Vivi’s Name Finally Makes Sense? New FF IX Art Book Hints He’s Just “VI VI” Tall
After 25 years of theories, Square Enix may have slipped the definitive origin of Vivi’s name into a single illustration—complete with hungry mentor Quan sizing him up for dinner.
Here’s the TL;DR…
A preview plate from the upcoming Final Fantasy IX 25th-Anniversary Picture Book shows Quina’s gourmand grand-parent Quan measuring Vivi against a wall.
Next to Vivi’s hat the artist has scrawled the Roman numerals “VI VI” (6 6), implying the Black Mage is 66 cm tall—and that those very numerals became his nickname.
The gag meshes with the game’s lore of factory-numbered Black Mages and Quan’s running joke about deciding whether Vivi is “ripe” enough to eat.
Fans on Reddit and NeoGAF are treating the sketch as quasi-canon, adding a fresh layer to one of the series’ most beloved characters.
A New Art Book, a New Clue
To celebrate FFIX’s silver anniversary, Square Enix announced a lavish picture-book / art-book hybrid earlier this week ¹. Among the teaser pages shared on social media: a watercolor of Quan stretching Vivi’s hat skyward while a rooster looks on. Chalk marks on a post record other heights, but beside Vivi sits the tell-tale “VI VI.”
The community’s collective light-bulb moment? “VI VI” isn’t just cute typography—it’s Roman-numeral shorthand for 6’ 6”. In-world, that would be a practical label for a mass-produced, child-sized mage. Out-of-world, it lines up with Square’s decades-long love of numeric wordplay.
Why Quan Matters
Long-time players remember Quan as the Qu clan elder who raised Vivi (and later claims he only did so to see if the little mage would “make a fine meal when fully grown”). Having him wield the measuring stick in the sketch is classic FFIX humor:
“When Vivi becomes big, I eat him.” —Quan, FFIX (2000)
The new art makes that gag visual—Quan literally checking if Vivi has reached edible stature.
How Does This Fit Older Theories?
Life/Living: For years, fans argued Vivi equals “vivre/vivify,” a nod to the character’s struggle with mortality.
Twin Vs (V-V): Others thought the mirrored V’s echoed his floppy wizard hat.
6’ 6”: Now we have an official Square Enix image suggesting a third, numerical origin—one that also ties into the Black Mage production-line motif (No. 288, etc.).
Rather than invalidating previous readings, “VI VI” works alongside them—a classic Square pun that lets the name operate on multiple levels.
Fan Reaction: Delight and Debate
Reddit (r/FinalFantasyIX): “Twenty-five years in and Square still finds ways to prank us.”
NeoGAF: “Canon or not, it’s the most on-brand explanation possible.”
X (#VIVI66): Memes measuring everything from moogles to chocobo chicks in Roman numerals.
While some insist it’s just a playful doodle, the fact it’s in official anniversary merch bumps it a rung above head-canon.
Does It Change Anything?
Story-wise, no. Charm-wise, absolutely. Knowing Vivi might literally be called 6’ 6” by townsfolk reinforces his innocent stature and Square’s flair for dad-joke wordplay. It’s a tiny detail—but for FFIX devotees, it’s another reason to revisit Alexandria with fresh eyes when the picture book drops later this year.
News compiled and edited by Derek Gibbs and Steven Bubbles on July 5 2025. Follow us on ClownfishTV.com for more gaming, pop-culture, and tech news, and consider subscribing for only $5 per month to unlock exclusive podcasts and other content.
Sources
NeoGAF – “Square Enix new title announcement: Final Fantasy IX Picture Book” (July 3 2025)
Reddit – r/FinalFantasyIX thread: “We now have canon explanation why he is called Vivi” (July 5 2025)
FFIX Wiki – “Quan (Final Fantasy IX)” (accessed July 5 2025)
I don’t know much on Final Fantasy. I’ll have to look this up.