Cipher Frontier • Issue 35
Table of contents
Issue 35: It's a Hot Winter! Tabling Again at Comiket!
Hello everyooone!!!!!!
The end of the year is in swift approach.
It's already December... barely feels like it's been a month, let alone a year!
December means it's almost Christmas, Val!
Of course. I have already finished preparations for the party, my lady.
You mean to tell me that I already have to start readying myself for spring cleaning...!
You're ready for that too, right Val?
Unfortunately, I am completely booked up with polishing the spare armor... I will leave this one to you, my lady.
What!? What do you mean by thaaat!?
Ahaha! Once the year is over... that means its New Years!
That's right! But before that, there's one last thing we mustn't forget...
Comiket!!
This is to say, we will be tabling at Winter Comiket again this year!!
I eagerly await seeing you all again!
I'm gonna buy sooo many goods!!
Hmph! Well, I won't let you outdo me there! This is a formal challenge, Emma!
Ahem! That is... by the way...
Hm? What is it, little lady?
What's... Comiket?
Huuuuh~~!?
Yes, to tell you the truth, this will be my lady's first time going to Comiket.
W-Why are you saying it like that! It's not like you've been before either, right!?
Well, there's a first time for everyone.
Of course... let's spend this Cipher Frontier going over Comiket and what the Cipher Booth will be host to.
Alriiight! Thanks, Shade!
First, the location: Tokyo Big Site in Odaiba, Tokyo!
By the way, "Odaiba" was apparently named for an artillery battery--in Japanese, "daiba"--built to counter the black ships that arrived at Japan at the end of the Edo period. Quite the history.
Comiket is the world's largest doujinshi event, with over 500,000 people attending over all three days. Cipher will be tabling in the Corporate Booth area this time!
This is a photo from the event last year!
W-wow, is that the line to get in?
That's only the beginning. People wake up in the wee hours of the morning, coming from all over to line up just for this!
People do all that just to buy merchandise and books... such passionate fans!
Oh, fair warning, though! No lining up the night before--I promised not to do it too.
There's no small chance you'll have to brave the outdoors for longer than you expect before they let you inside, so be sure to dress for the cold.
That being said, it's not exactly cold inside, so it's best to dress for both.
Make sure to take care of yourself so you're in top form!
Y-you make it sound like you're heading to the battlefield...
Yeah, kinda. Still, as long as you know what you're getting into, it's a real fun event. No need to be scared!
Oh, and make sure to listen to the staff. Don't cause trouble for everyone, and try not to act unruly.
It is important for each individual to act with care so that everyone can enjoy the event.
They will be implementing baggage inspection this year as well. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding.
Cipher is booth 3181, in the corporate booth area of West 4. We will be there for all three days, from 12/29 to 12/31.
The location is marked by Delthea on this map.
Yes, use this billboard as a landmark!
What goods are they selling this year?
A great question! Ta-daaa! This is the lineup!
Ohhh! What wonderful goods!
First, I'd like to introduce volumes 9 and 10 of our Artworks art book series!
Artworks 9 displays a selection of artworks from Series 9, and Artworks 10, the same for Series 10.
Even if you have seen them on the card before, it is a different experience entirely to see them up close and in great detail like this!
After all, when you put them on a card, some of the picture is bound to be covered by the text, iconography, et cetera. So it's great to get to see 'em without all that.
Next up, the product created specifically for Comiket: the Cipher Player's Box, which comes in Red and Blue varieties!
Inside, you will find a two deck cases, two separators, a storage box, card sleeves, a limited promo card, and a special marker card.
This is a must-have for all Cipher players.
Wooow, two deck boxes this year! That's awesome!
That the box it all comes in can also be used as a storage case... excellently planned, if I do say so myself.
Continuing on, we have playmats! Playing is a lot more comfortable with one of these!
Oh wow! Miss Eirika and Mister Ephraim only just showed up with Series 11!
The witch attire is befitting of Corrin, so cute!
And on top of that, we have new offerings this year! First up, a desktop calendar!
Oh, this is pretty nice. Since the new year is right on the horizon, you can get good use outta this!
Huh? It looks like the left and right sides are separated, aren't they?
