Final Fantasy IX Remake Hinted in Anniversary Leak

Final Fantasy IX has launched a dedicated 25th-anniversary website that reveals multiple upcoming projects. Learn more about the anniversary plans and potential future releases for this beloved title.

Final Fantasy IX Marks Its 25th Anniversary This Year

Anniversary Website Goes Live

Square Enix has unveiled a special website celebrating the 25th anniversary of Final Fantasy IX. The site notes that the company is "preparing various commemorative projects, including merchandise and collaborations."

Fans can explore a range of anniversary-themed FF9 products, such as character figures, plush toys, vinyl records, CDs, and illustrated storybooks. Beyond these items, additional announcements are expected as the anniversary celebrations continue.

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

Rumored Final Fantasy IX Remake and the Dormant Anime Project

The launch of the anniversary site has fueled speculation about a possible Final Fantasy IX remake. Given the success of the Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth titles, many believe a remake of FF9 could be next. In a 2019 poll conducted by Japan's NHK, Final Fantasy IX was ranked the 4th best game in the series. While the anniversary website does not specifically mention a remake, the game's enduring popularity makes it a strong candidate.

Another long-awaited project is the previously announced Final Fantasy IX anime series. In 2021, Square Enix revealed an anime titled "Final Fantasy IX: The Black Mages' Legacy," set a decade after the original game and focusing on the six children of the beloved character Vivi. Since then, no further updates have been shared about the series.

Cyber Group Studios, a Paris-based company that partnered with Square Enix, secured distribution and merchandise rights and was set to handle production. However, the studio filed for bankruptcy at the end of October 2024 and entered judicial recovery. Several potential buyers have since shown interest in acquiring its intellectual properties and assets, including United Smile and Newen Studios, both of which aim to resume production of the FF9 anime.