As of today, Azuki has established itself as a blue chip in the NFT space. But what about the BEANZ collection?

Previously I’ve established that BEANZ will be the catalyst that launches Azuki into the mainstream, and no longer be seen as a shadow of the main collection.

We now get to see this play out with the introduction of Jay and Jelly today from the @BEANZofficial account on Twitter and other platforms:

Aside from being cute and wholesome, what does this growth of Beanz lore mean for the greater Azuki community?

Azuki and the Core Fan-Base

The original 10k collection has helped cement Azuki as the blue chip that it is today. Collectors of Azuki represent the most dedicated fans of the ecosystem, currently sitting at around 5,000 unique wallet addresses.

One of the key perks of the web3 paradigm shift is the growth and shift in the “creator economy”, where brands like Azuki are able to focus on their truest fans in the space. A symbiotic relationship is born between the creators and the core fan base, due to the nature of royalty fees. if played well, the creator is able to stay well funded and continue growing.

Core-fans aside, what about spreading to the masses?

Mass adoption is Inevitable

It is often true that the more we seek something, the less obtainable it becomes. Azuki need not actively pursue mass adoption, however taking the correct steps today will be essential.

Enter the value proposition of Beanz: Every main character has their sidekick!

Personable, relatable, diverse and creative - these sidekicks will appeal far and wide, well beyond the crypto degens and anime enthusiasts alone. Jay and Jelly represent the next logical step after the recently announced partnership with Bilibili International, as the team tries to break into new markets around the world.

Early Adopters are Rewarded

Many of us grew up with legendary IP’s such as Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh. Even the creators of these now-ubiquitous brands did not know the true scale and reach they would one day achieve.

Now, imagine if the early adopters and settlers of these brands were able to truly own a piece of the pie. Imagine if you were able to own the same Pikachu from the very first time you played Pokémon Yellow, for example. And that character was able to follow you throughout the years and through all iterations of the creator’s media.

This fervor of ownership is a big part of the speculation cycles we see in NFTs - for good reason: ownership is everything. It leads us to invest in the brand more heavily, and allows us to reap the rewards when the brand does well.

It’s hard not to be bullish with this model. The creator economy will continue to drive value to both genuine creators and their early adopters.

Jay and Jelly Lead the Way

Today’s activity on the @BEANZofficial account is only just the beginning of something beautiful growing. But it will take time, and cannot be rushed. Growth is never easy and must be allowed to run its course.

Attention is also the name of the game. I have no doubt that Azuki and their now expanding team will continue to push the boundaries of the IP and build new and lasting partnerships. IKZ!