Final Fantasy 9 unveiled its 25th anniversary website, showcasing a lineup of exciting projects. Discover the plans for Final Fantasy 9’s milestone celebration and what future initiatives might await.
Final Fantasy 9 Commemorates 25th Anniversary
New Anniversary Website Debuts
Square Enix launched a dedicated website to celebrate Final Fantasy 9’s 25th anniversary. The site highlights preparations for various initiatives, including exclusive merchandise and collaborative projects to honor the milestone.
The anniversary website features an array of FF9-themed products, such as character figurines, plush toys, vinyl records, CDs, and storybooks. Square Enix also teased additional announcements in the lead-up to the anniversary celebration.
Originally released on July 7, 2000, for the PlayStation, Final Fantasy 9 has sold over 8.9 million copies globally. It was re-released in December 2012 as part of Square Enix’s Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary Ultimate Box in Japan. A remastered version arrived on iOS and Android in February 2016, followed by a PC port later that year. The game also launched on PlayStation 4 in September 2017 and on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Windows 10 in February 2019.
Rumors of a Final Fantasy 9 Remake and a Stalled Anime Project
With the anniversary website’s launch, speculation has surged about a potential Final Fantasy 9 remake. Following the success of Final Fantasy VII’s Remake and Rebirth, a reimagined FF9 seems plausible. In a 2019 poll by Japan’s NHK, FF9 ranked as the fourth favorite Final Fantasy title. While the anniversary site doesn’t confirm a remake, the game’s enduring popularity fuels anticipation.
Another project, a previously announced Final Fantasy 9 anime, remains in limbo. In 2021, Square Enix revealed plans for an anime titled "Final Fantasy IX: The Black Mages’ Legacy," set a decade after the original game and centered on the six children of the iconic black mage Vivi. No updates have emerged since the initial announcement.
Square Enix partnered with Paris-based Cyber Group Studios, which secured distribution and merchandise rights for the anime and planned to produce it in-house. However, Cyber Group Studios filed for bankruptcy in October 2024 and entered judicial recovery. Several companies, including United Smile and Newen Studios, have expressed interest in acquiring the studio’s assets and continuing the FF9 anime’s production.