Exactly! The calendar and the illustrations are separate, so you can use them in any combination you like! It's over 20 pages long, so it's pretty big!
20 pages? But a year is only 12 months long... what reason could there be for it to be longer than 12 pages?
Heheh... After the 12 months, we have these pages!
W-what a convenience... Val! Clear off a space on my desk for this immediately!
Of course, my lady.
We also have these brand new acrylic keychains! Each one is 500 yen, and they are sold in blind-box format--if you buy one, you'll receive one of 15 different designs!
Acrylic Keychains... what're those?
It's a little clear plastic image of a character. Since it's on a chain, you can either display it standing upright or hang it from something as a keychain.
Wow! The illustration is printed on the front and the back... feels very three-dimensional!
The feel of holding it in your hand is hard to describe. It is well-made. It is truly a pity you can't convey that sort of thing through photos.
500 yen a pop is a bargain. You can buy a whole bunch of them without feeling like you're burning a hole in your wallet!
V-Val!
Of course, I will clear space for some at once, my lady.
And the crown jewel of this Comiket!! The Special Talk of Love & Bonds CD + Illustration Book Set!
Huuuuh!? What's this!?
How about we start with the CD?
This CD contains original stories featuring us, the original characters of Cipher, as well as Michihiko Hagi's "Aether Dojo"--the voice of Ike himself!
Original stories and an Aether Dojo! I'm super interested in the contents of those!
These are the voice actors who make an appearance!!
What an impressive lineup!
Heheh... This isn't just any drama CD. We have the track list below, so let's take a listen for ourselves!
VIDEO
Wow, having listened to it now, it really does seem impressive!
Ahaha! I think I did a pretty good Soleil impression!
The CD is over 60 minutes long, and it is just perfectly recorded!
Take a look, I've got some photos from recording day.
I see, so this is what it looks like in the recording room.
How beautiful! Was Lady Senri Kita responsible for the cover!?
Everyone is brimming with energy.
That's right! This image was drawn specifically for this book!
And let's not forget! This CD is a part of a set, the other half of which is comprised of an Illustration Book!
What's inside?
It is full of gorgeous illustrations from our wonderful illustrators, as sampled below.
Uwaaah! So preeetty!!
Here is a list of the illustrators we have solicited illustrations from!
This on top of the Drama CD--feels pretty lavish!
Additionally, it also includes commemorative illustrations made for Cipher and Cipher-related events.
Ooh... wonderful! It's too beautiful--an endless procession of the finest content!
A drama CD, and on top of that, an illustration book, a two-in-one-deal! ...it's quite a lot of content packed in one little package, so please look, listen, and enjoy!
Everyone who makes a purchase at our booth will get a promo card as well!
Ahhh! It's Delthea, with a brand new illustration!!
So cute... to make a purchase and receive this...!
Speaking of which, Lady Shade, I believe I heard something about a campaign being run at the booth...?
You're right! It's Cipher's biggest campaign yet... The Legendary Cam-blade!
Legendary... cam-blade...???
Each day, one person who has spent 10,000 yen at our booth will be selected to receive a special prize!
What kind of prizes are we talking?
Day 1 will offer these! The signatures of all voice actors who took part in the Special Talk of Love & Bonds CD, and 3 special, super-sized Cipher Cards!
Wow, what are these! I have GOT to have them!
On days 2 and 3, the prizes are a life-sized rendition of the legendary swords Falchion and the Binding Blade respectively! They were created specifically for this occasion!!
They look just like the real things... this is what they look like being held!
I... I want these too! Ohh, I want them so baaad!
Details for entering the campaign are on our website, so be sure to check it!
Yaaaay! Will dooo!
...having said all that, it goes without saying that this year's Comiket is going to be an even hotter event than last year's. We really hope a lot of you come to see us at our booth!
I've got my eyes on those keychains and that calendar!
I can't go without that Player's Box and playmat.
For me, it's gotta be the Drama CD and Book set.
Val! We will be buying one of everything!
Of course, my lady.
But we will follow the rules and wait in line patiently just like everyone else when we do so.
Of course! It is my duty as a noble to exemplify the rules!
With that, everyone...