After years of waiting, we finally received new footage showcasing Sora’s moveset, several returning characters, and a brand-new Keyblade.
No release date has been disclosed, though Square Enix confirmed the game is coming to PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2.
New Additions to the Cast
Somehow, Young Xehanort returned.
The trailer showed the potential return of a few characters. Several of them originate from Union χ and Dark Road, suggesting that knowledge of the mobile games may once again be important for understanding the story.
- Ava – the hooded narrator.
- Vali – one of the upperclassmen from Dark Road, recognizable by his facemask.
- Sigurd – a Union χ character with black curly hair.
- Luxord’s human counterpart – a mysterious blond man.
- Young Xehanort
Their inclusion suggests that characters connected to the age of fairy tales will play a much larger role in Kingdom Hearts IV than previously expected.
It’s worth noting that Young Xehanort’s return was teased in artwork released after the conclusion of Dark Road. Nomura, you sly fox!
New Keyblade – Moana world teased?
We also got a glimpse of a new Keyblade. Because the Nintendo Direct trailer included gameplay UI, several abilities grouped under a mysterious new BUILD menu were visible, pushing theories on where it originates from:
- Volcannon
- Flowing Edge
- Lava Slash
The Keyblade design and abilities suggest it may come from the Moana world. Other theories point toward Elemental, though the lava-themed design and ability names appear more consistent with Moana.
Final Thoughts
Without a release date, the wait for Kingdom Hearts IV could still be a long one.
The Lost Masters Arc looks like a continuation rather than a fresh starting point. With more characters from Union χ, Dark Road, and previous entries appearing in each trailer, familiarity with the Kingdom Hearts storyline may prove more important than ever.
If you want to refresh your memory of the prior events, check out our Kingdom Hearts story deep dive.