Final Fantasy XIV gamers are paying tribute to the bassist of the sport’s official band, mourning him and celebrating his legacy with digital, in-game funerals throughout servers worldwide.
Eikichi Iwai was the bass guitarist for The Primals, a band shaped particularly to make a number of the music in Sq. Enix’s extraordinarily widespread MMORPG. Whereas they aren’t the one ones liable for a number of the sport’s iconic tunes, they’re actually a number of the most notable, and so they’ve grow to be a agency fixture within the Ultimate Fantasy fanbase through the years.
Iwai’s dying was formally introduced on November 11, 2026 by his personal rock band, Chirinuruwowa, and the Ultimate Fantasy XIV improvement workforce, the latter of which penned a public letter to followers informing them of the information.
“As introduced earlier immediately, we’re deeply saddened to share the information of the sudden passing of bassist Eikichi Iwai,” the assertion reads. “Having witnessed his actually unforgettable efficiency on stage on the latest FINAL FANTASY XIV Fan Competition in Japan, the sudden information of his passing has come as a profound shock. The members of THE PRIMALS and your entire FFXIV Improvement and Operations groups are overcome with deep sorrow.
“As we mirror on all that Eikichi-san has left behind, our ideas are with him, and we provide our heartfelt condolences.”
Chirinuruwowa revealed a similar statement on social media. “We remorse to tell you that our bassist, Iwaieikichi, has handed away out of the blue,” the group wrote. “The sudden information of his passing has left all of us within the band and on the workers struggling to come back to phrases with it, and we’re deeply saddened.” The band additionally knowledgeable followers that every one upcoming performances of their Infinite Loop 2026 -Public- tour have been cancelled.
Iwai’s dying despatched shockwaves all through the FFXIV playerbase. In acknowledgement of his legacy as a performer and paying tribute to his contributions to the sport, these gamers gathered collectively inside their respective servers to carry digital funerals in a number of the MMORPG’s fantastical locales.
For instance, gamers on the European server Omega formed a circle round Limsa Lominsa’s Aetheryte Plaza, lighting campfires in remembrance of the bassist. And within the Sephirot, Materia DC server, gamers frolicked for greater than seven hours at Ultima Thule, calmly sitting in its subject of flowers.
Followers, content material creators, and fellow members of the video games business have shared their very own fond recollections of the sport and the impression Iwai’s music had on their lives.
@FF_XIV_EN A small memorial for Eikichi Iwai on Omega (Chaos). Thanks for every little thing, Iwai-san. Your remaining efficiency at Tokyo Fan Fest was unbelievable Chaos DC・オメガでイワイエイキチさんを偲ぶ小さな集まりを開きます。 イワイさん、ありがとう。東京ファンフェスでの最後の演奏最高でした https://t.co/2204TnVxIU
— Lorenzo (@_kefka_) November 11, 2026
In some way some persons are nonetheless right here 7 hours later (I’ve simply been doing different stuff)
I will simply go away my character right here in a single day as I’ll sleep if anybody desires to proceed the memorial be at liberty to come back right here at Ultima Thule, Sephirot, Materia DC
#THEPRIMALS #ffxiv https://t.co/l0YB7Ny45Q
— Veridis (@VeridisArpegius) November 11, 2026
イワイエイキチさん
いつも素晴らしいエネルギッシュなLIVEをありがとうございました
イフリート鯖のイフリートの祭壇 (X35.2 Y19.8)の追悼の場からお悔やみ申し上げます
#FF14
#THEPRIMALS https://t.co/Mi2oJtMiS5
— おーびー (@IMPAWD) November 11, 2026
“This one actually hurts… Phrases simply cannot describe the shock and grief I am feeling proper now,” YouTuber and sport composer Alex Moukala wrote. “FFXIV followers misplaced an absolute icon. Many bass gamers around the globe misplaced a hero. And people who knew Eikichi-san personally misplaced an extremely form pal. Relaxation in peace, Eikichi-san.”
“Eikichi-san was an absolute legend. That is so sudden and devastating. My honest condolences to his household and mates. Could he relaxation in peace,” one other fan said.
Iwai was 57 years outdated on the time of his dying. He joined The Primals in 2014 and has been performing with the band ever since. The group held a live performance at a Ultimate Fantasy XIV Fan Competition in Tokyo, Japan on November 1, and additional performances had been deliberate for Chirinuruwowa — live shows which have since been canceled within the wake of this tragic information.
Picture Credit score: EllyRedacted, Twitter/X
Virginia (she/her) is IGN’s Information Editor. With ten years of expertise reporting on video games and leisure, she’s received a storied background within the preventing sport neighborhood, influencer information, and viral on-line developments. Discover her on Twitter at @TheeMissGlaze.