Shinsei Galverse
Okay, particular anime often caught my attention, and I didn't do anything with them. They get put on the shelf or on the back burner. Part of that is because there's so much content. It's challenging to keep up with everything unless you're an octopus created by AI with six fingers, six toes, and six eyes, though even then, you probably can't get it done. Nevertheless, several series have still captured my attention, and given the current rate of releases for 2025, I wonder if this summer will feature some of the best of them.
So on Thursday, May 8, 2025, it was announced that Shinsei Galverse, an original anime project based on a Web3/NFT initiative, would be dropping this summer. I had never heard of either the anime or the NFT initiative. I would ask whether NFTs are relevant, but the spam texts I receive answer that question adequately: Wagami Labs, the Tokyo-based NFT, blockchain, and Web3 development company behind the project.
Shinsei Galverse began as an NFT project featuring "8,888 badass Gals shooting across time and space to make the galaxy a better place." According to the creators, the goal is to empower the community with next-generation technology, including digital collectibles, VTubers, and custom AI to tell its unique story. That sounds good. It's almost like a pitch for venture capital and crowdfunding support— like they want to become the next Washington Redskins. From what I have read, it may be better than that, as, according to an article by Yokogao, Shinsei Galverse is a new kind of anime originating from an NFT project that went on sale in April 2022; all 8,888 NFTs were sold in just a few hours. It became Japan’s first breakout Web3 success and secured the #1 position in OpenSea’s NFT ranking for days after its release.
The mixture of tech and entertainment piques my interest, as I dabble in tech much like Mickey dabbles with magic in Fantasia. If the team can execute it and bring their vision to fruition, this approach could be a new way to secure funding for various projects. The anime production has been in development for some time, with the team previously sharing that the storyboards comprised 189 hand-drawn pages. The project has engaged its community through what they call "WAGMAA" (We're Gonna Make An Anime), allowing NFT holders to contribute to the anime's development process. The 8,000-strong global fandom is an active collaborator in its creation. Imagine fans suggesting ideas for character outfits, helping to name planets, or even contributing to marketing concepts—that’s the WAGMAA spirit in action. The creators offer unprecedented behind-the-scenes access, turning the entire journey of anime production into a shared, transparent adventure.
The Galverse anime explores an unusual gap where nostalgic 90s design, gyaru subculture, and neo-digital NFT elements intersect in a powerful crossover, which piqued my interest. The 90s design primarily sparked my interest, and when I came across the announcement article, I also discovered the video above. In 2023, Shinsei Galverse collaborated with singer Tove Lo on an animated music video for her song "I like u." I instantly thought of Revolutionary Girl Utena when I first saw the video. Released in 1997, Shoujo Kakumei Utena was praised for its story. It explores complex themes including self-identity at the crossroads of adolescence and adulthood, gender roles, and the search for meaning outside traditional relationships.
The Galverse may also channel similar energy. The 8,888 Gals, designed to be a beacon of diversity and a stereotype-smasher, have a spectrum of hairstyles and skin colors, including otherworldly hues like vivid purples and greens. Director Ayaka Hira reflects her profound vision of a world free from discrimination in the 8,888 Gals, where anyone can step into the spotlight and be the main character irrespective of appearance. The original NFTs were built with over 2,000 individual traits spread across 22 layers, allowing for an astonishing degree of uniqueness and variety. Ōhira even aims to portray the Gals as beings beyond conventional gender assignments, further breaking down traditional character molds.
The Shinsei Galverse anime centers on Zero, a mysterious protagonist who crash-lands on the war-torn planet Amatera, her memory wiped clean. Amid a devastating conflict threatening all life, Zero joins forces with a resistance leader named Ring. Their mission? To uncover the truth behind the relentless Gevuran invaders and, perhaps more importantly, to solve the mystery surrounding Zero's extraordinary cosmic identity as a "Galverse." Some early materials mentioned an "evil organization called the Space End Society." The primary antagonists appear to be the Gevurans. The original NFT lore speaks of a "Goddess of Galverse" who shattered into 8,888 Gal shards, each carrying a mission of peace, and will likely play a crucial role in Zero’s journey of self-discovery.
Thematic Elements
Looking beyond the stylistic elements and production details, Shinsei Galverse explores several profound themes that give the anime a more profound meaning. The most prominent theme is the anti-war message that reflects Ohira's background. When Zero arrives at the war-torn planet Amatera, she exclaims, “How awful is it for the same lifeforms to be fighting against each other!” This sentiment directly questions whether violence can truly combat violence, a theme that resonates throughout the narrative. Another central theme is identity and self-discovery. Zero's journey to uncover her cosmic identity as a “Galverse” mirrors the broader questions of self-identity explored in Revolutionary Girl Utena. The concept of the “Goddess of Galverse” shattering into 8,888 Gal shards suggests themes of fragmentation and wholeness- how individual pieces contribute to a greater purpose.
The series also incorporates themes of diversity and inclusion through its character designs. By creating characters without conventional gender assignments and with a broad spectrum of appearances, Ohira makes a thematic statement about breaking down traditional boundaries and stereotypes. This approach uses visual symbolism to reinforce the theme of acceptance and celebration of differences. The community-driven production process becomes a meta-theme, suggesting that creation is not limited to a single visionary but can be enhanced through collective contribution. It mirrors how the 8,888 Gals each carry a piece of the goddess's mission of peace."
Handling the anime’s direction is Ayaka Ōhira. She is the creator and chief director at animation studio S.o. K. According to the search results, she formerly worked on traditional cel-animated series under the guidance of Yōji Kuri and Manabu Ōhashi. She directed music videos for m-flo, JP THE WAVY, and CHAI before founding the Galverse project. She also created a music video for YOASOBI and Hatsune Miku. The production team also includes several industry veterans: Yūta Takamura (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable) as co-director, Natsuko Takahashi (Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, My Love Story!!), and Masahiro Okubo (Cardfight!! Vanguard overDress) handling the scripts.
Satoshi Ishino, known for his work on Tokyo Mew Mew New, is the character designer. The anime also boasts art direction from the Ogura Atelier studio (Ghost in the Shell), with Yang Liu drawing the background art. Other notable staff include Miyoko Ichinose as the color key artist, Tsai Po Lun as the compositing director of photography, and Jin Aketagawa as the sound director. Momo Nagayama is credited as the sub-character designer alongside Satoshi Ishino; Ryō Hirata is designing the props; Kentarō Tsubone is the editor; Tsutomu Ueno is credited for sound effects (while Jin Aketagawa is indeed the sound director); and ARCH is credited as the producer.
The OVA (Original Video Animation). As stated above, it will be released in summer 2025 and available on YouTube and other streaming platforms. Ayaka Ōhira has that old-school song in her bones, having sat under the guidance of Yōji Kuri and Manabu Ōhashi, and her passion for cyberpunk aesthetics inspired by works like Akira and Ghost in the Shell, Shinsei Galverse promises to deliver a unique anime experience that bridges the gap between nostalgia and innovation. It's a nostalgic throwback to 90s anime aesthetics while incorporating modern Web3 elements, describing their style as inspired by "nostalgic Showa-era anime." If the video is any indication, I am excited and eagerly anticipate this endeavor's growth.
The images used are from the video Tove Lo—I like you (Official Music Video) and the upcoming Shinsei Galverse OVA.
To learn more and follow updates, visit www.galverse.art or Galverse on social media at @GalverseAnime and @GalverseAnimeJP on X and @shinsei.galverse on Instagram.
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