Azuki NFTs have received a lot of attention in the digital art and collectibles world. Inspired by anime, these unique digital items offer more than beautiful art. They allow owners to join an exclusive community and participate in creative movements. In case you’re new to the concept of NFTs or even curious to understand what Azuki is, you should know from here.
In this guide, we explain what Azuki NFTs are, how you can buy them, the pros and cons of owning Azuki NFTs. We will also update you about Azuki’s launching of its own token, ANIME, in January 2025.
What are Azuki NFTs?
Azuki is a collection of 10,000 unique, anime-inspired digital artworks known as NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens). Launched in January 2022 by Chiru Labs, these NFTs are built on the Ethereum blockchain. Each Azuki NFT serves as an avatar and gives you access to “The Garden”. It’s a virtual space where art, culture, and community converge.
There are 10,000 unique avatars with 12 characteristics and 450 different attributes. These NFTs fall into four categories: Spirit, Red, Blue, and Human. Spirit is the rarest, as there are only 97 in existence. Some benefits to owning Azuki NFTs are streetwear collaborations, live events, and NFT drops, among other things. The example of the first physical drop is a limited-edition Twin Tigers Jacket, supposedly worth $2,000, given free to Azuki members.
In March 2022, all Azuki holders received “Azuki Beanz” as airdrops. The Beanz collection is made up of 19,950 NFTs that are the sidekicks to Azuki avatars. These Beanz NFTs are available on marketplaces such as OpenSea and offer an entry into the Azuki universe at a more affordable price, with a current floor price much lower than Azuki NFTs.
Who’s Behind Azuki NFTs?
Azuki NFTs were created by Chiru Labs, it’s a Los Angeles-based team of artists and developers with backgrounds in crypto, technology, and gaming. The team includes pseudonymous members such as 2pm.flow, location tba, and HoshiBoy, led by ex-big tech entrepreneur Zagabond.
In May 2022, Zagabond announced that he had actually participated in three previous NFT projects, known as Tendies, CryptoZunks, and CryptoPhunks. Unfortunately, the said projects have since been discontinued. This raised much controversy from within the NFT community for alleged dishonesty and mismanagement on his part.
Despite this, Chiru Labs has continued to develop the Azuki brand. In October 2024, they acquired the domain Anime.com to expand their digital footprint. In January 2025, they announced plans to launch the $ANIME token, aiming to enhance their entertainment division and build an anime community interaction.
Pros of Azuki NFTs
- Unique Art Style: The Azuki NFT collection features eye-catching anime-style designs, loved by fans of Japanese art and culture.
- Special Community Access: Owning an Azuki NFT gives you entry to “The Garden,” where you can enjoy exclusive events, NFT drops, and unique merchandise.
- Advanced Technology: Azuki uses Physical Backed Tokens (PBT) to connect physical items with digital ownership on the blockchain, offering something new and exciting.
- High Value: Azuki NFTs are highly valued in the market, making them a popular choice among collectors.
- Extra Benefits: Owners get perks like special merchandise, events, and even free airdrops, such as the Beanz collection.
Cons of Azuki NFTs
- Expensive: The high price of Azuki NFTs makes them hard to afford for many people.
- Unstable Market: The value of NFTs, including Azuki, can go up and down quickly, which can be risky for Azuki NFT holders.
- Past Issues: The founder’s involvement in older failed projects has raised questions about trust.
What Makes Azuki Unique?
Azuki NFTs are unique because they bring together stunning anime-style artwork and innovative technology. The collection features 10,000 digital avatars inspired by Japanese anime, with designs that stand out for their detailed and creative aesthetics.
Owning an Azuki NFT isn’t just about the art – it’s about being part of an exclusive community called “The Garden”. This is a virtual space where creators, artists, and enthusiasts collaborate and connect. Members enjoy perks like limited-edition NFT drops, exclusive streetwear, and access to live events.
Azuki also introduced something called Physical Backed Tokens (PBT), which link physical items to digital tokens on the blockchain. This means you can prove ownership of real-world items in a secure and decentralized way.
Azuki has also made a big splash in the market. Since its launch, it has generated significant sales and continues to be a sought-after NFT collection, with many pieces valued highly by collectors. This combination of beautiful art, community benefits, and innovative features makes Azuki unique in the NFT market.
