FF9 Remake Rumors Swirl Amid 25th Anniversary Project Announcements

Final Fantasy 9 is gearing up to celebrate its 25th anniversary this year with a flourish of exciting projects and commemorative initiatives. Dive in to discover what Square Enix has in store for fans of this beloved classic and what the future might hold.

25th Anniversary Website Launched

Square Enix has unveiled a dedicated website to mark the 25th anniversary of Final Fantasy 9, which is set to take place this year. The site teases fans with "various projects such as goods and collaborations" planned to celebrate this milestone.

The website showcases a range of Final Fantasy 9 merchandise, including character figures, plushies, vinyl records, CDs, and storybooks, among other collectibles. Square Enix promises more announcements leading up to the anniversary, keeping fans eagerly anticipating what's next.

Originally launched on July 7, 2000, for the PlayStation, Final Fantasy 9 has sold over 8.9 million copies worldwide. It was later included in the Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary Ultimate Box in Japan in December 2012. A remastered version became available for iOS and Android in February 2016, followed by a PC port later that year. Subsequent releases on PlayStation 4 in September 2017, and on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Windows 10 in February 2019, have kept the game alive for new generations of gamers.

Possible Final Fantasy 9 Remake and Seemingly Forgotten Anime

The launch of the anniversary website has sparked widespread speculation about a potential Final Fantasy 9 remake. Given the success of the Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth, the prospect of an FF9 remake seems plausible. Although no official confirmation has been made on the website, the game's enduring popularity—having been voted the 4th best FF game in a 2019 NHK poll—positions it as a strong candidate for a remake.

Additionally, there has been silence regarding the previously announced FF9 anime series, "Final Fantasy IX: The Black Mages' Legacy." Announced in 2021, the series was to be set a decade after the events of the original game, focusing on the six children of the iconic black mage, Vivi. Despite the initial excitement, no further updates have surfaced.

The anime project was to be distributed and merchandised by Paris-based Cyber Group Studios, which was set to produce the series in-house. However, the company faced financial difficulties and declared bankruptcy by the end of October 2024, entering judicial recovery. Despite this setback, potential buyers such as United Smile and Newen Studios have shown interest in acquiring Cyber Group Studios' IPs and assets, with intentions to continue the production of the FF9 animated series.