The highly anticipated anime adaptation of the Shinsei Galverse NFT project is gearing up for its summer debut, and the team has revealed key staff members. Founded by Ayaka Ohira, the Tokyo-based project is bringing its unique vision to the screen, promising a fresh take on anime with roots in the Web3 community.
A Fusion of Nostalgia and Innovation
Shinsei Galverse is not just another anime project; it’s an innovative crossover of nostalgic 90s design, gyaru subculture, and neo-digital NFT elements. The anime explores the intersection of these worlds, presenting a story with “badass cyborg Gals” at its core. The project originated as an NFT collection featuring 8,888 unique Gal characters, which sold out in a few hours in April 2022, becoming a breakout Web3 success in Japan.
The Creative Minds Behind the Anime
The anime is directed by Shinsei Galverse founder Ayaka Ohira at S.o.K. Ohira is also credited as the creator and chief director. The creative team includes:
- Co-Director: Yūta Takamura ( JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable, The Most Notorious “Talker” Runs the World’s Greatest Clan )
- Scriptwriters: Natsuko Takahashi (Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, My Love Story!!, Anne Shirley) and Masahiro Okubo (Cardfight!! Vanguard overDress, Cardfight!! Vanguard will+Dress)
- Character Designer: Satoshi Ishino (Puni Puni Poemy, Tokyo Mew Mew New)
- Sub-Character Designer: Momo Nagayama
- Prop Designer: Ryō Hirata
- Background Art: Yang Liu (Ogura Kobo)
- Color Key Artist: Miyoko Ichinose
- Compositing Director of Photography: Tsai Po Lun
- Editor: Kentarō Tsubone
- Sound Director: Jin Aketagawa
- Sound Effects: Tsutomu Ueno
- Producer: ARCH
The Origin of Shinsei Galverse
Shinsei Galverse emerged from the creative minds of Ayaka Ohira and Emi Kusano, who met in 2018. Bonded by their shared love for fashion, Showa-era anime, and the “Gal” mindset, they envisioned creating an anime that celebrated badass women. The Galverse team also includes Devin Mancuso and Jack Baldwin.
The “Gal” subculture, known for its headstrong and optimistic outlook, serves as a core inspiration for the project. Ayaka Ohira aims to promote the gyaru culture to a wider audience. She emphasizes that it’s about living by one’s own values.
Community-Powered Production
Shinsei Galverse is unique in its community-driven approach. The project engages its strong fanbase in the anime’s creation through “WAGMAA” (We’re All Gonna Make an Anime). This initiative allows community members to contribute to various aspects of production, including art, design, marketing, and writing. Their input directly influences the final product, with opportunities for digital collectible characters to appear, outfit designs to be refined by professionals, and community-written lines to be included in the script.
The Galverse team provides transparency throughout the production process, sharing behind-the-scenes content and updates from their Tokyo studio. This level of openness is rare in the anime industry, fostering a close relationship between creators and fans.
The World of Shinsei Galverse
The story of Shinsei Galverse revolves around a holy planet that explodes into 8,888 shards, each transforming into a Gal who brings peace to all cultures. The anime reimagines classic anime tropes with a focus on strong female characters, blending nostalgia with a fresh perspective.
The project draws inspiration from the anime aesthetic of the early Heisei period (90s), characterized by highly saturated colors, sharply outlined characters, and distinctive facial features. However, it distinguishes itself by avoiding the over-eroticized portrayals of women common in that era.
From NFTs to Anime and Beyond
The Shinsei Galverse NFT collection was more than just digital art; it was a means to fund and co-create an original IP. The success of the NFT launch demonstrated the potential of Web3 to support creative endeavors and bypass traditional publishing structures.
The project’s embrace of secondary creation sets it apart from many Japanese animation companies that typically restrict fan-made works. Shinsei Galverse encourages fans to create their own content around the anime, fostering a vibrant community of creators.
Embracing Technology and AI
Shinsei Galverse integrates next-generation technology, including digital collectibles, VTubers, and custom AI, to enhance its storytelling and community engagement. The team has even developed an AI tool called MAMA AI, trained on Ayaka Ohira’s illustrations, to allow anyone to expand the lore and universe of Galverse.
A Glimpse into the Future of Anime
Shinsei Galverse represents a new wave in the anime scene, merging the virtual world of NFTs with traditional animation. By empowering its community and embracing technological innovation, the project is redefining the relationship between creators and fans and pushing the boundaries of anime production.
As the summer debut approaches, anticipation is building for this unique and innovative anime project. Shinsei Galverse promises to be a visually stunning and narratively compelling addition to the anime landscape, driven by its passionate community and a vision of empowering badass Gals in a galaxy far, far away.
