Fast Links
The recent announcement of Kingdom Hearts 4 during the Kingdom Hearts 20th-anniversary event was quite the shock, and the anticipation for Square Enix’s next dive into its fantastical world only grows stronger and stronger by the day. Kingdom Hearts is known for many things that fans of the series adore, but one thing in particular that interests both hardcore and casual fans of the series are the various Disney-themed worlds that make up the Kingdom Hearts series’ many levels. However, one Disney-related thing that Kingdom Hearts has yet to touch is the world of Disney TVA shows.
These shows are still very much a popular part of Disney’s brand name, and there are multiple ways in which they could be incorporated. Perhaps missions based on various episodes, villains from different episodes becoming agents of the Heartless, or characters working together with Sora and friends to face off against that show’s big bad.
Whatever course they choose, there is now a better opportunity than ever to finally bring Disney TVA into the world of Kingdom Hearts, and here are five shows we think best fit the bill.
1. Gravity Falls
It is needless to say that Gravity Falls is one of, if not the, most popular of the modern Disney TVA shows. Despite only lasting two seasons, the show has garnered nothing short of critical acclaim in almost every aspect, from its story to its characters to its animation and even to its overall mysterious and often creepy aesthetic, something that could very much be taken advantage of in a video game setting. Kingdom Hearts is known for taking the worlds it adapts in a fun and creative direction to make them fit within the lore and style of the franchise. If they were to ever venture into the world of Disney TVA, Gravity Falls is a series that would lend itself to nearly endless possibilities.
There could be a mission-based entirely on only the first episode involving the gnomes, which could be revealed as Heartless trying to capture Mabel. Or perhaps Giddeon could slowly delve into dark magic to summon Bill Cipher, who’s powerful enough to control a literal army of Heartless and unleash them on the town. Let’s face it: a final boss against Bill Cipher at his full power with Dipper, Mabel, and Grunkle Stan fighting at your side with magical weapons to take down Heartless in the wild, almost schizophrenic dimension of weirdness and chaos would probably be the best boss battle in Kingdom Hearts history, next to Xehanort in Kingdom Hearts 3. This is a match made in heaven.
2. Gargoyles
If there is one older Disney show that still deserves to be remembered today, it’s Gargoyles. For those unaware, Gargoyles is a 1994 series that focuses on nocturnal creatures known as gargoyles, who turn to stone by day and live by night. The current clan of Gargoyles was released after 1,000 years of slumber in stone in 1994 Manhattan, and the series follows their story as they protect humanity from the dangers of the night!
The series was known for being much darker in tone than most other Disney TVA properties at the time but also featured extremely complex characters, story arcs, and a dramatic tone that gave it its own style, something Kingdom Hearts is no stranger to. Having Sora and friends take down the Heartless or the various creatures of the night that the gargoyles encounter throughout the show would be awesome.
3. Kim Possible
Kim Possible is perhaps one of the most iconic and beloved series to ever air on Disney Channel, still held in high regard by fans to this day. It spawned toys, spin-offs, movies, and everything in-between, and its theme song is nigh unforgettable even today. Even if its world and characters are a little more grounded in real life than most other worlds featured in Kingdom Hearts, that should not hinder it from offering up an amazing world.
It’s not out too far-fetched to imagine Dr. Drakken concocting a new plan to take over the world with the power of darkness or to see a character like Shego make use of such a power in a similar way to her existing supernatural abilities. The missions could also emphasize the fact that Kim is a spy and perhaps be more focused on espionage and classic investigation rather than direct combat, offering something more original to the series gameplay. There’s also the chance to recreate that classic theme song with Sora, Donald, and Goofy, which, let’s be honest, would be iconic in and of itself.
4. Phineas and Ferb
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Phineas and Ferb is a series that won’t be forgotten anytime soon. As one of the most popular Disney Channel shows of the 2010s, its legacy makes it incredibly memorable, and its world is unique in that it is both close to home and completely out of this world, something Kingdom Hearts has sort of done before with Pirates of the Caribbean and Big Hero 6.
The adventures these two brothers go on are some of the most fun, creative and exciting, and the show is no stranger to taking them across the multiverse as well! They’ve already been in Star Wars, and Candace has already saved the universe. Teaming up with Sora and friends to save the world from the darkness would just be another day of spending their 104-day summer vacation, and who wouldn’t want to team up with Perry the Platypus to fight off Dr. Doofensmirtz’s Heartless-inator?
5. The Owl House/Amphibia
It would be no exaggeration to say that both The Owl House and Amphibia are some of the most popular pieces of Disney media currently airing. Ever since both shows came out in 2019 and 2020, respectively, they have only grown bigger and better with each new episode. Both have consistently trended on both social media and Disney+ as some of the most talked-about animated shows on the market. Still, monumental success is one factor that would make either show worthy of being included in a series like Kingdom Hearts.
Both of them offer up a world chock full of magic, wonder, adventure, and plenty of danger, all of the ingredients needed to make for a fantastic Kingdom Hearts world. The issue would come with choosing which one would be the better option, and although it is entirely possible for both to be included, avoiding any debate would be next to impossible. Despite being recently compared to other entries on this list, both The Owl House and Amphibia have cemented themselves as a timeless part of the greater Disney archive. It would be a delight to see Kingdom Hearts journey to either or both of their worlds in a future game.