Sony Group is backing the first officially licensed NFT project based on The Seven Deadly Sins anime film Cursed by Light, with the project being released through a collaboration between entertainment tech company YOAKE and global NFT marketplace OpenSea. The release is backed by Sony Group through Soneium, its in-house Ethereum Layer-2 network.
This marks the first time the Seven Deadly Sins franchise, created by Nakaba Suzuki and published by KODANSHA, has been used in a blockchain-based digital collectible offering. The release features a digital artwork based on a scene from the 2021 movie, featuring Meliodas and Zeldris.
The drop went live on March 25 at 5:00 AM GMT, and will be available exclusively through OpenSea for a 72-hour window.
Sony’s Role: From Infrastructure to IP
While Sony Group is not the direct issuer of the NFTs, the company is deeply involved in the release through two major channels:
- Sony Block Solutions Labs, a Sony subsidiary, developed Soneium, the blockchain network on which the project is built.
- YOAKE, the issuing company and a Sony-backed joint venture, was created through a partnership among four Japanese entertainment firms (ASOBISYSTEM, TWIN PLANET, Y&N Brothers, and W TOKYO), with Sony as a strategic partner.
Soneium is described as “a versatile general-purpose blockchain platform that aims to evoke emotion, empower creativity, and realize the open internet that transcends boundaries.”
The new project is also supported by Web3 infrastructure firm Startale, which facilitated the IP licensing and blockchain integration.
The project follows other recent moves by Sony to expand its digital media capabilities. Earlier this year, Sony also acquired a 10% stake in KADOKAWA CORPORATION in a 50 billion yen (~$319 million USD) deal, giving it deeper access to one of Japan’s largest catalogs of anime, manga, and light novel content.
More ‘Iconic’ Releases Teased
YOAKE says that holders of the digital collectible may be eligible for early access to future releases or digital experiences, such as livestreams or exclusive content. While the assets are issued using blockchain infrastructure, the company has emphasized the officially licensed nature of the release and has mentioned potential future digital perks for holders. They also tease more anime collaborations, saying that more ‘iconic’ releases are coming in the future.
Sota Moriyama, Chief Business Officer at YOAKE, said:
YOAKE is committed to pushing web3 adoption through the power of culture, and there’s no better way to bring this vision to life than by introducing officially licensed anime collectibles onchain. With our upcoming Seven Deadly Sins collection and more iconic releases to follow, we’re redefining how fans engage with the stories they love.
Devin Finzer, CEO of OpenSea, also issued a statement.
“We’re proud to bring an iconic series like The Seven Deadly Sins to global fans through a trusted platform.”
Context Note on NFTs and Blockchain
While this release is officially licensed and backed by major companies including Sony Group, it’s worth noting that NFTs and blockchain-based digital assets have been subject to major criticism and concern in recent years. These concerns range from speculative pricing and numerous consumer scams, to environmental impact (particularly with older blockchain technologies), and unclear long-term value for digital ownership.
As with any digital platform involving purchases or new technology, readers are advised to research and proceed with caution, especially if unfamiliar with blockchain-based systems or digital asset wallets.
What Is Being Released?
- Title: YOAKE & The Seven Deadly Sins Anime Series
- Based on: Scene from The Seven Deadly Sins: Cursed by Light (2021)
- Where: Exclusively on OpenSea
- When: March 25, 2025 at 5:00 AM GMT for 72 hours
- Blockchain: Soneium (developed by Sony Block Solutions Labs)
- Price: 0.002 ETH (~market equivalent), no cap on editions minted during window
The release is distributed through OpenSea, which typically requires a digital wallet to access blockchain-based collectibles.
About The Seven Deadly Sins
The original The Seven Deadly Sins manga ran in Kodansha’s Weekly Shonen Magazine from October 2012 to March 2020, getting collected into 41 volumes. Its anime adaptation got four TV anime seasons and two movies. A-1 Pictures animated the first two seasons and the Prisoners in the Sky movie, while studio DEEN took over for the other two seasons and the Cursed by Light movie.
Four Knights of the Apocalypse is the direct sequel to Nakaba Suzuki’s The Seven Deadly Sins series. The manga began serialization in 2021 immediately after the original series concluded, and it is currently ongoing. Twenty volumes have been released as of February 17, 2025.
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Source: Press Release
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