The rumors about a potentialFinal Fantasy 9Remakehave ramped up once again after new artwork for the game was shared by one of the largest gaming outlets in Japan.It’s been years since the first rumors about anFF9 Remakeemerged, and they have only intensified over the past years. Now, in 2025, the popularFF9completed its 25th anniversary, and there were a lot of announcements, mostly revolving around merch, but the long-rumored remake wasn’t announced by Square Enix.
Even so, the hope for the remake never really died out, and new content related to the anniversary celebrations has reignited rumors.A newFinal Fantasy 9artwork was shared in a feature on the Japanese magazineFamitsu, and shared by userGenki_JPNon X.
The cover art forFamitsufeatures Zidane standing on a stone altar, reminiscent of those found in Memoria, under the moonlight. Beneath him is Vivi, looking up at the sky. The celebratory artwork advertises a feature that will cover the game, including interviews with character designer Toshiyuki Itahana and composer Nobuo Uematsu.
FF9 Remake Speculation Increases With New Article
Square Enix Continues To Show Its Love For The Best Final Fantasy Game
The fact that the game’s anniversary has already passed, and Square Enix continues to highlight it, sparks hope that theremake forFinal Fantasy 9may be more than just mere speculation. The new magazine article is just one of the many efforts the company has made to revitalize players' views on the game.Before its anniversary, for example, Square Enix shared several new pieces of key artwork for each one of the playable characters inFF9, fueling speculation about a possible remake.
The artwork forFamitsudoes not confirm that a remake is in the works, but a new version of the piece, which was shared by userAitaikimochion X has an inscription that hints at it. According to their translation,the words say “Let us return once more to the Place of Memories,” possibly teasing our return to the world ofFF9in a remake. For reference, the Place of Memories to which the post refers is Memoria, a key location in the game’s story.
FF9 Remake Wasn’t Announced, But It May Not Be Far Away
A Remake Announcement Could Be A Perfect Way To Conclude The 25th Anniversary Celebrations
I’m convincedFinal Fantasy 9 Remakeisn’t canceled, andSquare Enix is taking its time to confirm the rumors via an official announcement soon, perhaps once its schedule of celebration comes to an end, or as the final surprise. All the new artwork created by Square Enix’s artists seems like too much to be simply celebratory material, and could be used as official assets for a remake. With the success of theFF7 Remakeseries, and withFF9being the bestFinal Fantasygame, according toMetacritic, it would be a waste not to remake it.
While there is still a possibility of a remake, some fans have lost hope. In response to Aitaikimochi’s post, some X users say that the game is nothing but a memory or that it will be adapted into a gacha game. Another user says that “the whole anniversary was a budget troll move” and that it’s cruel to its fans. Even so, I’m holding onto hope that my favorite game in the series,Final Fantasy 9, will get a remake announcement soon, and the new artwork only serves to fuel my expectations.
