In recent days, the world has been abuzz with anticipation surrounding the highly sought-after Azuki Elementals mint. This unique collection has captured the imagination of many, generating immense fascination and intrigue.
The Azuki Elementals marks the third installment in the rapidly expanding Azuki universe, joining the ranks of the original Azuki Genesis collection and the popular Beanz series. Divided into four elemental domains—Lightning, Earth, Water, and Fire—this collection comprises 20,000 NFTs. The first 10,000 Elementals were airdropped to Azuki holders to kick off the release during the project’s recent Vegas event. The remaining NFTs were made available for sale during today’s Elementals mint.
The minting process commenced at 9:00 a.m. PT exclusively for Azuki holders, followed by a window for Beanz holders at 9:10 a.m. PT. Although a public auction had been planned, the overwhelming demand for Elementals resulted in all 10,000 NFTs being sold out for a staggering 20,000 ETH during the Beanz minting period, preventing the collection from reaching public sale.
Feedback on the Mint
The minting event evoked many reactions, with numerous enthusiastic Azuki holders expressing their delight over successfully minting their desired NFTs. However, despite their punctuality, some individuals voiced frustration as they could not secure a mint. Notably, there was no minting cap imposed on Azuki holders during the pre-sale, leading to instances where a handful of users managed to mint more than 10 Elementals. Astonishingly, one user even coined an unprecedented 332 Elementals. Conversely, several Beanz holders were disappointed as they could not partake in the mint.
Artistic Unveiling
Following the reveal of the meticulously detailed anime art, the reception within the community varied significantly. Some users, such as RhudiNFT, expressed their dissatisfaction, asserting that the art style of the Elementals collection closely resembled that of the original Azuki collection, potentially diminishing the latter’s value.
Conversely, AshRobin, an Azuki holder, stated on Twitter that the Elementals collection incorporated new traits while maintaining the familiar art style of the Azuki universe. Notably, the Elementals introduced animal features and kid versions of the Azukis, with six distinct subtypes: classic, kid, frog, red panda, sloth, and cat.
Comparisons to Yuga
Interestingly, numerous observers have drawn intriguing parallels between Azuki and Yuga, likening Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) to Azuki, Mutant Ape Yacht Club (MAYC) to Elementals, and Bored Ape Kennel Club (BAKC) to Beanz. Yuga and Azuki have solidified their positions as blue-chip projects, featuring multiple collections within their respective ecosystems. While these comparisons are understandable, the Azuki community firmly asserts its unique identity and roadmap, emphasizing that its mission and plans are distinct from and not mere replicas of other projects.
Forging Their Path
As projects navigate the ever-evolving landscape of the digital art world, one fact remains clear: the Azuki community is not merely following a predefined trail but is actively carving out its path. Azuki is determined to establish a distinctive identity and legacy, shaping its narrative within digital art.
