Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary: "The Story of Farewell" Exhibition Held at Roppongi Hills

Square Enix is holding the large-scale retrospective exhibition "FINAL FANTASY 30th ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION - The Story of Farewells" at the Mori Arts Center Gallery on the 52nd floor of the Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills, Tokyo, from January 22 to February 28.

The company's iconic RPG series "Final Fantasy" (hereafter FF) began with the first title released for the Family Computer in December 1987 and boasts a 30-year history. This exhibition is positioned as the culmination of various events and collaboration projects held to commemorate the 30th anniversary of FF's birth.

A press conference and preview event were held on January 19th, ahead of the exhibition's opening.

Visitors are provided with audio guide devices featuring headphones, creating an immersive viewing experience. When standing before exhibits, visitors hear synchronized BGM and character voices. Additionally, the system delivers personalized navigation audio based on visitor actions and attributes like "numbered titles they've played." This "audio AR system," jointly developed by Dentsu Live Inc. and VASQUELL, makes its debut implementation at this exhibition.

The area representing the online MMORPG "FFXIV". Upon stepping inside, various sounds begin playing, including music like "Dragonsong".

At the press conference, as Nobuo Uematsu's series-defining "Prelude" played, Square Enix President Yosuke Matsuda, FF Brand Manager and 30th Anniversary Executive Producer Shinji Hashimoto, series creator and game designer Hironobu Sakaguchi, and series key visual illustrator Yoshitaka Amano took the stage one after another.

President Matsuda expressed gratitude that "FF" reached its 30th anniversary supported by fans and partners worldwide, stating, "We hope this 'Farewell Story Exhibition' will allow you to look back on its history while also envisioning its future evolution."

Producer Hashimoto, who appeared next, stated, "While the title 'Farewell Story Exhibition' might give a momentarily somber impression, farewells lead to new encounters. We want to continue delivering FF to everyone around the world with the series 'full throttle'." He highlighted the exhibition's key features, including a massive participatory interactive theater, setting materials unveiled for the first time, the "phantom wedding" from FFXV, and "Aerith's final words" from FFVII.

From the remake of "FFVII" currently in development comes the special exhibit "Aerith's Final Words." It recreates the "Slum Church" where protagonist Cloud and heroine Aerith first met.

Special guest Amano reflected, "The first game I worked on was 'FF'. That it has continued for 30 years is truly remarkable. It's not over; it's an ongoing work, so this exhibition is about showing you the 'in-progress' part."

Series creator Sakaguchi shared an anecdote: "Recently, an FF concert was held at Carnegie Hall in New York during a major cold snap. Uematsu-san was holding back tears knowing FF was being played at Carnegie. It really hit me how far FF has grown." He shared this anecdote. "The spirit of FF – that it's about taking on challenges and creating – has been passed down, both by the original development team and the current members," he stated, expressing his hopes for the series' future evolution.

Following the presentation, a photo session was held with members of the exhibition production committee, including Yoshinao Matsushima, Deputy Director of the Mori Arts Center Gallery and Mori Art Museum, and Ritsumei Doshita, Director of Muvik. Additionally, Mr. Sakaguchi and Mr. Amano, who have shaped the history of 'FF', personally signed the message wall.

A photo session was held with the production committee members, centered around Mr. Amano and Mr. Sakaguchi.

Mr. Sakaguchi, the series' creator, and illustrator Mr. Amano signed the commemorative message wall in their own handwriting.

During the exhibition period, the cafe "THE SUN" on the 52nd floor of Mori Tower, where the exhibition is held, will offer a full lineup of 10 original collaboration menu items. Additionally, 30th-anniversary related goods will be available on the merchandise floor.

Alongside recreations of in-game foods like "Star Meat" and "Potion," playful menu items such as "Mokuri Mont Blanc" and "Chocobo-Style Omelet Rice" will be served at THE SUN cafe.

"FINAL FANTASY 30th ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION - The Story of Farewells"

Venue: Mori Arts Center Gallery (52nd Floor, Mori Tower, Roppongi Hills)
Dates: January 22 - February 28
Hours: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM (Last admission at 7:00 PM)
Closed: None during the exhibition period
Organizer: FINAL FANTASY 30th Anniversary Exhibition Production Committee
Sponsors: Sony Interactive Entertainment, Greer, DeNA, au Game, Sumitomo Mitsui Card
Official Website:http://www.finalfantasy.jp/30th/exhibition/