Final Fantasy 9 is getting a prequel book about Vivi

Square Enix is publishing a prequel to Final Fantasy IX in the form of a 44-page picture book about Vivi and his adoptive grandfather. Final Fantasy IX Picture Book: Vivi and Grandpa's Memories for the Sky launches on May 19, 2026, for $17.99. The hardcover release reunites two key figures from the original development team. Kazuhiko Aoki is writing the story. He worked as an event designer on the PlayStation game, and his resume also includes production work on Chrono Trigger and battle planning for Final Fantasy VII. Toshiyuki Itahana, the original character designer who gave Vivi his distinct look, is handling the illustrations.

Fished out of the ocean

I always thought Vivi had one of the most compelling character arcs in the 32-bit era. I am genuinely interested in seeing how this book handles his origins. The story fills in the timeline right before the events of the main game. It centers on the location players know as Quan's Dwelling. The plot covers the period after Grandpa Quan fishes a mysterious black mage out of the ocean.

Quan is a gourmand of the Qu race, so he naturally assumes he just caught his next meal. Once he realizes the boy is not actually food, he decides to raise him instead. This is standard behavior for a Qu, but it makes for a highly unconventional parenting origin story. The book follows their daily life of eating and learning about the world of Gaia. It leads right up to the day Vivi leaves home and ends up with a ticket to a play in Alexandria.

The year 2000 pivot

I look back at Final Fantasy IX as a fascinating pivot point for Square. After the massive commercial success of the industrial and sci-fi settings in Final Fantasy VII and VIII, the studio decided to reverse course. Released in 2000 for the original PlayStation, the ninth installment was a deliberate return to the franchise's high fantasy roots. The developers brought back medieval castles, traditional black mages, and airships powered by mist.

It was a nostalgic tribute to the Nintendo era of the series, and it utilized pre-rendered backgrounds and full motion video. The game sold millions of copies and remains a high-water mark for classic Japanese role-playing games. Vivi himself became the mascot for that entire aesthetic shift.

Chocobos and cats

Square Enix has been quietly building out a library of these illustrated tie-ins over the last few years. I have noticed a few of them popping up in bookstores alongside traditional strategy guides. The publisher previously released Chocobo and the Airship: A Final Fantasy Picture Book, which targets a similar demographic with its art style. They also put out a Final Fantasy XIV picture book, alongside adaptations of manga properties like A Man and His Cat.

It is a specific niche to take a beloved RPG character and drop them into a children's book format, but it seems to be working for the company. The Vivi book measures exactly 8-5/8 inches square and will be available in English at launch.

Pick up FINAL FANTASY IX on Humble Bundle.

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