Simple Question

[SirMage]

One of my friends wants to know, does Vivi die in FFIX and I cant remember....so can some1 tell?

[Tavrobel]

Shouldn't this be in the FFIX forum?

No, he doesn't. However, at the end of the game, based on the letters and the text therein, one could theorize that Vivi knows he is going to die, and does die. But there is no proof, other than his cryptic remarks.

[Roto13]

He also doesn't show up in the ending.

[SirMage]

Thank you

[Quindiana Jones]

Lots of little Vivi's appear though. I believe his life span ended, though he managed to find a way to recreate himself. I hope he didn't die though. He was way too cool.

[Mirage]

I believe his words starting to appear at a slower rate was a hint that he was dying.

[TheSpoonyBard]

Short answer: Yes, I believe Vivi dies.

Long answer:
An often-debated question is whether or not Vivi died by the time of the
game's ending. I here seek to convey the truth of the matter as best as I have
been able to determine it.

Yes, Vivi dies by the time of the game's ending. Foreshadowing earlier in the
game hints toward his demise as it is revealed that the Black Mages have a far
shorter lifespan than the rest of Gaia's dominant races, usually dying around
a year after being created. In Vivi's case, of course, he has lived to be nine
years old, but we learn that he was the prototype of the Black Mages, and --
according to Kuja, the Black Mages' maker -- would live longer as a result.
However, the indication offered is that Vivi's lifespan is still more limited
than that of races such as Dagger's and Freya's:

Vivi
"......"
"I wanna ask you something."

Black Mage No. 288
"What is it?"

Vivi
"A-Am I gonna stop pretty soon, too?"

Zidane
"!"

Black Mage No. 288
"I don't know..."
"Kuja said the prototype built before us would last longer."

Vivi
"But...I am gonna stop eventually."

Black Mage No. 288
"......"


With this foreshadowing in mind, we must then consider the manner in which
Vivi speaks during the game's ending, and what it is that he is saying:

"I always talked about you, Zidane. How you were a very special person to us,
because you taught us all how important life is."
"You taught me that life doesn't last forever. That's why we have to help
each other and live life to the fullest."
"Even if you say goodbye, you'll always be in our hearts. So, I know we're
not alone anymore."
"Why I was born... How I wanted to live... Thanks for giving me time to
think."
"To keep doing what you set your heart on... It's a very hard thing to do. We
were all so courageous..."
"What to do when I felt lonely... That was the only thing you couldn't teach
me. But we need to figure out the answer for ourselves..."
"I'm so happy I met everyone... I wish we could've gone on more adventures.
But I guess we all have to say goodbye someday."
"Everyone... Thank you. Farewell."
"My memories will be part of the sky..."


Here, we have him not only saying farewell to everyone, but adding in "My
memories will be part of the sky...." This would certainly indicate that Vivi
believed his death was near.

With these things in mind, we must finally consider that Vivi does not appear
in the final aspect of the ending, and only the beings that bear his
appearance and are said to be his sons do. Were Vivi present during the ending
amongst all these other Black Mages that bear his appearance, it's safe to
assume that he would be pointed out. It's likewise safe to assume that he
would have been present in Alexandria were he alive, as everyone else in the
controllable party is -- and even some characters who weren't.

With the story written as it is, there's no evidence toward Vivi having
survived, and the very method of the storytelling leading up to and during the
ending infers his death.

Source: Squall_of_Seed, http://db.gamefaqs.com/console/psx/file/final_fantasy_ix_plot.txt

[Quindiana Jones]

I love his goodbye. "My memories will be a part of the sky..."

[boys from the dwarf]

i never thought of it that way. vivi was probbably my favourite character in FF9.square are so good at making personalities. for me its the saddest death in the whole of FF. you dont see it but its still so sad. vivi was only about 9 and he was just a kid. he was so scared an confused and shouldnt have died. the worse part was the fact that he was only 9. i know it wouldnt work for him to survive after all it said throughout the game but i wanted him to live! its funny how i know the games over and i wouldnt see him again anyway but the knowledge that hes dying or will die so soon makes it so sad. i guess its a sign of a good game when you feel so deeply for characters even though there just made up. FF is so amazing. i never really knew he died until now. i heard hints at his death but this is solid proof.:cry:

[Ace14]

I just realized he's not in the ending movie and what he says. why does Vivi have to die why can't some unimportant die like Ruby or one of those brothers. Vivi was the best. Maybe he just left on a vacation... ok maybe not. But he still shouldn't have died!:mad2:

[Chris]

Personally, I do believe that Vivi died. All Black Mages eventually comes to a "stop," so why should Vivi be the exception?

[Zellmfh]

Because he was one hell of a great character? But I do think you're right though, but to give the story a good ending anyway, he lives on in his sons... something like that?

[Darkwing Bahamut]

Yes, he did die in the end. It has been stated clearly throughout the game that Black Mages can only live a limited amount of time. Vivi was a prototype and therefore lasted longer than the other Black Mages. Vivi's ending dialogue, and the fact that he was the only main character who didn't make an appearance at the end of the game suggests it.

[Zeromus_X]

It's pretty obvious that he's at the least 'gone'.