FF9 Remake Rumors Intensify on Anniversary News

Final Fantasy IX has launched its 25th anniversary website, announcing several upcoming projects. Learn more about Final Fantasy IX's 25th-anniversary plans and potential future developments.

Final Fantasy IX Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary This Year

25th Anniversary Website Goes Live

Square Enix has unveiled a new website celebrating Final Fantasy IX's 25th anniversary. The site confirms the company is "preparing various commemorative projects, including merchandise and collaborations."

Anniversary merchandise featured on the site includes character figures, plush toys, vinyl records, soundtrack CDs, storybooks, and more. The company also hinted at additional announcements leading up to the anniversary celebration.

Originally released for PlayStation on July 7, 2000, Final Fantasy IX has sold over 8.9 million copies worldwide. The game was re-released in December 2012 as part of Square Enix's Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary Ultimate Box in Japan. A remastered version launched for iOS and Android devices in February 2016, followed by a PC port later that year. The game became available on PlayStation 4 in September 2017, and on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Windows 10 in February 2019.

Potential Final Fantasy IX Remake and Long-Awaited Anime Project

The anniversary website's launch has reignited speculation about a possible Final Fantasy IX remake. Given the tremendous success of Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth, a similar treatment for FFIX seems plausible. In NHK's 2019 poll, Japanese voters ranked Final Fantasy IX as the series' fourth-best installment. While the anniversary site doesn't specifically mention a remake, the game's enduring popularity makes it a strong candidate.

Another project awaiting updates is the previously announced Final Fantasy IX anime series. Square Enix revealed in 2021 that "Final Fantasy IX: The Black Mages' Legacy" would continue the story a decade after the original game, focusing on the six children of beloved black mage Vivi. Despite initial excitement, no further developments have been officially confirmed.

Paris-based Cyber Group Studios had secured distribution and merchandise rights for the anime, planning to produce the series in-house. However, the company filed for bankruptcy in October 2024 and entered judicial recovery. Multiple potential buyers have expressed interest in acquiring Cyber Group's intellectual properties, with United Smile and Newen Studios specifically noting their intention to continue production of the Final Fantasy IX animated series.