Picture Book - Final Fantasy IX: Vivi and Grandpa's Memories for the Sky
- ⚡Xe⚡
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
Lately, almost every blog post I write ends up being about the newest Final Fantasy books. This one couldn’t wait though, I had to share it as soon as it arrived. The other items will have to wait a bit longer 🙃
This picture book is written by Kazuhiko Aoki, who worked as an event designer for Final Fantasy IX, and it is illustrated by Toshiyuki Itahana, the game’s character designer.
The story focuses on Vivi as a child, when he is pulled from the ocean by Grandpa Quan. Quan is a quirky and hungry hermit who is always thinking about food. At first, he even considers whether Vivi could be a meal, but he changes his mind and decides to adopt him instead.
What follows is a calm and warm look at their daily life together. They cook unusual dishes, share meals, meet new friends, and Quan teaches Vivi about the world and how to live well. The story slowly leads up to the moment Vivi leaves home, which connects directly to the beginning of his journey in Final Fantasy IX.
The illustrations support the tone with a simple and heartwarming style. Overall, it is a gentle slice of life story that expands on Vivi’s early days in a simple and approachable way, perfect for kids.
The Vivi plush in the photo is courtesy of my son, who is a big fan and is already looking forward to reading the book later.
What do you think of this picture book? Have you already got your copy?
PS: I keep seeing clickbait calling this “a long awaited FFIX prequel,” but it is actually a picture book rather than a full game prequel 🤦♂️
Links:
Final Fantasy IX Picture Book: Vivi and Grandpa's Memories for the Sky
Author: Kazuhiko Aoki
Publisher: Square Enix Books
Category: Picture Book
Language: English
Release Year: 2026
Pages: 48
💎Quality: ★★★★★
💰Price: ★★★☆☆
🍀Rarity: ☆☆☆☆☆
⭐Condition: ★★★★★
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-⚡Xe⚡
About FINAL FANTASY IX
FINAL FANTASY IX tells a grand story of love, war and betrayal in a world of incredible magic and larger-than-life characters. Zidane and the Tantalus Theater Troupe have kidnapped Princess Garnet, the heir of Alexandria, but to their surprise, the princess herself yearned to escape the castle and see the world for herself. Together, they explore the world and encounter new friends and enemies to embark on an adventure unlike any other.
FINAL FANTASY IX is available on App Store, Google Play, STEAM, Playstation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and Windows.
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