In a surprise announcement last year, we found out that the highly acclaimed PlayStation RPG — also available on Switch, of course — Final Fantasy IX would be getting an animated show. Developed by Paris-based Cyber Group Studios, we've heard literally nothing since this initial reveal almost a year ago. But it looks like our patience is going to be rewarded.
Animation Magazine has interviewed the Vice President of Cyber Group, Bruno Danzel d’Aumont, ahead of the 2022 Licensing Expo in Las Vegas, where brands such as LEGO, Pokémon, Warner Bros., and more often make appearances. In the interview, d’Aumont says that Cyber Group will be sharing "the company's latest updates" during the show, and when asked about what new shows will be presented, one will be of interest for fans of Zidane, Garnet, Vivi, and Steiner's journey in the 2000 RPG:
At the Licensing Expo, we will, of course, continue to promote our global preschool property Gigantosaurus, with new content to come internationally. It will be a great opportunity to share our upcoming plans with our licensees, agents, and new partners. Additionally, our most recently developed shows — Digital Girl, The McFire Family, Press Start! and Final Fantasy IX — will be presented for the first time. These four new series have a strong licensing appeal for different age targets.
What information will be presented, we don't know yet, or just how much we on the outside will be able to see. However, fans are likely wondering how the show will translate the events of the game to audiences between the ages of 8-13. Final Fantasy IX is cute and cuddly on the surface, but (as fans know) it tackles some deep subjects like existentialism, death, loyalty, and identity.
The other question is what will the animation style be like, and just how close will the show stick to Toshiyuki Itahana and Hideo Minaba's character designs? Will we get to see the show in action or see any concept art?.
We'll have to wait and see what comes out of the Licensing Expo this week. The event kicks off at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on 24th May — which is tomorrow — to 26th May, which is when the online part of the show starts. You can check out more about the convention right here.
What are your hopes for the Final Fantasy IX animation? Share your thoughts below.
[source animationmagazine.net, via twitter.com]
Comments 23
Is the long rumored FF IX remake being announced?
Edit: Oh, it's an animated show. Never mind.
it's cool when older games get new things.
I only played FF9 for the first time last year on Switch. it was a fun RPG.
Ehh...I love FFIX, but I REALLY don't trust them to do it justice.
Let's see how they butcher Sakaguchi's fave
I hope it'll be good.
@Magician I actually thought the same, but nah, of course they won't.
The headline made me think there was a Youtube channel made by SE solely dedicated to FFIX. Not to say that's bad or anything....
As someone who's never played Final Fantasy yet will gladly give it a go at some point, colour me intrigued by what this entails. IX from what I've gathered gets very deep.
I think I was like 9 when I first played it on PS1 and I enjoyed it. I don't think much needs to change to gear it to 8-13 year olds.
Maybe taking out some of the few instances of swearing and toning down. a few of the naughtier scenes.
Like Dagger and Zidane climbing up the airship ladder. Although I'd respect their nerves if they really go and animate that scene!
Started the game twice but rarely got far. The loading times for each battle tested my patience.
Which version has the fastest loading times?
I wanna see if they animate the peeing scene. Thats my comment.
@Dr_Lugae Censoring
Asking for content non-lewd content to be censored, is like asking someone to save us from our own naughty thoughts. The scene was depicted in a way we basically use our imagination to to make it lewd. I see no reason to protect my or someone else's kid from that level of tease. If I did shared whoever's logic is making today's censorship decisions, I wouldn't let my kids out the house.
I can say the same with the pocky & rocky reshrined game. If is not lewd content, then don't flatten every chest in a Kid's game & erase every cleavage line.
I get the feeling whoever the investor that currently has the highest say at the moment doesn't know how to decide to take criticism & ignore others, when dealing with other cultures, while making a profit. That type of person will always dumb his decisions to either
1) Over saturate the market with censorship, while caving to a idiot's need for a "safe space" on every & all corners of the market.
Or
2) Not be involved enough
It is very stupid to say its okay for "grand theft auto", a game from a western studio, to remain unchanged; but games from a Japanese Studio such as Xenoblade, Final Fantasy, & Pocky & Rocky to get censored is insane.
Also censorship should be only when "needed" in kids games. Not so much in Teen games. Mature and Adult games should Defiantly not have to be censored like they are made for 8 year olds. They aren't. If a kid feels they need a "safe space" away from such games, then the parents should step in & say to them, "Idiot this game wasn't made for you in mind. Its not Nintendo's or Sony's fault, Its your own fault for playing this when you know your not supposed to. Working Adults need their own games to play on their free time. You want a safe space, then you are grounded for playing this content behind my back."
That's the only safe space mindset both kids & the paying adults/main customers will benefit from.
Glad this is a show and not a game. Square needs to work on one project at a time, I think they are juggling way too many projects. The quality of their games have decreased quite a bit in recent years. Also, it's really annoying for them to announce a large lineup of games only for them not to release for another 5-6 years.
Meh. Give us the FF IX remake that was leaked to be in development. I don't care about cartoons or anime, personally, but this is good for those who do (depending on the quality, ofc).
@Magician should have read your comment before i commented, lol.
Sadly, this site on mobile doesn't show the comments by default u have yo click to show comments, or type in the box on that same form, so it's just as easy to make a mew comment before seeing anything. That's bad design, IMO, for good conversations. I get they want incentive for as many ppl to comment as possible, but the people could still interact & thumbs up posts instead of everyone needing to type the same comment. Sorry, /end rant.
I don't know much about Cyber Group Studios but some of their stuff is CG. I wish FFIX was being made as an anime.
Removed - off-topic
@falkyn ….what did I just read?
Either way…I will take any new FFIX news I can get!! My favorite game of all time. I really think the story is something Square could get back to again at some point, or something similar. The lightheartedness of the character interactions mixed with the deep themes was fantastic. I don’t think everything needs to be all sci-fi or super serious. Bring back the high fantasy settings. I wonder if they will keep or arrange any of the original Uematsu compositions?
@HeroOfTime32 I'm camping in a house and have inherited the roles of both Hansel and Gretel being constantly hunted by the omnipotent witch. nevermind what i type, it's jibberish more often than not - I only have moments to comment before the witch's next blitz. ...speaking of which..
To think back in the day we got FF7, 8, 9, and Tactics on one console...
@scannerdarkly7 And Ehrgeiz
It's quite funny that NL has to remind everyone in the article that this came out on the Switch. If this wasn't on any Nintendo console, they wouldn't be reporting on it.
I just started this for the first time last Friday: kismet!!
Final Fantasy getting an actual series is still a fever dream in my eyes...
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