Image: 2026 Disney and its related entities
AMBot | 08/15/2026 | Reading Time: 3 Min.
Disney and Square Enix are bringing the video game series "Kingdom Hearts" to screens as an animated series for the first time. At the fan event "D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event" in Anaheim, California, the production of the original series "Kingdom Hearts (working title)" was announced on August 14, 2026 (local time). The series is set to air on Disney Channel and stream on Disney+.
The project is being produced by Disney Kids & Family, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, together with Square Enix. Instead of directly adapting the plot of the games, the series tells a specially developed, completely new story that aims to expand the universe of "Kingdom Hearts." Involved are series creator Tetsuya Nomura and the creative team at Square Enix. The released key visual shows a mysterious boy holding a Keyblade – the series' signature weapon.
"Kingdom Hearts" combines Disney and Pixar worlds with original characters and tells the story of Keyblade wielder Sora, who travels through numerous worlds and fights against darkness alongside his friends. The first game was released in March 2002 for the PlayStation 2. The series now includes more than a dozen titles; together with the Final Mix versions, there are around 20 releases. By the end of March 2026, over 39 million units had been shipped or sold worldwide. The announcement also falls in the year of the brand's 25th anniversary.
Disney Kids & Family president Ayo Davis stated that "Kingdom Hearts" has delighted players around the world with its unique blend of adventure and imagination. The series, which is being realized by a creative team working closely with Tetsuya Nomura, is "unmistakably Kingdom Hearts" and offers fans the opportunity to experience the beloved world in a completely new way.
Nomura himself also spoke up: He knows that the sudden announcement surprised many. He did not reveal any content details, but confirmed that he is in intensive exchange with the scenario team and that several new character designs were created specifically for the project. The only hint is the key art released so far – one may let their imagination run wild while waiting for further information.
The series was presented as part of the Disney Entertainment Showcase by actor Benjamin Bratt. At the same event, he confirmed that "Kingdom Hearts IV" will be released at the end of 2027 and will include the world of Pixar's "Coco" – the first confirmed Disney world of the upcoming game. Bratt will reprise his role as Ernesto de la Cruz there.
Still open are, among other things, the official series title, the cast, the animation studio, the number of episodes, and a start date; there was also initially no information about availability in Japan. For the anniversary, the "Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III]" will also be released on October 8, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2.
The project is being produced by Disney Kids & Family, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, together with Square Enix. Instead of directly adapting the plot of the games, the series tells a specially developed, completely new story that aims to expand the universe of "Kingdom Hearts." Involved are series creator Tetsuya Nomura and the creative team at Square Enix. The released key visual shows a mysterious boy holding a Keyblade – the series' signature weapon.
"Kingdom Hearts" combines Disney and Pixar worlds with original characters and tells the story of Keyblade wielder Sora, who travels through numerous worlds and fights against darkness alongside his friends. The first game was released in March 2002 for the PlayStation 2. The series now includes more than a dozen titles; together with the Final Mix versions, there are around 20 releases. By the end of March 2026, over 39 million units had been shipped or sold worldwide. The announcement also falls in the year of the brand's 25th anniversary.
Disney Kids & Family president Ayo Davis stated that "Kingdom Hearts" has delighted players around the world with its unique blend of adventure and imagination. The series, which is being realized by a creative team working closely with Tetsuya Nomura, is "unmistakably Kingdom Hearts" and offers fans the opportunity to experience the beloved world in a completely new way.
Nomura himself also spoke up: He knows that the sudden announcement surprised many. He did not reveal any content details, but confirmed that he is in intensive exchange with the scenario team and that several new character designs were created specifically for the project. The only hint is the key art released so far – one may let their imagination run wild while waiting for further information.
The series was presented as part of the Disney Entertainment Showcase by actor Benjamin Bratt. At the same event, he confirmed that "Kingdom Hearts IV" will be released at the end of 2027 and will include the world of Pixar's "Coco" – the first confirmed Disney world of the upcoming game. Bratt will reprise his role as Ernesto de la Cruz there.
Still open are, among other things, the official series title, the cast, the animation studio, the number of episodes, and a start date; there was also initially no information about availability in Japan. For the anniversary, the "Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III]" will also be released on October 8, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2.
This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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