Although it still doesn’t have an official release date, the long-awaited Kingdom Hearts 4 was confirmed for the Switch 2 during June 2026’s Nintendo Direct. The new trailer was still primarily focused on Quadratum, a kind of modern-looking metropolis which is heavily patterned after Tokyo, Japan. However, we have been given a new look at some of the characters who are new or returning for KH4.
While a few new characters were seemingly shown off, we don’t have names for them yet. Fans are debating over whether one is Yozora, for example, while others seem to think it’s either FF15‘s Noctis (they do look a lot alike) or Vanitas. For this list, we’ll mostly be sticking with the confirmed characters whose names we now so far.
Sora
It should come as a little surprise to hear that Sora, the likable protagonist from all mainline games, will indeed return as the primary protagonist in Kingdom Hearts 4. Spotted with a snazzy new makeover in the trailer, Sora is poised to take on an advertised new arc in the game entitled The Lost Master arc. Whether the gallant Keyblade Master will continue venturing with his childhood friends Riku and Kairi is anyone’s guess at this point. Neither of those characters have appeared yet.
Donald Duck
Also making a rousing appearance in the original trailer is Donald Duck, Sora’s longtime ally and mage. Armed with a staff and hilarious comedic timing, Donald can be rash and impetuous, but he always has Sora’s back as a loyal companion. Spotted ambling through a dark chamber in search of an unknown figure who can lead them to Sora’s whereabouts, it’s clear Donald has a clear mission of finding Sora and delivering him from evil before it’s too late to escape Quadratum in one piece. Beyond that, the new Lost Master Arc is sure to throw Donald for a lethal loop or two. Hopefully, he’ll be better at tossing heals your way in KH4.
Goofy
Probably not surprisingly, Goofy is also confirmed to return in Kingdom Hearts 4. The initial trailer even showed Goofy and Donald working together once more, and the new Switch 2 trailer showed off some gameplay as well. More of a defensive protector, Goofy wields shields. How this will fare in the Lost Master Arc is anyone’s guess at this point, but it’s quite reassuring for KH fans to see the lovable klutz return for the fourth major installment.
Strelitzia
Strelitzia is a Keyblade wielder who was first mentioned in the mobile spin-off Kingdom Hearts Union X. Strelitzia was a member of the Dandelion Union who was recruited by the Master of Masters to spearhead a union following the First Keyblade War. While her motives are unknown in Kingdom Hearts 4, the trailer shows Strelitza consorting with Sora at an apartment complex in Quadratum. After informing Sora that he has been asleep for seven days, she mentions that Quadratum serves as a quasi-afterlife for both of them. She’s been given a bit of an updated look in the latest Switch 2 trailer.
Luxu
The voice heard narrating the first trailer happens to be Luxu, the calm and measured yet villainous apprentice of the Master of Masters. Seen looming on a towering perch in his sinister black hooded robe in the trailer with an accomplice who could very well be the Master of Masters himself. Luxu threatens that Sora will fail to make it back to his homeland kingdom, prompting Donald and Goofy’s dogged search in Kingdom Hearts 4.
Darkside
Also witnessed clearly in the first KH4 teaser footage are the demonic, large batlike shadow monsters known as the Darkside. Technically a Pureblood Heartless specimen that often serves as an end-level boss in the KH series, in the trailer Sora is seen fighting at least one of them in the air despite being grossly over-matched by the size and scale of the winged beast. The hulking humanoid monster is seen battling Sora in the second trailer as well.
Luxord
Luxord, from Organization XIII, has now been confirmed thanks to the latest Kingdom Hearts 4 trailer for Switch 2. He’s only shown briefly, but it’s pretty obviously him. That blonde hair and goatee are pretty much his iconic look at this point, even if he’s dressed a bit snazzier than usual here. It remains to be seen which side Luxord is working for, and at this point, it really could be anybody.
Unknown Character #1
Now we’re getting into characters whose identities haven’t been confirmed yet. First up, this dapper gentleman here. Some fans have speculated its a young Xehanort, others have claimed it’s Venitas. Truthfully, he doesn’t look like either one. It’s entirely possible this is a brand-new character for Kingdom Hearts 4, so we’ll have to wait and see who it turns out to be and what role they play in the upcoming RPG.
Unknown Character #2 (Maybe Yozora)
Next up, we get this guy in a face mask. Some folks have guessed it’s the KH4 version of Noctis, the protagonist from Final Fantasy 15. Plenty of Final Fantasy characters have shown up in Kingdom Hearts games before, so that’s entirely possible, but it seems like Yozora (the other favorite identity for this guy) makes more sense. Noctis and Yozora look pretty similar, and we already know Yozora is tied to Quadratum, so our money is on Yozora for now.
Given that Kingdom Hearts 4 still doesn’t have a release date, expect to see more character reveals over the course of the next year. Hopefully, we’ll get some answers regarding the identities of these unnamed characters soon too.
- ESRB
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e
- Developer(s)
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Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
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Square Enix
- Engine
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Unreal Engine 5
- Multiplayer
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Online Multiplayer