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Square Enix have released their annual report for 2022, detailing the current status of the company and its projects. In this report, the number of units for the Kingdom Hearts series was revealed to be over 36 million Worldwide, both physical and digital. Kingdom Hearts has been celebrating their 20th anniversary all year long from new merchandise to celebration events as well as the announcement of Kingdom Hearts IV and Kingdom Hearts Missing - Link. Check out our extensive 20th anniversary recap here.

Seth Kearsley, the director and producer of the scrapped 2003 Kingdom Hearts animated series, has revealed more tidbits about the series on his Twitter including the cast list and part of the script for the pilot episode. You can check them out in the gallery below. The cast list has many of the voice actors from the 2002 video game including David Gallagher and Hayden Panettiere as Riku and Kairi, respectivly as well as Susan Blakeslee as Maleficent, Tony Anselmo and Donald, Bill Farmer as Goofy, and Johnathan Freeman as Jafar. The legendary actor Frank Welker was going to lend his voice as the Tiger Head for the Cave of Wonders. The only main difference was going to be the voice of Sora. Haley Joel Osment, the current voice of Sora, was unavailable at the time due to schedule conflict. Instead, Sora was going to be voiced by Bobby Edner, who had done some voice work for Disney in Monsters, Inc., Agent Cody Banks, and The Jungle Book 2. Fans of Final Fantasy might have remember him as the English dub of Vaan in Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy and Dissidia Final Fantasy NT. The script that Seth revealed was from the pilot episode titled "Agrabah". This episode would have included a dream sequence from Destiny Island when Sora and Riku were dueling with wooden swords with Kairi watching. An interesting aspect of the script is the order of takes. Hayden recorded her lines early while Bobby recorded his lines near the middle, and David recorded his lines later. In addition to the cast list and the script, Seth also revealed that he's trying to get the pilot episode converted over to digital and pending approval from Disney, will post it on his Youtube channel in the next upcoming weeks. For more about the scrapped animated series, you can check out the storyboard for the pilot on his DeviantArt page. We also did an interview with Seth back in 2017 so if you would like to read about that, then click here. What do you think about these new pieces of information? Let us know in the comments! UPDATE 10/6/2022: Seth Kearsley has shared a new video on his YouTube channel discussing the pilot's production and how it came to be. He discusses how he came to rewrite the script of the pilot following his disappointment of how the original script was like. In his words, it read like an episode of Aladdin co-starring Kingdom Hearts characters rather than vice versa. Further, the test screening for the episode performed well, but it was ultimately shelved.

As part of the Kingdom Hearts 20th anniversary collaboration with LINE Disney Tsum Tsum Japan, two new Axel and Naminé will be available to use within the game. Both characters will have voice-overs and will be avaialble staring on September 9th. You can watch the trailer for Axel and Naminé below. The Kingdom Hearts 20th anniversary collaboration event will run through September 22nd.

Chapter 26 of the Kingdom Hearts III manga is now available on Gangan Online and from Yen Press. "Kingdom of Corona" can be viewed in Japanese on Gangan Online or bought in English as a digital download from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Walker, Google Play, iBooks, and Kobo. The issue's price varies from $1.99 for the United States to $2.99 in Canada. You can check out preview scans of the chapter in the gallery below. Check out the articles for the previous chapters by clicking on the links below! Chapter 0 Prologue Japanese English Chapter 1 The New Departure Japanese English Chapter 2 Olympus Coliseum Part 1 Japanese English Chapter 3 Olympus Coliseum Part 2 Japanese English Chapter 4 Olympus Coliseum Part 3 Japanese English Chapter 5 Olympus Coliseum Part 4 Japanese English Chapter 6 Olympus Coliseum Part 5 Japanese English Chapter 7 Olympus Coliseum Part 6 Japanese English Chapter 8 Olympus Coliseum Part 7 Japanese English Chapter 9 The Dark World Japanese English Chapter 10 Unbreakable Connection Japanese English Chapter 11 The Self inside the Mirror Japanese English Chapter 12 Reunion Japanese English Chapter 13 Warmth Japanese English Chapter 14 Destiny Island Japanese English Chapter 15 Remaining Light Japanese English Chapter 16 Tracking the Bond Japanese English Chapter 17 Following the Heart's Guidance Japanese English Chapter 18 Twilight Town [1] Japanese English Chapter 19 Twilight Town [2] Japanese English Chapter 20 Toy Box [1] Japanese English Chapter 21 Toy Box [2] Japanese English Chapter 22 Toy Box [3] Japanese English Chapter 23 Toy Box [4] Japanese English Chapter 24 Toy Box [5] Japanese English Chapter 25 Lea and Kairi

