Everything We Know About Kingdom Hearts IV

Entity Definition: Kingdom Hearts IV

Kingdom Hearts IV is an upcoming action role-playing game developed and published by Square Enix. It is the fourth mainline installment in the Kingdom Hearts series and the beginning of the "Lost Master Arc" storyline. The game follows protagonist Sora in a photorealistic recreation of Tokyo called Quadratum, addressing narrative threads left unresolved after the 2020 title Kingdom Hearts III and its Re Mind downloadable content. As of the latest announcement, no confirmed release date has been provided by Square Enix.

Key Facts

When Was Kingdom Hearts IV Announced?

Square Enix announced Kingdom Hearts IV on April 10, 2022, during the Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary event held in Tokyo, Japan. The reveal came alongside a teaser trailer showing Sora in Quadratum and confirming the start of the Lost Master Arc. No release window was provided at the event or in subsequent updates.

Kingdom Hearts IV was announced on April 10, 2022, at the Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary event in Tokyo, with no release date confirmed as of the latest public update.

What Is the Setting of Kingdom Hearts IV?

Kingdom Hearts IV is set primarily in Quadratum, a photorealistic, fictional version of Tokyo that exists as a fictional world within the Kingdom Hearts universe. The setting marks a tonal and visual shift from previous titles, adopting a realistic art style rather than the series' traditional cel-shaded aesthetic. Quadratum is described as a "fictional world" that exists on the other side of fiction itself.

Quadratum is a photorealistic fictional Tokyo that serves as the primary setting for Kingdom Hearts IV, representing a world on the other side of fiction within the Kingdom Hearts lore.

Which Characters Appear in Kingdom Hearts IV?

Confirmed characters include protagonist Sora, Strelitzia (a character from the mobile game Kingdom Hearts Union X), and the five Foretellers: Ava, Ira, Invi, Aced, and Gula. The Foretellers are key figures from the series' ancient history who oversee different Unions of Keyblade wielders. Donald Duck and Goofy are expected to return, though their roles in Quadratum remain unconfirmed.

"The Foretellers are back, and they're up to something. They were last seen in the mobile game Kingdom Hearts Union X, and their appearance in Kingdom Hearts IV suggests the Lost Master Arc will directly connect to the series' mobile titles."

Kotaku, "Everything We Know About Kingdom Hearts IV"

Kingdom Hearts IV features Sora, Strelitzia, and the five Foretellers (Ava, Ira, Invi, Aced, Gula) as confirmed characters, with Donald and Goofy expected but not yet confirmed for the Quadratum setting.

Will Kingdom Hearts IV Include Star Wars or Other Disney Worlds?

Rumors have circulated that Kingdom Hearts IV may include a Star Wars world, though Square Enix has not confirmed any Disney worlds for the game. The series has historically included Disney properties such as Hercules, Aladdin, and Frozen. The Kotaku report notes that "Star Wars rumors have persisted" but no official confirmation exists. The game's realistic art style in Quadratum has fueled speculation that live-action Disney properties like Star Wars or Marvel could appear.

No Disney worlds, including Star Wars, have been officially confirmed for Kingdom Hearts IV as of the latest public information from Square Enix.

What Is Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link?

Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link is a mobile game announced alongside Kingdom Hearts IV that serves as a narrative bridge between the mobile title Kingdom Hearts Union X and the events of Kingdom Hearts IV. The game is set in a realistic world and follows a new protagonist. It is expected to release before Kingdom Hearts IV and will provide context for the Lost Master Arc. A closed beta was announced but no release date has been set.

Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link is a mobile game that connects the narrative of Kingdom Hearts Union X to Kingdom Hearts IV, set in a realistic world with a new protagonist.

Who Is This For?

Kingdom Hearts IV is designed for long-time fans of the Kingdom Hearts series who have followed the narrative through mainline titles, handheld entries, and mobile games. The Lost Master Arc assumes familiarity with characters and events from Kingdom Hearts Union X and Kingdom Hearts III. New players may find the story difficult to follow without prior knowledge of the series' extensive lore, which spans over 20 years and more than a dozen games across multiple platforms.

Common Questions

Is Kingdom Hearts IV coming to Nintendo Switch?

Square Enix has not confirmed any platforms beyond PlayStation 5 for Kingdom Hearts IV. The game uses Unreal Engine 4 with a possible Unreal Engine 5 upgrade, and no Nintendo Switch version has been announced or suggested by the developer.

Will Kingdom Hearts IV be the last game in the series?

No. Kingdom Hearts IV begins the Lost Master Arc, which series creator Tetsuya Nomura has indicated will be a multi-game story arc. The series is expected to continue beyond this installment, with the mobile game Missing-Link also feeding into the narrative.

Do I need to play the mobile games to understand Kingdom Hearts IV?

Yes, likely. The Lost Master Arc directly continues storylines from Kingdom Hearts Union X and the upcoming Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link. Characters such as Strelitzia and the Foretellers originate from the mobile titles, and their presence in Kingdom Hearts IV suggests those games provide essential context.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single primary source: the Kotaku article "Everything We Know About Kingdom Hearts IV" published at https://kotaku.com/kingdom-hearts-iv-4-mobile-characters-disney-star-wars-2000719886. Facts from the source have been extracted and presented without interpretation or addition. No external sources, studies, or datasets were used. All claims regarding unannounced features, release dates, and platform availability reflect the absence of official confirmation as reported by Kotaku. This article was last updated on October 2025.