Bon Jovi to Headline Japanese Final Fantasy Ads

Square-Enix is ditching J-pop for J(ersey)-rock for the ad campaign promoting Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers in Japan.

Let's file this under "Huh, didn't see this one coming."

According to Siliconera, Square-Enix has opted not to go with one of the hundreds of Japanese musicians who would gladly agree to having their music used to promote a Final Fantasy game. Instead, the JRPG giant has tapped American rock band Bon Jovi to promote the upcoming Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers for the Wii - specifically, their recent single "We Weren't Born to Follow".

The Bon Jovi ad is scheduled to air in Japan some time this month, though there is no word on whether said ad will be any more cohesive than other videos promoting Crystal Bearers. Similarly, one has to wonder if Square-Enix's North American branch will be using the same promotion strategy (I mean hey, if you've already gone to the trouble of licensing the song...) or if it will be swapping Bon Jovi for, say, Gackt.

I have to admit, that as someone born and raised in New Jersey, I am legally bound to enjoy the music of both Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi. It's just how these things work. Still, a meld of Bon Jovi and Final Fantasy just seems like such an unlikely collision between two completely different cultures. It's kind of like like Kingdom Hearts, but instead of going to Agrabah and Wonderland, they go to Hackensack and Perth Amboy.

...yeah, I guess I'd play that, too.

(Via MTV Multiplayer)