The animated series based on Final Fantasy IX appears to be moving forward once again after a prolonged period of uncertainty. The project was first announced in 2021 and initially placed under the care of Paris-based Cyber Group Studios. That studio shut down earlier this year, which cast serious doubt over the future of the adaptation. New reporting now suggests the series did not end with that closure and has instead found a new production partner.

French industry magazine Écran Total reports that Euro Visual has taken over the project. While Square Enix has not publicly confirmed this transition, the report indicates that production has resumed rather than restarting from zero. The article also mentions a provisional release window set for 2028, placing the series firmly in long-term development.

Production Continues With an Established Direction

Evidence suggests that Euro Visual is continuing work based on previously developed concepts. Earlier this year, leaked materials from Cyber Group Studios surfaced online after former employees shared internal production documents. The story details reported by Écran Total closely match those leaks, which strengthens the idea that the new studio has retained the original creative foundation.

This continuity matters because it preserves the tone and narrative intent established at the project’s inception. Instead of discarding years of planning, the new production team appears to be refining and completing what already exists. As a result, the animated series may arrive closer to its original vision than many fans expected.

A New Generation Steps Into the Spotlight

Rather than retelling the events of Final Fantasy IX, the animated series expands its world through a new cast. The story reportedly follows Mel, Koln, Luciola, Théa, Fala, and Doc, the children of Vivi Ornitier. They live peacefully in Alexandria, watched over by its curious but friendly citizens. That calm ends when one of them suddenly turns to stone, raising questions about whether Vivi’s tragic legacy still lingers.

The series is planned as a 2D animated show aimed at children aged six to thirteen. It will reportedly consist of thirteen episodes, each running for twenty-two minutes. While the target audience skews younger, the premise draws heavily from the emotional themes that defined the original game.

Why Final Fantasy IX Still Resonates

Final Fantasy IX launched in 2000 and remains one of the franchise’s most celebrated entries. Players continue to praise its classical fantasy setting, strong character writing, and thoughtful exploration of identity and mortality. Square Enix has kept the game accessible through releases on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC, and mobile platforms.

Although a 2028 release remains far off, the project’s apparent revival offers cautious optimism. For fans who feared the animated series had vanished alongside its original studio, this development signals that Final Fantasy IX still has unfinished stories to tell.

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