Final Fantasy 7 Day is now an official public celebration in Japan

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January 31 marks the anniversary of the original game

Final Fantasy 7
(Image credit: Square Enix)

"Final Fantasy 7 Day" has officially been registered as a national day of celebration in Japan.

January 31 marks the day on which Final Fantasy 7 was originally released in Japan, all the way back in 1997. Now, 26 years later, Square Enix has officially registered Final Fantasy 7 Day in Japan to celebrate the original release of the hit JRPG classic.

Commemorating the occasion is Yoshinori Kitase, who worked on both the original Final Fantasy 7, and 2020's Final Fantasy 7 Remake, if you can believe it. "The 31st of January 1997, the day that Final Fantasy 7 came out, was not just a significant day for the Final Fantasy series, but also marked when so many big things started moving for those of us who worked on the game," Kitase writes in the message above.

"I remember being overwhelmed at the breakneck speed with which video game technology was evolving, but also dreaming big things for the future," the Square Enix veteran producer continues. "With the establishment of this official anniversary day, I will now always remember these things, and hold them dearly in my heart," the message concludes.

Final Fantasy 7 might've launched on January 31 in Japan, but it wouldn't launch until September 7 later that year in North America, and November 14 in the U.K. If you thought the week-long wait in Europe for the PS5 after it launched in North America was agonizing, imagine waiting over half a year for a game to arrive in your country. 

Now though, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is on the horizon for later this year, aiming to launch in Winter 2023 as a PS5 exclusive. Rebirth is the middle chapter of the planned remake trilogy, and it's safe to say it's one of the most eagerly anticipated games on the horizon right now. 

Check out our new games 2023 guide for a full look at all the other games set to launch this year. 

Hirun Cryer
Hirun Cryer
Freelance Writer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.