#CIPHERHUNT – Gravity Falls Lives On
There have been 170 days since Gravity Falls ended, yet that has not stopped creator Alex Hirsch from giving fans one final gift. For the past 13 days, fans including myself, have been scouring through clues that Alex had left around the globe searching for an item of IMMENSE importance. The item was briefly teased on the finale episode of the series, Weirdmageddon 3: Take Back the Falls. As the credits came to a conclusion, actual video footage of the remains of Bill Cipher, parademon and antagonist of Gravity Falls, was shown. Fans had wondered if the statue was real and on July 20th, Hirsch confirmed its existence by launching the #CipherHunt via twitter.
The first clue on the map lead everyone to Russia. Specifically, Kazan Cathedral in St Petersburg, Russia. From there the hunt took fans to a shrine in Japan and then Atlanta, Georgia where a missing pig flyer brought Grunkle Stan himself into the fold via a phone message. From here we journeyed to Rhode Island, where an unfortunate incident of miscommunication resulted in the clue missing. Thankfully, Grunkle Stan came back on the phone with a new clue, moving the hunt to Los Angeles. While there, Jason Ritter [that’s Dipper himself!], and Alex Hirsch’s very own twin Ariel, aided the local Cipher Hunters in locating the next riddle.
After a few more clues, the hunt moved to Washington. After hours of searching, fans were able to locate a safety deposit key to a box in California. Intrepid hunter May, then journeyed to California from Washington, with the key in hand where she was greeted by fans and a few of the cast. The secret of the box turned oout to be the most challenging of the puzzles, a literal puzzle. After several days of work and relocation, and help from Jason and Ariel again, a digital version of the puzzle was released online for Cipher Hunters everywhere to assist in. After the puzzle was digitally solved, the hunt finally made it’s way to the home of Gravity Falls, the state Oregon. Finally, with a few more riddles and after several days of solving the final clue, last night the Bill Cipher statue was discovered in Reedsport, Oregon. With a chest of buried treasure, a new Mayor of Gravity Falls, and a surprisingly large Bill Cipher statue, the Hunt was at an end.
As a fan of the show, this has been a fun and exciting two weeks. I have met new people on both twitter and periscope. I have seen more and more people flood in to assist those in need, as the hunt moved from new location to new location. I have witnessed amazing pieces of art that were created in honor of the quest. For the crew like Jason Ritter and Ariel Hirsch to come to join in on the fun was heartwarming. Everyone online truly cared deeply and passionately enough to follow this journey. Some were upset during the struggles, others were saddened by missing out on the physical hunt itself, but everyone clearly felt strongly enough to say something and watch as equally passionate fans made the trek for Bill Cipher. This world wide scavenger hunt has been unlike anything that any show has done.
Seriously, props to those that spent the time and energy to finish this beast.
And to it’s credit, Gravity Falls wasn’t just any other show. It clearly resonated with all of these people. It was funny. It was touching. It reminded us that growing up, although hard and scary, can be exciting and rewarding. For those of us adults, the show brought us back to a time where we didn’t have to work all day. It took us to place where we didn’t have to worry about mortgage payments and when we enjoyed the openness of Summer Vacations. We watched and were reminded how important family is and how sometimes, we can hurt those we love but that doesn’t mean we should give up on them. Through the Cipher Hunt, Alex Hirsch reminded us that Gravity Falls is more than an animated show he created about a fictional town in Oregon where mysteries are plenty. He showed us that we are all Gravity Falls. We may not all live in Oregon, but every day, we see a little bit of that town in our own lives. Sometimes, it just takes a little digging and a little help from those around to see the magic.
There is so much more to the #CipherHunt than what I can fit here. There are so many more people that put forth so much of their time and effort into solving this. You guys made the #CipherHunt the success it was. Finally, thank you Alex Hirsch, for the fun summer you gave us.