Soccer kid kicks into the meta-universe, and comics make an impact in the meta-universe!
- Ethan 劉呈顥
- May 1
- 4 min read
The Influence of Comic IP
Manga is an art form that uses drawings to tell stories or express ideas, and it has rich expressive power and infectious power, which is very popular among people.
The earliest manga originated in Japan, and from being a hobby of a few people, it has become a common reading material for people nowadays, and has caused far-reaching influence on the whole world.
800 years ago, the Japanese imitated Chinese paintings and used an exaggerated style of expression, which was then called “Toba-e” (bird feather painting).
During the Kamakura period, it was popular to draw on long hand scrolls, which developed into today's comic strips.
Image Source: mag.japaaan
To this day, the popularity of manga is not limited to Japan; comics from various countries also have their own unique characteristics.
The basic components of Japanese manga include the arrangement of different panels, character development, background settings, speech balloons, sound effects, manga symbols, dialogue lines, and other technical techniques. The reading direction is from top to bottom and from right to left, which is consistent with the traditional Japanese writing direction.
American comics are characterized by vibrant colors, bold lines, and rich brushstrokes. They excel at capturing facial expressions and typically portray a rougher, more muscular aesthetic.
They tend to present a rugged and realistic style. Whether in characters or scenes, large areas of black shading are often used, creating a strong visual impact.
American comics also frequently employ exaggerated techniques, especially in fight scenes and character portrayals—elements that are closely tied to the unique traits of the characters themselves.
Image Source: Ruten Marketplace
As for Hong Kong comics, the "thin-format Hong Kong comics" (薄裝港漫) are considered the most representative type. These are full-color comics averaging 32 or 48 pages in size, typically measuring 7.5 by 10.75 inches.
The most common genre in Hong Kong comics is martial arts hero comics, such as Oriental Heroes (《龍虎門》) by Wong Yuk-long.
Japanese Manga Captain Tsubasa Kicks into the Metaverse
The manga industry is not only thriving globally but is also establishing a strong presence in the metaverse.
The iconic Japanese manga Captain Tsubasa, which has profoundly influenced countless Japanese soccer players, has now launched its own unique experience on The Sandbox.
Image Source: The Sandbox
On this metaverse platform, you can collect football-related resources and complete a variety of exciting challenge missions.。
Image Source: The Sandbox
Unleash unstoppable slide tackles on the football field, stealing the ball from your opponents as if you were Captain Tsubasa yourself—ready to deliver a proud and powerful kick.擊。
Image Source: The Sandbox
Finally, stand alongside Tsubasa Ozora at the highest point of the football field, overlooking the entire pitch, and witness him deliver a stunning overhead kick.
Image Source: The Sandbox
In addition, during this experience on The Sandbox, you can also explore a collection of character avatars from Captain Tsubasa! There are a total of 2,060 avatars, including those from the original series, such as Tsubasa Ozora's school team "Nankatsu," Kojiro Hyuga's school team "Toho," and exclusive goalkeeper avatars unique to the series.
的Image Source: The Sandbox
The Impact and Transformation of the Metaverse on the Manga Industry
In the future metaverse, how might the manga industry evolve, and what applications could emerge for manga IPs?
Nspace outlines several possibilities, exploring how NFTs can bridge manga IPs and players:
Owning Evolving Card Series NFTs
One of the main attractions of NFTs is their irreplaceability and uniqueness, supported by blockchain technology. This enables the creation of evolving card series NFTs, much like how characters in manga grow and develop over time.
Smart contracts can be programmed with rules—such as based on transaction frequency, holding duration, or completion of specific tasks—to gradually upgrade the NFT's level.
For instance, in Captain Tsubasa, perhaps in the future, by participating in The Sandbox experience and completing specific missions, you can upgrade your NFT—from a fan to a super substitute, then to the original eleven, and finally to the captain—transforming it into a unique virtual asset.
This interactivity not only enhances the collectible value of NFTs but also allows for trading, offering manga fans a distinctive experience.
Image Source: The Sandbox
2. Enhancing Interaction Between Manga, Fans, and Fan Communities
Through the trading records and asset transfers of NFTs, more interactive opportunities can be established—not only between manga IPs and fans but also among fans themselves.
When fans engage in the evolution process of NFTs, their loyalty to the manga increases, as they experience interactive scenarios within the metaverse and resonate more deeply with the storyline.
At the same time, completing specific games or challenges may earn special NFTs as rewards. These NFTs can be exchanged with other fans, fostering a more interactive and engaged fan community. This interactivity elevates fans from mere readers to active participants, allowing them to delve deeper into and experience the world of manga.
Conclusion
As a pioneer in the metaverse, The Sandbox hopes to bring more players, creators, brands, and IP celebrities into the metaverse in the future, leveraging the power of Web3 to provide education, social experiences, and events.
As more people join The Sandbox, the platform's global influence will continue to expand, bringing a brighter future for virtual creation and the development of virtual worlds.
If you are a brand looking to expand into global markets, create brand awareness and value, and integrate online and offline marketing to create infinite possibilities, you can contact nspace's official page.
nspace is a company specializing in creating Web3 experiences for brands. We offer land buying/renting and asset construction services in The Sandbox, as well as marketing and planning for brands and products.
Image Source: The Sandbox
nspace's Collaborations and Initiatives in the Metaverse
nspace has assisted Shin Kong Life Insurance in participating in The Sandbox's MegaCity3 land issuance, utilizing "Jinbao" as a Premium Asset. Additionally, nspace is set to launch its own experience within The Sandbox later this year. Nspace Media
If you're interested in learning how to operate VoxEdit, design within The Sandbox, build assets, and own your creations, you can click the link below to explore more course content and embark on your journey to become a metaverse designer:
For more information about Web3, you can join the nspace community:
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