Cipher Frontier • Issue 14
Table of contents
Issue 14: Cipherfest 2016-A Success Thanks to You!
The Fire Emblem 0 (Cipher) Festival 2016.
You know it as “Cipherfest 2016”...
You know it as “Cipherfest 2016”...
...and we got to see it for ourseeelves!
…so, this time, we will be reporting on Cipherfest West, held in Osaka on 1/31,
and Cipherfest East, held in Tokyo on 2/6!
and Cipherfest East, held in Tokyo on 2/6!
Well, well, Emma. You're awfully excitable today!
If I'm excited, maybe it'll rub off on everyone else!
I mean, it was so much fun!!
I mean, it was so much fun!!
Aye, without a doubt!
All thanks to all the attendees who showed up, of course!
All thanks to all the attendees who showed up, of course!
Very true! According to the information we have, combining both West and East,
we got something like 2000 attendees total.
we got something like 2000 attendees total.
2-2000...!?
To think that many Fire Emblem and Cipher fans alike could gather in one place…
it really lights a fire in my chest…!
To think that many Fire Emblem and Cipher fans alike could gather in one place…
it really lights a fire in my chest…!
I’m happy so many people were able to have a good time.
Quite a lot of those attendants were women, too.
Quite a lot of those attendants were women, too.
Both West and East had about the same contents,
so let’s report on both of them together.
so let’s report on both of them together.
Alriiiight! Let’s start with the venue…
Wh… huh…?
I-it's completely emptyyy!!
I-it's completely emptyyy!!
Calm yourself, Emma.
This photo is from the day before the event.
This photo is from the day before the event.
Oh yeah! That’s right, this photo is from the rehearsal they did the day before!
Staff are flitting about conducting various preparations.
The sales area especially.
The sales area especially.
Tough! Strong! And delicious!
The Armors’ Senbei unit is prepared to deploy as well!
The Armors’ Senbei unit is prepared to deploy as well!
This is the first Cipher event of such a grand scale,
so everyone was giving preparations their all to make it all hospitable for the guests.
so everyone was giving preparations their all to make it all hospitable for the guests.
And once preparations were finished, finally, the fated day arrived!
Miss Lynn–voice of Miss Azura–Producer Kawade,
and the Northwest Regional Sales Director among others
gave their opening remarks,and the festivities began!
Miss Lynn–voice of Miss Azura–Producer Kawade,
and the Northwest Regional Sales Director among others
gave their opening remarks,and the festivities began!
At long last! Or at least, that's how it felt.
It was the beginning of what would be a lively day 1!
It was the beginning of what would be a lively day 1!
All of those events
that I introduced last time were set to begin.
that I introduced last time were set to begin.
First was the Illustrator Signing!
Mister Yusuke Kozaki, Miss Senri Kita, Mister Daisuke Izuka, Miss Sachiko Wada, Mister Tetsu Kurosawa,
and Mister Mayo all made appearances! So many familiar faces!
Mister Yusuke Kozaki, Miss Senri Kita, Mister Daisuke Izuka, Miss Sachiko Wada, Mister Tetsu Kurosawa,
and Mister Mayo all made appearances! So many familiar faces!
I was impressed by how many people were excited just for a signing.
There was also the chance to play karuta using the 100 Songs of Heroes set in the fittingly-named 100 Songs of Heroes Area,
which ended up being popular.
which ended up being popular.
For some games, Mister Yuta Takahashi–voice of Forrest and Kaden–even participated as the announcer!
What an intense atmosphere, and yet at the same time, it felt friendly.
I hope everyone enjoyed playing karuta.
I hope everyone enjoyed playing karuta.
Next up, the Photoshoot Area.
Everyone had the chance to become a Fire Emblem character and take photos to their heart’s delight.
Everyone had the chance to become a Fire Emblem character and take photos to their heart’s delight.
Sir Marth, Sir Ike, and Sir Chrom’s capes were available to don,
and props, like the sacred blade Ragnell and sealed Falchion were there to wield!
No doubt, holding a blade makes one’s blood boil!
and props, like the sacred blade Ragnell and sealed Falchion were there to wield!
No doubt, holding a blade makes one’s blood boil!
Ah, it looks like Producer Kawade is taking a photo here! He looks like he could be a Fire Emblem lord, doesn't he?
didn't mention it before, but there were also a Haiku Area and Love-Letter Area, where fans could compose haiku and write about their love for the Fire Emblem series.
I had sooo much fun reading what everyone wrote!
So many people had such passionate feelings about Fire Emblem!
So many people had such passionate feelings about Fire Emblem!
Everything mentioned hitherto have been events
that not only Cipher Fans, but
fans of Fire Emblem as a whole could participate in.
Emma, did those friends you mentioned enjoy themselves?
that not only Cipher Fans, but
fans of Fire Emblem as a whole could participate in.
Emma, did those friends you mentioned enjoy themselves?
They did! They all seemed to have a really good time!
They even started to get interested in Cipher too...
So they learned the rules from the teachers at the Cipher Experience Area!
They even started to get interested in Cipher too...
So they learned the rules from the teachers at the Cipher Experience Area!
Now that you mention it,
I think I spotted them heading to the Girls-Only Area at some point.
Did you have some good matches?
I think I spotted them heading to the Girls-Only Area at some point.
Did you have some good matches?
Of course!!
I did… lose… all three times I played, though…
Oh dear… well, if you had fun, then that’s what matters.
All of you reading this who want to learn the rules of Cipher…
“Emma and Shade’s Cipher Classroom!” is available for your viewing on our website!
