Search Ghost

The Search Ghost is an Emblem Heartless found in Kingdom Hearts, Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, and Kingdom Hearts χ.

Kingdom Hearts
After arriving in Halloween Town, Sora, Donald, and Goofy find a group of Search Ghosts at the Halloween Town Square. Thinking the Heartless to be dangerous, the trio summon their weapons; however, the Search Ghosts remain still, showing no interest in attacking. The Mayor then appears, announcing the arrival of the king of nightmares. The Search Ghosts, now standing in rows of two, step aside, introducing Jack.

At Dr. Finkelstein's Lab, the trio learn that the Heartless arrived in town recently and have been wound up in the town's preparations for Halloween. Jack, however, is unsatisfied with the creatures as they will not dance with him, so he and Dr. Finkelstein have been trying to install a manufactured heart into the Search Ghosts. Sora agrees to help in the creation of the heart, but as the team set off in search of the final ingredients the Search Ghosts begin to attack the town.

After Oogie Boogie has been defeated, Jack's plan to control the Search Ghosts is abandoned.

The Search Ghosts also appear in Atlantica, Monstro and, after the rescue in Hollow Bastion, Traverse Town.

Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories
Upon their arrival in Halloween Town, Sora, Donald and Goofy are greeted by Jack Skellington. The Pumpkin King informs the trio of the town's trouble with Heartless, a problem further illustrated by the appearance of a swarm of Shadows. A fight is initiated, in which the Search Ghosts appear.

The Search Ghosts also appear in Atlantica and Monstro.

Design
Search Ghosts are well-designed for their appearances in areas where a spooky atmosphere is required. Pale-skinned and bearing the classic footless ghost shape of Japanese folklore, they are clad in purple tunics bearing the Heartless emblem. The sleeves of the tunic end in white cuffs with gold cuff links, but the fashionable nature of the tunic is ruined a bit by the torn hemline and a rip on the left side that exposes the Search Ghosts' ribcage. Search Ghosts also wear white cuffed gloves, but noticeably, there is no flesh or skin connecting the sleeves of the tunic to the Ghosts' hands, only a disturbing empty gap.

Search Ghosts also bear the traditional Heartless jagged jawline and yellow eyes; however, their wide yellow eyes have black angled spirals on them. In addition, the right eye has been pulled out of the socket, and is only held to the head by a length of silver chain. The Ghosts' remaining good eye is what they use to search for their prey, emitting a yellow glow while looking, and with the glow turning red when a target has been spotted.

Kingdom Hearts Final Mix Search Ghosts have a more jarring color palette. The tunic is a much brighter violet, the cuffs and trim pink, and the gloves lavender. The head is also now a bright vivid orange, giving the Final Mix Search Ghosts a resemblance to a jack o'lantern at first glance.

The Search Ghost's name references its nature of looking for enemies with a rotating searchlight. The Heartless's name also highlights its ghost-like appearance.

Strategy
The Search Ghost attacks on sight, but is slow. It can warp out of harm's way and absorb enemies' HP, making it a tough opponent. They only attack when someone steps into their searchlight.

In Kingdom Hearts, if timed correctly, Sora can earn Tech Points.