Walt Disney Studios officially announced a brand-new Kingdom Hearts anime television series greenlit for Disney+ and Disney Channel during the D23 event in Anaheim, California, on August 15, 2026. Developed alongside series creator Tetsuya Nomura and Square Enix, the project reimagines the iconic video game franchise with an original narrative.
The Bottom Line
- The Project: An original anime series ordered for both Disney+ and Disney Channel, produced in close partnership with Square Enix and Tetsuya Nomura.
- The Context: Announced during Disney’s D23 fan event in Anaheim as part of the franchise’s ongoing 25th-anniversary celebrations.
- The Dual Threat: Alongside the series, Disney confirmed that Kingdom Hearts IV will launch in late 2027 and feature a newly revealed Pixar’s Coco world.
Unpacking the Disney+ and Disney Channel Strategy
According to Deadline’s reporting from the D23 event, the show is being positioned directly alongside established animated properties like Phineas and Ferb and Big City Greens.
Here is the kicker.
Furthermore, Gaming Promax noted that the series will function as a reimagining rather than a direct adaptation of the game’s labyrinthine plot.
Inside the 2026 D23 Franchise Blitz
Actor Benjamin Bratt took the Anaheim stage to drop the release window for the heavily anticipated Kingdom Hearts 4, locking it in for a late 2027 launch. Bratt also confirmed he will reprise his role as Ernesto de la Cruz as the world of Pixar’s Coco officially joins the game’s roster.
| Project | Platform / Release Window | Key Creative Partners |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom Hearts: The Series | Disney+ and Disney Channel (Unannounced Premiere Date) | Tetsuya Nomura, Square Enix, Disney Kids & Family |
| Kingdom Hearts IV | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Nintendo Switch 2 (Late 2027) | Square Enix, Benjamin Bratt (Voice Talent) |
As production ramps up, questions remain regarding the voice cast and the specific animation studio attached to the television project. Neither Disney nor Square Enix has confirmed whether franchise staples like Haley Joel Osment will voice Sora in the episodic medium. Yet, with Nomura acting as a direct creative partner, the production guarantees the distinct visual and narrative DNA that fans expect.
What are your thoughts on the upcoming series? Do you think an episodic format can successfully capture the intricate mythology of the games, or should they have stuck strictly to the console? Let us know in the comments below.
