Please support Game Informer. Print magazine subscriptions are less than $2 per issue
TGS Sidequest: Visiting Square Enix's Artnia Store
A great part about visiting Japan is indulging in all the video game related sights. While we're here to cover the show for Tokyo Game Show, we're also taking the time to show off some of the cool things outside of the show as well. Today, we're focusing on Square Enix's Artnia Store.
Close to Square Enix's headquarters in Tokyo lies Artnia and walking into it is a rush. You'll find shelves stacked with Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, and Kingdom Hearts memorabilia. It even has a cafe in case you want to just enjoy the atmosphere. After all, what's better than being surrounded by some of the most beloved RPG franchises?
During our visit, the store was decorated for Halloween complete with creepy music. Bring on Halloween Town!
The shelves wrap around with items galore. It's hard to know where to start. Dragon Quest plushies, anyone?
How about Final Fantasy?
Oh, we're back to Dragon Quest now?
Does that top these, though?
Long story short: If you're looking for a plushie, this is the place to be.
Dragon Quest dominates the store shelves. That's no surprise as it's very popular in Japan.
You can even get in costume to celebrate your love for the franchise.
If you prefer figures, they have those, too. Our silent heroes in all their glory!
Salt in the wound for North American fans. SALT IN THE WOUND!
Moving on to Final Fantasy...
Can I interest you in an iconic necklace?
I love these mousepads. The pink Moogle is my favorite!
Which figure would you get?
That question was too easy, so I upped the stakes.
Here is a close up on some of my favorites. Lovers and best friends.
The store is just hands-down beautiful with displays like this, especially as you view the figures.
Like this one. DRAGOON!
I wouldn't be doing my job if I wasn't showing you Kingdom Hearts jewelry.
Or at least some of the merchandise...
Part of me feels the need to end this with more plushies and slime...
A trip to Artnia is a blast if you're a big Square Enix fan. We wish they had a bit more Kingdom Hearts, as Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy greatly dominate the stock. But outside of that minor complaint, the trip was a blast. There's something charming about being bombarded by tons of memorabilia and fanfare.
What would you be on your purchase list?
I’d like to ask you to support Game Informer’s continued coverage of games with a subscription. For less than two dollars per issue, we mail you a full year of 10 print magazines, each with cover stories and preview features filled with exclusive details about the most exciting upcoming games. We profile and interview game creators. We look back on the rich history of gaming, and we celebrate what’s next.
Here on the website, we offer much of our content for free, including game reviews, daily news, videos, event coverage, and more – all with minimal ads.
We do so with a small editorial team, alongside contributing paid writers from around the world – over 65 individuals from 9 countries around the world, just in the last couple of years.
It’s not possible without support.
In a time when game makers and games coverage have faced hard struggles and layoffs, the future of this 30+ year magazine and community is at risk. Our new standalone magazine subscription is the number one way you can keep us alive – and we believe you’ll get a pretty fantastic gaming magazine in your mailbox every few weeks for your trouble.
Thank you.
