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The D23 panel is starting! Disney/Pixar Games director Nana Gadd and co-directors Tai Yasue and Tetsuya Nomura are on the stage discussing the process of choosing and implementing Disney worlds in the series!

A new 4-minute trailer, an expansion of last night's trailer, is now playing!

The panelists are discussing keeping authenticity and helping players feel like they're in the movie.

Nomura says that they try to stay faithful to the original movies but will make changes when they receive requests from the film studios. He considers that the interactions players have with the Disney characters through Sora as central to #KingdomHearts.

They are now being asked about their favorite world to create and bringing to life. Yasue says his is playing King Mickey in Scala ad Caelum (which was show in today's expanded trailer). Gadd says hers is Toy Story in #KingdomHeartsIII, noting creating the original story set after Toy Story 2.

Nomura likes bringing the villains to life, like Maleficent and Hades. He says he enjoys writing and working with these characters, who have appeared beyond their movie appearances. He also teases that Maleficent will play an important role in #KingdomHeartsIV.

They are now asked about Disney worlds not based on Disney movies (Mysterious Tower, Disney Town). They mention that they wanted to bring the feeling of the Disney Parks when creating Disney Town. Nomura remarks that it's both less daunting and more freeing when working with such worlds.

They're now discussing why the story of the #KingdomHearts series has transcended generations and the fanbase keeps growing. Gadd remarks that the series resonates because of its themes of friendship, loss, and hope and how Nomura's storytelling and Disney's characters tell those themes.

Yasue promises that #KingdomHeartsIV will release in 2027. He also reminds everyone that the Kingdom Hearts Collection will be releasing later this year for anyone who hasn't jumped in yet.

Nomura says the series has continued this long thanks to the fans. Regarding the 25th anniversary, Nomura says they have plans underway and is already thinking about the 30th anniversary.