While the game is the subject of all kinds of rumors, sad news hits FF9 and, more generally, the Square Enix teams. A new page is turning.
Things seem to be moving quite a bit for Square Enix at the moment. The Japanese publisher is preparing major anniversaries while continuing to move forward on its many current projects. However, one of its biggest licenses is facing a big blow. We think of Final Fantasy and, more specifically, to Ff9. While this opus is at the heart of many rumors in recent years, fans will have to make up their minds about its future.
A shock announcement for FF9 fans
Important anniversaries keep coming at Square Enix. Next May, the publisher will celebrate the 40 years of Dragon Quest. But last year it was time for 25 years of FF9. An episode often relegated to the shadow of other cult opuses of the license, Final Fantasy 7 in the lead, this ninth installment nevertheless does not lack fans. This is undoubtedly why the persistent rumors of a return to the spotlight find so much resonance.
However, these same fans will certainly be surprised to learn that FF9 is losing one of its key figures. Toshiyuki Itahanacharacter designer who also worked on the Chocono racing games and on NieR Automatahas just announced his departure from Square Enix at the end of 2025. The man now plans to work as a freelance illustrator, like his colleague Kazuhiko Aoki, who also left the Japanese publisher’s studios last June.
Itahana’s latest work at Square Enix will have been dedicated to the 25th anniversary of FF9. The man to whom we owe the designs of Djidane, Garnet and other iconic characters of the game will therefore have come full circle. That said, he remains very evasive about what he produced. With the rumors of FF9 Remake of the game as well as resumption of the animated series which is drawn from it, one can wonder if he will have taken part in it (provided, obviously, that these rumors in the corridors are proven). If the ninth installment is to resurface in some form, then it could take place entirely without it. However, the artist did not fail to announce his departure with a thank you drawing before flying off to other horizons.
Source : Communiqué de Toshiyuki Itahana.
