Fans Question Square Enix Over AI Edits in Kingdom Hearts Art

Fans raised concerns after the US box art for the Kingdom Hearts Collection showed Donald Duck with four fingers on his left hand. The discrepancy prompted claims online that the image was altered or upscaled using generative AI.

The difference was noticed following a recent Nintendo Direct that confirmed native releases of early Kingdom Hearts titles and a simultaneous launch of Kingdom Hearts 4 on Switch 2 and other platforms. Observers compared the Japanese key art credited to Tetsuya Nomura with the US box art and identified the extra digit on Donald’s left hand and other minor inconsistencies.

Some users proposed a specific workflow: characters were separated from Nomura’s original composition, and missing or obscured details were recreated and repositioned with an AI-based process to fit a new layout for Western packaging. Those advancing the theory pointed to earlier promotional images showing Donald and Goofy in nearly identical poses as potential evidence of reused elements or automated reconstruction rather than a fresh manual redraw.

Square Enix previously disclosed plans to expand use of AI in areas such as quality assurance. At the time of reporting, the publisher had not responded to requests for comment about the box art or whether AI tools were used in its production.

Public reactions ranged from disappointment over the apparent alteration of official packaging that features Disney characters and Nomura’s artwork to indifference from fans who treated the discrepancy as a minor error. Social media users continue to post side-by-side comparisons and request clarification on whether the US art was produced or altered with AI and whether a corrected box cover will be issued before retail release.

The issue has drawn attention as the franchise returns to multiple platforms and older cloud-only editions have been removed from sale. Fans said they expect accurate, officially approved artwork for a series tied to both Square Enix and Disney, and they are awaiting an official explanation or a corrected box art release.