FF9 Remake Speculated Amid 25th Anniversary Project Announcements

Final Fantasy 9 has unveiled its 25th anniversary website, revealing multiple upcoming projects. Discover what’s planned for Final Fantasy 9’s 25th anniversary and what may lie ahead.

Final Fantasy 9 Celebrates 25th Anniversary This Year

25th Anniversary Website Launched

Square Enix has launched a dedicated website to honor Final Fantasy 9’s 25th anniversary this year. The site confirms they are “preparing various projects such as goods and collaborations to commemorate the 25th anniversary.”

The website features an array of FF9 merchandise for fans, including character figures, plush toys, vinyl records, CDs, storybooks, and more. Beyond these items, Square Enix has hinted that additional announcements will be revealed as the anniversary approaches.

Final Fantasy 9 originally launched on July 7, 2000, for the PlayStation, selling more than 8.9 million copies globally. It was later included in Square Enix’s Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary Ultimate Box Japanese bundle in December 2012. A remastered version debuted in February 2016 for iOS and Android, followed by a PC release later that year. The game arrived on PlayStation 4 in September 2017, and on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Windows 10 in February 2019.

Possible Final Fantasy 9 Remake and Seemingly Forgotten Anime

With the anniversary site live, rumors of a potential FF9 remake have surged. Following the success of Final Fantasy VII’s Remake and Rebirth, a similar treatment for FF9 is no longer far-fetched. In a 2019 poll by Japan’s NHK, FF9 ranked as the fourth-best game in the series. While the anniversary site didn’t confirm a remake, FF9’s enduring popularity positions it as a strong candidate.

Another project that has faded from public view is the previously announced FF9 anime. In 2021, Square Enix revealed an animated series titled "Final Fantasy IX: The Black Mages' Legacy," set ten years after the original game, following the six children of the beloved black mage Vivi. Since then, no official updates have been shared.

In partnership with Square Enix, Paris-based Cyber Group Studios acquired rights to distribute the anime and produce merchandise, with plans to develop the series in-house. However, the company filed for bankruptcy in October 2024 and entered judicial recovery. Since then, several potential buyers have expressed interest in acquiring its assets—including United Smile and Newen Studios, both of whom aim to continue production of the FF9 animated series.