Final Fantasy XIV Players Hold In-Game Memorials for The Primals Bassist
Players across servers gather in virtual funerals to honor Eikichi Iwai after his sudden passing.
Final Fantasy XIV players are holding in-game funerals and gatherings across multiple servers to honor Eikichi Iwai, the bassist for The Primals, the official band that performs music for the MMORPG.
Iwai's death was announced on November 11, 2026 by his rock band Chirinuruwowa and by Square Enix's Final Fantasy XIV development team. The development team described the news as a profound shock, noting Iwai's recent performance at the Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival in Japan. Chirinuruwowa also confirmed the cancellation of all upcoming performances on their Endless Loop 2026 -Public- tour.
To pay tribute, players gathered in various in-game locations. On the European server Omega, players formed a circle at Limsa Lominsa's Aetheryte Plaza and lit campfires. On the Sephirot server in the Materia DC, players spent more than seven hours sitting quietly in the flower fields of Ultima Thule. Fans and content creators, including YouTuber and composer Alex Moukala, shared memories of Iwai's impact on their lives.
Iwai was 57 years old at the time of his death. He joined The Primals in 2014 and performed with the band at the Tokyo Fan Festival on November 1. The sudden loss has led to an outpouring of grief and remembrance within the Final Fantasy XIV community.
Source: IGN