D23 ‘26: KINGDOM HEARTS anime series ordered

A Kingdom Hearts anime is officially in the works, based on the hit video game franchise of the same name. The Walt Disney Company announced the series at this weekend’s D23 fan event and on its social media accounts, with actor Benjamin Bratt delivering the news to the crowd.

The project is being developed in close partnership with series creator Tetsuya Nomura and Square Enix, and per Disney’s official statement about the project, is billed as a “reimagining” — a new story built to expand the Kingdom Hearts universe rather than a straight retelling of the games. A first-look image accompanying the announcement showed protagonist Sora, with his Keyblade in hand.

Kingdom Hearts launched on PlayStation 2 in March 2002. Players follow Sora, a Keyblade-wielding teenager, alongside companions Donald Duck and Goofy as they journey through a string of Disney-inspired realms, from Wonderland to Halloween Town to Agrabah, battling shadowy creatures called the Heartless and confronting a sprawling, often famously convoluted mythology about light, darkness, and the human heart. The franchise has since expanded to more than a dozen games across numerous platforms, selling over 39 million units worldwide.

Bratt also had game news to share during the panel: he’ll voice his Coco character Ernesto de la Cruz in Kingdom Hearts IV, slated for release in late 2027.

Ayo Davis, President of Disney Kids & Family, framed the anime as a way to bring a long-running game world to new audiences while staying true to its roots. “Kingdom Hearts has captivated gamers everywhere with its unique blend of adventure and imagination,” said Davis, via a quote provided to Variety. “There’s something really exciting about taking a world fans have spent years exploring through the games and bringing it to life in a completely new way. And with a creative team that is working closely with the legendary Tetsuya Nomura, our new series will be unmistakably ‘Kingdom Hearts,’ while giving fans a whole new way to experience the world they love.”

It’s the anime fans have wanted for nearly 25 years, and with Nomura directly attached, this looks like the real thing. The series is currently in development at Disney+ and Disney Channel; further casting, creative team, and release details haven’t been announced yet.

Source: Variety, via Redbeanime