Square Enix Confirms Vivi’s Return in New Final Fantasy 9 Release Set for May 2026

Final Fantasy is hands-down one of the most beloved franchises, with Vivi one of the most beloved character in the its universe. The good news is that Vivi is set to make a grand comeback, but not in a way you may have hoped for.

Square Enix has announced a new Final Fantasy IX picture book centered around Vivi, the franchise’s iconic black mage. The new Final Fantasy 9 release will bring him back with an original story set before the events of the classic RPG.

That said, Square Enix isn’t revisting the main adventure, this release rather looks backward. The book will explore Vivi’s life prior to the journey players experienced in Final Fantasy 9, offering fresh context to a character many still consider the emotional core of the game. For longtime fans, that alone is enough to spark interest in the new release.

The new Final Fantasy release is set to arrive in May with a $17.99 price tag. For now, the version listed on Square Enix’s website includes only Japanese text, but it’s likely that an English edition is also in development.

Vivi has remained a standout figure since the game first launched, thanks to his quiet personality and deeply human story arc. Expanding his backstory through a picture book suggests Square Enix is looking to tap into nostalgia while also testing new formats beyond traditional remasters or remakes.

Over the past few years, the publisher has revisited older Final Fantasy titles through ports, merchandise, and cross-media projects. With rumors and speculation around potential remakes constantly circulating, smaller projects like this help keep classic entries in the news without committing to a full-scale revival.