Pat Carroll, the English voice actress for Ursula in the Kingdom Hearts series has passed away on July 30th, 2022 at her home in Cape Cod, Massachusetts from pneumonia. She was 95 years old at the time of passing. Patricia 'Pat' Ann Carroll was born in Shreveport, Louisana on May 5th, 1927. Her first acting performance was in the 1948 movie Hometown Girl. In 1989, she began voicing the sea witch Ursula for Disney's The Little Mermaid, which she voiced up until her passing from television series (The Little Mermaid TV series, Disney's House of Mouse, and the Kingdom Hearts series to name a few). Rest in peace Pat and thank you for voicing one of Dinsey greatest villians and one of the strongest villains in the Kingdom Hearts series.

SuperGroupies have posted some behind-the-scenes shots for their newly-launched Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary collection on their blog. In a series of 2 blogs, they detailed how they created the Keyblades for Ventus, Terra, and Aqua, Roxas, and Sora using 3D printing as well as the photoshoot for Sora, Roxas, and Ventus. You can watch the Behind-the-Scenes video on the Super Groupies' Youtube channel or by watching it below. You can check out the blogs by clicking here and here. Our gallery has been updated with photos from both blogs. The 20th Anniversary collection is available for pre-order from Aitai Kuji! You can check out the full lineup here.

Chapter 25 of the Kingdom Hearts III manga is now available on Gangan Online and from Yen Press. "Lea and Kairi" can be viewed in Japanese on Gangan Online or bought in English as a digital download from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Walker, Google Play, iBooks, and Kobo. The issue's price varies from $1.99 for the United States to $2.99 in Canada. You can check out preview scans of the chapter in the gallery below. You can also check out the articles for the previous chapters by clicking on the links below! Chapter 0 Prologue Japanese English Chapter 1 The New Departure Japanese English Chapter 2 Olympus Coliseum Part 1 Japanese English Chapter 3 Olympus Coliseum Part 2 Japanese English Chapter 4 Olympus Coliseum Part 3 Japanese English Chapter 5 Olympus Coliseum Part 4 Japanese English Chapter 6 Olympus Coliseum Part 5 Japanese English Chapter 7 Olympus Coliseum Part 6 Japanese English Chapter 8 Olympus Coliseum Part 7 Japanese English Chapter 9 The Dark World Japanese English Chapter 10 Unbreakable Connection Japanese English Chapter 11 The Self inside the Mirror Japanese English Chapter 12 Reunion Japanese English Chapter 13 Warmth Japanese English Chapter 14 Destiny Island Japanese English Chapter 15 Remaining Light Japanese English Chapter 16 Tracking the Bond Japanese English Chapter 17 Following the Heart's Guidance Japanese English Chapter 18 Twilight Town [1] Japanese English Chapter 19 Twilight Town [2] Japanese English Chapter 20 Tox Box [1] Japanese English Chapter 21 Toy Box [2] Japanese English Chapter 22 Toy Box [3] Japanese English Chapter 23 Toy Box [4] Japanese English Chapter 24 Toy Box [5] Japanese English

