Credit: Square Enix
newsBreaking Newskingdom-hearts-iv
Kingdom Hearts D23 Blowout Confirms Anime Series, Release Window, and More
August 18, 2026·3 min read
Kingdom Hearts had one of its busiest D23 appearances in years. Disney and Square Enix revealed a new Kingdom Hearts IV trailer, confirmed an original anime series, and finally gave fans a launch window for Sora's next game. The announcements arrived as the series begins its 25th anniversary celebration.
The presentation also introduced a Coco-inspired world and confirmed that Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy will be playable. Those reveals gave fans much more than a release update. They also gave us a better idea of what Square Enix is planning for the next chapter.
Kingdom Hearts IV is scheduled for late 2027 on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The announcement gives the sequel its first confirmed release target after years without a window. Players can also wishlist the game now.
Disney also announced Kingdom Hearts, the working title for an original anime series coming to Disney Channel and Disney+. Tetsuya Nomura and Square Enix's creative team are involved in the project. D23 did not reveal a premiere date, episode count, or full story details.
Before Kingdom Hearts IV arrives, Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III] will launch on October 8, 2026. The collection is coming to Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Preorders are already open ahead of its October release.
The new trailer revealed a world inspired by Disney and Pixar's Coco, with Sora exploring the Land of the Dead. D23 also shared official images from the crossover. The colorful setting is one of the biggest new areas shown for Kingdom Hearts IV so far.
Sora's trip through the Coco world looks very different from the city setting used in earlier footage. The trailer moves through bright streets and locations tied to the film while showing Sora in combat. Disney did not explain how the world connects to the wider story.
Nomura and co-director Tai Yasue joined the anniversary panel to discuss how Disney and Pixar films become Kingdom Hearts worlds. Their conversation looked back at how those settings have shaped the series. No other new Disney or Pixar world was announced during the panel.
The extended trailer confirmed playable sections for Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy as they search for information about Sora. Disney did not reveal how long players will control the trio. It also did not say how often the story will switch away from Sora.
Donald and Goofy have spent much of the series fighting beside Sora, while Mickey usually appears at major story moments. Kingdom Hearts IV will put all three directly under the player's control. Their sections give the search for Sora its own playable side of the story.
The panel also brought back familiar voices, with Sora actor Haley Joel Osment and Riku actor David Gallagher appearing on stage. Japanese Sora actor Miyu Irino delivered a message for fans. Disney has not announced when the next Kingdom Hearts IV update will arrive.
We want to hear from you. Share your perspective in the comments below, and please keep the conversation respectful.
Log in to join the discussion - vote, reply, and share your take.
Log In
3h ago
3h ago
3h ago
3h ago
3h ago
3h ago
6d ago
7d ago
7d ago
17d ago
17d ago
18d ago
Kingdom Hearts IV follows protagonist Sora and some familiar characters as they journey through the mysterious city of Quadratum. Sora will once again journey to various worlds, where new figures cross his path and new powers awaken in this next chapter.
Developer
Square Enix Creative Studio I
Publisher
Square Enix
