Disney has officially given the green light to a new Kingdom Hearts anime series for Disney+, marking the video game franchise’s first original television adaptation.
Announced during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Kingdom Hearts is currently a working title. The anime series is being developed in partnership with franchise creator Tetsuya Nomura and the creative team at Square Enix.
The series will tell a brand-new story that expands the Kingdom Hearts universe while celebrating characters that have captured the hearts of fans around the world.
Ayo Davis, president of Disney Kids & Family, said the production team is working closely with Nomura to ensure the adaptation remains recognisably Kingdom Hearts while offering fans a different way to experience its world.
The series joins Disney+’s expanding animated line-up, which includes Phineas and Ferb, Big City Greens and Dragon Striker, alongside upcoming productions such as Messi and the Giants, Warrior Cats and Journey.
Created through a collaboration between Disney and Square Enix, the Kingdom Hearts series began when the first game was released for PlayStation 2 in March 2002. It has since expanded with several additional entries and, according to Disney, has shipped more than 39 million units worldwide.
A release date, voice cast, episode count and animation studio have not yet been announced.
Kingdom Hearts is being developed for Disney+.
