"Attack on Titan" will be turned into an NFT, expanding the context of art like never before
Digital art has great potential in the new market. Use NFTs to create interesting experiences that go beyond expectations.
Problems faced by IP holders include unauthorized reproduction and the existence of pirated copies. NFTs, which utilize blockchain, are expected to be a clue to solving these issues because they prove that the item issued is unique.
It is no exaggeration to say that the NFT boom started in the art field. In Japan, Anique is also involved in a large number of digital art pieces.
The company offers NFT trading cards "Attack on Titan: Legacy" that use the IP of the popular manga "Attack on Titan". Led by Taichi Nakamura, the company's president and CEO, who has been involved in the launch of numerous new businesses in the entertainment field, the company pursues unique ways to present digital art.
Nakamura: From the second half of 2021 to the first half of 2022, NFTs were able to gain a certain amount of popularity just by being NFTs, but in the second half of 2022, the frenzy phase passed and attention was focused on the utility of "What can it do?".
In 2023, I think the experience of owning and purchasing content will be questioned more than ever. The success of projects will depend on whether they can provide new experiential value to users.
By being digital, I think various experiential values will be created, such as lower costs and being able to reach new customer segments, deepening the link with reality, allowing for emote expression, and being able to chat using AI.
The number of players entering the digital art project market is increasing and competition is intensifying.
On the other hand, since it is still a new market, if you can add unique experiential value, there is a possibility that it will attract attention all at once.
For example, open edition NFTs such as "Checks VV Edition" have appeared in the context of art. It was an unprecedented digital experience, and it was more interesting than expected, unique to the art context.
Originally, IP was something that provided fans with various forms of entertainment. We have expanded into books, games, events, and web services, and are now working on the new context of NFTs.
However, there are barriers to entry, such as not being able to buy or sell without crypto or a wallet, and sometimes needing Discord to join a community. There is also the question of whether it suits existing fans and whether they can understand it.
Currently, existing entertainment companies such as Japanese publishers and game companies, and overseas Disney and DC Comics, are also in the trial and error stage of using Web 3.0 to create interesting experiences for global fans.
As we have expanded our services globally so far, we are proud to say that we have achieved a certain degree of success in attracting the attention of manga and anime fans around the world.
This year, we at Anique will be focusing even more than ever on creating new experience value that will delight fans together with publishers and other content holders.
In particular, we hope to expand the storylines and worldviews that Japanese anime and manga have cultivated over the years, both online and offline, and provide global fans with experiences that expand the scope of their empathy.
It's also a chance to get global fans interested in Japan's strong content, such as manga and anime, from a different angle, and for content holders and creators to find new revenue sources. It's certainly appealing to be able to contribute to the Web 3.0 industry.
The affinity between NFTs and digital art
This will dramatically expand the possibilities for IP/creators and make it possible to provide experiences that are both fun and new.
◉Taichi Nakamura
Profile│Joined Hakuhodo DY Media Partners and has experience in TV, magazines, web, content marketing, and new business launches. In May 2019, launched "Anique," a service that delivers artwork from anime, manga, games, and more to fans who love the works along with a special experience. Currently developing "Online Exhibitions" where fans can enjoy amazing creations online, "Attack on Titan: Legacy," a global NFT product, and "Anique Enterprise Platform," an NFT service for IP holders.
