Final Fantasy 9 has launched a special 25th anniversary website hinting at potential upcoming projects. Join us as we explore what's in store for this beloved classic during its milestone celebration.
Final Fantasy 9 Reaches Quarter-Century Milestone
Special Anniversary Site Revealed
Square Enix has unveiled a commemorative website for Final Fantasy 9's 25th anniversary celebration. The site tantalizingly mentions the company is "preparing various projects including merchandise and collaborations" to honor this special occasion.
Fans can browse through exclusive anniversary items currently available, featuring character figurines, plush toys, vinyl records, soundtrack CDs, illustrated storybooks and more. The website promises additional reveals will follow as the anniversary festivities progress over the coming year.
Originally debuting on PlayStation on July 7, 2000, Final Fantasy 9 has sold an impressive 8.9 million copies worldwide. The classic JRPG has seen multiple re-releases, first as part of Square Enix's Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary Ultimate Box in 2012, then as an enhanced version for mobile and PC in 2016. Modern console players got their hands on the title through PS4 (2017) and subsequent Switch/Xbox One/Windows 10 releases (2019).
Speculation Swirls Around Potential Remake and Anime Project
With the anniversary site's launch, rumors have reignited about a possible modern remake of FF9. Considering the acclaim for Final Fantasy VII's remake installments, many believe FF9 - ranked 4th best FF title in NHK's 2019 Japanese fan poll - would be a prime candidate for similar treatment. While the website makes no specific remake confirmation, the game's enduring popularity makes the idea plausible.
Another project shrouded in mystery is the FF9 anime adaptation first announced back in 2021. Titled "Final Fantasy IX: The Black Mages' Legacy," the series was planned as a sequel following Vivi's descendants a decade after the original story. However, updates about this animation have been conspicuously absent since its initial reveal.
French studio Cyber Group Studios had secured production rights and merchandise agreements with Square Enix, but the company unexpectedly filed for bankruptcy in late 2024. Currently, two potential suitors - United Smile and Newen Studios - have expressed interest in acquiring the rights to continue developing this animated continuation of FF9's story.
