The Deluxe Junior Novelization, pp. 13-14
  3. Dangerous Secrets, p. 33
  4. Dangerous Secrets, p. 37
  5. Forest of Shadows, p. 41

External links


v - e - d
Frozen Logo
Media
Films: Frozen (video/soundtrack) • Frozen II (video/soundtrack) • Frozen IIIFrozen IV

Shorts: Frozen FeverOlaf's Frozen Adventure (soundtrack) • Arendelle Castle Yule LogMyth: A Frozen Tale (soundtrack) • Once Upon a Snowman
Shows: At Home With OlafOlaf Presents
Video games: Frozen: Double TroubleFrozen: Olaf's QuestFrozen Free FallDisney Infinity/2.0 Edition/3.0 EditionDisney Enchanted TalesDisney Emoji BlitzKingdom Hearts IIIFrozen AdventuresDisney Heroes: Battle ModeDisney POP TOWNDisney Dreamlight ValleyDisney Speedstorm
Books: The Art of Frozen/IIA Sister More Like MePhantoms of ArendelleA Frozen HeartAnna and Elsa's Secret PlaytimeAcross the SeaFrozen Spring FeverComic BooksAnna & Elsa: Sisterhood is the Strongest Magic:Disney Princess Beginnings

Disney Parks
World of Frozen (Hong Kong, Paris) • Fantasy SpringsAnna and Elsa's Frozen FantasyCastle of Magical DreamsEnchanted Storybook CastleDisney Animation BuildingFrozen Ever AfterIt's a Small WorldPLAY!Storybook Land Canal BoatsWandering Oaken's Sliding Sleighs

Entertainment: Believe! Sea of DreamsDisney Dreams: An Enchanted ClassicFantasmic!Follow Your DreamsFor the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along CelebrationFrozen: Live at the HyperionGolden Fairytale FanfareMickey's Magical Music WorldMickey's Royal Friendship FaireMickey and the MagicianMickey and the Wondrous BookPlayhouse in the WoodsRoyal Theatre
Restaurants: Bayside WharfForest FareOaken’s OK FoodsRoyal Banquet of ArendelleThe Golden Crocus
Shops: Anna & Elsa's BoutiqueNorthern DelightsTick Tock Toys & CollectiblesTraveling Traders
Parades: Disney Magic on ParadeDisney Stars on ParadeFestival of Fantasy ParadeFrozen Royal Welcome ParadeMagic HappensMickey's Storybook ExpressPaint the Night ParadeTokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade: DreamLights
Fireworks: Celebrate the MagicDisney Dreams!Disney EnchantmentDisneyland ForeverFrozen ForeverHappily Ever AfterHarmoniousIlluminate! A Nighttime CelebrationIgnite the Dream: A Nighttime Spectacular of Magic and LightMickey's Mix MagicMomentousOnce Upon a TimeWonderful World of AnimationWorld of Color: Celebrate!Wondrous Journeys
Summer: Frozen Summer Fun!
Christmas: A Christmas Fantasy ParadeA Frozen Holiday WishDisney Christmas StoriesDisney Dreams! of ChristmasDisney Winter Magic CavalcadeMinnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks"Frozen" Christmas Tree Lighting CeremonyWorld of Color: Winter DreamsFrozen Holiday Surprise

Characters
Frozen: AnnaElsaKristoffHansOlafSvenThe Duke of WeseltonGrand PabbieMarshmallowKing AgnarrQueen IdunaErik and FrancisTrollsBuldaOakenSitronWolvesKaiCastle GuardsHans' Brothers

Frozen Fever: Snowgies
Frozen II: Lieutenant MattiasNorthuldraYelanaHoneymarenRyderThe NokkBruniGaleEarth GiantsKing RuneardSpirits of the Enchanted Forest

Locations
ArendelleElsa's Ice PalaceThe Southern IslesWeseltonArendelle CastleValley of the Living RockArendelle ChapelWandering Oaken's Trading Post and SaunaThe North MountainThe Enchanted ForestAhtohallan
Songs
Frozen: VuelieFrozen HeartDo You Want to Build a Snowman?For the First Time in ForeverLove is an Open DoorLet It GoReindeer(s) Are Better Than PeopleIn SummerFixer Upper

Frozen Fever: Making Today a Perfect Day
Olaf's Frozen Adventure: Ring in the SeasonThe Ballad of FlemmingradThat Time of YearWhen We're Together
Frozen II: All Is FoundSome Things Never ChangeInto the UnknownWhen I Am OlderLost in the WoodsShow YourselfThe Next Right Thing
Musical: Let the Sun Shine OnA Little Bit of YouHidden FolkHans of the Southern IslesQueen AnointedDangerous to DreamWhat Do You Know About Love?HyggeI Can't Lose YouKristoff LullabyMonsterTrue LoveColder by the Minute
At Home with Olaf: I Am With You
Deleted: Love Can't Be DeniedWe Know BetterSpring PageantMore Than Just the SpareYou're YouLife's Too ShortReindeer(s) RemixWhen Everything Falls ApartResolutionHomeI Seek the TruthUnmeltable MeGet This RightSee the Sky

Objects
Kristoff's SledRoyal ShipElsa's TiaraYule BellIduna's ScarfRuneard's Dam
See also
MusicalThe Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated ClassicFrozen: The Official MagazineDisney On IceAs Told by EmojiFrozen: Northern LightsInto the Unknown: Making Frozen IIThe Making of Frozen: A Return to Arendelle
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