“Emma and Shade’s Cipher Classroom!” is available for your viewing on our website!
Those who already knew the rules ,of course,
could battle to their hearts’ content in the Free Play Area.
could battle to their hearts’ content in the Free Play Area.
Wooow, look at all the competition!
So many people!
So many people!
And the variety in decks was without compare.
I fought many battles too, as you can imagine!
I fought many battles too, as you can imagine!
Those looking for something a little more interesting had the Quest Battle Area.
As we mentioned before, battles here had slight modifications to the original ruleset;
things like “you start with just 3 orbs” or “you have two lords”.
As we mentioned before, battles here had slight modifications to the original ruleset;
things like “you start with just 3 orbs” or “you have two lords”.
I liked the rule where you had to call all your units "cute"
whenever you were talking about them!
It was funny, you ended up saying things like "I'm gonna attack your Cutie Jeigan with my Cutie Marth!"
whenever you were talking about them!
It was funny, you ended up saying things like "I'm gonna attack your Cutie Jeigan with my Cutie Marth!"
That... aye, that sounds like a fine rule indeed!
But it wasn't all fun and games!
No, the highlight of the event was the national tournament!
The regional qualifiers took place at West…
and the final showdown, at East!
No, the highlight of the event was the national tournament!
The regional qualifiers took place at West…
and the final showdown, at East!
The final matches between those who made it through the qualifiers!
The victor… that is to say, Japan’s best… who would emerge on top?
The battles to decide were legendary!
The victor… that is to say, Japan’s best… who would emerge on top?
The battles to decide were legendary!
Battle after fierce battle!
Everyone in the gallery was watching with intent!
Everyone in the gallery was watching with intent!
That tournament wasn't all the stage was used for—the sound staff’s very own Morishita and Kanazaki performed a Mini Concert.
It really is different hearing it live!
It really is different hearing it live!
And at East, they announced
they were officially forming their own musical troupe!
"The Cavalier Duo"! Very Fire Emblem-esque. A fitting title!
they were officially forming their own musical troupe!
"The Cavalier Duo"! Very Fire Emblem-esque. A fitting title!
Speaking of which, Miss Lynn even gave them ties in those familiar red and green colors as a present.
I wonder if they might wear them next time they perform...?
I wonder if they might wear them next time they perform...?
You know, I heard that they didn’t even come up with the name until the day before the event.
Right in the nick of time, one could say…
Right in the nick of time, one could say…
Ohh, this must be the Producer Battle!
The match between Producer Kawade and Sir Takahashi—
who also partook in the 100 Songs of Heroes games himself!
The match between Producer Kawade and Sir Takahashi—
who also partook in the 100 Songs of Heroes games himself!
Mr. Takahashi fittingly selected Kaden as his lord.
And Producer Kawade’s lord was…
And Producer Kawade’s lord was…
No! Itsuki Aoi from series 4?!
How exciting to witness an as-of-yet unreleased card!
How exciting to witness an as-of-yet unreleased card!
Putting unreleased cards in your deck just because you made the game...
adults are so sly!
adults are so sly!
But Sir Takahashi was a worthy foe!
The match at West ended in Sir Takahashi’s victory!
I heard that Producer Kawade went into the match at East feeling like he couldn't afford to lose a second time...
The match at West ended in Sir Takahashi’s victory!
I heard that Producer Kawade went into the match at East feeling like he couldn't afford to lose a second time...
After all, if he did, people might not buy series 4.
It put Producer Kawade under a lot of pressure!
It put Producer Kawade under a lot of pressure!
Wow... nevermind, being an adult seems rough!
However... at East, Producer Kawade claimed his victory!
It was an even match from start to finish!
It was an even match from start to finish!
Afterwards, there was a business-trip version of the familiar “Teatime Talk” that frequently features on the Niconico Livestreams. It was exciting, what with the usual booster-pack-opening, and with Yusuke Kozaki and Takahashi joining in after they were done with their signings.
Sir Takahashi and Lady Lynn performed a support conversation between Sir Kaden and Lady Azura live!
How wonderful! It was like the characters were really there...
How wonderful! It was like the characters were really there...
Miss Lynn was so shy about performing as Azura in front of everyone, it was sooo cute!
And at the closing ceremony, the winner of the tournament was announced.
Congratulations to the victor, Kubo!
Congratulations to the victor, Kubo!
Kubo is third from the right in this photo…
So this is Japan's best! A warrior among warriors!
It was an honor to witness such a significant day in Cipher history!
So this is Japan's best! A warrior among warriors!
It was an honor to witness such a significant day in Cipher history!
And with that, all of those who performed gave their regards, and it was time for closing remarks!
There was a rock-paper-scissors tournament. Everyone gathered in front of the stage got to participate!
The winner received a poster signed by everyone who performed at the event.
I reeeally wanted it, but I lost in my second match!
Wow, from tip to tail, you’re bad at any kind of competition, aren’t you?
How skilled of you, Emma!
As for myself, I lost in my very first match… a complete failure!
As for myself, I lost in my very first match… a complete failure!
Oho... so this is Yuzu's weak point.
Well, regardless of all that, it was a satisfying Cipherfest.
Is it really over already? Awww! I want another one already!
I agree. Well, if there's enough demand,
perhaps there will be another one. But for now,
things come to a close!
perhaps there will be another one. But for now,
things come to a close!
We are truly grateful to those who gathered for it!
I’m still sad it’s over…
but I can't wait to see you all again next time!
but I can't wait to see you all again next time!