# Kingdom Hearts franchise expansion and game updates > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/kingdom-hearts-franchise-expansion-and-game-updates > Updated: 2026-08-16T13:38:46.000Z. Sources: 197. Developments: 4. Following the initial announcements at the D23 event, further updates were provided during the D23 2026 fan event regarding the expansion of the Kingdom Hearts franchise. Disney and Square Enix reaffirmed that Kingdom Hearts IV is scheduled for a late 2027 release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. Addressing speculation regarding potential delays, series director Tetsuya Nomura and co-director Tai Yasue stated that the development team remains “confident in meeting the 2027 window,” with the release window described as a “100% certainty.” An extended trailer provided additional gameplay details, including a first look at the character Riku and further exploration of the city of Quadratum. The footage also showcased the world inspired by Pixar’s ‘Coco’, featuring characters such as Miguel and Hector. Playable segments featuring King Mickey, Donald Duck, and Goofy were highlighted, including a puzzle-based segment for Mickey that utilizes shifting perspectives. Regarding the franchise’s multimedia expansion, Disney confirmed that an original Kingdom Hearts anime series is in development for Disney+ and Disney Channel to celebrate the franchise’s 25th anniversary. The project continues to involve Tetsuya Nomura and the Square Enix creative team to ensure the new story remains faithful to the franchise's identity. ## Claims - Disney announced an original Kingdom Hearts anime series for Disney Channel and Disney+. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The series is being developed in partnership with Tetsuya Nomura and Square Enix. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The anime will feature a brand-new story that expands the existing Kingdom Hearts universe. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Kingdom Hearts 4 is scheduled to debut in late 2027. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Actor Benjamin Bratt will voice the character Ernesto de la Cruz in Kingdom Hearts IV. (single source) - The Kingdom Hearts franchise has shipped over 39 million units worldwide. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-16: Kingdom Hearts IV set for late 2027 release with new Pixar world Square Enix and Disney announced Kingdom Hearts IV will release in late 2027 for multiple platforms, featuring a Pixar ‘Coco’ world and a new original anime series for Disney+. 60 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kingdom-hearts-iv-set-for-late-2027-release ### 2026-08-14: Kingdom Hearts IV announced for 2027 with new anime series Disney and Square Enix announced a late 2027 release for Kingdom Hearts IV, featuring a Pixar's Coco crossover, and confirmed a new original anime series for Disney+ and Disney Channel. 131 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/disney-announces-kingdom-hearts-anime-series-for-disney ### 2026-08-14: Disney expands gaming footprint with $4B revenue and Kingdom Hearts 4 news At D23, Disney announced its gaming division has crossed $4 billion in annual spend. Key updates include Kingdom Hearts IV arriving in late 2027 and a new Star Wars crossover with Fortnite. 26 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/disney-expands-gaming-strategy-with-original-interactive-stories ### 2026-08-07: Kingdom Hearts 4 expected to be highlighted at Disney D23 Deep Dive panel Disney's D23 app lists Kingdom Hearts 4 co‑director Tai Yasue and voice actors Osment and Gallagher, indicating the game will be featured at the Aug 15 2026 Deep Dive panel; Square Enix has yet to set a release 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kingdom-hearts-4-expected-to-be-highlighted-at-disney-d23-deep-dive-panel --- Cite as: Kingdom Hearts franchise expansion and game updates. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/kingdom-hearts-franchise-expansion-and-game-updates