Toei Animation, famed for creating iconic anime series such as Dragon Ball, One Piece, and Sailor Moon, is venturing into the world of blockchain gaming.
In collaboration with South Korea’s Wemade, the studio is developing a new game, tentatively titled DenDenGarden.
The game is based on Toei’s DenDekaDen intellectual property, which was introduced in 2022 in partnership with Japanese Web3 company Strata.
The storyline behind DenDekaDen revolves around seven Kyoto spirits battling for ascension to godhood, offering a rich narrative for fans and players alike.
The game, expected to feature characters and elements from this series, will also allow players to engage with NFTs from DenDekaDen: Keshin No Kaden—a collection already available for purchase on Ethereum’s Magic Eden platform.
DenDenGarden visual concept
Japan’s approach to blockchain gaming has been cautious, despite the rising interest in the sector.
Major Japanese game developers like Bandai Namco and Sega have already joined the blockchain bandwagon, but a true breakthrough has yet to occur.
Ryo Manzoku, technical director at Oasys, mentioned in a recent interview that "no blockchain game has yet achieved a major breakthrough" in Japan.
However, the DenDenGarden project suggests a shift is underway, as Toei Animation—one of Japan's most influential studios—throws its weight behind this emerging trend.
This move highlights a growing acceptance of blockchain technology within Japan’s entertainment sector, especially as NFTs and gaming begin to intersect more widely.
Wemade’s experience in blockchain gaming, especially through its Web3 subsidiary Wemix, is significant.
The company’s MIR4 blockchain game became a success after launching in 2020, topping South Korea’s download charts.
Despite setbacks in South Korea—where the government banned play-to-earn games in 2021—Wemade has remained a key player in the blockchain game development space.
Now, with its involvement in DenDenGarden, Wemade is set to tap into new markets, including Japan, Southeast Asia, and North America, leveraging its reputation from previous successes.
As the market for blockchain games expands globally, Toei Animation’s entry signals a critical moment for the industry, especially in regions where gaming and NFTs are becoming more popular.
Despite the excitement surrounding DenDenGarden, Wemade’s journey has been fraught with challenges.
The company faced a major setback in 2022 when its cryptocurrency, WEMIX, was delisted from South Korea’s major exchanges due to allegations of misreporting circulation data.
In August 2023, former CEO Chang Hyun-guk was indicted for falsifying information—an accusation he denied during his trial in September.
Chang resigned in March 2024, with Wemade’s founder Park Kwan-ho returning as CEO.
These controversies have put Wemade under scrutiny, but the collaboration with Toei Animation could offer the company an opportunity to rebuild its reputation and capitalise on the global interest in blockchain gaming.
The DenDenGarden game is not just aimed at Japan.
With a focus on the gaming markets in Southeast Asia and North America, the game has global aspirations.
The integration of NFTs and blockchain elements into traditional gaming is expected to attract a new generation of players, keen on both the immersive narratives and the ownership opportunities that come with these digital assets.
The DenDekaDen: Keshin No Kaden NFTs are already creating buzz, and their inclusion in the upcoming game could be a crucial factor in its success.
With both companies set on creating a dynamic and engaging experience, the DenDenGarden game could very well set the stage for future blockchain-based anime titles.
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