The team behind the renowned Azuki NFT collection, Chiru Labs, has officially confirmed the upcoming launch of its native token, $ANIME. Initially announced in December, this token is set to debut before the end of January 2025. Designed to support the Azuki Entertainment Division, the token aims to deepen engagement within the anime-inspired web3 community.
Confirmed Launch Timeline for $ANIME
On January 13, 2025, the official ANIME social media account shared that $ANIME will launch on both the Ethereum and Arbitrum blockchain networks. This launch is a core part of Chiru Labs’ strategy to expand its influence in anime culture through web3 technology. The company also recently acquired the domain Anime.com, signaling a long-term commitment to blending anime aesthetics with blockchain innovation.
Chiru Labs, founded in 2021, is a digital studio focused on advancing anime culture through storytelling and digital collectibles. The term "anime" refers to a distinctive style of animation that originated in Japan, often characterized by vibrant art, dynamic characters, and engaging narratives.
The studio is best known for its NFT collections:
- Azuki: A set of 10,000 anime-themed NFTs.
- Beanz: A collection of 19,950 anime-inspired tokens.
- Azuki Elementals: 20,000 fixed-supply NFTs.
- Elementals Beanz: 5,387 unique digital assets.
All these collections are hosted on the Ethereum blockchain.
$ANIME Tokenomics and Allocation
The total supply of $ANIME will be 10 billion tokens, with an initial circulating supply of 7.69 billion. The tokenomics model emphasizes community rewards and ecosystem growth.
A significant portion—37.5% of the total supply—is allocated to the Azuki NFT community and will be fully unlocked at launch. Another 13% is reserved for community incentives, which will be managed by token holders through a future decentralized autonomous organization (DAO).
Other allocations include:
- 24.44% to the Animecoin Foundation for grants and community programs.
- 15.62% to early contributors, employees, and advisors.
- 7.44% to the parent company, Chiru Labs, subject to a three-year vesting period with a one-year cliff.
- 2% to strategic partners, including Arbitrum communities and Kaito AI users.
Kaito AI is an AI-powered search engine focused on cryptocurrency data. Its "Yap-to-Earn" program encourages users to share crypto-related content for rewards.
👉 Explore more about tokenomics and allocations
Positive Impact on Azuki NFT Ecosystem
Since the announcement, the entire Azuki NFT family has seen increased market activity. Data from CoinGecko confirms notable price increases across all collections:
- Azuki’s floor price rose to 14.8 ETH, an 18% increase.
- Azuki Elementals and Beanz also climbed nearly 20%.
This upward trend reflects strong community anticipation for the token launch and broader adoption of anime-themed digital assets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is $ANIME?
$ANIME is a new utility token launched by Chiru Labs, designed to support the Azuki Entertainment Division and enhance engagement within its anime-themed NFT ecosystem.
When will $ANIME be available?
The token is scheduled for release on Ethereum and Arbitrum blockchains before the end of January 2025.
What is the total supply of the token?
There will be 10 billion $ANIME tokens in total, with 7.69 billion circulating initially.
How can the community participate in governance?
Token holders will eventually manage a portion of the supply through a DAO, allowing them to vote on community incentives and project initiatives.
Which blockchains will support $ANIME?
The token will launch on Ethereum and Arbitrum networks.
What effect has the announcement had on Azuki NFTs?
Floor prices for Azuki, Elementals, and Beanz collections have increased significantly, reflecting positive market sentiment.
The introduction of $ANIME represents a major step in blending anime culture with decentralized technology. With a clear tokenomics model and strong community focus, the project is well-positioned to attract both NFT enthusiasts and anime fans.