The FFXIV Fan Creations from Korea's 2022 Digital Festival Absolutely Rule

Final Fantasy XIV’s latest expansion, Endwalker, is quickly approaching its May release in Korea, and Square Enix is celebrating the occasion with another digital Fan Festival. During its livestream, director and producer Naoki Yoshida took a moment to highlight some of the Korean community’s most incredible fan creations, and honestly, they all rule.

Pointing out FFXIV is home to a wildly talented fanbase is among the least surprising of the MMO’s reveals, but yesterday’s video is too good to go unmentioned. The festival’s art contest includes categories for screenshots, cosplay, illustrated pieces, and handcrafted works. We’re 24 hours out from the broadcast now, and I still can’t stop thinking about it. Now you won’t be able to either.

The cosplay category is absolutely stacked, but it’s of the utmost importance to note there’s a whole damn Nidhogg-possessed Estinien just existing in real life. Neta, the cosplayer behind the work, saw a shoutout from Yoshida and the team as they were counted among the cosplay finalists for their Estinien costume. The Nidhogg fit looks like you’re seconds from getting hit with Ala Morn, but for real. Equal parts terrifying and incredible.

파이널판타지 14 – 사룡 니드호그 용기사형태
FINAL FANTASY XIV／FF14

邪竜 ニーズヘッグ(Nidhogg) – 竜人形態

P.B- M.M(@PB__MM
서포터-아리온님 웨나님(@garam_arion / @Wenna_oO

제작에 도움 주신 종복님(@FF14_pofur
#FFXIV #FF14 #FFxivcosplay #FinalFantasyXIV pic.twitter.com/yaU0wlg8Gg

— 네타(ネタ) / (@wjddlswo91) January 3, 2022

Everything isn’t made out of more traditional mediums, either. There’s a Crystarium sculpture made entirely of soap among the winners, and I’m desperate to give its creator some absurd part of my expendable income in exchange for it. It’s got all of these little bits that make it feel extra special, nailing that same ethereal blue hue from Shadowbringers and the unforgettable pinks and purples from the outer Lakeland area. Anyway, its creator, lightsensi_ill, shared a few photos on Twitter, and it’s stunning. This could make me stink, and I wouldn’t care.

안녕하세요 파판 팬페에 조형물로 크리스타리움 비누 만든 사람입니다!!! 제가 지금 밖이고 너무 깈장되서,,,!! ***비누 일주일 걸렷습니다*** 수정공 지팡이도 사용 가능합니다!!! pic.twitter.com/0VfohuUqa5

— ????케웨이????(멘퀘안녕!) (@lightsensi_ill) February 12, 2022

There’s also this tiny diorama with a black Chocobo, and at first glance, it’s easy to miss that there’s an emotionally devastating detail tucked away in the snow. I missed it on my first pass, but if you’re post-Heavensward and take a moment and study what’s there, it’ll hurt like hell. I won’t get into the reasons why, but when I tell you that this little bird from ff14_SpT on Twitter caused me pain, I mean it. Put this in any fan shop, and I’ll put it straight into my shopping cart.

결선 진출 감사합니다!

여행의 종착지
당신이 말했던, 맹우라는 사람의 두 다리와 날개가 되어 정말 많은 곳을 여행했어요. 이제는 나는 것도, 걷는것도 힘들어졌네요. 그 사람과 함께 여행하면서, 정말 많은 일이 있었고, 많은 사람을 만났고, 많은 일을 해결했어요. 천천히 하나씩 이야기해드릴게요 pic.twitter.com/VSdp9Ug2yt

— 여울랑 (@ff14_SpT) February 12, 2022

When Yoshida got to this entry during the broadcast, there was a moment where I thought he was interrupting to announce a new Gaia and Ryne statue from Square Enix. Except it’s not that, and it’s actually a fanmade set from greenfrog0425 on Twitter. Apparently, this was “rushed” and painted in just five days, but there’s nothing about it that looks like it was done in a hurry. If anything, Square, cut the check — this is who you need designing the merch. Gaia and Ryne are gorgeous here, and there’s a level of skill here I wish I could achieve in literally anything.

저 이번에 파판 콘테스트에 내보낼려고 작업한 린가이아인데요…급하게 작업하고 조진거같아서 ㅠㅠ글구 지인언니한테 청갸 사진 진짜 못 찍어하고 명치맞음;;;게다가 후가공+도색을 5일만에 했더니 내가 생각한 퀄리티보다 안 나와서 스스로 내상입고 트윗 쓸까말까하다가…암튼 네..그렇습니다() pic.twitter.com/U0D6EcRXsC

— 청갸 (@greenfrog0425) January 3, 2022

There’s plenty tucked away in the finalist gallery that feels so special. It’s a collection of work serving as the perfect reminder of how endeared the whole story is to millions now, and even after a decade of swooning, it’s incredible to thumb through and imagine just how much time goes into creations like these.

Even as someone who spends all of their time knee-deep in FFXIV’s fanart community, every finalist listed over on the FanFest 2022 official site made me gasp. The entire stream is available now too, and even if you’re only in it for the fan work, it’s well worth the time.