Final Fantasy 9 remake anticipation reignites after troubled anime based on game reboots

The long-rumored Final Fantasy 9 remake failed to appear during the game’s 25th anniversary. Yet, Square Enix won’t let fans forget about the RPG, launching a barrage of merchandise. The latest reminder comes with the reemergence of a troubled anime project. After its original producer filed for bankruptcy, a French studio plans to release Final Fantasy IX: The Black Mages' Legacy in 2028.

The show surfaced in 2021, with few updates before Cyber Group Studios faced financial ruin in April 2025. As reported by RPG Site, Euro Visual is now taking over the project. An article from the French magazine Ecran Total provides a brief description of the 2D anime.

Viewers can expect the children of Vivi to take center stage in a production aimed at audiences ages 6-13. Mel, Koln, Luciola, and others live peacefully in Alexandria before trouble likely connected to their father arises. The black mage Vivi is familiar to veterans of Final Fantasy 9, with the details matching previous leaks about the production.

Why a Final Fantasy 9 remake may be inevitable

As excited as some fans are about the news, many are wondering what it may mean for a new game. Screen Rant documents how the title was found on a leaked Nvidia GeForce Now list in 2021. Since then, all 7 of the 8 leaked games have appeared, including Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles in September. Regardless, Square Enix has yet to even confirm a Final Fantasy 9 remake is in the works.

The prospect of revisiting the ninth mainline Final Fantasy game seemed bleak in October. Respected leaker NateTheHate2 suggested that its development was on hold. Perhaps, by the time the anime debuts in 2028, there will be more encouraging signs of progress.

For now, Square Enix may want to keep its focus on its popular remake trilogy. Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade will launch on the Switch 2 and Xbox in January. With Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth already out on the PC and PlayStation, followers await the reveal of the untitled part 3.