A new Kingdom Hearts anime for Disney+ was unveiled at D23. Instead of a remake, we may be in for a new, slightly darker story.
Benjamin Bratt, one of the voice actors from the Pixar film *Coco*, let the cat out of the bag during D23 2026. An anime adaptation of *Kingdom Hearts* is in the works and is set to “premiere soon.” Square Enix and Tetsuya Nomura, the series’ game designer, are also reportedly involved. With Kingdom Hearts 4 set to launch next year, the anime could actually premiere as early as this year or early next year.
An Expansion Rather Than a Simple Series Remake
During the Disney Entertainment Showcase panel at D23 2026, an anime adaptation of Kingdom Hearts was unveiled. It is described as a reinterpretation of “the legendary adventure” featuring a “brand-new story.” It is intended to “expand the Kingdom Hearts universe while paying tribute to the characters who have captured the hearts of millions of fans around the world.”
Whether we can look forward to a story set in the same universe as the games, an alternate timeline, or something along those lines isn’t entirely clear from the wording. Still, it’s a reason to celebrate for all Kingdom Hearts fans. For me, it’ll be a great opportunity to dive back into the world of Kingdom Hearts before the fourth installment is released, without having to watch eight-hour lore videos on YouTube.
Cryptic Teaser Raises New Questions
Even thesocial media postfrom Disney remains cryptic. We only see the protagonist with his Keyblade. At least the design of the character and his blade looks darker and more serious than Sora’s. But other than the fact that the anime will air on Disney+ and the Disney Channel, we don’t learn anything else.
Ready for a new adventure? An original Kingdom Hearts anime series inspired by the beloved video game franchise is coming soon to @DisneyChannel and @DisneyPlus pic.twitter.com/ZJMl3LS4yr
— Disney (@Disney) August 15, 2026
But the phrase “brand-new story” and the character’s design suggest that we’re not getting a mere remake of Sora’s story, but rather a new protagonist drawn from the rich lore of the Kingdom Hearts universe.
Enthusiasm for the franchise is currently at an all-time high, as anticipation is building for the release of a new main entry in the series next year. After all, Kingdom Hearts 3 came out back in 2019. Whether the anime’s story is connected to Kingdom Hearts 4 remains to be seen, but given the announcement that the series is “coming soon,” it can’t be completely ruled out.
