The rise of artificial intelligence in the creative industries has sparked a heated debate, with anime being no exception.
The announcement on December 13, 2024, by KaKa Creation and Frontier Works about their upcoming project Twins HinaHima made with AI technology, has drawn significant attention.
The anime, slated for release in spring 2025, is based on the real-life TikTok and YouTube stars Hina and Hima, twin sisters whose content is the inspiration behind the show.
Early reactions, however, have been largely negative, with critics voicing fears about AI's growing role in animation production.
AI is increasingly being touted as a tool to tackle "labor shortages" and improve productivity in the anime industry.
KaKa Creation and Frontier Works have justified their use of AI by stating that it would alleviate animators' workload and make the animation process more efficient.
The companies argue that AI could assist with background images, with animators making the final adjustments.
In fact, according to their statement, 95% of the cuts in Twins HinaHima will be created with AI, leaving only the final refinements to human animators.
The companies describe this approach as "supportive AI," emphasising that the use of AI will not replace human involvement but rather complement the work of animators.
However, critics argue that this could lead to a reduction in jobs, especially considering the already strained state of the industry.
The concern is that AI could ultimately displace human workers rather than support them, leading to fewer opportunities for artists and animators in the long run.
The Twins HinaHima project is far from the only example of AI in anime, but it has highlighted a growing concern among fans.
In February 2023, Netflix released an anime short, Dog & The Boy, made using generative AI, citing "labor shortages" as the reason for its choice.
The backlash was swift, with fans and artists voicing concerns that the technology could be used to replace traditional animators.
These fears were further fuelled when rumours surfaced that AI could be involved in the One Piece remake, although this has not yet been confirmed.
The question of whether AI will be integrated into larger, iconic anime projects continues to worry fans.
The idea that beloved series like One Piece could be partially or fully created with AI has many people on edge, with widespread concerns about the future of animation as an art form.
The involvement of industry veterans like Makoto Tezuka, son of legendary manga artist Osamu Tezuka, adds an interesting layer to the debate.
Makoto Tezuka, son of Osamu Tezuka, embraced AI to create a new 32-page chapter of Black Jack, celebrating the series' 50th anniversary while emulating his father's artistic style.
Tezuka, who has been involved in experimental projects exploring the use of AI to expand his father’s works, has expressed a somewhat supportive stance towards the technology.
In a recent interview, he noted that while innovation often faces resistance and fear, he views AI as just another tool that can be used creatively.
Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, director of Brave Raideen, shares a similar perspective.
He believes that AI has the potential to enhance the quality of animation, particularly in creating in-between frames and background characters.
Both Tezuka and Yasuhiko argue that AI could elevate the animation process by handling repetitive or time-consuming tasks, allowing human animators to focus on more complex creative aspects.
While the debate on AI’s impact on jobs rages on, environmental concerns are also being raised.
Activists have pointed out that the growing reliance on AI comes with significant environmental costs, as the technology demands large amounts of energy and resources.
AI systems require powerful computing infrastructure, which can have a considerable carbon footprint.
As the anime industry looks to integrate more AI into its processes, this aspect of its use cannot be overlooked, especially in a time when sustainability is becoming an increasing global priority.
As AI technology continues to develop, its role in the anime industry—and the broader entertainment sector—remains a point of contention.
While it promises efficiency and innovation, it also brings up serious questions about job security, the preservation of artistic integrity, and the environmental impact of these systems.
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