As is now tradition, the Fire Emblem Cipher card game holds a pair of fun-filled events each year, known as “Fire Emblem Cipher Festival (East and West)”. This year’s Cipher Festival will visit Kobe (West) on 2nd June 2019 and Tokyo (East) on 16th June 2019.
The main attraction is the card game, but typically these events have something for all fans of Fire Emblem. Anyway, let’s go over all the details!
Cipher Festival 2019 West
| Date | Sunday 2nd June |
|---|---|
| Time | 9:00 to 16:00 (doors close 15:30) |
| Venue | Kobe Fashion Mart (Atrium Plaza on 1st floor) |
| Address | 6 Chome-9 Koyochonaka, Higashinada Ward, Kobe (Direct link from Rokko Liner Island Center Station) |
| Notes | No participation fee |
Cipher Festival 2019 East
| Date | Sunday 16th June |
|---|---|
| Time | 9:00 to 16:00 (doors close 15:30) |
| Venue | Makuhari Messe (International Exhibition Hall 1) |
| Address | 2 Chome-1 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba-shi (10 mins on foot from Kanai Makuhari Station on JR Keiyo Line) |
| Notes | No participation fee |
Participation Gift
Everyone who visits will get a set of Series 16 promotional cards featuring the House Leaders from Three Houses! The artists are Kotaro Yamada, Senri Kita and Rika Suzuki.
Stage Event
On the special stage, there will be various exciting events including a mini-concert by the sound staff, a “producer’s battle” between Ike’s VA Michihiko Hagi and Mr. Kawade, and a tea-table chat with guests.
The presenters for the stage event are different depending on the venue. West will have Yūki Kuwahara, who’s the VA for Effie, Ophelia and Niamh. Meanwhile East will have Juri Kimura, who’s the VA for Nyx, Mozu and Yuzu.
Autographs
Popular Cipher and Fire Emblem artists will be holding autograph sessions.
- West: Umui Geso, Yugo Okuma, Rika Suzuki, Sakura Miwabe
- East: Kawasumi, Senri Kita, PenekoR, Mayo
I believe signing sheets will be provided, which you can find below.
Merchandise Area
I don’t think I need to explain.
Oh my God, that little sisters play mat.
- Artworks 15 – 2,000 Yen
- Artworks 16 – 2,000 Yen
- Cipher Festival T-shirt (S/M/L sizes) – 3,000 Yen
- Muffler Towel – 2,500 Yen
- Clear Marine Bottle (500 ml; 3 types) – 1,500 Yen each
- Play mat (2 types) – 3,500 Yen each
- Clear file (3 types; 1 set) – 1,000 Yen
- Acrylic Magnet (15 types; random) – 500 Yen each
- A3 Large Acrylic Card – 10,000 Yen
- CD “Horse and Man as One” – 2,500 Yen
- CD “Galeforce” – 2,500 Yen
- Legacy Sleeve Collection – 700 Yen each
(Artworks 1~14 will also be available for purchase)
Those who purchase 1,000 Yen worth of goods in one transaction will receive a promotional card featuring a singing Lucina.
Cipher Festival Quest
This is a new attraction for this year’s Cipher Festival. Here, fans are encouraged to collect stamps while enjoying the other events. Stamp sheets that are filled in can be redeemed towards commemorative gifts.
The stamp sheet has two sides: On the left is the Falchion Episode, while on the right is the Emblem Shield Episode.
Cipher Festival Quest: Falchion Episode
This event requires fans to group up and solve multiple (I’m assuming 5) riddles scattered throughout the venue. Those who clear the quest will earn a large commemorative badge (shown above).
Cipher Festival Quest: Emblem Shield Episode
This is basically the same thing as the “stamp area” from previous festivals. Fans need to collect 3 stamps from a possible 5. By doing so, they can claim 3 special marker cards, from a selection of 19.
Stamps can be gotten from: All-Advance Pack Battle, Cipher Demonstration Area, Free Battle/Ladies-only Battle Area, Everyone’s Message Board and Cipher Festival Poll.
All-Advance Pack Battle
This is a new kind of pack battle where players use decks of 50 cards from 5 booster packs, plus a “special bond card” (the card to the right with multiple allegiances). Those who take part can take home the special bond card, plus the “pack battle hero marker card” (the card on the left).
Cipher Demonstration Area
This is a place where fans can learn to play the Cipher card game from experienced staff. Cards will be provided, so people just need to turn up.
Free Battle/Ladies-only Battle Area
In this area, players can enjoy casual matches using their own cards. Those without decks can use the starter decks provided. There’s also a ladies-only area.
Everyone’s Message Board
Fans can post their works on a public message board for all to see. These can include pictures from the surprisingly popular colouring section (colouring sheets pictured above), tales about their love for Fire Emblem and Cipher, and even haikus.
Mini-game Corner
Those who spend 1000 Yen or more in the Merchandise Area will receive a “mini-game participation ticket”. This can be used to play one mini-game. Winning can earn you a character poster, while everyone who tries will receive a special marker card (presumably the same ones from the quest).
Photography Area
Take amazing or silly pictures with replicas of Fire Emblem legendary weapons. Newly added is the Folkvangr (not pictured), Alfonse’s sword from Heroes!
