Final Fantasy IX ‘Vivi and Grandpa’s Memories for the Sky’ Picture Book Releases on May 19

Square Enix has announced that it will release the Final Fantasy IX picture book, titled “Vivi and Grandpa’s Memories for the Sky,” globally on May 19. Pre-orders for the book are now live. 

The book will release in a hardcover, with 48 pages, and illustrations from character designer Toshiyuki Itahana. Additionally, Final Fantasy IX event designer Kazuhiko Aoki is the story’s writer. Square Enix describes the Final Fantasy IX picture book as follows:

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. 

Recently, reports surfaced that the Final Fantasy IX 2D animated series is back in production for a 2028 targeted release, according to a new issue from French magazine Écran Total. The magazine’s report notes that Euro Visual is now handling the Final Fantasy IX animated series heading into the 2028 release. The studio took over the project after the closure of animation company Cyber Group Studios earlier this year. 

There’s still no word on the rumored Final Fantasy IX remake, which first surfaced in a NVIDIA GeForce Now leak in 2021. It’s unclear what the remake’s status is, but similarly to the animated series, it’s worth noting that Square Enix has not outright confirmed that a remake is in development. Final Fantasy IX is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS, Android, and PC via Steam.