Azuki Announces Launch of ANIME Token, Shaping the Future of Anime Culture in Web3
Azuki, the highly regarded NFT collection, is set to launch its much-anticipated "culture coin," ANIME, in January 2025.
Tied to the expanding world of anime and Web3, the new token aims to bridge traditional anime culture with blockchain technology, promising to transform the creative economy within the industry.
Token Distribution: Community-Centric Launch Strategy
With a total supply of 10 billion ANIME tokens, nearly 77% will enter circulation on launch day, with the token's first wave primarily aimed at the community.
A significant 37.5% of the total supply (3.75 billion tokens) will go directly to Azuki NFT holders, all of which will be fully unlocked for immediate trading.
The remaining 13% is reserved for future community-driven projects and initiatives managed by token holders and the upcoming AnimeDAO.
This community-first approach is set to empower users and create a more inclusive ecosystem.
Azuki fans and Web3 enthusiasts aren't the only ones to benefit, as 2% of the token supply will be allocated to key partner communities, including projects built on Arbitrum and the Web3 analytics platform Kaito.
This allocation helps solidify relationships with the broader blockchain community while encouraging further collaboration.
Impact on the Azuki NFT Market
Following the announcement of ANIME's launch, Azuki's NFT collection has seen a notable surge.
The floor price of Azuki NFTs surged by 9% in just 24 hours, reaching 13.67 ETH (around $41,505), and is currently priced at 13.33 ETH.
This increase reflects the growing anticipation surrounding the token launch, and other Azuki-related collections, such as Azuki Elementals and Beanz, also saw significant price boosts, gaining 9.6% and 7.4% respectively.
The announcement on social platform X emphasised Azuki’s commitment to the project and their long-term vision for expanding the anime universe.
"We acquired Anime.com, soon to launch alongside Animecoin as the home for global anime fandom."
The Azuki project, which launched in 2022, has cemented its place as one of the leading and most valuable NFT collections on the Ethereum network.
The Launch of AnimeChain: A New Infrastructure for the Anime Ecosystem
A major aspect of the launch involves Arbitrum’s role as the partner blockchain for AnimeChain, a new infrastructure aimed at supporting the global anime network on-chain.
This collaboration, which was announced in March 2024, is designed to give creators and fans a more seamless Web3 experience, providing the infrastructure for anime-related projects and fostering an open ecosystem for creators and users alike.
Azuki's decision to leverage Arbitrum's layer-2 solution reflects its dedication to scaling and providing faster, more affordable transactions for the anime community.
The new blockchain will further contribute to building the long-term sustainability of the ANIME token.
Strategic Community Engagement Initiatives
To build excitement for the token's release, the team has introduced several innovative engagement strategies.
These include airdrops for stakers of Hyperliquids and a “Yap-to-earn” program, which rewards users for promoting ANIME on social media platforms.
This approach is designed to generate buzz around the launch and involve the community in the growth of the project.
While the exact date of the token release remains confidential, the ANIME coin's heavy emphasis on community engagement is clear.
Token holders and fans can expect further opportunities to actively participate in the future development of the anime ecosystem, from funding creative projects to governing key initiatives through the upcoming AnimeDAO.
Azuki's Vision for the Future of Anime and Web3 Integration
Azuki's bold step into the token world follows in the footsteps of other NFT-driven projects like Pudgy Penguins, which launched its PENGU token in December 2024 and has already gained a market cap of $1.87 billion.
ANIME's ambitious goal is to merge anime culture with the possibilities offered by Web3, creating an interconnected universe where fans and creators can work together in ways never before possible.
As the anime industry is projected to reach $60 billion by 2030, the Animecoin Foundation’s launch of ANIME aims to unite creators and fans, potentially changing the way the industry develops in the years to come.