It was a major announcement this week: Yuga Labs — the creator of the iconic Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) collection — has officially partnered with Six Studios (afferent to Machi Big Brother) to form a joint venture, Bored Ape Studios. The aim? To produce an animated series spinning out of the BAYC universe. (KuCoin)
The tweet from BAYC’s official account nailed it simply: “Introducing Bored Ape Studios, a joint venture between @yugalabs and @machibigbrother’s Six Studios.” (X (formerly Twitter)) So yes — the project is real, and it’s happening.
Putting the Pieces Together
Let’s break down the key components of this move, what it signals, and what we should keep an eye on.
Who’s involved?
- Yuga Labs: The company behind the Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs, already a heavy‐hitter in Web3 culture. (AInvest)
- Six Studios: A studio affiliated with Machi Big Brother, bringing animation and production credentials into the mix. (Phemex)
- Joint venture: Bored Ape Studios — the new entity under which this collaboration will take place. (Bitget)
What’s the project?
The first offering: an animated series based on the BAYC characters and universe. (ODaily)
When & where?
Details such as release date, platform, episode count are as yet unspecified — but the announcement clearly sets the ball rolling.
The Significance of This Collaboration
There are multiple layers here, and the implications stretch beyond a simple “NFT brand makes a cartoon.”
1. Expanding utility for NFTs
We often hear in the NFT world: “ownership”, “community”, “access”. But moving into animation means transforming what a Bored Ape can do — not just what it is. By bridging into entertainment, Yuga is converting static avatar status into a narrative asset. In other words, the Apes become characters in a story. According to a coverage piece, Yuga aims to “expand BAYC’s cultural reach and reinforce NFT utility through storytelling and virtual world integration.” (AInvest)
2. Web3 meets mainstream media
Animating a popular NFT brand brings blockchain‐native culture into a format that mainstream audiences (beyond NFT holders) can engage with. It’s a hybrid move: Web3 heritage meets traditional entertainment channels. That could serve as a blueprint for other NFT projects seeking longevity. The venture is described as “bridging the gap between blockchain‐based collectibles and mainstream entertainment.” (AInvest)
3. Reinforcing the brand and building ecosystem
BAYC has been around since 2021, and while it remains a top NFT collection, the broader NFT market has cooled from its peak. By creating new media from existing assets, Yuga (and Six Studios) are strengthening the brand story and offering more reasons for existing holders to stay engaged — while drawing in new audiences. As one article puts it: “The collaboration aligns with a growing trend of NFT creators diversifying into content and experiences to sustain engagement post-market peak.” (AInvest)
What This Means for BAYC Holders and Fans
If you own a Bored Ape or are otherwise invested in the ecosystem (emotionally, culturally, or financially), this move opens up several potential benefits — and some things to watch.
Perks for holders:
- Increased brand exposure. As the animated series rolls out, more visibility may translate to greater cultural relevance of BAYC avatars.
- New storylines and characters. The narrative may open up new sub‐plots, roles, and maybe new experiences (maybe exclusive holder content).
- Potential utility. Outside of being profile picture avatars, Apes may become characters with voice, setting, motion, perhaps interactive elements.
Risks and considerations:
- Execution matters. The success of this venture depends heavily on the quality of animation, storytelling, platform distribution, marketing, etc. If it falls flat, the brand could suffer.
- Speculation vs. substance. Some NFT projects launch media efforts expecting hype; outcomes matter more than announcements.
- Community expectations. Holders may expect perks (exclusive episodes, rights, new drops) and if not delivered, may feel let down.
The Larger Context: Where NFTs Are Heading
This isn’t happening in a vacuum. It reflects broader shifts in how NFTs, metaverses, and digital communities are evolving.
- The NFT boom of 2021–2022 was largely about owning digital art and avatar identity. But many projects struggled to maintain momentum when hype faded.
- Therefore, successful projects are now exploring utility: gaming, digital worlds, interactive content, storytelling. This move by Yuga Labs falls into that category.
- As mainstream entertainment and Web3 blur, you’ll likely see more collaborations like this: NFT brands producing shows, games, experiences that engage non‐crypto natives.
- As one article notes: “The project aims to expand BAYC’s cultural reach and reinforce NFT utility through storytelling and virtual world integration.” (AInvest)
What Could Come Next
While we don’t have full details yet, there are a few logical next steps and possible developments that this collaboration might produce — and you might want to keep an eye on them.
- Platform reveal: Will the series premiere on a streaming service, Web3 platform, or both?
- Episode rollout: Is this going to be a traditional TV show (10–13 episodes), a short‐form series, or something episodic in the NFT/metaverse space?
- Holder benefits: Will owning a BAYC NFT give early access, voting rights on story direction, or exclusive drops tied to the series?
- Merchandising/licensing: Animations open doors to physical merch, brand partnerships, spin‐off games — potentially expanding revenue streams and brand touchpoints.
- Cross‐metaverse integration: Given Yuga’s prior interest in virtual worlds (for example their metaverse projects) this animation could tie into interactive experiences, games or digital collectibles.
- Community engagement: Expect AMA sessions, preview drops, or NFT‐based story teasers to generate buzz among BAYC holders and NFT fans generally.
Ending
This announcement marks a significant moment for both the NFT space and entertainment industry. When a major player like Yuga Labs moves into animation in partnership with an established studio, it signals that NFTs are not just collectibles — they are narrative and cultural assets. In other words: owning a Bored Ape is no longer just about profile picture flex — it might become part of a story you watch, engage with, and maybe even shape.
For holders, fans, watchers and skeptics alike, this is worth following closely. The big question is not only whether it will succeed, but how it will succeed: in production quality, community engagement and cross‐platform reach. If it does well, it could set a template for many other NFT brands transitioning into storytelling and entertainment.
Stay tuned for official announcements from Yuga Labs and Six Studios — and for any sneak peeks of Bored Ape Studios’ first animation series.
Sources:
- KuCoin: “Yuga Labs Partners with Six Studios to Launch Bored Ape Yacht Club Animation Series” (KuCoin)
- Phemex News: “Yuga Labs and Six Studios Launch Bored Ape Studios for New Animation Series” (Phemex)
- Bitget: “Yuga Labs partners with Six Studios under Machi to launch a series of animations” (Bitget)
- AInvest News: “Yuga Labs Aims to Bridge NFTs and Mainstream Entertainment with Animated Series Venture” (AInvest)
