The creator of Kingdom Hearts, Tetsuya Nomura, has confirmed the development of a new Kingdom Hearts anime series. Speaking for the first time about the project, Nomura revealed that he is actively engaging with its scenario and art teams and has even crafted unique character designs for the animated series.
Teaser Art Offers Clues
Though Nomura remains tight-lipped about plot details, he hinted that the released key art contains clues for what fans can expect. In his own words, he encouraged fans to “let your imagination run wild” as they anticipate more news.
Disney Announces Series at D23
The anime series announcement was made at the D23 Entertainment Showcase, coinciding with details about Kingdom Hearts 4, set in a world inspired by the film Coco and scheduled for release in late 2027. Disney Kids & Family president Ayo Davis mentioned close collaboration with Nomura’s team on the series. However, plotlines, voice cast, and release details remain undisclosed, with only a glimpse of teaser art and a “coming soon” note for Disney+ being shared.
Kingdom Hearts 4 Updates
Additional updates were provided for Kingdom Hearts 4 during a separate panel celebrating the franchise’s 25th anniversary. An in-depth version of the Coco trailer revealed that Donald, Goofy, and King Mickey will be playable characters for the first time in the main series. It also featured an adult Riku, joining forces with Sora in the city of Quadratum.
Nomura, alongside co-director Tai Yasue, confirmed during the panel that the 2027 release date for the game “is a 100% thing,” ensuring that there are no planned delays in its schedule.
The announcement of the anime series was made by actor Benjamin Bratt, who lends his voice to the character Ernesto de la Cruz in the upcoming Kingdom Hearts 4. Bratt shared this exciting development on stage, further stimulating anticipation among fans.
Reporting based on coverage first published by eurogamer.net.