Today Square Enix is celebrating the 20th anniversary of theKingdom Heartsfranchise. The originalKingdom Heartsarrived on PlayStation 2 on August 08, 2025, so today’s anniversary celebration is a few days late. Fans likely won’t mind, considering Square Enix has taken the opportunity to announceKingdom Hearts 4, as well some side projects. In their excitement,Kingdom Heartsfans have found several topics to focus on, one of which is the Disney villain Hades.
SeveralKingdom Hearts-related terms are currently trending on social media. #KingdomHearts20thAnniversary is the most popular.Quadratum, the city in which the newKingdom Hearts 4trailer takes place, is another. AT-ST, KH 3, and several others are also making appearances. Hades, however, is unique and especially exciting. That’s because Hades was the tease that theKingdom Hearts 4trailer ended on. Hades is the topic thatKingdom Heartsfans are using to speculate on what the new game’s story will be about.
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TheKingdom Hearts 4trailer ended withDonald and Goofysearching for someone that they think might be able to help them. The target of their search is unclear, as is their overarching goal. As they walk through the pitch dark guided by Donald’s glowing wand, a blue light appears behind the pair. Hades' voice rings out, “Hey, just where do you think you’re going?” Donald and Goofy turn to see an off-screen fire blaze, frightening them. That’s where the trailer ends.
It’s clear that Hades, the villain of theDisney film Herculesand longtime antagonist in theKingdom Heartsgames, has a role to play inKingdom Hearts 4. But there are a number of questions that pop up due to his inclusion in the new trailer. Fans question whether Hades is who Donald and Goofy are looking for, and why they’d do that. Hades could also be standing in the way of Goofy and Donald, preventing them from finding who they’re looking for, too.
The last timeKingdom Heartsfans saw Hades, he was defeated with relative ease by the joined forces of Sora, Donald, Goofy, Hercules, and Zeus. Hades is trying to take over Olympus with the power of the Titans but is otherwise uninvolved inKingdom Hearts 3’s overarching story. Regardless, he’s a fan-favorite antagonist, and there’s hope he has a larger role inKingdom Hearts 4.
That Square Enix would choose to end itsKingdom Hearts 4trailerwith a Hades tease is perhaps indicative of how much faith the company has in him as a villain. Square Enix clearly believes just teasing Hades' voice will be enough to get fans excited for moreKingdom Hearts. That definitely implies Hades will be a featured character inKingdom Hearts 4, but fans may have to wait a while yet to find out more.
Kingdom Hearts 4is in development.
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