It’s been an incredibly disappointing year(s) for Kingdom Hearts fans. 2025 started off with hopes about mobile game Missing Link finally releasing, only for our dreams to be swiftly dashed as Square Enix officially killed the project despite numerous beta tests. Though we did get some new screenshots of Kingdom Hearts 4 shortly afterward, that consolation prize is all 2025 has offered.
I can be patient. After all, it took over a decade for Kingdom Hearts 3 to release after Kingdom Hearts 2’s smashing success. However, during that long wait, there were smaller installments that kept fans happy and fed while progressing the ongoing story. Right now, we’re in a drought.
It’s Been 1,000 Days Since We Last Saw Kingdom Hearts 4
Welcome to triple-digits, Keyblade Masters.
Honestly, I’d Take Another Mobile Game At This Point
To scratch the Disney anime itch, I’ve reinstalled Disney’s Twisted-Wonderland just to feel something. It helps that Silver from Diasomnia looks remarkably like Riku, and the latest event artwork shows him fighting Maleficent in her dragon form, reminiscent of those epic battles against her in the Kingdom Hearts series.
And it’s no surprise that David Gallagher, the English voice actor for Riku, has been single-handedly keeping fans from losing hope by revisiting the original game on his Twitch channel. Now if only we could get him and Jesse McCartney (Roxas) to stream multiplayer missions from Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, we’d be golden.
Despite everything, the fandom is alive and well, even if we’re starving for information regarding the next mainline installment. We don’t even have a decent mobile game to keep us occupied. I’d even take Kingdom Hearts Union Cross being relisted on the App Store at this point.
Note: For the record, I still have it installed on my phone and will die before letting anything happen to it.
Not all hope is lost for Kingdom Hearts fans however, as it seems Disney is gearing up for something special next year. Here’s my take, as a Kingdom Hearts super fan and someone with an intimate knowledge of all things Disney.
Disney Finally Acknowledging Kingdom Hearts On A Large Scale
Kingdom Hearts 3 was possibly the first time Disney truly embraced the Kingdom Hearts franchise without compromise. It even installed a pop-up event in Disney Springs where players could get their hands on a demo of the game early while browsing life-size keyblades and merchandise. But otherwise, the parent company has been hands off.
That pop-up location is now a Ron Jon surf shop, but it will always be the Kingdom Hearts pop-up shop to me.
Yet earlier this year, the official Disneyland social channels showcased their 70th anniversary key with a cast member dressed up as Sora. Many had already clocked the connection when the key was announced, but this only confirmed the inspiration. Later, a collectible series of 12 keyblade pins was displayed, coming in 2026 with one releasing each month.
Limited edition pins weren’t the only merchandise showcased either, as Her Universe received an all-new collection of Kingdom Hearts inspired clothes and accessories. I haven’t seen this much new Kingdom Hearts merchandise since the lead up to Kingdom Hearts 3, which makes me wonder if all this silence and the cancellation of Missing Link are really just leading up to something big.
Please, Square Enix, Give Us Something
Getting Kingdom Hearts news at all would be like stumbling across snow in the desert, and in the spirit of Christmas, maybe I dare to hope for something. Anything for Kingdom Hearts 4. Please, it’s been so long.
I’m not asking for a trailer or even a release date. Just something as small as new screenshots or confirmation that voice actors have started work on the game. Even a crossover event with Disney Dreamlight Valley would be enough to show fans that the series lives on.
Maybe this is indicative of a pull away from Disney worlds within the franchise, as Nomura mentioned that it was much more difficult to work with so many Disney alums all wanting to be a part of Sora’s journey. However, just like Sora, I choose to be optimistic.
Disney isn’t taking a well-trodden path to embrace the franchise or outright disown it, but instead the middle road. Not the twilight road to nightfall, where they smother a project that doesn’t perform, but the road to dawn, where the best is yet to come.
Square Enix is somehow doing less with Kingdom Hearts right now than Disney itself
Disney has been throwing out references left, right, and centre while Square Enix remains silent.
