
Square Enix has been steadily feeding us with a bunch of new game's 25th anniversary this July.
We weren't prepared for yesterday's merchandise drop, however. Mini acrylic stands featuring updated designs for all eight party and a little plush pouch of Vivi are all well and good (the pouch is very adorable), but do you know what's even better? A mug of everyone's favourite black mage with a "large hat lid."
Is this true happiness? is this the best mug — no, the best piece of merchandise ever? The adorable Vivi Ornitier, immortalised in perfect coffee mug form? And it's only 3,520 yen (around USD $25)? There's got to be a catch, right?
Yep. The mug is currently exclusive to the Japanese Square Enix store, which doesn't ship internationally. So if you want one, you'll have to use a forwarding service in Japan or a retailer like Ami Ami.
In of new stuff you can get from, the three sets of acrylic stands are available in both North America and Europe, alongside some other merch drops such as Garnet's iconic silver necklace and the gorgeous-looking Timeless Tale vinyl.
But the big question is, why is Square Enix going all out on Final Fantasy IX's anniversary? The studio didn't do a ton for Remake trilogy, so does it need more?
It all seems to be leading up to the inevitable reveal of the long-rumoured Final Fantasy IX remake, which was "revealed" in the big Nvidia leak back in 2021. Many of those leaks have come to in recent years, with the FFIX remake being one of the few remaining items.
Is Square Enix leading up to an announcement on the game's anniversary on (or before) 7th July 2025? We've got new character portraits, tons of new merch, a new vinyl; a remake would tie things up nicely. Of course, that remake is just a rumour right now. But we have our fingers crossed.
Do you want the Vivi mug for your morning brew? Or are you just praying for that remake news? Find your place to call home in the comments.
[source jp.finalfantasy.com]
Comments 20
Funny how this article gets published at the exact same time Play-Asia sends me an email about this exact product.
So one take Vivi Ornitiers hat off, and then drink what's inside Vivi Ornitiers head. Hmm.
I love how removing the hat reveals the entirety of Vivi's eyes, causing him to look startled. "No! What are you doing!? Stop, you maniac! Please don't drink my bruberupgubblerg...."
Yep, the mug is certainly the best (although I like the rest of the merchandise as well), too bad that it's exclusive to Japan without using forwarding services etc. - anyway, happy for those going for any of these!
Well hats off to square enix looks like my cup of tea.
@Lofoten Maybe the mist tastes like coffee or tea 😉
I need it. I NEED IT!!!
I've always wondered, does "Vivi" rhyme with "Privy", or is it more like "Veevee" ?
Is it adorable? Absolutely.
Is it also a paltry 8oz (250mL) mug? Absolutely.
I drink way too much coffee to be using a mug of that size, so it will remain a cute novelty, just not a purchased one.
@RupeeClock
Ya, came across my regular news feed about the same time.
Seems like a sign...
@EarthboundBenjy
I've always gone with VeeVee.
@EarthboundBenjy
I always imagined it was short for Vivian but that seems unlikely on a number of levels now that I'm putting it out there 😆 so I say "Vivvy" not "Veevee."
@TheBoilerman
wanna fight? 😂
I'm not even the biggest FF fan, but that mug is delightful.
It's not bad, but I have seen some really, really good Pokemon merchandise before. Some of the statues are insanely awesome.
Chocobo piggy bank is the best one for me, but this is a formidable opponent indeed
I Literally needed this, LOOK AT MY PROFILE PICTURE
I love it so much! Black Mage was my favorite in Mario Sports Mix (still is actually) but I don’t like him quite enough to spend $$$ haha
My goodness it is the cutest mug ever.
I need it.
The mug is something I definitely want. And now that I think about it, I need it too. I'm going to preorder it.
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