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Kingdom Hearts 25th anniversary event
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Disney and Square Enix revealed Kingdom Hearts IV for late 2027 at D23. The 25th anniversary celebration also announced an anime series.
Background
Kingdom Hearts is a billion-dollar franchise blending Disney and Final Fantasy characters, created by Tetsuya Nomura. The series is approaching its 25th anniversary in 2027, and D23 served as the kickoff for the celebration. The panel featured key developers and voice actors, and the new trailer showcased a world based on Pixar's Coco.
How it unfolded
- Apr 2022Kingdom Hearts IV was first revealed during the franchise's 20th-anniversary celebration, introducing the Lost Master Arc.
- Aug 12, 2026Polygon reported that the D23 panel would be streamed live only, with fans speculating about Kingdom Hearts IV news.
- Aug 14, 2026Nintendo Life reported that Disney called Kingdom Hearts a 'billion-dollar' franchise ahead of the D23 event.
- Aug 15, 2026At D23, Square Enix revealed a new trailer for Kingdom Hearts IV and announced a release window of late 2027. The trailer featured a world based on Pixar's Coco.
- Aug 16, 2026Disney announced that an original Kingdom Hearts anime series is in development for Disney Channel and Disney+, with Nomura and Square Enix involved.
Who’s saying what
- Fans
- Fans are excited about the new trailer and the Coco world, but some are disappointed about the long wait until late 2027.
- Analysts
- The announcement reinforces Kingdom Hearts as a major franchise for Disney and Square Enix, with the anime series expanding its reach.
Still unverified
The exact release date for Kingdom Hearts IV within late 2027 is not specified. The anime series is in development but no release date or plot details have been confirmed.