6 Anime NFT Collections Bringing a New Generation to Web3
For as long as users have been putting their own PFPs on community sites, one type of PFP has survived for decades: the anime PFP. From the 90s to the early to mid-2000s of online communities, Western anime fans were primarily teenagers and young adults who caught hits such as Dragon Ball Z on Cartoon Network Toonami programming block, and Cowboy Bebop in adult swimming.
Avatars in this foreign, yet completely distinct style imbued users who had chosen them with a mystique. Back then, you could say that even using a Goku, Vegeta, or Spike Spiegel PFP was a bit annoying back then. Now? Some argue that it is… well, shrink. With the explosion in popularity of this entertainment medium over the last decade, this once exclusive club has fallen far from grace.
For example, if you’ve spent any time on Twitter, you’d probably have come across questionable photos from users who seem to be hiding behind their glossy PFPs. Or worse, completely unhinged take from users hiding behind theirs waifus. If this is a foreign concept, let’s hope it stays that way.
But does this mean that everyone do anime PFPs carry this weight online? Not any more. With the rise of anime PFP NFTs, users can now construct their digital personas around anime characters completely detached from any fandom – and its fans. Instead, the communities around which holders of these anime PFPs gather are. Join us for a brief overview of what’s happening in this growing part of the NFT space.
project overview
Release date: January 12, 2022
Supply: 10,000
Current floor price
Let’s get the big one out of the way. Anyone who has done a little digging on the largest PFP NFT collections has at least heard by Azuki. In our eyes, this collection of 10,000 pieces is beyond doubt aesthetic anime PFP NFTs are eerily reminiscent of Tetsuya Nomura’s designs for Square Enix’s cult hit The world ends with you, awash with all the swag and rebellion of skater culture. It is therefore no wonder that the citizens of the NFT community found much to like about these PFPs.
When Azukis first hit the market, the hype was as real as it gets, and the collection’s rise to fame remains one of the fastest climbs The NFT space has seen so far. But that journey to the top didn’t come without some bumps in the road. In May 2022, reports surfaced about ZAGABOND – the Azuki creator – and his history of abandoning previous NFT projects he had been involved in. However, the ship seems to have been righted since then, and the community mood has largely recovered himself after the unfortunate news fell.
project overview
Release date: November 29, 2021
Supply: 20,000
Current floor price
Only anime fans of Berserkand to a lesser extent, Attack on Titan, is all too familiar with a direction the industry has taken in recent decades: CGI and 3D animation are here to stay in anime, for better or for worse. But for fans of CloneX, that’s hardly a bad thing. This 20,000 piece collection has many great anime characters for interested collectors to choose from.
Since its launch in late 2021, the project has had a steady upward trend. Whether it’s how Nike acquired RTFKT Studios – the creators behind the project – or a collaboration with Japanese pop art sensation Takashi Murakami, fans of the project have found a lot to love about the direction it’s taken so far.
project overview
Release date: August 19, 2021
Supply: 7,777
Current floor price
While not the first anime-themed NFT project to hit the market, 0N1 Force is one of the earliest to hit the big time. At the time of writing, the project has seen a trading volume of nearly 50,000 ETH, or nearly $70 million today. For a collection of cool anime PFPs, that’s not too bad.
So what is it, exactly? As suggested by the name, each anime PFP NFT in the 0N1 Force collection depicts an anthropomorphized oni from Japanese folklore. Fortunately, for those who actually want to use these NFTs as PFPs, each avatar’s ogre characteristics are greatly toned down. You’ll only get subtle visual cues like slightly pronounced fangs or striking neon skin tones. So, in short, like how most anime portray characters of this nature in the first place.
project overview
Release date: March 24, 2022
Supply: 10,000
Current floor price
If seeing the word “Kiwami” might have taken you back to Kamurocho for a moment, calm down for a moment. We do not have an NFT collection that contains Yakuza the show’s colorful cast yet. So what is this collection then?
Proudly built in Japan, this collection encourages holders to “chase the tsunami” by picking up one of the anime PFP NFTs within. With colorful side profile anime avatars that mix elements of cyberpunk, streetwear and Japanese folklore in equal parts, anime fans are sure to find a piece in this collection that undoubtedly represents who they are. “For those who are Kiwami; extreme, loyal, driven and indescribable – you have found your people,” Kiwami proudly claims on his website.
project overview
Release date: February 2022
Supply: 9,001
Current floor price
Billed as a compilation depicting “The Junkiest Web3 Weebs,” Shonen Junk’s pedigree allows it to back up such claims. A key figure in its development – James Lin – also helped create another product that anime fans around the world love. Crunchyroll. Yes, the anime streaming service.
As such, and with “over 9,000 [!!!]” pieces (yes, they went there) in this collection there are countless references to some of the most beloved anime series of all time. From Neon Genesis Evangelion to Gurren Lagann, Kill la Kill, Dragon Ball Z, and more, there’s something for everyone here. If you’ve ever wanted the chance to own a picture of Shinji going Super Saiyan, this collection is for you.
project overview
Release date: April 2022
Supply: 8,888
Current floor price
It is a a lot of anime out there in addition to your usual shonen fare. Shojo also deserves the attention of any respectful anime fan – and much of this is due to the long tradition of magical girl anime. Of course before it was Card Catcher Sakuraand long before Madoka Magicait was Sailor Moon.
This is the era of anime that Shinsei Galverse’s creators intend to take you back to with this collection, covering the entire spread of 80s magical girl anime styling. So who are they? Shinsei Galverse is led by renowned Japanese crypto artist Ayako Ohira and Emi Kusano, mother of Zombie Zookeeper – one of Japan’s brightest young crypto artists – and singer on this certified banger. Rendered in era-accurate style and with the unmistakable haze that all old anime tends to have, all 8,888 Galverse anime PFP NFTs depict Galverse’s take on magical girls. In the future, the Galverse team hopes to use the proceeds from this collection’s sales to turn Galverse into a full-fledged anime.
