KINGDOM HEARTS IV Director Tetsuya Nomura Electrifies D23, Declares “There Will Absolutely Be No Delay”; Coco World and Origami Mickey Gameplay Revealed

KINGDOM HEARTS IV took center stage at D23 as series creator and director Tetsuya Nomura made a surprise appearance and firmly declared that the game will not be delayed.

A special panel titled “DEEP DIVE into KINGDOM HEARTS” was held on August 15 local time at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2026, currently taking place in Anaheim, California. Nomura, the director who created the KINGDOM HEARTS series, made a surprise appearance at the event. The official D23 report confirms that Nomura joined co director Tai Yasue and Nana Gadd of Disney & Pixar Games for the panel.

At the Disney Entertainment Showcase the previous day, it was announced that KINGDOM HEARTS IV, the latest numbered entry in the series, will launch in late 2027. Nomura made a forceful declaration regarding the release window, saying, “There will absolutely be no delay.” The venue also screened the latest trailer, running approximately four minutes, which revealed a world based on Disney and Pixar’s Coco as well as new gameplay elements involving Mickey Mouse. Disney has officially confirmed the Coco world and the late 2027 release window.

Appearing on the D23 stage, Nomura greeted the audience by saying, “It has been several years since I was last here, but I was finally able to come back.”

He explained that although he had arrived locally the previous day, he had been keeping out of sight because his appearance was intended as a surprise.

“Now that I have finally been able to come out on stage, I guess I can say I am free at last,” he said with a smile. He then added, “But I am already returning to Japan tomorrow,” drawing laughter from the audience.

The panel also featured Yasue, whose appearance had been announced in advance, and Nana Gadd, Director of Product Development at Disney & Pixar Games. Actor Khleo Thomas served as host as the speakers discussed the selection of Disney worlds and development of the latest game. Coverage of the panel identifies Khleo Thomas as the host.

Creating Worlds That Deliver an Element of Surprise

When asked which Disney property he had been certain from the conceptual stage absolutely needed to be included, Nomura named The Nightmare Before Christmas.

“Of course, we always expected to feature classic animated films, but I also wanted to introduce something a little unexpected, something that would catch players off guard. Since then, with each numbered title, I have made a point of including at least one world with an element of surprise, such as one based on a live action film.”

Yasue, meanwhile, explained that when selecting Disney worlds, the team first considers what kind of experience it wants players to have.

He said the goal is to create “a package like Disneyland, filled with attractions.”

Gadd explained that authenticity comes from ensuring that characters still react in ways true to themselves even when they are placed in unfamiliar environments. She added that the team carefully adjusts everything from the visual presentation and composition of the films to the rhythm of their storytelling.

Sora’s Current Situation Was Key to Choosing Coco

Discussing the process of combining the original KINGDOM HEARTS story with Disney properties, Nomura explained that he repeatedly exchanges ideas with his team in order to bring the worlds in his head to life.

“I have the team propose ideas, and then we go back and forth many times. Even then, there are parts that end up different from what I have in mind, and there are things I cannot compromise on, but we are always discussing those points. We have fun with it. We are not fighting at all, but we are constantly pushing right up to the limit and asking each other how we can make things more fun.”

Nomura said the Coco world was selected with Sora’s current circumstances in mind.

“Sora’s current situation is significantly different from what it was in the past. We always select worlds while keeping those kinds of themes in mind, and that lies at the core of our approach.”

The team also works closely with scenario staff to maintain consistency and continuity across the overall story. Nomura said they had been discussing detailed feedback right up until he left for D23.

“This is simply part of our everyday development process,” he said.

Maleficent Will Be Extremely Important to the Story

During a discussion about favorite characters, Nomura spoke about his fondness for villains including Maleficent and Hades.

“I think we have been able to bring out many new sides to the villains as well,” he said.

“They do not simply follow the stories of their original works. They also become deeply involved in the original KINGDOM HEARTS story. They are genuinely fun characters both to write and to animate, so I always end up giving them a lot of appearances.”

Nomura said he was particularly pleased with a scene in the new footage featuring Donald, Goofy, and Hades.

He also teased Maleficent’s role, saying, “Maleficent will play an extremely important role in the story as well, so please look forward to that.”

Play as Mickey in a Paper World With Origami Style Actions

According to Yasue, players will control Mickey in Scala ad Caelum as he ventures through a paper world contained inside a book.

Mickey can create duplicates of himself in a manner resembling origami. He can flatten himself to slip through gaps in walls, fly through the air like a paper airplane, grow larger or smaller, and even transform into a box while solving puzzles.

Yasue explained that the result is a distinctive, puzzle focused gameplay experience that differs significantly from Sora’s action.

In Quadratum, new traversal actions allow Sora to move dynamically through the three dimensional cityscape. He can launch the keychain from his Keyblade to reach building rooftops, slide along power lines, and use signs to swing through the city.

Yasue said members of the development team actually walked through various parts of Tokyo to study how light appears in the city and to better understand its sense of scale.

Nomura Is Already Thinking About the 30th Anniversary

As the panel drew to a close, Nomura reflected on the series reaching its 25th anniversary in 2027.

“Everything is truly thanks to the support of all the fans. The series has been able to continue for this long because of all of you.”

Nomura revealed that several projects for the 25th anniversary are already moving forward behind the scenes.

“As the 25th anniversary approaches, what I am thinking about now is what we should do for the 30th anniversary,” he said, revealing that he is already looking even further ahead.

One of those new developments is Kingdom Hearts, an original animated series currently being developed under a working title. Disney officially announced that the series is being created for Disney Channel and Disney+ in partnership with Nomura and the creative team at SQUARE ENIX

Nomura attempted to share more details about the newly announced project, but said with a wry smile that the relevant parties had stopped him, telling him, “Please do not say that yet.”

“There is still a great deal that I cannot talk about. However, as I said in the official comment, this is a project that I myself am deeply involved in, so I hope you will look forward to it.”

The animated series is scheduled to air on Disney Channel and stream on Disney+. Nomura and the SQUARE ENIX creative team are participating in its production.

“There Will Absolutely Be No Delay”

Finally, Nomura said there was something he wanted fans to know about the release timing of KINGDOM HEARTS IV.

“When we announced that the game would be released in late 2027, I saw people online saying that it might end up being delayed again. I want to make this absolutely clear. There will be no delay.”

He continued, “Please feel confident in looking forward to the 2027 release. Promotion for the game has only just begun, so I hope you will also look forward to all the new information still to come.”

Yasue also emphasized that development is progressing extremely smoothly.

“We are 100 percent certain we will make it. We will absolutely deliver it, so please look forward to it.”

The statement drew loud cheers from the packed venue. Contemporary reports of the panel confirm that both Nomura and Yasue firmly reaffirmed the 2027 release, with Yasue describing the schedule as effectively 100 percent certain.

It was also announced that KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I~III], featuring previous entries in the series, will be released on October 8. The collection will be available for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with preorders currently open. The October 8, 2026 release date and platforms are confirmed by both D23 and the SQUARE ENIX Store.

Later in the panel, Renée Johnson, Creative Director at Disney Character Voices, took the stage. Together with Haley Joel Osment, who voices Sora in the English version, and David Gallagher, the English voice of Riku, she discussed the production process and stories from behind the scenes of KINGDOM HEARTS in a Q&A session.

Osment and Gallagher delighted the audience by reenacting memorable scenes from the series, while Miyu Irino, the Japanese voice of Sora, also delivered a video message to fans at the venue.

Source : ORICON NEWS