History of Kingdom Hearts in Timeline

Kingdom Hearts is an action RPG series uniting Disney and Square Enix characters. Sora, the protagonist, journeys with Donald Duck and Goofy through various Disney worlds to combat the Heartless, beings of darkness. The overarching plot involves intricate connections between characters, light and darkness, and the quest to protect the balance of the universe from various threats, including Xehanort, the primary antagonist. The series blends action-packed combat with a complex narrative, exploring themes of friendship, light, and darkness across numerous interconnected games.

February 2000: Kingdom Hearts Development Begins

In February 2000, development began on Kingdom Hearts with Tetsuya Nomura as director and Shinji Hashimoto as producer.

May 2001: Kingdom Hearts Announcement at E3

In May 2001, the first Kingdom Hearts game was announced at E3 as a collaboration between Square and Disney Interactive.

May 14, 2002: Kingdom Hearts English Voice Actor Announcement

On May 14, 2002, a press release announced the English voice actors for Kingdom Hearts, including Haley Joel Osment, David Gallagher, and Hayden Panettiere.

2002: "Hikari" reached No. 1

In 2002, "Hikari" by Hikaru Utada, the main theme song for the first Kingdom Hearts game, reached No. 1 on weekly Oricon charts.

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2002: Best Crossover Award

In 2002, GameSpot awarded Kingdom Hearts "Best Crossover Since Capcom vs. SNK" in their Best and Worst of the Year awards, acknowledging the successful blend of Final Fantasy and Disney elements.

September 2003: Kingdom Hearts II and Chain of Memories Announcement

In September 2003, Kingdom Hearts II and Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories were announced at the Tokyo Game Show. Initial details revealed that Kingdom Hearts II would take place after Chain of Memories and include the return of Sora, Donald, and Goofy with new costumes.

October 2003: Kingdom Hearts Manga First Tankōbon Release (Japan)

In October 2003, the first tankōbon of the Kingdom Hearts manga, with story and art by Shiro Amano, was released in Japan by Square Enix's Monthly Shōnen Gangan.

Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix, Vol. 1 - manga (Kingdom Hearts, 1)

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2003: Awards for Kingdom Hearts

In 2003, IGN named Kingdom Hearts "Best Art Style/Direction" in their list of "Best Looking Games on PS2", and G4 awarded it "Best Story" at their G-Phoria awards show.

2003: Nojima leaves Square

In 2003, Kazushige Nojima who provided scenarios for Kingdom Hearts left Square.

2003: Kingdom Hearts TV Pilot Commission

In 2003, a pilot for a television adaptation of the first Kingdom Hearts game was commissioned for the Disney Channel but did not go forward as a series.

2004: Mysteries of the First Game to be Answered

At the 2004 Square Enix E3 press conference, Shinji Hashimoto, the producer, announced that many mysteries of the first game would be answered in Kingdom Hearts II.

February 1, 2005: Kingdom Hearts V CAST release

On February 1, 2005, Kingdom Hearts was released for V CAST, Verizon Wireless's broadband service, in the United States, as one of the launch games for the service. The game was developed by Superscape and published by Disney Mobile.

October 2005: Kingdom Hearts Manga Release (US)

In October 2005, Tokyopop released the Kingdom Hearts manga in the US, two years after its initial release in Japan.

Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix, Vol. 1 - manga (Kingdom Hearts, 1)

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2005: "Passion" Reached No. 4

In 2005, Hikaru Utada's "Passion", the main theme from Kingdom Hearts II, reached No. 4 on weekly Oricon charts.

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2005: Famitsu's Game of the Year 2005

In 2005, Kingdom Hearts II tied with Resident Evil 4 as Famitsu's Game of the Year.

March 2006: Kingdom Hearts II Top Selling Console Game

By the end of March 2006, The NPD Group reported that Kingdom Hearts II was the highest-selling console game in North America, with 614,000 copies sold.

2006: Kingdom Hearts II Wins Best Sequel

In 2006, Electronic Gaming Monthly awarded Kingdom Hearts II "Best Sequel", recognizing its quality and contribution to the series.

October 2007: Dead Fantasy Web Series Creation

In October 2007, Monty Oum created Dead Fantasy, a fan-made web series of CG action films featuring Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy characters.

November 2007: English Release of Kingdom Hearts Trading Card Game

In November 2007, Fantasy Flight Games released an English version of the Kingdom Hearts trading card game, which was originally created by the Tomy corporation of Japan.

March 14, 2013: Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix Release (Japan)

On March 14, 2013, Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix was released for the PlayStation 3 in Japan. It includes remastered versions of Kingdom Hearts Final Mix and Re:Chain of Memories.

June 2013: Nomura Explains the Origin of the Name "Kingdom Hearts"

In June 2013, Nomura explained that the name Kingdom Hearts originated from thinking about Disney Theme Parks, particularly Animal Kingdom, and the core story element of "heart".

September 2013: Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix Release (North America, Australia, Europe)

In September 2013, Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix was released in North America, Australia, and Europe.

October 14, 2013: Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix Announcement

On October 14, 2013, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix was announced for the PlayStation 3, including Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix and Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix.

March 2014: Kingdom Hearts Series Sales Milestone

As of March 2014, the Kingdom Hearts series had sold over 20 million copies worldwide, marking a significant milestone in its commercial success.

October 2, 2014: Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix Release (Japan)

On October 2, 2014, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix was released in Japan, featuring Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix and Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix.

