Final Fantasy 9 fans have been clamoring for a remake for years, but Square Enix has something else in store: a prequel picture book about beloved black mage Vivi Ornitier. While it’s not the full-scale remake everyone’s been hoping for, it does offer something special—an official backstory for one of gaming’s most memorable characters.
What Is Final Fantasy 9 Picture Book: Vivi and Grandpa’s Memories for the Sky?
Final Fantasy 9 Picture Book: Vivi and Grandpa’s Memories for the Sky tells the story of Vivi before he joined Zidane’s party in the main game. The 48-page hardcover book explores his early life with his adoptive grandfather, Quan, and will release in English on May 18, 2026.
Who Created the Vivi Picture Book?
This isn’t some licensed cash-grab—the book was created by the original Final Fantasy 9 team:
- Written by Kazuhiko Aoki – FF9’s original event director
- Illustrated by Toshiyuki Itahana – FF9’s character designer
Both creators have extensive history with Square Enix and intimate knowledge of the game’s world and characters, ensuring the story stays true to Vivi’s essence.
What’s the Story About?
According to the official description from the Square Enix Store:
Join FINAL FANTASY IX’s beloved black mage Vivi as Grandpa teaches him how to live a good life! Vivi is a mysterious boy who was fished out of the ocean by Grandpa Quan, a gourmand trying to master the art of food. Once Grandpa Quan realizes that Vivi is not food, he begins to raise Vivi and teach him about the world. Together, they live a peaceful life of fine feasts and friends, eventually leading up to Vivi’s day of departure.
The book explores:
- How Quan rescued Vivi from the ocean
- Their quiet life together learning about food, friendship, and the world
- The events leading to Vivi’s journey to Alexandria (where FF9 begins)
For fans who connected with Vivi’s existential struggle in the main game—where he grapples with questions of identity and mortality after encountering Queen Brahne’s mysterious black mages—this prequel offers context for who he was before that crisis.
Why Vivi Matters to Final Fantasy 9
Vivi Ornitier isn’t just another party member—he’s the emotional heart of Final Fantasy 9:
- Players actually control Vivi first before even meeting the “main” protagonist Zidane
- His character arc tackles profound themes: identity, purpose, and what it means to exist
- At just nine years old, he faces existential questions no child should have to confront
- He fills the classic “black mage” role (offensive magic specialist) while being far more than a gameplay archetype
Vivi’s storyline is consistently ranked among the best character arcs in the entire Final Fantasy franchise, making his backstory particularly meaningful to longtime fans.
Part of FF9’s 25th Anniversary Celebration
The picture book originally released in Japanese in 2025 as part of Square Enix’s Final Fantasy 9 25th anniversary celebration (the game launched July 7, 2000). The anniversary festivities included:
- New FF9 merchandise releases
- A vinyl music album featuring the game’s iconic soundtrack
- A real-life exhibition in Tokyo (November 22 – December 7, 2025)
- And now, this English translation of the Vivi picture book
What was noticeably absent from the celebration? The long-rumored Final Fantasy 9 remake that fans have been requesting for years.
Where Fans Can Pre-Order the Book
Final Fantasy 9 Picture Book: Vivi and Grandpa’s Memories for the Sky is available for pre-order now at:
- Square Enix Store
- Amazon
- Barnes & Noble
- Books-A-Million
- Bookshop.org
- Indigo
The hardcover edition releases May 18, 2026 and is priced competitively with similar premium gaming art books.
Is This Enough for FF9 Fans?
Let’s be honest: a 48-page picture book isn’t what most Final Fantasy 9 fans have been asking for. The rumor mill has been churning for years about:
- A full FF9 remake in the style of FF7 Remake
- An animated series (which was announced, possibly cancelled, then possibly revived)
- Any substantial new content set in the world of Gaia
The reality check: Square Enix is clearly aware FF9 has a passionate fanbase—otherwise they wouldn’t bother translating this book at all. But financially, the company may believe anniversary merchandise and niche releases like this are the best they can justify right now, especially with resources focused on ongoing projects like the FF7 Remake trilogy.
The Silver Lining
While a picture book isn’t a remake, it does offer something unique:
- Official canon about Vivi’s early life
- Beautiful illustrations from the original character designer
- A story written by someone who understands the character deeply
- A collectible item for dedicated FF9 fans
Plus, the fact that Square Enix bothered with an English translation at all (they could’ve easily made it Japan-exclusive) suggests they’re testing the waters for FF9’s commercial viability in Western markets.
Bottom Line: A Small Gift While We Wait
Final Fantasy 9 Picture Book: Vivi and Grandpa’s Memories for the Sky may not be the remake fans desperately want, but it’s a heartfelt addition to one of gaming’s most beloved stories. For anyone who connected with Vivi’s journey through identity and existence, learning about his peaceful life with Grandpa Quan before everything changed will be worth the read.
Pre-orders are open now ahead of the May 18, 2026 release date.
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