Final Fantasy IX Remake Rumors Intensify With Anniversary Leaks

Final Fantasy IX has unveiled its 25th-anniversary website, detailing a series of upcoming projects. Discover more about the plans for this milestone celebration and potential future developments.

Final Fantasy IX Marks 25th Anniversary This Year

25th Anniversary Website Goes Live

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

The anniversary offerings include an array of Final Fantasy IX collectibles, such as character figures, plush toys, vinyl records, CDs, storybooks, and more. Beyond these items, Square Enix has promised additional announcements as the anniversary approaches.

Originally released on July 7, 2000, for the PlayStation, Final Fantasy IX has sold over 8.9 million copies globally. It was later included in Square Enix's Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary Ultimate Box Japanese edition in December 2012. A remastered version arrived in February 2016 for iOS and Android, followed by a PC release later that year. The game came to PlayStation 4 in September 2017, and to Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Windows 10 in February 2019.

Possible Final Fantasy IX Remake and the Overlooked Anime Project

The launch of the anniversary site has reignited speculation about a potential Final Fantasy IX remake. Given the success of Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth, a similar treatment for FFIX seems plausible. In a 2019 NHK poll, Final Fantasy IX was voted the fourth best title in the series. While the anniversary website does not confirm a remake, the game's enduring popularity makes it a strong candidate.

Another long-dormant project is the previously announced Final Fantasy IX anime. In 2021, Square Enix revealed "Final Fantasy IX: The Black Mages' Legacy," an animated series set a decade after the original game, focusing on the six children of the beloved black mage Vivi. No updates have been shared since the initial announcement.

Paris-based Cyber Group Studios, which secured distribution and merchandise rights for the anime, was set to produce the series internally. However, the company filed for bankruptcy in late October 2024 and entered judicial recovery. Several potential buyers have expressed interest in acquiring its intellectual properties and assets, with United Smile and Newen Studios specifically aiming to resume production of the Final Fantasy IX animated series.