Tatakai, a new anime-style open-world RPG built on blockchain tech, has closed a $7 million angel round led by major players in the space. Announced on November 1st, the funding round includes big names like Tencent, Yield Guild Games (YGG), Immutable, and Metis. This early-stage backing marks a key moment for the Tokyo-based studio as it moves toward full release.

Backed by Leading Blockchain and Gaming Investors

Tatakai's angel round drew support from a mix of gaming, blockchain, and venture firms. The group includes Tencent, YGG, Immutable, Metis, Chainhill Capital, Initiate Capital, Kryptos, Y2Z, and SCI Ventures.

The presence of Tencent and Immutable brings strong validation. Tencent is one of the world's biggest tech firms with deep roots in gaming, while Immutable is known for its web3 gaming infrastructure. YGG and Metis also add depth with their focus on crypto gaming guilds and scaling tools.

According to a joint investor statement, the group backed Tatakai because of its player-first vision and clear technical roadmap. The investors pointed to Tatakai's attempt to merge web2 polish with blockchain-native design.

Tatakai's Game Vision: Open-World, Card-RPG, and NFT Mechanics

Tatakai describes itself as a precision-built card RPG wrapped inside an anime-themed open world. Players form squads of 5 heroes, each styled after classic anime character types. These teams battle through turn-based encounters using skill combos, counter moves, and minion management.

The game also includes exploration zones filled with puzzles, loot, and AI-generated content. Over 100 environmental challenges are spread across varied biomes like volcanic islands, crystal forests, and cyberpunk ruins.

Each hero is an NFT with deep upgrade paths. Players can evolve their heroes, customize looks with AI tools, and unlock special abilities. Weapons and items are crafted from boss drops or earned through challenges. An in-game asset system based on ERC-404 standard powers trading and upgrades in a gasless economy linked to an automated market maker (AMM).

Development Plans Fueled by Fresh Capital

With $7 million now secured, Tatakai plans to move faster on its main goals. This includes speeding up gameplay development, finalizing its web3 infrastructure, and preparing community-focused features. The team is also building out support for governance and early playtests.

The funding will also help Tatakai expand its staff, push marketing, and form new partnerships. According to the announcement, the team is actively hiring developers to scale up its pipeline. Backend work around token use and smart contracts is already underway.

On social media, Tatakai has teased its system architecture and game design. Players on X recently got a first look at the game's art style, hero designs, and combat systems. These reveals helped build early community interest and brought in more engagement.

Strong Support for Hybrid Gameplay and Real Ownership

Tatakai's pitch to players and investors is built around a core idea: combine polished gameplay with real digital ownership. 

This setup has drawn attention from strategic investors. Tencent, YGG, and others see promise in games that move beyond tokens and focus on lasting gameplay. Backers highlighted the game's use of smart contracts to back up its NFT mechanics and its approach to gasless onboarding.

By linking NFT use with actual game systems, like turn-based combat, item upgrades, and marketplace crafting, Tatakai hopes to offer something both playable and ownable.

What Players Can Expect

Tatakai began its beta soft launch on October 25 in select Asian countries. The current build includes AI-driven exploration zones, hero customization, boss dungeons, and live events. A tower mode with ranked rewards is also in testing.

As the game moves forward, players can expect more updates tied to the roadmap. This includes stress tests, new heroes, and stronger community features. Early adopters will also get previews of governance tools and likely some access to pre-release systems.

Crafting is a major part of the game loop. Gear is made from monster drops, while cooking and potion use provide buffs. Leveling up is tied to skill use rather than grind, with features like instant XP boosts from in-game potions.

The game's economy is designed around AMM trading, with support for unique hero NFTs and gear tokens. This allows players to trade or sell items they earn, giving more control over progression and ownership.

Modular Economy and AI Content in the Works

Tatakai is also exploring modular content systems that could expand its economy. Teasers have shown plans for dynamic content drops, customizable dungeons, and a flexible token layer built for future use.

AI is being used both in-game and in development. Procedural world generation powers some of the exploration areas, while NPCs and quests are influenced by AI logic. On the backend, the team is working on a scalable architecture that supports smart contract upgrades.

These features tie into the game's longer-term vision of player control and composable systems. The idea is to let players shape the world, build teams, and earn rewards in ways that connect with both gameplay and economy.

Final Notes from the Team

Though no exact launch date has been confirmed, the team has made it clear that Tatakai is moving forward quickly. The funding round is set to unlock the next major phase of development.

Tatakai is currently in soft launch in select Asian countries. More details and upcoming updates can be found on the official website at tatakai.io.