Production is officially underway for the highly anticipated Final Fantasy: Black Mages Legacy, a new animated series set in the universe of Final Fantasy IX.
The French animation house Eurovisual has confirmed the project on its official website, signaling a major step forward for fans eager to see the beloved RPG brought to life in animated form. The series, which will employ hand-drawn 2D animation, is currently planned for a first season comprising ten episodes, each running 22 minutes.
While Eurovisual has not disclosed a specific release date, sources including a December 2023 report from French industry publication Écran Total indicate that the production is currently aiming for a 2028 release window. Interest in an adaptation of Final Fantasy IX, originally developed by Square Enix and released for the PlayStation in 2000 (and later remastered for platforms like the Nintendo Switch and eShop), has been building for years.
The project was first announced publicly in 2021, when Cyber Group Studios revealed it had entered into an exclusive option agreement with Square Enix to develop and pitch a Final Fantasy IX animated series.
However, the project faced major challenges in 2024.
Cyber Group Studios entered judicial insolvency, which led to uncertainty about the future of its adaptation projects.
Four different parties expressed interest in acquiring the animation studio’s assets, and the fate of the Final Fantasy IX series—along with other titles under development—was thrown into question.
Early concept and pitch materials were reportedly leaked online in March 2025, intensifying interest among fans and industry observers.
By late April 2025, a court ruling finalized the liquidation of Cyber Group Studios. Eurovisual stepped in following the liquidation, acquiring the rights to the Final Fantasy IX animated project along with a majority of Cyber Group Studios' assets, according to official statements and verified business reports.
With Eurovisual at the helm, production has resumed and new creative direction has been established for the series. According to the latest synopsis provided by Eurovisual, Final Fantasy: Black Mages Legacy will follow Imel, Koln, Luciola, Théa, Fala, and Doc—the children of the original hero Bibi (known internationally as Vivi)—the last of the so-called dark mages residing in Alexandria.
Their peaceful day-to-day life is turned upside down when Koln discovers that Mel has been mysteriously petrified, triggering events that allude to unresolved secrets from their father’s past. Targeted at a younger demographic between 6 and 13 years old, the new series aims to introduce the world of Final Fantasy IX to a new generation of viewers while retaining connections to its rich source material.
For fans of the original game on the Nintendo Switch and other platforms, Final Fantasy: Black Mages Legacy represents an exciting new chapter in the franchise’s legacy—and a testament to the enduring appeal of Square Enix’s classic JRPG storytelling.
The French animation house Eurovisual has confirmed the project on its official website, signaling a major step forward for fans eager to see the beloved RPG brought to life in animated form. The series, which will employ hand-drawn 2D animation, is currently planned for a first season comprising ten episodes, each running 22 minutes.
While Eurovisual has not disclosed a specific release date, sources including a December 2023 report from French industry publication Écran Total indicate that the production is currently aiming for a 2028 release window. Interest in an adaptation of Final Fantasy IX, originally developed by Square Enix and released for the PlayStation in 2000 (and later remastered for platforms like the Nintendo Switch and eShop), has been building for years.
The project was first announced publicly in 2021, when Cyber Group Studios revealed it had entered into an exclusive option agreement with Square Enix to develop and pitch a Final Fantasy IX animated series.
However, the project faced major challenges in 2024.
Cyber Group Studios entered judicial insolvency, which led to uncertainty about the future of its adaptation projects.
Four different parties expressed interest in acquiring the animation studio’s assets, and the fate of the Final Fantasy IX series—along with other titles under development—was thrown into question.
Early concept and pitch materials were reportedly leaked online in March 2025, intensifying interest among fans and industry observers.
By late April 2025, a court ruling finalized the liquidation of Cyber Group Studios. Eurovisual stepped in following the liquidation, acquiring the rights to the Final Fantasy IX animated project along with a majority of Cyber Group Studios' assets, according to official statements and verified business reports.
With Eurovisual at the helm, production has resumed and new creative direction has been established for the series. According to the latest synopsis provided by Eurovisual, Final Fantasy: Black Mages Legacy will follow Imel, Koln, Luciola, Théa, Fala, and Doc—the children of the original hero Bibi (known internationally as Vivi)—the last of the so-called dark mages residing in Alexandria.
Their peaceful day-to-day life is turned upside down when Koln discovers that Mel has been mysteriously petrified, triggering events that allude to unresolved secrets from their father’s past. Targeted at a younger demographic between 6 and 13 years old, the new series aims to introduce the world of Final Fantasy IX to a new generation of viewers while retaining connections to its rich source material.
For fans of the original game on the Nintendo Switch and other platforms, Final Fantasy: Black Mages Legacy represents an exciting new chapter in the franchise’s legacy—and a testament to the enduring appeal of Square Enix’s classic JRPG storytelling.
