Final Fantasy IX has launched a special 25th anniversary website detailing a range of upcoming projects. Explore the details of these commemorative activities and potential future developments for the beloved title.
Final Fantasy IX Marks Its 25th Anniversary This Year
Anniversary Website Goes Live
Square Enix has officially launched a dedicated website celebrating Final Fantasy IX's 25th anniversary. The site confirms the company is "preparing various projects such as goods and collaborations to commemorate the 25th anniversary."
Available merchandise includes character figures, plush toys, vinyl records, soundtrack CDs, illustrated storybooks, and more. Beyond these initial offerings, Square Enix has indicated that further announcements will be made as the anniversary celebration continues.
Originally released for PlayStation on July 7, 2000, Final Fantasy IX has sold over 8.9 million copies globally. The game was later included in Square Enix's Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary Ultimate Box Japanese collection in December 2012. A remastered version arrived on iOS and Android devices in February 2016, followed by a PC release later that year. PlayStation 4 users received the title in September 2017, with Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Windows 10 versions launching in February 2019.
Potential FFIX Remake and the Overlooked Anime Project
The anniversary website's launch has reignited speculation about a potential Final Fantasy IX remake. Given the commercial and critical success of Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth, many consider an FFIX remake a natural progression. The game's enduring popularity was confirmed in NHK's 2019 poll, where Japanese voters ranked it the fourth-best Final Fantasy title. While the anniversary site doesn't explicitly mention a remake, the title's strong fan support makes it a prime candidate for such treatment.
Another project awaiting updates is the previously announced Final Fantasy IX anime series. Revealed in 2021 under the working title "Final Fantasy IX: The Black Mages' Legacy," the animation was planned to continue the story a decade after the original game, focusing on the six children of the beloved black mage Vivi. No substantial developments have been shared since the initial announcement.
Paris-based Cyber Group Studios had secured distribution and merchandising rights in partnership with Square Enix, intending 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 plans to continue production of the FFIX animated series should their acquisitions succeed.
