Final Fantasy 9 Marks Its 25th Anniversary in 2024
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Final Fantasy 9, a beloved title in the iconic RPG series. To celebrate, Square Enix has unveiled a dedicated 25th anniversary website packed with exciting updates and merchandise announcements.
Launch of the 25th Anniversary Website
Square Enix has kicked off the celebration with the launch of a special website honoring Final Fantasy 9. The website teases "various projects such as goods and collaborations" to mark the occasion. Among the offerings, fans can look forward to a range of merchandise inspired by the game, including character figures, plush toys, vinyl records, CDs, storybooks, and other collectibles.
Beyond the initial announcements, the website hints at further surprises leading up to the anniversary. Fans can expect more reveals in the coming months, keeping the excitement alive throughout the celebration.
Originally released on July 7, 2000, for the PlayStation, Final Fantasy 9 became a fan favorite, selling over 8.9 million copies globally. The game received a re-release as part of Square Enix’s Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary Ultimate Box in Japan in December 2012. Later, it was remastered for iOS, Android, and PC in 2016, followed by releases on PlayStation 4 in 2017 and Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Windows 10 in 2019.
Speculation Surrounding a Remake
The announcement of the 25th anniversary has sparked widespread speculation about the possibility of a Final Fantasy 9 remake. Following the massive success of Final Fantasy VII Remake and its sequel, Rebirth, a remake of Final Fantasy 9 seems increasingly plausible.
A 2019 poll conducted by Japan's national broadcaster NHK ranked Final Fantasy 9 as the fourth-best game in the series, highlighting its enduring popularity. While the anniversary website doesn’t explicitly confirm a remake, the game’s high standing among fans makes it a strong candidate for a modern retelling.
The Forgotten Anime Project
Another intriguing development tied to Final Fantasy 9 is the rumored anime series. In 2021, Square Enix announced an upcoming anime titled "Final Fantasy IX: The Black Mages' Legacy". Set a decade after the events of the original game, the series was intended to follow the lives of the six children of Vivi, the beloved black mage.
Collaborating with Paris-based Cyber Group Studios, Square Enix entrusted the rights for the anime’s distribution and merchandise to the studio. However, Cyber Group Studios filed for bankruptcy in late October 2024 and entered judicial recovery proceedings. Despite this setback, two potential buyers—United Smile and Newen Studios—have expressed interest in acquiring the studio’s assets, with both indicating a desire to resume production of the Final Fantasy IX anime.
Stay tuned for more updates as Square Enix continues to celebrate this legendary chapter in gaming history.
