It’s August, the last month of summer officially, but where I live it’s going to be summer until October (if we’re lucky only till October), so I still have 2 and half months of hot weather left to go. I actually didn’t know what I wanted to do for summer since I’m running low on merch collections without having to buy more, but I can always count on my old obsessions. This time it’s Final Fantasy, specifically Final Fantasy Tactics, the first Final Fantasy game released on Playstation 1, when it was still Squaresoft. I also included other favorite games that I just happen to have merch of, mostly Final Fantasy 1, 7 and 9, games I have seen played until the end. Final Fantasy franchise isn’t really a summer vibe for me, on the other hand a lot of games do feel warm-weather to me, like Final Fantasy 10, 12 and 15 (all of which I own and attempted to play but not super well lol). I think the majority of Final Fantasy games are spring or autumn, though.
Anyway, a quick rundown of all of the merch I scavenged from my house to put this together. Starting from the left, my bunny light died, so I replaced it with a fake moon light. I also am showcasing my ninja mug and ninja star coaster, because ninja is a job class ever since… the first game? I also hung up my pink CD player and inside is the Distant Worlds V album, that I bought at a concert of Distant Worlds. I also displayed the original PS1 version of Tactics on a little treasure chest (gift from bff). Next to it is a Final Fantasy VII Remake brochure from the orchestra concert I went to most recently, and below that is a Sephiroth trading card from a pack I bought years ago, Amano style. I have my PSP on the phone stand along with two fanmade Vincent Valentine charms and a sticker of him. Also propped up are two Final Fantasy Tactics character card books with small trading cards of all characters, enemies and zodiac signs in the game. I bought this in Japan and it is my prized possession, I didn’t even unwrap it until now. Another brochure from a Distant Worlds concert. This black mage Vivi print I bought from a local artist. Above that is the “Ybalice” astrology system poster from the mentioned card sets. The Final Fantasy Tactics cast fanart poster is another prized possession I bought at an artist alley convention (artist is Robert Kim on Artstation), I was so excited to see it I bought both prints immediately, the other print is with my brother. On the facing wall is a Vampire Hunter D print from the fanzine because I didn’t have any other fanart to fit on that wall and Amano illustrated both Vampire Hunter D and Final Fantasy. On the mini shelf is of course, a plush Vivi, the Final Fantasy 7 soundtrack I also bought in Tokyo, along with a Tactics doujinshi and the collected FF 1 to IV PSP game. On my PC stand is a Touken Ranbu sword (uhh… samurai is a class in the games!), a Sephiroth fanart keychain, official pixel Final Fantasy 1 Red and White mage keychains gifted from my friend, then more official trading cards from the 7 pack, one from the IV PSP game and a card of Odin that came in a figure box although I don’t know where the figure is, maybe I gave it away? I have a chocobo felted pin from a trade at a con, and the FF7 music box from the concert merch table. The trading card in front is a zodiac card from the Tactics set. On the counter and below are the three Tactics action figures I bought, Ramza, Agrias and Delita. Plus a Final Fantasy 7 doujinshi of Vincent and Cid. Below that is the Tactics War of the Lions case, and a sticker sheet from the FF7 soundtrack. I also have 2 Final Fantasy 7 fanmade stickers – like all of the fanmerch in these posts, the artists should be linked in a previous merch post over the years, but if not, then a future post.
Florals this time are random pink and lavender and yellow flowers, including some newer ones I’ve bought, however the flowers on the desk are blue hydrangeas, the summer flower to me. I also included some shiny star vase filler crystals and semi-precious rocks I’ve collected over the years, they’re like materia lol. Missing from this set up is a huge fold out poster from a strategy guide I bought that seems to be fanart, but it was so large and old and about to fall apart, so I didn’t dare try to hang it up. And a few more games that I haven’t played, and the Advent Children movie (it’s off to the side) at least I watched that.
Overall, I was happy to break out the merch I’ve hoarded over the years, especially the stuff bought from Tokyo. It makes me smile to see them displayed attractively and I will always be grateful to my friends and my brother who went on this journey with me over the years. I believe they call it trauma-bonding! Stay tuned for my next set up in October (maybe).