December 2014: Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix Release (North America, Australia, Europe)

In December 2014, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix was released in North America, Australia, and Europe.

September 2015: Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue Announcement

In September 2015, Square Enix announced Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue.

January 2017: Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue Release

In January 2017, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue was released in Japan, North America, and Europe, featuring Dream Drop Distance, Kingdom Hearts χ Back Cover, and Kingdom Hearts 0.2: Birth by Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage.

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March 2017: Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix Release on PlayStation 4

In March 2017, Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix was released globally for the PlayStation 4 as a single-disc compilation.

September 2018: Kingdom Hearts VR Experience Announcement

In September 2018, Kingdom Hearts VR Experience, a free, 10-minute interactive video was announced.

December 25, 2018: Initial Release Date for Kingdom Hearts VR Experience Part 1

Initially scheduled for release on December 25, 2018, Kingdom Hearts VR Experience Part 1 was delayed prior to its release.

2018: Kingdom Hearts: The Story So Far Release (North America)

In 2018, a bundle of all three collections, titled Kingdom Hearts: The Story So Far, was released in North America.

January 18, 2019: Initial Release Date for Kingdom Hearts VR Experience Part 1

Originally scheduled for release on January 18, 2019, Kingdom Hearts VR Experience Part 1 faced delays before its eventual launch.

January 23, 2019: Kingdom Hearts VR Experience Part 1 Release (Japan)

On January 23, 2019, the first part of Kingdom Hearts VR Experience, a free interactive video, was released in Japan. This VR experience features iconic moments and music from the Kingdom Hearts games.

January 29, 2019: Kingdom Hearts: All-In-One-Package Digital Release (North America)

On January 29, 2019, the digital bundle Kingdom Hearts: All-In-One-Package, including Kingdom Hearts III, was released on the PlayStation 4 in North America.

February 2019: Kingdom Hearts Series Ships 30 Million Copies

As of February 2019, the Kingdom Hearts series had shipped more than 30 million copies worldwide, showcasing its continued popularity and commercial success.

April 2019: Kingdom Hearts III Manga Serialization

As of April 2019, a fifth manga series based on Kingdom Hearts III, with story and artwork by Shiro Amano, has been serialized monthly in Gangan Online.

Kingdom Hearts III, Vol. 1 (manga) (Volume 1) (Kingdom Hearts III (manga), 1)

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January 2020: Future of the series discussed

In January 2020, Nomura mentioned that there would need to be "more time" before the next main entry in the Kingdom Hearts series.

May 27, 2020: Report of Kingdom Hearts TV Series in Development

On May 27, 2020, it was reported that a TV series based on the Kingdom Hearts franchise was in development for Disney+.

2020: Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix release on Xbox One and Kingdom Hearts: All-In-One-Package physical release.

In 2020, Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix was released for the Xbox One, and Kingdom Hearts: All-In-One-Package became available physically in North America.

September 2021: Kingdom Hearts III sales reach 6.7 million units

As of September 2021, Kingdom Hearts III had reached a total of 6.7 million units sold, surpassing Kingdom Hearts' 6 million units to become the best-selling title in the series.

October 2021: Kingdom Hearts Series Ships 35 Million Copies

By October 2021, the Kingdom Hearts series had shipped over 35 million copies worldwide, demonstrating sustained growth and a strong market presence.

2021: Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix release on Windows.

In 2021, Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix was released for Windows.

March 2022: Kingdom Hearts series sales exceed 36 million

As of March 2022, the Kingdom Hearts series has shipped more than 36 million copies worldwide, marking a significant milestone for the franchise.

March 2022: Kingdom Hearts Series Ships 36 Million Copies

As of March 2022, the Kingdom Hearts series has shipped more than 36 million copies worldwide.

April 11, 2022: Kingdom Hearts III Sales Milestone Revealed

On April 11, 2022, it was revealed that Kingdom Hearts III reached a total of 6.7 million units sold as of September 2021, making it the best-selling title in the series.

April 2022: Kingdom Hearts IV Announcement

In April 2022, Square Enix revealed that Kingdom Hearts IV was in development, confirming the return of Sora, Donald, and Goofy, and that the game would be set in Quadratum.

October 2022: Release of the Kingdom Hearts TV Pilot Animatic

In October 2022, Seth Kearsley, the director of the Kingdom Hearts TV pilot commissioned in 2003, uploaded the pilot animatic to his personal YouTube channel, sharing details about its production.

2022: Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece for Cloud release on Nintendo Switch and Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix release on Nintendo Switch.

In 2022, Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece for Cloud was released on the Nintendo Switch, and Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix was released on Nintendo Switch.

2022: Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue Cloud Version Release on Nintendo Switch

In 2022, a cloud version of Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue was released for the Nintendo Switch.

March 2023: Nomura announces a change in the series' direction

In March 2023, during a Kingdom Hearts Concert, Nomura vaguely announced that something had happened that determined the "direction of the series" going forward.

2023: Delay of iOS Beta Testing for Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link

In 2023, the iOS beta testing for Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link, initially planned for late 2022, was delayed to the end of 2023.

January 2024: Delay of Android Beta Testing for Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link

The Android beta testing for Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link, originally planned for January 2024, was delayed to later in spring of that year.

April 24, 2024: Report of Kingdom Hearts Animated Film

On April 24, 2024, The DisInsider reported that an animated Kingdom Hearts film was in the works, changing from a previously reported show for Disney+.