FF9 Remake Rumors Surge Amid 25th Anniversary Project Listings

The iconic Final Fantasy 9 is marking its 25th anniversary with a flourish of exciting developments. Dive into the details of what's planned for this special milestone and what might be on the horizon for this beloved game.

25th Anniversary Website Launched

Square Enix has kicked off the celebrations with the launch of a dedicated 25th anniversary website for Final Fantasy 9. The site teases a range of projects designed to honor this significant milestone, including collaborations and a variety of themed merchandise. Fans can look forward to collecting character figures, plushies, vinyl records, CDs, storybooks, and more. Square Enix promises that this is just the beginning, with further announcements expected as the anniversary approaches.

Final Fantasy 9 originally hit the shelves on July 7, 2000, for the PlayStation, amassing sales of over 8.9 million copies worldwide. Its legacy continued with a re-release in Square Enix’s Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary Ultimate Box in Japan in December 2012. The game saw a remastered version in February 2016 for iOS and Android, followed by a PC port later that year. It further expanded its reach to PlayStation 4 in September 2017, and to Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Windows 10 in February 2019.

Possible Final Fantasy 9 Remake and Seemingly Forgotten Anime

The buzz surrounding the anniversary website has fueled speculation about a potential Final Fantasy 9 remake. Given the acclaim and success of the Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth, the idea of a Final Fantasy 9 remake seems plausible. A 2019 poll by Japan's NHK ranked Final Fantasy 9 as the 4th best game in the series, underscoring its enduring popularity. While the anniversary site doesn't confirm a remake, the game's fanbase and history make it a strong candidate.

Another intriguing aspect is the previously announced anime series, Final Fantasy IX: The Black Mages' Legacy. Announced in 2021, this series was set to explore the lives of Vivi's six children ten years after the game's events. However, updates on this project have been scarce. Initially, Paris-based Cyber Group Studios secured the rights for distribution and merchandise and planned to produce the series in-house. Unfortunately, the studio declared bankruptcy in late October 2024 and entered judicial recovery. Despite this setback, potential buyers such as United Smile and Newen Studios have expressed interest in acquiring the IP and continuing the anime's production.