A new animation has been shown during Final Fantasy XIV FanFest China, and it has reignited the deepest of desires within me — I want nothing more than to see a slice of life anime focused on the Scions and their adventures.
I’m not talking about their battles or their endeavors to save the world from yet another calamity. We’ve all seen that multiple times at this point. No, I want to see Y’shtola, Lyse, and Alisaie having a girls brunch as they discuss whether anyone has caught their eye. That idea isn’t pulled out of thin air, either. It’s happened in text format, in the Chronicles of Light compendium of stories.
I would love to follow Estinien on his recent travels, as he adventures solo and encounters new people. I want to see Tataru’s business meetings, and watch as Alisaie and Alphinaud bicker over something mundane. I want to see the Scions be real people and not heroes. Most of all, I want to see them have fun.
The animation has been shared on Chinese video-sharing site Bilibili, and I highly recommend you watch it if you want something to smile about today.
It’s not the first time we’ve been teased with the concept of a Final Fantasy XIV Anime, either. Back in 2021, a trailer for the Korean market was released, and it raised my hopes rather significantly before I realized it was, in fact, just an advertisement.
We also have an official Manga in the shape of Eorzea Academy, which takes the Scions and puts them all in school together with Tataru as the principal. It’s a little bit odd, to be honest, but have I read through it five times or more? Yes, yes, I have.
Such a fantastical world as Eorzea deserves to be celebrated in any way that it can, and I honestly would love nothing more than a full Anime series covering the lore from 1.0 onwards, but a slice-of-life Anime which lets us see behind the hero facádes of the Scions as they try to function as normal members of society? I dream of that.
Published: Aug 4, 2024 02:43 pm