The recent controversy surrounding Toei Animation's ties to AI technology has reignited debate over the future of anime production. After the company’s year-end presentation highlighted a partnership with AI startup Preferred Networks, many assumed AI was involved in the creation of Pretty Cure. Though Toei later clarified this was not the case, the incident proved the growing anxiety in the industry. As the use of generative AI tools becomes more widespread, anime professionals are wrestling with what is gained, and lost, when machines take on creative work traditionally done by hand. 6i4l6h

China’s anime powerhouse Bilibili has made a significant move in the AI space with the launch of AniSora, a new open-source model built specifically for anime video generation. Drawing from a massive dataset of over 10 million clips sourced from 1 million animated videos, AniSora allows s to create fully animated scenes with just a single click. From manga adaptations to VTuber content, Bilibili promises for a wide range of anime styles—an ambitious offering that taps into both the creativity of fans and the demands of modern animation studios.

As artificial intelligence continues to shake up creative industries, fans of the anime giant Toei Animation have voiced concern over how these tools might impact their favorite shows like One Piece. Recent corporate activity suggests that Toei is doubling down on AI, partnering with tech firm Preferred Networks to explore new production innovations. With this move, speculation around AI replacing traditional animation techniques has only intensified, especially for beloved long-running series like One Piece.

The Japanese anime industry, long revered for its artistry and relentless work ethic, is undergoing a huge artificial intelligenceshift, and it is one that is sparking equal parts fascination and fear. On April 25, 2025, Animon Dream Factory Co., Ltd. officially launched Animon.ai, a platform that promises to revolutionize anime production by generating videos from images and text in mere minutes. The company frames this as a solution to the anime world’s well-documented labor crisis with its punishing hours, paltry wages, and burnout that have driven many animators out of the field.

As artificial intelligence continues to make waves across the entertainment industry, some anime fans wonder when the medium might follow suit. While AI-generated anime may seem like the inevitable next frontier, Crunchyroll, the leading global streaming platform for anime, is making its stance crystal clear that it will not be part of that future. Despite its tech-savvy foundation and rapid global growth, the company is prioritizing authenticity, creativity, and connection with fans over experimental shortcuts powered by machines.

For decades, OLM Digital has been known for its work on iconic franchises like Pokémonand The Apothecary Diaries, andnow, the studio is looking to AI for its future. OLM is at the forefront of anime production, which has dealt with advancing technology the same way many other industries have. Among these technologies is AI, which has been an especially controversial development.

One of the most divisive and hotly-discussed topics in the modern film industry isthe use of artificial intelligence. Specifically, movies like 2024's The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez have been criticized for how the filmmakers used AI software to alter the voices of actors who appear on-screen. Such movies have been especially lambasted as they compete for Best Picture at the Oscars in 2025, raising questions about their cinematic authenticity and whether films and their actors should be given awards for AI-generated content.

The anime world just received an announcement of Twins Hinahima, an entirely AI-generated series by Kaka Technology Studio. As the first anime project that was created 95% through artificial intelligence, it promised to revolutionize the industry. But the recently released teaser has sparked controversy, with many fans and critics questioning the creative merits of the project. Instead of getting people excited, the project has left audiences concerned about the future of anime as an art form.

Thanoscreator Jim Starlin offered his take on the use of artificial intelligence in art, something that has become a heated debate in the last several years, as the consequences it will have for writers and artists remain yet to be fully understood. Starlin opened up about embracing A.I. in his comics. With many artists voicing concerns over AI's role in art, Starlin offers a unique perspective on the largely polarizing matter.

The increased use of artificial intelligence in comics has industry veterans like The Walking Dead co-creator Robert Kirkman very worried. In the previous half-decade alone, artificial intelligence in media has rapidly evolved from a short-term novelty to a concerning form of technology that threatens to overtake the careers of human content creators. Due to this expedited development, creators, businesses, and lawmakers must decide what is or isn’t an appropriate use of AI in the entertainment industry. Understandably, many creators fear the negative impacts AI may have on their careers and creative expression.