Dentsu Inc. and Chiru Labs, the creators of the Azuki NFT project, have joined forces to bring forth a groundbreaking anime anthology series titled “Enter The Garden”. This trilogy, directed by the esteemed anime director Goro Taniguchi, known for his remarkable work in “One Piece Film Red” and the “Code Geass” series, is set to captivate audiences worldwide. The first episode of the trilogy, “The Waiting Man,” can now be previewed by viewers. The premiere is scheduled exclusively on Azuki.com and Azuki’s YouTube channel on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, with subsequent episodes planned for release in the following months.
Azuki is widely recognized for its NFT collection, featuring characters that draw inspiration from anime-style art and streetwear. This anthology series paves the way for a unique fusion of NFTs and animation, with cameo appearances by NFT characters owned by the community. Moreover, holders of Azuki & BEANZ NFTs possess commercial rights to their NFTs/IP, granting them the opportunity to develop businesses and products based on this intellectual property. Episode 1 is set to highlight some of these ventures, introducing a fresh approach to product integration by showcasing community member businesses within the storyline.
The “Enter The Garden” anthology is led by the acclaimed anime director Goro Taniguchi, renowned for his contributions to popular titles like “One Piece Film Red” and the “Code Geass” series. The first episode, “The Waiting Man,” features the talent of industry figures such as Junichi Yamamoto, known for his involvement in projects like “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom,” and Kinu Nishimura, celebrated for her character design work in the “Street Fighter” series. Voice actors Akari Kito and Tomokazu Sugita, recognized for their roles in hit anime series such as “Demon Slayer” and “Gintama,” also contribute their skills to the series.
Japanese anime has garnered a massive global following, with Dentsu actively investing in and producing high-quality anime content while promoting anime culture on an international scale for several years. Yusuke Nii, Head of Anime Operation at Dentsu, emphasized the company’s dedication to adapting its production and distribution strategies to meet the evolving needs of viewers and the media landscape. As he stated, “Moving forward, we will continue to evolve our approach to anime production and distribution in response to the changing needs of viewers and the media scene.”
Zagabond, Founder and CEO of Azuki/Chiru Labs, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, highlighting the opportunity to work with industry experts who are eager to explore new, community-driven intellectual property. Through their partnership with Dentsu, Goro Taniguchi, and the entire creative team, Azuki aims to present an extraordinary anthology to anime enthusiasts worldwide, marking the beginning of an exciting journey.
In a recent development, The Arbitrum Foundation announced a partnership with Azuki and the Weeb3 Foundation to introduce AnimeChain, a Web3 anime project. This innovative initiative seeks to revolutionize the anime industry by leveraging Web3 technology to enhance the global anime experience. AnimeChain will merge first and third-party anime content, games, merchandise, and NFTs, ushering in a new era in anime fandom, where digital innovation meets anime tradition. By embracing technological advancements and fostering creative collaborations, the anime industry is poised for a transformative evolution.