Disney’s D23 event brought major updates for Kingdom Hearts 4, giving fans a fresh look at the game, confirming its first official Disney world, and narrowing down its launch window.
While video game announcements are relatively rare at D23 (celebrating Disney’s founding year of 1923), an exception is always possible for the massive crossover franchise uniting Disney and Square Enix. Following the release of Kingdom Hearts 3 in 2019 and the initial game announcement in 2022—followed by a gameplay reveal at a Nintendo Direct this past June—anticipation has been building steadily.
The previous footage centered on Quadratum, a setting resembling the modern real world. However, the new D23 trailer introduced Pixar’s Coco as the first confirmed movie universe in the game. Alongside striking visuals that rival the animated film itself, the trailer confirmed a targeted release window of late 2027.
Though the footage was relatively brief, it showcased Sora battling enemies within the Coco setting, Mickey Mouse looking pensive in a library, and Goofy conversing with Hades from Hercules. A typical Kingdom Hearts title features roughly a dozen distinct worlds, mixing original locations like Quadratum with various Disney and Square Enix properties.
Persistent rumors continue to circulate regarding potential Star Wars and Marvel worlds. Early teasers for Kingdom Hearts 4 featured what many fans believed to be an AT-ST on Endor, though a Star Wars crossover remains unconfirmed. Given that Disney has previously integrated live-action properties like Pirates of the Caribbean and Tron, the inclusion of other major franchises is not entirely out of the question.
In addition to the game updates, Disney announced a brand-new Kingdom Hearts anime series slated for Disney Channel and Disney+. Developed in collaboration with Square Enix and series creator Tetsuya Nomura, the show will feature an original storyline rather than adapting events from the games.
As D23 continues, further details about the franchise may emerge, though major announcements regarding other high-profile Disney properties remain absent for now.