In a groundbreaking partnership, Dentsu Inc. has joined forces with Chiru Labs, the creators of the Azuki NFT project, to produce an anime anthology series titled “Enter The Garden”. This trilogy, helmed by esteemed anime director Goro Taniguchi, promises to be a unique blend of NFT characters and captivating animation. The first episode of the series, titled “The Waiting Man”, is set to premiere exclusively on Azuki.com and Azuki’s YouTube channel on April 30, 2024, with subsequent episodes scheduled for release in the coming months.
Azuki is renowned for its NFT collection that features characters inspired by anime-style art and streetwear. By incorporating these NFT characters into the “Enter The Garden” anthology series, a fresh and innovative approach to storytelling emerges. Furthermore, Azuki & BEANZ NFT holders hold commercial rights to their NFTs/IP, empowering them to foster businesses and products based on this intellectual property. Episode 1 of the series will highlight some of these ventures, offering a creative take on product placement by showcasing community member businesses within the narrative.
Goro Taniguchi, the mastermind behind popular works like “One Piece Film Red” and the “Code Geass” series, spearheads the “Enter The Garden” anthology. Collaborating with industry luminaries such as Junichi Yamamoto, known for his involvement in “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom”, and Kinu Nishimura, celebrated for her character design contributions to the “Street Fighter” series, ensures a wealth of talent in the project. Additionally, the series features voice talents like Akari Kito and Tomokazu Sugita, recognized for their roles in hit anime shows such as “Demon Slayer” and “Gintama”, adding depth and nuance to the storytelling.
Japanese anime enjoys a massive global following, and Dentsu has long been dedicated to investing in and producing high-quality anime content while championing anime culture worldwide. Yusuke Nii, Head of Anime Operation at Dentsu, emphasizes the company’s commitment to adapting its production and distribution strategies to meet the evolving needs of viewers and the media landscape. This dedication ensures that Dentsu remains at the forefront of delivering exceptional anime experiences to audiences worldwide.
In a recent development, The Arbitrum Foundation, Azuki, and the Weeb3 Foundation announced a collaboration to launch AnimeChain, a Web3 anime project. This groundbreaking initiative seeks to revolutionize the anime industry by integrating Web3 technology to enrich the global anime experience. By combining first and third-party anime content, games, merchandise, and NFTs, AnimeChain aims to usher in a new era of anime fandom, offering fans unparalleled engagement and interaction with their favorite anime properties.
The collaboration between Dentsu, Chiru Labs, and a host of talented creatives represents a bold step into the future of anime production and storytelling. By merging NFTs with traditional animation, “Enter The Garden” promises to captivate audiences worldwide and set a new standard for immersive and engaging anime experiences. As the anime landscape continues to evolve, projects like AnimeChain signal a shift towards innovative and inclusive approaches to content creation and distribution, ensuring that the world of anime remains vibrant and exciting for years to come.