Former Disney chief executive Michael Eisner has said he cannot remember why he approved the original pitch for Kingdom Hearts, the Square Enix series combining Disney and Final Fantasy characters. The remark is notable because his approval helped enable a franchise that has since become a major, long-running success for both companies.

Eisner recalled the project only after being reminded of its Tokyo pitch, according to Game File’s Stephen Totilo. Former Disney Japan executive Shuji Utsumi said the project was initially unauthorised and some colleagues expected it to be rejected, but it was eventually approved after extensive preparation; Eisner left Disney in 2005, while Kingdom Hearts 4 is now in development.