Former Kingdom Hearts Producer Shinji Hashimoto has retired from Square Enix after 27 years at the company. Hashimoto served as the producer for Kingdom Hearts, Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories, Kingdom Hearts II, and Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories as well as Executive Producer for every Kingdom Hearts game from 2009-2019 with the last game being Kingdom Hearts III. He also served as the Promotional Producer for the Final Fantasy series until May 2021 when he stepped down to become an Corportate Advisor for the company. Hashimoto has also sent out a video message announcing his retirement. You can watch it below. Hashimoto is an important figure within the development of the Kingdom Hearts video game series staring with a discussion with Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi in 1996. Shortly after, he had a chance meeting with an Disney Execeutive in a office elevator when the offices of Square Enix (known back then as Squaresoft) and Disney were in the same building. Thank you Hashimoto-san for your vision, ideas, and hard work for the Kingdom Hearts series. Without you, this series may not have come into realization and we wouldn't be here as fans of this amazing series. Enjoy your retirement and May you Heart Be Your Guiding Key.

In the latest of Kingdom Hearts references appearing in different media, this one could be the most random. In a recent ad for Taco Bell's Mexican Pizza on their official Facebook page, the rap includes the line "Key to my heart like Sora." You can watch and listen to the ad below. 283001828_153084477282831_2598679471352835282_n.mp4 So far in 2022, in addition to the 20th anniversary celebration of the franchise, Kingdom Hearts has been referenced and have cameos in a couple of Disney+ shows from The Wonderful Spring of Mickey Mouse, The Proud Family: Prouder and Louder, and very recently in Chip 'N Dale: Rescue Rangers.

Chapter 24 for the Kingdom Hearts III manga is now available in English from Yen Press. Toy Box Part 5 can be bought as a digital download from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Walker, Google Play, iBooks, and Kobo. The issue's price varies from $1.99 for the United States to $2.99 in Canada. Chapter 24 was released in Japanese on Gangan Online back on April 21st. UPDATE (June 1, 2022): Chapter 24.5 is now available from Yen Press! You can as a digital download from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Walker, Google Play, iBooks, and Kobo. You can also check out the articles for the previous chapters by clicking on the links below! Chapter 0 Prologue Japanese English Chapter 1 The New Departure Japanese English Chapter 2 Olympus Coliseum Part 1 Japanese English Chapter 3 Olympus Coliseum Part 2 Japanese English Chapter 4 Olympus Coliseum Part 3 Japanese English Chapter 5 Olympus Coliseum Part 4 Japanese English Chapter 6 Olympus Coliseum Part 5 Japanese English Chapter 7 Olympus Coliseum Part 6 Japanese English Chapter 8 Olympus Coliseum Part 7 Japanese English Chapter 9 The Dark World Japanese English Chapter 10 Unbreakable Connection Japanese English Chapter 11 The Self inside the Mirror Japanese English Chapter 12 Reunion Japanese English Chapter 13 Warmth Japanese English Chapter 14 Destiny Island Japanese English Chapter 15 Remaining Light Japanese English Chapter 16 Tracking the Bond Japanese English Chapter 17 Following the Heart's Guidance Japanese English Chapter 18 Twilight Town [1] Japanese English Chapter 19 Twilight Town [2] Japanese English Chapter 20 Tox Box [1] Japanese English Chapter 21 Toy Box [2] Japanese English Chapter 22 Toy Box [3] Japanese English Chapter 23 Toy Box [4] Japanese English Chapter 24 Toy Box [5] Japanese In addition, Volume 2 of the manga is now available for Japan. The English version is schedule to release on May 3rd.

Do you want more Kingdom Hearts references? Then, you will get more Kingdom Hearts references! In the latest trailer for Chip'N Dale: Rescue Rangers, at the 1:21 mark, there is a shot of a collection filled with items from various characters. Right in the middle is the Kingdom Key, the iconic icon to the Kingdom Hearts series. This is the 3rd reference to the Kingdom Hearts series in the past few months, along with the Proud Family: Louder and Prouder and The Wonderful Spring of Mickey Mouse. Chip 'N Dale: Rescue Rangers will premirere on May 20th exclusivly on Disney+.

