Goro Taniguchi, renowned for his work on Code Geass, and Junichi Yamamoto, director of More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers, are making waves in the anime industry with their latest venture. They are collaborating on a new anime series, Enter the Garden, powered by an impressive $100 million NFT collection.

Introducing Enter the Garden

Enter the Garden is an anthology series that merges traditional anime storytelling with the innovative world of NFTs. The first episode, The Waiting Man, introduces viewers to Chiru Labs’ Azuki—a popular NFT image collection featuring thousands of anime-inspired avatars. Launched in 2022, Azuki has quickly become a sensation with a market cap exceeding $100 million.

The anime features an all-star voice cast, including Akari Kito (Nezuko in Demon Slayer) as Haru, Tomokazu Sugita (Gintoki in Gintama) as T.K., and Jun Fukuyama (Lelouch in Code Geass) in a mysterious role. In an interview with CBR, Taniguchi and Yamamoto shared insights into the casting process and the characters these actors bring to life.

Akari Kito as Haru

Junichi Yamamoto revealed that Akari Kito was chosen through a taped audition. Her energetic and vibrant voice perfectly matched the character of Haru, who is described as someone full of vitality and a desire for freedom. Kito’s ability to convey both the cute and cool aspects of Haru made her the ideal choice.

Tomokazu Sugita as T.K.

Yamamoto, having worked with Sugita previously, knew he could capture the complexity of T.K., a character with a mix of coolness and an unexpected cute side represented by a small frog companion. Sugita’s versatility and depth as an actor made him perfect for this dual-natured role.

Jun Fukuyama in a Special Role

Fans of Code Geass will be delighted to see Jun Fukuyama in Enter the Garden. Although he was rumored to voice the blue frog on T.K.’s back, Taniguchi clarified that Fukuyama actually plays a human cop, adding a fun layer of wordplay for Japanese-speaking audiences familiar with his past work.

Ambitious Project with Top Talent

Enter the Garden is not just another anime series; it is an ambitious project bringing together top-tier talent. Legendary video game artist Nishimura Kinu is also part of the team, highlighting the high aspirations and significant resources behind this production.

Taniguchi and Yamamoto see NFTs as a revolutionary force in anime production. Traditionally, anime studios rely on revenue from theatrical releases, broadcasting, and merchandise sales. With NFTs, they are exploring a new model that could change the way anime is funded and distributed. This new approach aims to create a sustainable production model that benefits everyone involved, from creators to fans.

A New Era for Anime

Enter the Garden represents a bold step into the future of anime, blending cutting-edge technology with the beloved art form. By leveraging the power of NFTs, Taniguchi and Yamamoto are not only creating a new series but also pioneering a new way of making and sharing anime globally. Fans can look forward to an exciting new chapter in the world of animation, where technology and creativity come together to redefine the industry.