Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, which will debut on July 11, is a ground-breaking work of hyper-realistic computer animation that because of its unique style is sure to be one of the most talked-about films of the summer (though not necessarily one of the highest-grossing). Loosely based on the popular video game, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within represents a significant change from previous Japanese films based on video games, which have been produced in a more or less standard anime style. Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within is so realistic in its depictions of characters and backgrounds that it can hardly be classified as anime even though director Hironobu Sakasuki and many of his crew are anime veterans (see 'Is it Real or Is It Final Fantasy').
Nevertheless, whether anime fans love it or not, cutting edge animated features from Snow White to Toy Story have traditionally moved a lot of merchandise, and Final Fantasy definitely takes computer animation to a new level. Retailers will have the choice of a plethora of related Final Fantasy products ranging from a trading card series from Comic Images to a $200 replica watch from Seiko. There is a mass market paperback novelization from Pocket Books and a $30 'Making Of' book from strategy guide publisher BradyGames, as well as a number of posters and wall scrolls from various manufacturers. Bandai will produce six-inch Final Fantasy figures, while Palisades Marketing has created a line of twelve-inch figures.
The twelve-inch figures (1/6th scale) are geared for collectors, with twenty-one points of articulation, lots of accessories, and real cloth outfits. Each of the twelve-inch figures will retail for around $27. The figures in the assortment include the sexy Aki Ross, the film's chief protagonist; Dr. Sid, the scientist who holds the key to saving the Earth; Gray Edwards, leader of the elite Deep Eyes Squadron; and the Pattonesque, shoot-from-the- hip military man, General Hein. Palisades is also producing two exclusive figures, Jane Proudfoot, for Toys R Us, and Ryan Whittaker, who is available only through ToyFare magazine and the Wizard web site.
Comic Images
While the trading cards from Comic Images are expected to ship on time and will be found primarily in hobby stores, two of the other products that should be among the best bets for specialty retailers have definite problems. The Making Of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within isn't scheduled to be published until July 29, which means that a month of prime selling time will be lost. Still, if the movie is a big hit, this $30 coffee table volume might sell well during the coming holiday season. The twelve-inch collectors figures should be perfect for the hobby market, but the latest word from the manufacturer is that only the mass market will receive these figures by the time the movie opens. Specialty stores will be at least a week late, possibly more. In addition to a late arrival and the exclusives, which are always a problem for specialty retailers who can't buy them wholesale, the twelve-inch collectors figures have to be ordered in assortments, which contain three each of Aki Ross and Gray Edwards along with single figures of Dr. Sid and the General. Assortments make selling sets difficult and often leave retailers with unsold stock on unpopular characters.