A 'Kingdom Hearts' Anime Is Exactly What the Series Needs After 25 Years

Disney and Square Enix have everything they need to make a great Kingdom Hearts anime — now it's time to stop waiting. The 25-year-old franchise has proven itself to be a beloved institution important enough to command its own marquee D23 celebration, which is why it's only logical that they take the next step and adapt it into an animated series. With over a dozen games released, Kingdom Hearts is one of the most successful video game franchises of all time, and an anime series could give normal people a way to actually get into the series, sidestepping or even just streamlining the series' daunting mountain of lore for newcomers.

The wider entertainment industry has spent years demonstrating how well games can make the same transition, with Netflix's success with Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Castlevania, and Devil May Cry being just a few examples. Kingdom Hearts already looks like an anime, with spiky-haired teenagers, impossibly elaborate weapons, and dramatic speeches about the nature of the big-H Heart. The games already employ episodic, procedural storytelling across a collection of colorful worlds with their own characters and conflicts, mainly based on Disney movies.

An anime series would be a tremendous addition to Disney's own animated offerings, with the opportunity to showcase the series' lovable characters, imaginative worlds, and epic storylines in a format that could be enjoyed by both kids and adults. Disney has a long history of creating animated classics that have become beloved by audiences around the world, and an anime adaptation of Kingdom Hearts could be the next chapter in this legacy. Plus, with the success of other Disney anime productions like Star Wars: Visions and Disney Twisted-Wonderland: The Animation, it's clear that the company is committed to bringing new and exciting stories to life on the small screen.

Disney's own animated productions have a way of transcending age and cultural boundaries, with shows like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse being enjoyed by kids as young as four years old. An anime adaptation of Kingdom Hearts could be a natural fit for this audience, showcasing the series' unique blend of action, adventure, and heartwarming moments that appeal to both kids and adults. The possibilities for the series are endless, with the potential to explore new characters, worlds, and storylines in a way that feels fresh and exciting but still stays true to the spirit of the games.

Some people may be skeptical about the idea of a Kingdom Hearts anime, arguing that it would be difficult to adapt the complex and convoluted lore of the games into a coherent narrative. However, this is not necessarily true. The games already have a clear structure and storytelling style that could be easily translated into an anime format, with the series' central characters and storylines being easily recognizable for new and old fans alike. And besides, the success of other anime adaptations, such as X-Men '97 and NieR: Automata Ver1.1a, shows that it's possible to successfully adapt a game into an anime without sacrificing the original story's tone and feel.

The Kingdom Hearts series has a unique place in the world of video games and anime, with its blend of Disney and Final Fantasy elements creating a truly one-of-a-kind experience. By adapting the series into an anime, Disney and Square Enix could tap into this unique energy and create something truly special. Plus, with the upcoming release of Kingdom Hearts 4, the timing for a potential anime seems perfect, given the renewed interest and hype surrounding the franchise. An anime series would be a great way to capitalize on this momentum and give fans even more opportunities to engage with the series.

Disney and Square Enix clearly have the resources and the talent to create a truly amazing anime series based on Kingdom Hearts. With the support of fans like you, they can make it happen and take the franchise to new heights. So, what do you think? Would you love to see a Kingdom Hearts anime be made? Share your thoughts in the comments below.