Final Fantasy 9 is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year with a new website and exciting plans for the future. Dive into the details of the anniversary celebration and what might be on the horizon for this beloved game.
Final Fantasy 9 Celebrates 25th Anniversary This Year
25th Anniversary Website Launched
Square Enix has unveiled a dedicated website to honor Final Fantasy 9's 25th anniversary. The site teases fans with promises of "various projects such as goods and collaborations" to mark this significant milestone. Visitors can already browse a range of FF9 merchandise, including character figures, plushies, vinyl records, CDs, and storybooks, with more announcements expected as the anniversary approaches.
Originally launched on July 7, 2000, for the PlayStation, Final Fantasy 9 has sold over 8.9 million copies globally. It was later included in Square Enix's Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary Ultimate Box in Japan in December 2012. A remastered version hit iOS and Android platforms in February 2016, followed by a PC release later that year. Subsequent ports were released 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
The launch of the anniversary website has sparked rumors and speculation about a potential FF9 remake. Given the success of the Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth, fans are hopeful that FF9 might be next in line for a modern refresh. Although the website doesn't confirm a remake, FF9's enduring popularity—it was voted the 4th best FF game in a 2019 NHK poll—positions it as a strong candidate.
Additionally, there has been silence on the previously announced FF9 anime, "Final Fantasy IX: The Black Mages' Legacy." Revealed in 2021, the anime was to be set a decade after the game and focus on Vivi's six children. Paris-based Cyber Group Studios, which had secured distribution and merchandise rights, was set to produce the series. However, following the company's bankruptcy filing in October 2024 and entry into judicial recovery, the project's future became uncertain. Two potential buyers, United Smile and Newen Studios, have shown interest in acquiring Cyber Group's IPs and continuing the FF9 anime production.
