Kingdom Hearts: The Series Announced at D23 — Nomura and Square Enix Bring New Anime to Disney+

At D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Disney and Square Enix confirmed that Kingdom Hearts: The Series (working title) is in development and will be released on Disney+ and the Disney Channel. The announcement came alongside a new trailer and a confirmed launch window for Kingdom Hearts IV, underscoring Disney’s broader push to expand the franchise beyond games. Developed in close collaboration with veteran series director and creator Tetsuya Nomura and Square Enix’s creative team, the new anime is described by Disney as an original reimagining that expands the Kingdom Hearts universe while honoring the characters that have long been central to the series’ fanbase. In journalistic terms, Disney said the show will introduce a fresh narrative set within the established Kingdom Hearts continuity and aims to deepen the world-building that fans expect from the franchise. Disney Kids & Family president Ayo Davis emphasized the partnership with Nomura and Square Enix, noting that Disney is working directly with the game’s creative leads to ensure the adaptation retains the franchise’s signature identity while offering new ways for audiences to experience the Kingdom Hearts story. The company framed the project as an effort to keep the series “unmistakably Kingdom Hearts” even as it explores new storytelling formats. The announcement also followed disclosure from Disney Games Group that the Kingdom Hearts franchise is one of its nine "billion-dollar" properties, highlighting the commercial significance driving cross-media investments. While details such as episode count, production studio, or premiere date for the anime were not provided at D23, the project’s involvement from Nomura and Square Enix signals it will remain closely tied to the franchise’s creative origins. For fans tracking Kingdom Hearts news across platforms, this marks a notable expansion: the franchise that originated in video games is now moving into serialized animation on major Disney platforms. Viewers and players who follow announcements via events like D23 or platform showcases such as Nintendo Direct (and check storefronts like the eShop for game releases) should expect further updates from Disney and Square Enix as production progresses. Keep an eye on official channels for confirmation of release timing, episode details, and any cross-media tie-ins tied to Kingdom Hearts IV and the broader franchise roadmap.