After a long period of uncertainty and rumors of cancellation, the Final Fantasy IX animated series is reportedly back in production. The project was originally announced in 2021 and was being handled by Paris-based Cyber Group Studios. However, the closure of that studio earlier this year left fans worried about the show’s future. New reports from the French industry magazine Écran Total indicate that a studio called Euro Visual has taken over the project. Production is said to be continuing from previous work rather than starting over, with a tentative release window set for 2028.

New Story Featuring Vivi’s Children

Instead of simply retelling the story of the original game, the animated series will focus on a new generation of characters. The plot follows the children of Vivi Ornitier, Mel, Koln, Luciola, Théa, Fala, and Doc, living in the city of Alexandria. Their peaceful lives take a dramatic turn when one of them suddenly turns into stone, setting off a new adventure. This creative direction was previously hinted at in leaked production materials and appears to be the path Euro Visual is moving forward with to expand the Final Fantasy IX universe.

Targeted Audience and Format

The series is being developed as a 2D animation aimed at a younger audience, specifically children between the ages of 6 and 13. It is planned to consist of 13 episodes, each running for approximately 22 minutes. While the show targets a younger demographic, the developers aim to keep the emotional themes and narrative depth that made the original game a classic. Square Enix has not yet made an official announcement regarding the change in studios, but the project’s continuation is a positive sign for fans waiting for more Final Fantasy content.