{
  "id": 1305017,
  "title": "Kingdom Hearts creator Tetsuya Nomura teases his role in the new anime series, tells fans to \"let your imagination run wild\"",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/kingdom-hearts-creator-tetsuya-nomura-teases-his-role-in-the-new",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-16T16:22:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Eurogamer",
    "slug": "eurogamer",
    "url": "https://www.eurogamer.net/kingdom-hearts-nomura-anime-series-tease-d23"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kingdom Hearts franchise designer Tetsuya Nomura recently confirmed the production of an official Kingdom Hearts anime series, though he is withholding many details. At an X post on August 15, 2026, Nomura stated that he has been closely working with the series' scenario and art teams to create new character designs specifically for the anime. \"Please let your imagination run wild as you await further updates,\" he added.\n\nDisney Kids & Family president Ayo Davis confirmed the anime is being developed in close collaboration with Nomura's team, but no further information about the plot, cast, or release date has been shared. Disney+ has only a placeholder tag for the series.\n\nEarlier, at the Kingdom Hearts 25th anniversary Deep Dive panel, Nomura revealed that Donald, Goofy, and King Mickey will be playable characters for the first time in a mainline Kingdom Hearts game. Additionally, an adult Riku was first shown in the game, assisting Sora in Quadratum. The game's release window is set for late 2027, unaltered at this point.",
  "summary": "Kingdom Hearts creator Tetsuya Nomura has addressed the newly announced Kingdom Hearts anime series directly for the first time, though he's giving away very little. Read more",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "IGN",
        "title": "Kingdom Hearts 4 Gets New Trailer, Late 2027 Release Window, and a Disney+ Anime Series",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/kingdom-hearts-4-gets-new-trailer-late-2027-release-window-and-a",
        "published": "2026-08-15T03:03:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Polygon",
        "title": "Kingdom Hearts 4 Release Date and Anime Announced at D23",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/kingdom-hearts-4-release-date-and-anime-announced-at-d23",
        "published": "2026-08-15T03:18:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Eurogamer",
        "title": "Kingdom Hearts 4 finally has a release window, if not quite a firm release date",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/kingdom-hearts-4-finally-has-a-release-window-if-not-quite-a-firm",
        "published": "2026-08-15T10:42:49.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Mashable",
        "title": "Kingdom Hearts first-ever anime TV series coming to Disney+",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/kingdom-hearts-first-ever-anime-tv-series-coming-to-disney",
        "published": "2026-08-15T14:44:24.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}