25 years of Kingdom Hearts will bring a new game and an anime

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Disney’s D23 event last weekend featured a special panel dedicated to the Kingdom Hearts RPG franchise, a collaboration with Square Enix that will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2027. The panel delivered several surprises for fans, beginning with a new trailer for Kingdom Hearts IV. First announced in 2022 during the franchise’s 20th-anniversary festivities, Kingdom Hearts IV had seen minimal updates until now. The new trailer reveals that the game will include a world inspired by the movie Lilo & Stitch, presented as a celebration of life. In this installment, Sora will wield a Keyblade designed in the shape of an acoustic guitar. Furthermore, the game is confirmed for release on PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and Xbox Series X/S by the end of 2027. The narrative follows Sora and his companions as they journey through Quadratum after awakening there, visiting various worlds where characters will meet him. Preorders for Kingdom Hearts IV are available on Steam and the Epic Games Store.

Disney Showcase Reveals Mickey Role in Kingdom Hearts IV and New Anime Series Coming Next Year

The announcement on August 14, 2026, at the Disney Entertainment Showcase also confirmed that Mickey Mouse will be a controllable character in Kingdom Hearts IV. His gameplay will focus on puzzle-based segments, reminiscent of Epic Mickey, rather than direct combat encounters. In addition to the game’s release, a new anime series titled Kingdom Hearts: The Series was unveiled at the event. This series will stream on Disney and will present a brand-new story within the Kingdom Hearts universe, featuring familiar characters and themes from the games. Tetsuya Nomura is involved in this project, which is not a direct adaptation of any existing game but rather an original narrative. While the anime’s release date remains unannounced, it is anticipated to arrive next year, coinciding with the franchise’s 25th-anniversary celebrations. The trailer for Kingdom Hearts IV was previously shown during a Nintendo Direct in June before its appearance at D23.

In Case You Missed It

For those eager to explore how Square Enix is reshaping the legacy of its flagship franchise, you must read “Square Enix Announces Final Fantasy Resonance, First in Series Adopting HD-2D Style” by Marcus Thompson (June 13, 2026). In this post, we delve into the exciting reveal that *Final Fantasy Resonance* will pioneer a new visual direction for the series by blending pixel art characters with high-definition backgrounds and sophisticated lighting effects found in games like *Octopath Traveler*. Inspired by the mobile title *Final Fantasy Brave Exvius*, the project aims to deliver a robust, traditional console experience featuring turn-based combat that promises to be one of the standout surprises from Nintendo Direct. The game is officially scheduled for release on October 22, 2026, and you can learn more about this nostalgic yet contemporary adventure via https://playersforlife.com/2026/06/13/square-enix-announces-final-fantasy-resonance-first-in-series-adopting-hd-2d-style/. The excitement continues with exciting news for fans of the crossover franchise, as Square Enix has unveiled a new *Kingdom Hearts* series trailer revealed during Disney’s D23 event! The upcoming title is set to launch in late 2027 across the Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. In this latest installment, protagonist Sora awakens alone in Quadratum—a mysterious metropolis—and must find a way back home while his friends search for him with no leads. The trailer notably features an extended version showcasing gameplay footage where Mickey Mouse joins the adventure as they enter the world of Pixar’s *Coco*. You can learn more about this incredible reveal by reading “Kingdom Hearts 4 gets a trailer set in the world of Coco” authored by Jonathan Dubinski and published on August 17, 2026: Kingdom Hearts 4 gets a trailer set in the world of Coco. Get ready to step into a new dimension as Square Enix and Disney prepare to launch an original anime series inspired by the legendary *Kingdom Hearts* universe. In “Kingdom Hearts on its way to Disney+” by Marcus Thompson, published on August 17, 2026, we dive deep into this exciting collaboration between the companies and creator Tetsuya Nomura that will soon air on both Disney+ and Disney Channel. The post details how fans can look forward to seeing beloved characters alongside an exclusive story expanding the franchise’s lore, even before an official release date is confirmed. With anticipation running high among the community, you won’t want to miss this latest update; check out the full breakdown here: Kingdom Hearts on its way to Disney+.