Kingdom Hearts IV received an extended trailer gameplay during D23 2026, following the shorter preview the previous day. The presentation also confirmed that Pixar’s Coco will be featured in the upcoming game.
Series creator and director Tetsuya Nomura made a surprise appearance during the panel, where additional material from the long-awaited next mainline entry was presented. Square Enix also gave an update on the game’s development and release window. Co-director Tai Yasue said development is progressing smoothly and reaffirmed that Kingdom Hearts IV will “100%” launch in 2027.
“I can confidently say and promise that it will launch in 2027. Schedule wise, development is very smooth. It’s not like an 80% or 90% thing, it’s a 100% thing.”
The update follows several years of limited information surrounding Kingdom Hearts IV, which was originally announced in April 2022 as part of the franchise’s 20th anniversary. The first trailer was revealed at Nintendo Direct in June this year. The game will be available on the PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox ON PC, Nintendo Switch™ 2, Steam, and Epic Games Store.
Disney and Square Enix also announced the first original Kingdom Hearts animated series at D23, with the series set to feature a newly created story and involvement from Nomura and Square Enix’s creative team.
First launched in 2002 through a collaboration between Square Enix and Disney, the Kingdom Hearts franchise combines original characters with worlds and characters from Disney properties. Over the past two decades, the series has expanded over numerous console and handheld releases, selling more than 38 million copies worldwide and becoming one of Square Enix’s most successful franchises.
The most recent numbered installment, Kingdom Hearts III, concluded the long-running Dark Seeker Saga centered on Xehanort, while Kingdom Hearts IV will mark the beginning of a new story.
Source: Square Enix Official YouTube
© Disney. © Disney/Pixar. Developed by Square Enix.
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