Disney announced at its D23 event on Friday that an original anime series based on the Kingdom Hearts video game franchise has been greenlit for Disney+ and Disney Channel. Developed with Square Enix and creator Tetsuya Nomura, the series will feature a brand-new story expanding the existing game universe.
The announcement came during the Disney Entertainment Showcase at the Anaheim Convention Center, where the company revealed a first-look image featuring the protagonist Sora and his Keyblade. The project is designed to reimagine the iconic adventure while celebrating characters from a franchise that has sold more than 39 million units worldwide since its debut in March 2002.
Tetsuya Nomura and the Square Enix Partnership
Disney is developing the series in close collaboration with Square Enix and the franchise’s legendary creator, Tetsuya Nomura. The creative team is working to ensure the adaptation remains unmistakably tied to the source material while offering a fresh experience for the audience.
“Kingdom Hearts has captivated gamers everywhere with its unique blend of adventure and imagination. There’s something really exciting about taking a world fans have spent years exploring through the games and bringing it to life in a completely new way. And with a creative team that is working closely with the legendary Tetsuya Nomura, our new series will be unmistakably ‘Kingdom Hearts,’ while giving fans a whole new way to experience the world they love.”
— Ayo Davis, president, Disney Kids & Family
The series joins a growing slate of animated content for Disney+. It will air alongside other original titles such as Warrior Cats, Journey, and Messi and the Giants, as well as existing series like Big City Greens, Phineas and Ferb, and Dragon Striker. According to Disney, the series reflects the platform’s continued focus on creating stories filled with magic, wonder, adventure and heart for a new generation of kids and families.
Kingdom Hearts IV and the Pixar ‘Coco’ Connection
While the anime expands the universe on screen, the video game franchise continues its progression. During the Friday panel, actor Benjamin Bratt revealed he will voice the character Ernesto de la Cruz in the upcoming Kingdom Hearts IV video game.
The fourth entry in the series is scheduled for release in late 2027. Disney confirmed the game will feature a world based on the Pixar movie Coco.
Franchise Growth Since 2002
The collaboration between Disney and Square Enix began with the first role-playing game released in 2002 for the Sony PlayStation 2. Since then, the series has expanded into more than a dozen titles. This growth has established a global footprint, with over 39 million units shipped worldwide.
By leveraging the existing fanbase of the games, Disney aims to introduce the world of Kingdom Hearts to a new generation of families and children through its streaming and cable platforms.
The news was broken during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, which is the company’s biennial exposition held at the Anaheim Convention Center from Friday to Sunday. The event serves as a venue where Disney previews upcoming movies, shows, experiences and products, and honors its history.
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