Gangan Online have posted Chapter 24 for the Kingdom Hearts III manga. You can check out the previews for the chapter in our gallery below. You can read the full chapter on their site by clicking here or on their online app. UPDATE (June 1, 2022): Chapter 24-2 is now available on Gangan Online. This is the final part of Toy Box. You can check out the chapter of their site here. You can also check out the preview shots in our gallery! Chapter 25 will be available on July 7th. You can also check out the articles for the previous chapters by clicking on the links below! Chapter 0 Prologue Japanese English Chapter 1 A New Journey Japanese English Chapter 2 Olympus Coliseum[1] Japanese English Chapter 3 Olympus Coliseum[2] Japanese English Chapter 4 Olympus Coliseum[3] Japanese English Chapter 5 Olympus Coliseum[4] Japanese English Chapter 6 Olympus Coliseum[5] Japanese English Chapter 7 Olympus Coliseum[6] Japanese English Chapter 8 Olympus Coliseum[7] Japanese English Chapter 9 World of Darkness Japanese English Chapter 10 Connected Japanese English Chapter 11 The Self inside the Mirror Japanese English Chapter 12 Reunion Japanese English Chapter 13 Warmth Japanese English Chapter 14 Destiny Island Japanese English Chapter 15 Remaining Light Japanese English Chapter 16 Tracking the Bond Japanese English Chapter 17 Following the Heart's Guidance Japanese English Chapter 18 Twilight Town [1] Japanese English Chapter 19 Twilight Town [2] Japanese English Chapter 20 Toy Box [1] Japanese English Chapter 21 Toy Box [2] Japanese English Chapter 22 Toy Box [3] Japanese English Chapter 23 Toy Box [4] Japanese English In addition, Volume 2 of the manga is now available for Japan. The English version is schedule to release on May 3rd.

Gilbert Gottfried, the English voice actor for Iago in the Kingdom Hearts series, has passed away on April 12th, 2022 in Manhatten due to complications with Type 2 myotonic dystrophy. He was 67 years old when he passed. Gilbert Jeremy Gottfried was born on February 28th, 1955 in Brooklyn, New York. He started his acting career in the early 1980's when he appeared in the 6th season of Saturday Night Live. In 1992, he took the role of Jafar's bird servant Iago in Aladdin, and continued to voice him in sequels, media, and video games until his passing. Gottfried voiced Iago in both Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts II and had archived lines for Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories as well as Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD ReMIX and Kingdom Hearts 2.5 HD ReMIX. Surviving are his wife Dara and 2 children, Max and Lily. He was preceded to death by his parents and a sister Arlene. Rest in Peace, Mr. Gottfried. Thank you for all the laughs (and saving Al in Kingdom Hearts II) and May your Heart Be your Guiding Key.

Just a few days ahead of the 20th Anniversary event, another show on Disney+ has placed in a subtle Kingdom Hearts reference in one of their episodes. This time it's a nod to the games themselves in the latest episode of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder. In episode 8 titled "Home School", when Penny calls her friend KG asking for a favor to find her cell phone, we see him playing a version of the 1st Kingdom Hearts game where Sora was in Dive to the Heart. It is also shown on his gaming setup that the other two screens have backgroud depicting the paopu trees on the Destiny Islands. The reference can be seen around the 4:00 mark. You can check out screenshots from the episode in the gallery below. UPDATE: The Production Coorinator of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Breana Williams (@breanimator) has given some insight about this easter egg on their Twitter. In a series of tweets, they said that when the idea for the episode was being drafted, the director of the show Tara Nicole asked them about which video game(s) should the character KG be playing and Breana replied with Kingdom Hearts. This is the second show that references Kingdom Hearts in the past two weeks. The first one was the Kingdom Key D appearing in the Mickey Mouse special The Wonderful Spring of Mickey Mouse. Which show/movie do you think will reference Kingdom Hearts next? Let's know in the comments below!