Chao acknowledged that Azuki faces unique challenges in creating a trading card game compared to established franchises like Pokémon, which benefit from extensive content and lore.

Azuki, the anime-inspired Ethereum NFT collection, is set to launch its Alpha Starter Decks on March 27, 2025, with sales continuing until April 3, 2025.

Each starter deck will be available in red 'Shao' and blue 'Raizan' boxes, priced at $95 in ANIME tokens, and will be exclusive to Azuki community members based on their status level.

Purchasers can choose from three allocation tiers: Grand Tier (1 deck), Legend Tier (up to 4 decks), and Order Tier (up to 8 decks), allowing for potential spending of up to $800.

The game is currently referred to as 'Official Azuki TCG' on social media, with plans for additional starter packs to be released to the public later this year.

Buyers will receive an NFT as proof of purchase, which can be traded prior to the issuance of physical cards, expected no earlier than July 2025.

While the decks will include a rulebook, the full gameplay guide has not yet been released, raising questions about potential pay-to-win mechanics.

The Azuki team has dedicated over one-third of the game's budget to artwork design, with some work outsourced to third-party firms.

Jon Chao, the Games Division Manager for Azuki, has played a crucial role in developing the upcoming trading card game, drawing on his experience from notable companies like Riot Games and Ubisoft.

The eligibility snapshot for purchasing these boxes was taken on March 25, 2025, meaning new participants cannot qualify without owning Azuki NFTs.

Azuki's previous collections, including the controversial Azuki Elementals, have generated significant revenue and led to community initiatives like AzukiDAO, which encountered security challenges in 2023.