Animoca Brands Japan and XANA Collaborate for Web3 Expansion of BreakingDown Martial Arts Event

Animoca Brands Japan's Strategic Partnership

Animoca Brands Japan, a key subsidiary of the global Web3 company Animoca Brands, has announced a strategic partnership with XANA LLC, the creators of the XANA metaverse. This collaboration aims to propel the global development of XANA BreakingDown, a Web3 game that integrates elements from the popular Japanese martial arts event, BreakingDown. The partnership marks a significant step in expanding the Web3 ecosystem by leveraging Japanese intellectual property (IP) on a global scale, according to Animoca Brands.

The Popularity of BreakingDown

BreakingDown is a renowned mixed martial arts event in Japan, known for its unique one-minute round format and diverse fighter backgrounds. Launched in 2021 by Asakura Mirai, a prominent mixed martial artist and YouTuber, the event quickly gained a substantial following. As of January 2025, the BreakingDown YouTube channel boasts over 206,000 subscribers and more than 110 million views. The event's appeal lies in its dynamic and unpredictable matchups, which continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

Web3 Integration and NFT Success

In a bid to merge the excitement of martial arts with cutting-edge technology, XANA introduced the "XANA x BreakingDown Avatar NFT" collection. The initial NFT sales were a resounding success, with the first batch of 5,000 NFTs selling out in just ten minutes. This success paved the way for the closed alpha release of the XANA BreakingDown game in January 2024, accessible exclusively to NFT holders. The game is a new genre that combines the thrill of real matches with the interactive nature of Web3 gaming.

Global Expansion Efforts

Animoca Brands Japan is poised to leverage its extensive portfolio and expertise in Web3 projects to support the international marketing efforts for XANA BreakingDown. The company aims to act as a conduit between Japan and the global market, fostering the adoption of Web3 by promoting Japanese IPs and facilitating overseas projects' entry into Japan. Kensuke Amo, CEO of Animoca Brands Japan, expressed enthusiasm for supporting BreakingDown's global Web3 expansion, highlighting the event's potential to accelerate Web3 adoption.

Leadership Insights

Yuji Mizoguchi, COO of BreakingDown and CEO of XANA JAPAN, emphasized the project's goal to enhance the entertainment value of BreakingDown through Web3 technology. Rio Takeshi Kubo, XANA CEO, expressed confidence in the partnership with Animoca Brands Japan, citing their strong global network and innovative approach as key factors in the project's anticipated success. Both leaders are optimistic about the potential of this collaboration to redefine the intersection of martial arts and Web3.