Disney Confirms Original Kingdom Hearts Animated Series for Disney Channel and Disney+
Disney has officially confirmed that an original Kingdom Hearts animated series is now in development, bringing the beloved Square Enix and Disney crossover franchise to television for the first time.
The announcement was made during the D23 Entertainment Showcase at the Honda Center in Anaheim, where actor Benjamin Bratt revealed the project on stage. The series is currently using the working title Kingdom Hearts: The Series and is being created for both Disney Channel and Disney+.
Unlike a simple retelling of the games, Disney is positioning the animated show as a fresh expansion of the Kingdom Hearts universe. The project is being developed in close collaboration with Tetsuya Nomura, the creator and director of the franchise, along with the creative team at Square Enix.
According to Disney’s description, the animated series will reimagine the world of Kingdom Hearts with new story elements while honoring the characters and themes that fans have loved for more than two decades. Disney Kids & Family president Ayo Davis highlighted the excitement of bringing a universe that players have explored for years into a new format for both longtime fans and new viewers.
For now, Disney is keeping many details under wraps. The company has not yet announced a release date, episode count, voice cast, or animation studio. A brief teaser shared on Disney’s social platforms described the project as being inspired by the popular video game franchise and said it is coming soon. The reveal also included key art featuring Sora holding his iconic Keyblade, instantly sparking excitement across the fan community.
Nomura also addressed the news through the official Japanese Kingdom Hearts account on X, confirming that production on the animated series is moving forward. He noted that he has been closely involved with the writing team and revealed that new character designs have already been created specifically for the show. However, he did not share additional plot details.
The timing of the announcement made the moment even bigger for Kingdom Hearts fans. During the same event, Disney and Square Enix also revealed a new trailer featuring a Coco-themed world and confirmed a release window for Kingdom Hearts IV. Together, the updates delivered one of the most significant nights for the franchise in recent years.
First released in 2002, Kingdom Hearts quickly became one of gaming’s most unique and enduring franchises. Its blend of Disney worlds, original characters, action RPG gameplay, and appearances from Square Enix characters helped it build a passionate global fanbase. Over the years, the series has expanded across multiple games, handheld entries, remasters, and spin-offs, creating a complex and emotional story centered on light, darkness, friendship, and the power of the heart.
The upcoming Kingdom Hearts animated series could introduce the franchise to an even wider audience. With Disney Channel and Disney+ attached, the show has the potential to reach both younger viewers discovering Sora, Donald, and Goofy for the first time and longtime fans eager to see how the world of Kingdom Hearts translates into animation.
While Disney has not confirmed when the series will premiere, the official reveal makes one thing clear: Kingdom Hearts is entering a major new era beyond video games. Fans will now be watching closely for the next update, including the cast, animation style, story direction, and whether familiar Disney worlds will appear in the series.
