FF9 Remake Buzz Grows on Anniversary News

Final Fantasy IX has launched its 25th anniversary website, unveiling a variety of upcoming projects. Continue reading to discover more about the anniversary celebrations and potential future initiatives for Final Fantasy IX.

Final Fantasy IX Marks Its 25th Anniversary This Year

25th Anniversary Website Goes Live

Square Enix has unveiled a dedicated website to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Final Fantasy IX this year. The site confirms the company is "preparing various commemorative projects, including merchandise and collaborations."

The anniversary website showcases an extensive range of Final Fantasy IX merchandise, featuring character figures, plush toys, vinyl records, CDs, storybooks, and more. Beyond the currently listed items, Square Enix has promised additional announcements in the lead-up to the anniversary date.

Originally released for the PlayStation on July 7, 2000, Final Fantasy IX has sold over 8.9 million copies globally. The game was subsequently included in Square Enix's Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary Ultimate Box Japanese edition in December 2012. A remastered version arrived on iOS and Android devices in February 2016, followed by a PC release later that year. The game made its way to PlayStation 4 in September 2017, and eventually reached Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Windows 10 in February 2019.

Potential Final Fantasy IX Remake and the Overlooked Anime Adaptation

The launch of the anniversary website has reignited speculation about a potential Final Fantasy IX remake. Given the tremendous success of Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth, a similar treatment for FFIX appears increasingly plausible. The game's enduring popularity was confirmed in a 2019 NHK poll where Japanese voters ranked it the fourth best Final Fantasy title. While the anniversary website doesn't specifically mention a remake, the game's strong fan base positions it as a prime candidate for such a project.

Another long-awaited project is the Final Fantasy IX anime series, which hasn't received updates since its initial announcement. In 2021, Square Enix revealed plans for "Final Fantasy IX: The Black Mages' Legacy," an anime set ten years after the original game that would follow the six children of the beloved black mage Vivi. No further official information about the animated series has emerged since then.

Paris-based Cyber Group Studios had secured distribution and merchandising rights for the anime in collaboration with Square Enix, planning to produce the series internally. However, the company filed for bankruptcy in October 2024 and entered judicial recovery proceedings. Multiple potential buyers have expressed interest in acquiring Cyber Group's intellectual properties and assets, with United Smile and Newen Studios specifically indicating they would continue production of the Final Fantasy IX animated series if successful in their bids.