Kingdom Hearts On TV
Disney+ Greenlights Brand-New Kingdom Hearts Animated Series with Original Story Announced at D23
Key Points
First poster artwork for the Kingdom Hearts animated series was unveiled at D23, but Disney has not announced a release date, episode count, or voice cast yet.
There was a prior Kingdom Hearts television pilot in development that was never completed, indicating this is not the franchise’s first attempt at a TV outing.
The Kingdom Hearts franchise has released 14 games to date, highlighting the extensive universe that the new series could adapt and expand.
Kingdom Hearts IV is planned for a late-2027 release and will feature the Disney-Pixar film Coco as part of its World integration for the first time.
Ayo Davis, President of Disney Kids & Family, says Kingdom Hearts has captivated gamers with its blend of adventure and imagination, and there’s excitement about translating a world fans have spent years exploring into a TV format.
Disney has greenlit an original Kingdom Hearts animated series for Disney+ and Disney Channel, the company announced at D23 in Anaheim, California. The show will tell a brand-new story set in the Kingdom Hearts universe — not a direct adaptation of any game — and will feature both original characters and classic Disney favorites. The Walt Disney Company confirmed the project alongside Square Enix and series creator Tetsuya Nomura.
It marks the first time the franchise — which spans 14 games over more than two decades — will have an official TV series. Video Games Chronicle reports the D23 presentation also confirmed a late-2027 release window for Kingdom Hearts IV, making it a big week for the beloved franchise.
A New Story, Not a Game Remake
The series will expand the Kingdom Hearts universe rather than retell any existing game. That means fans won't see a straight adaptation of the original 2002 PlayStation 2 title or any sequel. Instead, the show will build something new inside the world fans already know and love. TV Central describes it as an 'original anime television series' developed from the ground up.
Square Enix and Nomura will guide the creative direction of the project. That involvement matters — Nomura has been the driving creative force behind Kingdom Hearts since its first entry. Disney Kids & Family President Ayo Davis is producing the series. Davis said Kingdom Hearts has 'captivated gamers with its blend of adventure and imagination,' adding there is real excitement about bringing that world to TV.
What Disney Has — and Hasn't — Revealed Yet
Disney unveiled the first official poster artwork for the series at D23. But major details are still missing. The company has not announced a release date, an episode count, or a voice cast. Screen Crush notes the show was described as an 'original anime series' but few specifics were shared beyond that label.
This is also not the first time Kingdom Hearts has tried to reach TV audiences. A prior Kingdom Hearts television pilot was once in development but never completed or released. That earlier effort makes this new greenlit project both a milestone and a second chance for the franchise on the small screen.
Kingdom Hearts IV Targets Late 2027 with Coco World
The Kingdom Hearts TV news was not the only big announcement at D23. My Nintendo News reports that Kingdom Hearts IV has been given a late-2027 release window. The game will integrate a world based on the Disney-Pixar film Coco — the first time that movie has been part of any Kingdom Hearts title.
Kingdom Hearts IV was previously confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2, among other platforms. The franchise now has 14 games total. With a major new entry on the way and a TV series in development, Square Enix and Disney appear to be making a coordinated push to grow the Kingdom Hearts audience beyond its core gaming fanbase.
Disney's Bigger Bet on Branded Family Animation
The Kingdom Hearts series fits into Disney's broader strategy of building animated shows around established brands for families. Disney+ has leaned heavily on recognizable IP — intellectual property, meaning characters and stories people already know — to grow its subscriber base. A franchise with over 20 years of fan loyalty is a natural fit for that plan.
For Square Enix, the deal puts one of its most recognized franchises in front of a much wider audience. Many children have never played a Kingdom Hearts game. A Disney Channel and Disney+ series could introduce the world — and its mix of Final Fantasy-style heroes and Disney icons — to a whole new generation of fans.
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