The official Final Fantasy IX 25th anniversary website is now live, announcing multiple commemorative projects. Continue reading to discover more about the celebration plans and potential upcoming releases for this beloved classic.
Final Fantasy IX Marks Its 25th Anniversary This Year
Anniversary Website Goes Live
Square Enix has launched a dedicated website celebrating Final Fantasy IX's 25th anniversary. The site confirms the company is "preparing various commemorative projects, including merchandise and special collaborations."
Available anniversary merchandise includes character figures, plush toys, vinyl records, soundtrack CDs, illustrated storybooks, and more. Beyond these items, Square Enix has promised additional announcements as the anniversary festivities continue.
Originally released for the PlayStation on July 7, 2000, Final Fantasy IX has sold over 8.9 million copies globally. The game was later included in Square Enix's Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary Ultimate Box in Japan in December 2012. A remastered edition arrived on iOS and Android devices in February 2016, with a PC version following later that year. It was subsequently released on PlayStation 4 in September 2017, and on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Windows 10 in February 2019.
Potential FFIX Remake and the Overlooked Animated Series
With the anniversary site's launch, speculation about a potential Final Fantasy IX remake has intensified. Given the commercial and critical success of the Final Fantasy VII Remake series, a similar treatment for FFIX seems plausible. The game was voted the 4th best Final Fantasy title in a 2019 poll by Japan's NHK broadcasting organization. While the anniversary website doesn't specifically mention a remake, the title's enduring popularity makes it a strong candidate.
Another long-awaited project is the previously announced Final Fantasy IX animated series. Revealed in 2021 under the title "Final Fantasy IX: The Black Mages' Legacy," the show was planned to take place a decade after the original game, focusing on the six children of the fan-favorite black mage, Vivi. No official updates have been provided since the initial announcement.
Paris-based Cyber Group Studios had secured distribution and merchandising rights from Square Enix and intended to produce the series internally. However, the company filed for bankruptcy in October 2024 and entered judicial recovery proceedings. Several potential buyers have since shown interest in acquiring its intellectual property and assets. Two of these suitors, United Smile and Newen Studios, have expressed specific interest in continuing production of the Final Fantasy IX animated series.
