The first original Kingdom Hearts television series will tell a brand-new story developed with franchise creator Tetsuya Nomura and Square Enix.
Disney is officially bringing the world of Kingdom Hearts to television with its first-ever original series.
The company announced at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event that a Kingdom Hearts anime series is in development for Disney Channel and Disney+. The project currently carries the working title Kingdom Hearts.
The animated series draws inspiration from the globally popular video game franchise created through the long-running collaboration between Disney and Square Enix. However, it will not simply retell one of the existing games.
Instead, the series will introduce a brand-new story that expands the Kingdom Hearts universe while celebrating the characters and worlds that have built a devoted fan base across multiple generations.
Tetsuya Nomura Will Help Shape the Kingdom Hearts Series
Disney is developing the anime in partnership with legendary game creator Tetsuya Nomura and the creative team at Square Enix.
Nomura has been one of the central creative forces behind Kingdom Hearts since the first game launched in 2002. His involvement should help the television series maintain the franchise’s unique identity as it moves into an entirely different storytelling format.
“Kingdom Hearts has captivated gamers everywhere with its unique blend of adventure and imagination,” Ayo Davis, president of Disney Kids & Family, said in a statement. “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.”
Davis also emphasized the importance of working closely with Nomura on the new adaptation.
“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,” Davis added.
The collaboration could be especially important for longtime fans. The Kingdom Hearts franchise is known for its massive mythology, emotional character relationships and storylines that stretch across numerous games and platforms.
The Anime Will Tell a Brand-New Kingdom Hearts Story
The original Kingdom Hearts game introduced players to Sora, a young Keyblade wielder who travels across different worlds alongside Donald Duck and Goofy. Their adventures combine original heroes and villains with characters and locations from Disney and Square Enix properties.
Over the years, the franchise has grown into a sprawling saga involving friendship, memory, identity, light and darkness. Its mix of heartfelt Disney storytelling and elaborate action role-playing mythology has helped it remain one of the most recognizable gaming franchises of the past two decades.
The upcoming anime will reimagine that sense of adventure through an original storyline. Disney has not revealed whether the series will directly follow Sora or focus on new characters within the larger universe.
The company also has not announced the voice cast, creative staff, episode count or premiere window. More details are expected as production moves forward.
Although the show will create something new, the involvement of Nomura and Square Enix suggests it will remain closely connected to the style, themes and characters associated with the games.
Kingdom Hearts Expands Beyond Video Games
The anime announcement marks a major new chapter for Kingdom Hearts. While the franchise has expanded through manga, novels, concerts and merchandise, this will be its first original television series.
Its arrival also gives Disney an opportunity to introduce the franchise to younger viewers who may not have experienced the games. For existing fans, the series could offer another way to explore its universe while waiting for more information about Kingdom Hearts IV.
Disney recently revealed that the world of Pixar’s Coco will appear as a location in the upcoming fourth mainline game. That announcement, combined with the television series, signals a significant expansion for the franchise across gaming and animation.
Kingdom Hearts joins Disney+’s growing collection of original animated programming. The current slate includes Dragon Striker, Phineas and Ferb and Big City Greens, along with the upcoming Messi and the Giants, Warrior Cats and Journey.
Disney said these projects reflect its continued focus on stories filled with magic, wonder, adventure and heart for a new generation of children and families.
The Kingdom Hearts anime series is being developed for Disney Channel and Disney+. A premiere date has not been announced.
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Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society and Reel Insights Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.
