Final Fantasy 9 Marks 25th Anniversary with New Projects and Remake Speculation

Final Fantasy 9 unveiled its 25th anniversary website, showcasing a range of upcoming projects. Discover the plans for Final Fantasy 9’s milestone celebration and potential future developments.

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 merchandise and collaborations to mark the occasion.

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 leading up to the milestone event.

Originally released on July 7, 2000, for the PlayStation, Final Fantasy 9 sold over 8.9 million copies globally. It was later included in Square Enix’s Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary Ultimate Box in Japan in December 2012. A remastered version arrived for 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.

FF9 Remake Rumors and Stalled Anime Project

The launch of the anniversary website sparked speculation about a potential Final Fantasy 9 remake. Following the success of Final Fantasy VII’s Remake and Rebirth, a similar treatment for FF9 seems plausible. In a 2019 NHK poll, FF9 ranked as the fourth favorite Final Fantasy title in Japan. While the website does not confirm a remake, the game’s enduring popularity fuels anticipation.

Another long-dormant project is the Final Fantasy 9 anime, announced in 2021 as "Final Fantasy IX: The Black Mages' Legacy." Set a decade after the original game, it would focus on the six children of the iconic black mage Vivi. No updates have emerged since the initial reveal.

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 production.