'Kingdom Hearts' anime series announced at D23
An original anime series based on iconic video game series "Kingdom Hearts" has been greenlit for Disney Channel and Disney+, the company revealed during the Disney Entertainment Showcase at D23 on Friday.
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is the company's biennial exposition, where it previews upcoming movies, shows, experiences and products, in addition to honoring its history. This year's event is taking place at the Anaheim Convention Center from Friday to Sunday.
The show is being developed in partnership with the creative team at series developer Square Enix, the company said in a release. It reimagines the iconic adventure with a brand-new story that will expand on the universe of "Kingdom Hearts" while celebrating the characters that have captured the hearts of millions of fans around the world.
"'Kingdom Hearts' has captivated gamers everywhere with its unique blend of adventure and imagination," Ayo Davis, president, Disney Kids & Family said in a release. "There's something really exciting about taking a world fans have spent years exploring through the games and bringing it to life in a completely new way. And with a creative team that is working closely with the legendary Tetsuya Nomura, our new series will be unmistakably 'Kingdom Hearts,' while giving fans a whole new way to experience the world they love."
"Kingdom Hearts" is a series of role-playing games created by collaboration of Disney and Square Enix. The first game was released in 2002 for Sony's PlayStation 2, and the series has expanded with several additional entries. The series has shipped over 39 million units worldwide, Disney noted in a release.
The fourth entry will be released in late 2027 and will feature a world based on Pixar movie "Coco," the company said. Actor Benjamin Bratt will voice Ernesto de la Cruz in the game, he said during Friday's panel.
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