‘Kingdom Hearts’ is finally coming to Disney as a TV series
‘Kingdom Hearts’ is finally coming to Disney as a TV series
The creative team behind the games is helping bring this strange and unforgettable crossover to the small screen.
I played “Kingdom Hearts” growing up on my PlayStation 2, so this one got me immediately. I mean… this is a game where you’re running around with Donald Duck and Goofy, Sora has a giant key as a weapon, you’re jumping in and out of Disney movies, there are “Final Fantasy” characters hanging around, and somehow NONE of that felt weird when I was playing it as a kid. Or maybe it did? I don’t remember questioning it. I just loved it.
Now, almost 25 years after the first game came out, Disney is actually making a “Kingdom Hearts” TV series. The new anime has been greenlit for Disney Channel and Disney+, game creator Tetsuya Nomura is involved with SQUARE ENIX, and maybe the most interesting part is that they aren’t just adapting the first game — it’s a new story. That could mean almost anything with “Kingdom Hearts,” honestly, because this universe gets insane. Here’s what you need to know.
Everything you need to know about ‘Kingdom Hearts’
When does ‘Kingdom Hearts’ come out?
We have no idea yet. “Kingdom Hearts” was just announced at D23, and Disney hasn’t given it a release date, a release window… nothing. It’s technically still a working title, too. Since they’re only announcing the greenlight now, I’d guess we’re looking at 2027 at the absolute earliest, and 2028 might make more sense. That’s me guessing though. Disney hasn’t said. I want this tomorrow, but animation does not care what I want.
Can you watch ‘Kingdom Hearts’ for free once it starts streaming?
Probably not on Disney+ because Disney+ doesn’t currently have a free trial. The ad-supported plan costs $12 per month and the ad-free Premium plan is $19 per month. BUT this one is a little weird because Disney says “Kingdom Hearts” is coming to both Disney+ and Disney Channel, and we don’t know what that actually means yet. Same day? Disney Channel first? Both? So there could eventually be other ways to watch it depending on how they release the thing. We’ll know more once there’s an actual date.
What is ‘Kingdom Hearts’ about?
This is the part I’m most curious about because Disney is specifically not saying this is the animated version of the original game. Instead, “Kingdom Hearts” is going to tell a brand-new story that expands the universe while bringing back, or at least celebrating, the characters people already love. That wording gives them a lot of room. Disney hasn’t even confirmed that Sora is the main character yet, so I’m not assuming anything. Although… come on. It’s “Kingdom Hearts.” I would be shocked if we don’t see Sora, Donald, Goofy, Riku, Kairi, and plenty of familiar faces somewhere in this thing.
For anyone who didn’t lose a bunch of hours to this on PlayStation 2, the games basically start with Sora getting a magical weapon called the Keyblade and traveling through Disney worlds with Donald and Goofy while fighting creatures called the Heartless. Simple enough! Then you keep playing and things become decidedly less simple. There’s light and darkness and hearts and Nobodies and Organization XIII and different versions of people and an enormous mythology spread across a ton of games. Which is actually why I like the idea of a new story. You can give people the incredibly fun part — Sora, Disney worlds, Keyblades, adventure — without handing someone a flowchart before Episode 1. Please do not make Tara study “Kingdom Hearts” lore before we watch this.
Who stars in ‘Kingdom Hearts’?
Nobody yet! Disney hasn’t announced a voice cast for “Kingdom Hearts,” which means we also don’t know whether the actors from the games are coming back. Haley Joel Osment has voiced Sora for years, and David Gallagher voices Riku, and both were actually at Disney’s “Kingdom Hearts” D23 panel this year, so obviously my brain immediately goes, “okay… are they doing the show?” Maybe. Maybe not. Disney hasn’t said. As soon as we get actual names, we’ll update this section.
Who is making ‘Kingdom Hearts’?
This is the part that makes me feel much better about the whole idea: Tetsuya Nomura is involved. He created “Kingdom Hearts,” has directed the games since the beginning, and Disney Kids & Family is developing the series with Nomura and the creative team at SQUARE ENIX. So the people behind the games are actually in the room. Disney Kids & Family president Ayo Davis says the goal is something that feels unmistakably “Kingdom Hearts” while still giving fans a new way into the world. Good. That’s what I want. Make it weird. Put Donald Duck next to an anime kid talking about the darkness inside somebody’s heart and act like that is a perfectly normal thing to do. That’s “Kingdom Hearts.”
Disney+
Disney+ is a video streaming service with over 13,000 series and films from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, The Muppets, and more. It is available in 61 countries and 21 languages. It is notable for its popular original series like “The Mandalorian,” “Ms. Marvel,” “Loki,” “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” and “Andor.”