AI inanimehas been a controversial topic for a while now, with both positive and negative opinions across the board. Now, massive media companySony is joining the conversation as they begin to increasingly add new AI technologies to their workflows.
Sony Music Entertainment Japan, responsible for releasing some of the best anime hits of the new generation, likeSpy x FamilyandSolo Leveling,has recently announced their creation of anime using AI, despite concerns voiced by Crunchyroll and anime fans themselves regarding the new development.
Sony is Creating Anime Series Using AI, Despite Crunchyroll’s Concerns
Sony Will Begin Using AI to Assist in Coloring For Their New Anime Series
The new AI technology that will be implemented by Sony will be used primarily “in the coloring stage of anime production,” according to aFireside Chatwith Sony Japan’s CEO, Shunsuke Muramatsu. Muramatsu views this new AI tool as a positive for both studios and individual creators, explaining that using AI during processes that were previously manual, like coloring, will allow for greater creativity and innovation at later stages of the process. Additionally, Muramatsu explains that AI will help improve workplace conditions, which have been an issue in the anime industry.
Anime studios like MAPPA have come under fire for toxic working conditions, with some employees expressing their frustrations with working long hours and being paid less than optimal wages for the work they do.
Muramatsu believes that by automating more tedious aspects of anime creation using AI technology, like coloring, creators will have more freedom to focus on the creative aspects of making anime and thus, in his words,this new technology “reduces physical work and raises efficiency, freeing them up to focus more on creation.“Crunchyroll expressed less favorable opinions of AI technology in anime, however.
Rahul Purini, Crunchyroll’s CEO, is Opposed to AI Being Used in Anime
Despite Crunchyroll’s Disdain for AI in Anime, This May Not Prevent an Industry Shift Towards This Technology
Although Sony and Crunchyroll are technically affiliated with one another,Crunchyroll’s CEO Rahul Purini is not in favor of using AI to make anime.In a recent statement, Purini stated that “We are not considering AI in the creative process, including our voice actors.“Although Crunchyroll may reject using AI in anime, this will likely not prevent its business partners and the animation studios affiliated with the company from using AI as they see fit, especially since Sony Music Entertainment Japan’s Aniplex owns Crunchyroll.
“We are not considering AI in the creative process, including our voice actors.” - Rahul Purini, Crunchyroll
Sony’s AI anime will not be the first in the industry, asan all-AI anime was released recentlyand received mostly negative reviews.Twins Hinahima,created by Kaka Technology Studio, was 95% made by AI. Fans were fairly unimpressed with the stiff animation and lack of emotion the AI was able to create, with most viewing the project as a failure. Sony seems to be implementing AI in its anime creation process more gradually, but only time will tell if Sony’s use of AI causes the same troublesome issues other companies have faced.