Partnerships
Azuki has formed powerful alliances that will help strengthen the brand, expanding its user base. A good example is its collaboration with Epik High, a legendary South Korean hip-hop band. The band partnered with Azuki to emphasize and celebrate the work of Asian and Asian-American artists. As part of Coachella 2022, the group performed live on stage while projecting Azuki NFTs into the crowd.
Another key collaboration is with RTFKT, the creators of the Clone X NFT collection. RTFKT has announced a streetwear collaboration with Azuki, bringing together both brands’ creative energy. Azuki is also partnering with Ledger, a company that specializes in secure hardware wallets, through its BEANZ collection.
How to Buy Azuki NFTs?
Step 1: Set Up a Digital Wallet
The first thing you need to purchase an Azuki NFT is a digital wallet. The wallet is where you’ll store your NFTs and cryptocurrency. It’s easy to set up popular wallets such as MetaMask or Coinbase Wallet. You simply download the app or browser extension, create your wallet by following the instructions, and then save your seed phrase.
Step 2: Cryptocurrency Ether (ETH)
Now, buy Ethereum (ETH). You can use the best crypto exchanges such as Coinbase, Binance, or MEXC to buy ETH. After buying, transfer the ETH to your wallet by copying your wallet address and sending the ETH from the exchange to that address.
Step 3: Select a NFT Marketplace
After your wallet is funded with ETH, navigate to an NFT marketplace like OpenSea or Blur. These websites are platforms in which you can buy and sell Azuki NFTs. Click the “Connect Wallet” button to link your wallet to the marketplace.
Step 4: Locate the Azuki NFTs
Now, you can search for Azuki NFTs on the marketplace. Be sure to look for the official Azuki collection, marked with a verified badge, so you know you’re buying the right one.
Step 5: Buy the Azuki NFT
When you come across an NFT, you simply click on it to see further details. In case the price is fixed, you just need to click “Buy Now”. If it’s an auction, you have to place a bid. You’ll confirm the transaction in your wallet and pay for the gas fees.
Azuki NFT Floor Price
The floor price for Azuki NFTs is approximately 13 ETH, with a 24-hour trading volume of 1,693 ETH and 161 sales (Source: Coingecko). This indicates a strong market presence and active trading within the Azuki NFT community.
Azuki’s own Token ANIME Will Be Launched in January 2025
Azuki is set to launch its own cryptocurrency, the ANIME token, in January 2025.
The total supply of ANIME tokens is capped at 10 billion, with an initial circulating supply of approximately 7.69 billion tokens.
- Community Allocation (50.5%): This includes the Azuki Community (37.5%), recognizing early supporters, this substantial portion is fully unlocked at launch, enabling immediate participation. And, the Community Cultivation (13%), managed by the forthcoming AnimeDAO, these tokens will fund community incentives and initiatives.
- Animecoin Foundation (24.44%): Dedicated to grant programs and initiatives that bridge the anime industry with the broader crypto community.
- Team, Contractors, and Advisors (15.62%): Allocated to early contributors, with a vesting schedule over three years.
- Azuki Company (7.44%): Subject to a three-year vesting period, this allocation underscores the company’s long-term dedication to the project’s development.
- Partner Communities (2%): Reserved for collaborations with entities like the Arbitrum Communities and Kaito Yappers.
The ANIME token will be launched on both the Ethereum and Arbitrum networks, leveraging their robust infrastructures to ensure security, scalability, and accessibility for users.
To stimulate participation and broaden its reach, the Animecoin Foundation has planned several initiatives:
- Airdrops: Collaborations with platforms like Hyperliquid will offer ANIME tokens to HYPE stakers.
- Yap-to-Earn Program: This innovative approach incentivizes users to promote Azuki across social media platforms, fostering organic growth and community-driven marketing.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, these Azuki NFTs are beyond digital art. They are a ticket to your very own special community with cool perks, such as events, merchandise, and new innovations, like the upcoming $ANIME token. For any anime lover, collector, or crypto geek, Azuki offers something different. But always remember to research and understand the risks before investing.
FAQs
Is buying Azuki NFTs profitable?
Buying Azuki NFTs can be profitable, but it depends on the market conditions and timing. Since their launch in January 2022, the value of Azuki NFTs has increased significantly, with the current floor price of around 13 ETH. However, as with all NFTs, the market is volatile, and prices can fluctuate.
What was Azuki’s mint price?
Azuki NFTs were originally minted on January 12, 2022, for 1 ETH. At the time of minting, 1 ETH was worth around $3,372. Since then, the price of Azuki NFTs has risen significantly.
