D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2026 was full of surprises and announcements for fans of the KINGDOM HEARTS saga, including news on the upcoming, highly anticipated KINGDOM HEARTS IV.
During the Disney Entertainment Showcase at the Honda Center on Friday, fans witnessed the moment they’ve all been waiting for as a brand-new trailer was revealed for KINGDOM HEARTS IV, showcasing the vibrant world inspired by Disney and Pixar’s Coco. The game was announced to be released in late 2027. Alongside this announcement, it was announced that Kingdom Hearts (working title), an original anime series for Disney Channel and Disney+, is in development in collaboration with Tetsuya Nomura and the creative team at SQUARE ENIX.
Over at the Anaheim Convention Center, fans who attended the DEEP DIVE into KINGDOM HEARTS panel, which commemorated 25 years of the saga, heard insights from Disney & Pixar Games, SQUARE ENIX, and Disney Character Voices. The panel featured Nana Gadd, director, Product Development, Disney & Pixar Games, accompanied by the creator of KINGDOM HEARTS, Tetsuya Nomura, and co-director Tai Yasue. The trio took fans on a journey through the saga's history, reflecting on the creative process of adapting Disney and Pixar films into immersive worlds throughout KINGDOM HEARTS, and creating original worlds that expanded the game’s universe.
They also shared a few insights into the highly anticipated KINGDOM HEARTS IV, offering fans a glimpse at what’s ahead for the next chapter of Sora’s adventure. During the panel, the audience also had a chance to see an extended version of the new KINGDOM HEARTS IV trailer, where they learned they’ll have the ability to play as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy, as they seek to uncover information about Sora’s whereabouts.
Renée Johnson, creative director, Disney Character Voices, joined the stage alongside voice talent to discuss the creative behind-the-scenes process of KINGDOM HEARTS during a Q&A. Haley Joel Osment, the English voice actor of Sora, and David Gallagher, the voice of Riku, surprised the audience with an on-stage reenactment of a KINGDOM HEARTS scene as a special treat! Fans even got to hear a message from Miyu Irino, the Japanese voice actor of Sora.
With exciting announcements and special fan experiences, D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event helped kicked off the 25th anniversary celebration of KINGDOM HEARTS in a memorable way.
Fans can preorder KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I~III] for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and XBOX Series X|S which releases on Oct. 8, 2026. KINGDOM HEARTS IV will be available for Nintendo Switch™ 2, PlayStation®5, XBOX Series X|S and PC in late 2027 and is available to wish list now. For more information, visit: https://www.kingdomhearts.com/