- Animoca Brands has invested in Astar Network to accelerate the growth of Soneium — an Ethereum Layer-2 developed by Sony for next-gen entertainment and Web3 experiences.
- This partnership will bring iconic Japanese and Asian IP onchain, power identity layers like Anime ID, and onboard millions of users through creator-first initiatives like Anime Art Fest.
Animoca Brands, a global heavyweight in blockchain-based gaming and digital property rights, has made a strategic investment in Japan’s Astar Network—strengthening a growing alliance between Web3 innovation and traditional entertainment giants like Sony. The move is a clear signal of Animoca’s intent to anchor its next growth phase in Asia, leveraging Astar’s deep ties in Japan and its Ethereum Layer-2 solution, Soneium, developed in collaboration with Sony Group.
The announcement comes as Animoca Brands prepares for a U.S. listing, capitalizing on more favorable regulatory momentum in the country under the Trump administration. As U.S. lawmakers increasingly warm to digital assets—particularly those related to intellectual property (IP), gaming, and tokenized identity—Animoca is positioning itself at the convergence of blockchain technology and entertainment.
Why It Matters? This partnership underscores a larger trend of convergence between traditional entertainment conglomerates and decentralized platforms. With Animoca’s investment, Astar becomes a centerpiece in a regional Web3 strategy that spans infrastructure, IP monetization, creator onboarding, and digital identity. The initiative could redefine how entertainment IP is owned, accessed, and monetized—reshaping fan engagement and creator economics not just in Asia, but globally.
A Strategic Alliance for Entertainment IP in Web3
Founded as a hub for Web3 adoption in Japan, Astar Network is now doubling down on its mission to build entertainment-first blockchain infrastructure. The newly announced partnership will focus on deploying Japanese and broader Asian intellectual property onchain, a domain where Animoca already holds one of the world’s largest investment portfolios, with over 540 projects.
Soneium, Astar’s Ethereum-based Layer-2 network developed by Sony’s blockchain division, is central to this strategy. It offers scalable infrastructure for entertainment experiences and consumer-facing applications. Now, with Animoca’s backing, it will integrate Anime ID—a digital identity and reputation layer co-developed by Animoca’s Moca Network and its creative partner San FranTokyo.
“Soneium represents Sony’s next frontier in entertainment tech,” said a Tokyo-based blockchain researcher who follows the Japanese gaming and entertainment industries. “With Animoca onboard, there’s a real shot at making Japan’s cultural IP dominant in the global Web3 space.”
Anime, Art, and Mass Adoption
At the heart of the collaboration is a shared ambition to use IP—particularly anime and game-based narratives—as a gateway to broader Web3 adoption. One example is the “Anime Art Fest” initiative, hosted on Soneium, which aims to onboard artists and creators into the ecosystem through tokenized campaigns and rewards. By tapping into Japan’s globally admired anime culture, the partners hope to make blockchain platforms more accessible and culturally relevant.
Yat Siu, executive chairman and co-founder of Animoca Brands, emphasized the regional and thematic alignment: “Astar’s focus on onchain entertainment IP, particularly in Japan and Asia, presents a unique opportunity to accelerate global Web3 adoption.”
The potential scope of the partnership could soon include a dedicated fund focused on IP and entertainment-driven blockchain ventures—a move that would likely appeal to institutional investors eyeing diversified exposure in the evolving Web3 creator economy.
ASTR Token at the Core
Fueling this cross-ecosystem expansion is the ASTR token, which acts as the native asset across both the Astar and Soneium networks. It supports developer incentives, governance, and liquidity provisions—providing a unified token economy that connects creators, users, and infrastructure providers.
Sota Watanabe, founder of Astar Network, said Animoca’s involvement validates Astar’s strategic direction. “Their support confirms that our efforts are contributing to the long-term success of blockchain and digital assets,” he said.
Astar’s broader technical foundation is based on Polkadot and Polygon, allowing it to function as a highly interoperable chain while remaining Japan’s dominant blockchain platform. Through its dual integration with Sony and Animoca, Astar now sits at the crossroads of institutional blockchain infrastructure and creative culture-led innovation.
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