After years of radio silence following its initial announcement back in 2021, the long-rumored Final Fantasy IX animated series is officially in production.
According to an update from animation studio EuroVisual’s official website, the 2D series is titled Final Fantasy: Black Mages Legacy. The first season is currently deep in production and will feature 10 episodes, each clocking in at around 22 minutes.
Rather than a straight retelling of Zidane and Garnet’s classic adventure, the series is taking a fascinating spin by focusing on the next generation of characters. The story will center entirely around the children of the legendary hero Vivi (referred to as “Bibi” in the listing): Imel, Koln, Luciola, Thea, Fala, and Doc.
The official synopsis reveals that these siblings are the last dark mages across the four continents. They have been living a peaceful, happy life guarded by the citizens of Alexandria, but tragedy inevitably strikes. The inciting incident of the series occurs when Koln discovers one of his siblings, Mel, mysteriously frozen like a statue at the local inn. The core mystery of the show will explore whether the “tragic legacy of their father” has finally caught up to them.
For fans of Final Fantasy IX, exploring the bittersweet legacy of Vivi and the Black Mages is bound to pull at the heartstrings. It is great to see Square Enix expanding the lore of one of the most beloved entries in the franchise, especially with the persistent rumors of a full FFIX game remake still floating around.
We will keep you updated as soon as a release date or official trailer drops!
