Former Disney CEO Can’t Recall Reasons for Approving Kingdom Hearts

Given Disney’s reputation for being protective of its brand, the existence of Kingdom Hearts seems almost surprising. An anime protagonist wielding a giant key across iconic Disney realms? I can only imagine the reactions during Square Enix’s initial pitch. Interestingly, former Disney CEO Michael Eisner recently shared his thoughts on the matter—though he admits he can’t recall why he approved the project. How could such a pivotal moment in Disney’s gaming history slip his mind?

At a recent press event for Delphi Interactive, a talent matchmaking service in the gaming industry involved in titles like 007 First Light, Eisner, who is an investor in the company, was in attendance. Seizing the opportunity, Stephen Totilo from Game File asked him about his tenure as Disney’s CEO from the 1980s until 2005, the period when he greenlit Kingdom Hearts, the beloved crossover series that has developed its own extensive lore over the past 24 years. While it’s understandable that Eisner might not recall every single deal from his time at the helm, it was surprising that he didn’t immediately recognize Kingdom Hearts when prompted.

When asked if he remembered approving a game called Kingdom Hearts, he simply replied no.

I reminded him that the pitch took place in Tokyo and involved a blend of Final Fantasy and Disney characters.

“Oh, I remember now,” he said.

But when asked why he gave the green light, he admitted, “I don’t.”

It’s a missed opportunity for insight into why Disney allowed Square Enix to explore such unconventional narratives with its characters. However, Disney has shown a willingness to embrace quirky and edgy projects over the years, especially in gaming, with titles like Epic Mickey and Disney Mirrorverse existing alongside Kingdom Hearts. Perhaps more details about the original pitch will surface during the upcoming D23 retrospective panel on the series next month?