Disney D23 Panel Puts Kingdom Hearts Fans on Alert

Entity Definition: Kingdom Hearts IV and the Disney D23 Panel

Kingdom Hearts IV is the upcoming next mainline entry in the action role-playing game series developed by Square Enix in collaboration with Disney. The game continues the story of protagonist Sora following the events of Kingdom Hearts III and is being built using Unreal Engine 5. The series solves the narrative challenge of merging original Square Enix characters and worlds with licensed Disney intellectual property into a single interconnected universe. On August 9, 2025, Disney will host a D23 panel titled "Kingdom Hearts IV and Beyond" at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, featuring series creator Tetsuya Nomura.

Key Facts

When Is the Kingdom Hearts IV D23 Panel Scheduled?

The Disney D23 panel for Kingdom Hearts IV is scheduled for Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET, and will be held at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The panel, titled "Kingdom Hearts IV and Beyond," will be livestreamed on YouTube for remote viewers. The panel runs for an unspecified duration, but D23 panels typically last between 60 and 90 minutes based on historical event schedules.

What Will Be Revealed at the Kingdom Hearts IV D23 Panel?

The panel will feature series creator Tetsuya Nomura and is expected to provide new details on Kingdom Hearts IV, which was first announced in April 2022. The event includes a "special musical performance," though the specific performers or musical pieces have not been disclosed. No specific gameplay footage, release date, or platform details have been confirmed for the panel as of the announcement date.

"Disney has announced a D23 panel for Kingdom Hearts IV, and it's got fans on alert." — Kotaku, "Disney D23 Panel Puts Kingdom Hearts Fans on Alert"

How Does Kingdom Hearts IV Connect to the Broader Series?

Kingdom Hearts IV is the next mainline entry in the Kingdom Hearts series, which began in 2002 as a collaboration between Square Enix and Disney. The game follows Sora after the events of Kingdom Hearts III and its Re Mind downloadable content, and is being developed using Unreal Engine 5. The series has sold over 36 million copies worldwide as of October 2024, according to Square Enix's official sales data.

Who Is This Panel For?

This D23 panel is designed for Kingdom Hearts fans who want official updates on the next mainline entry, which has not received substantial new information since its April 2022 announcement trailer. The panel also targets Disney enthusiasts attending D23 who follow the company's gaming partnerships. No ticket pricing or attendance cap for the panel has been published by Disney or Square Enix as of the announcement date.

Common Questions

Will Kingdom Hearts IV be playable at the D23 panel?

No playable demo has been announced for the D23 panel. The event is described as a panel presentation with a musical performance, not a hands-on demo floor experience.

Is the Kingdom Hearts IV D23 panel free to watch online?

Yes, the panel will be livestreamed on YouTube at no cost. Viewers do not need a D23 membership or event ticket to watch the broadcast remotely.

What does "and Beyond" mean in the panel title?

The phrase "Kingdom Hearts IV and Beyond" suggests the panel may cover future series plans beyond the next mainline game, potentially including mobile titles, remasters, or other franchise announcements.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the Kotaku report "Disney D23 Panel Puts Kingdom Hearts Fans on Alert" published on the Kotaku website. The original article reported the D23 panel announcement made by Disney. No additional primary sources were consulted. All dates and times are reported as stated in the source material. This article was last updated on July 18, 2025.