9 amazing NFT projects bringing a new generation to Web3
For as long as users have been putting their own PFPs on community pages, one type of image has dominated the space – anime PFPs. From the 90s to the mid-2000s, Western anime fans were primarily interested in hits such as Dragon Ball Z, which appeared on Cartoon Networks Toonami programming block, and Cowboy Bebop in adult swimming.
As a result, anime PFPs used during this era tended to feature characters from these specific shows. Seeing the likes of Goku, Vegeta or Spike Spiegel in a profile picture was common. Not surprisingly, back then avatars tended to look pretty similar.
Since then, anime has secured mainstream popularity worldwide. And 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. This allows individuals to explore a variety of unique anime aesthetics and find characters that truly resonate with them. Holders of these anime PFPs tend to rally around their chosen project.
So instead of fandoms based on TV shows, we now have communities based on a shared anime aesthetic. To help you find your community, we’ve compiled this overview of some of the best Anime PFP NFT collections out there.
project overview
What’s cool about the project and anime pfp art
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. The 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 Azuki 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
What’s cool about the project and anime pfp art
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
What’s cool about the project and anime pfp art
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
What’s cool about the project and anime pfp art
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
What’s cool about the project and anime pfp art
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 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
What’s cool about the project and anime pfp art
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.
project overview
What’s cool about the project and anime pfp art
Who doesn’t love a good gachapon pull? But wouldn’t it be a surprise if a tiny living thing emerged from a capsule toy machine? This is the vibe of the Capsule House. Made by artists SeerLight and Kaejunni, the project first seemed like a simple PFP release, combining Kodomo-esque art with gachapon-inspired composition. But there is more to this collection than meets the eye.
Launching in September 2021 only shortly after anime PFPs began gaining a foothold in the NFT space, the collection evolved throughout the winter, transitioning from a simple and whimsical kawaii collection to a high-quality, full-scale PFP effort. In early 2022, Capsule House holders were allowed to claim highly detailed NFT portrait counterparts of their unique tokens by trading the original’s art. Now with these PFPs still doing the rounds on social media, it feels like the Capsule House journey is just beginning.
project overview
What’s cool about the project and anime pfp art
Of all the projects on this list, Shonen Junk and Muri undoubtedly appeal the most to fans of manga and comics. Created in the wake of other anime NFT successes such as 0N1 Force and Azuki, Muri became made by Haus, a Web3 project focused on fashion, furniture, digital x physical collectibles and more. Originally a one-man effort, this project has helped illustrate how independent creators can start long-term multimedia projects using original IP.
The goal of Muri, as dictated by its founders, is to build a thriving ecosystem based on tokens (Muri PFPs) that can be used to redeem items, physical goods and in-game currencies said to coincide with game projects. . The Muri team has also been actively working on original anime and manga to further expand the project universe, with much still left to the imagination and dictation of these Muri NFT owners.
project overview
What’s cool about the project and anime pfp art
For all things cyberpunk, or anyone interested in pixel art, Animetas is the perfect collection for you. The lore surrounding this anime PFP project features a universe far in the future, where Earth is no longer habitable for humans. In this future, a group of 10,101 pioneers decided to imprint their brains on the Ethereum blockchain, forming what we know as the Animetas Collection.
Although Animetas is primarily a PFP effort, there is far more to the project than can be communicated through 10,101 JPEGs. Most notably, Animetas is only a single part of a virtual world “Animetaverse”. This virtual world, created by Cyberh49 and PixelGustavo, is also home to the Animonkeys; another PFP collection from the creators of Animetas. While (at the time of writing) Animetas is more than a year old, the team behind the project has several unreleased or announced additions to the Animetaverse in the works to further expand the project.
