Aniplex opens door to AI in anime while 88.6% of creators say tech threatens their livelihoods

Aniplex signals shift on AI in anime production

Aniplex, the anime-producing subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Japan behind global hits like Demon Slayer, Naruto, and Solo Leveling, has opened the door to using generative AI in its creative processes1

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. In a recent interview with Variety, newly appointed president Shu Nishimoto stated the company would be "open to carefully considering" AI tools if they positively impact creators' work or contribute to developing the creative process1

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. The statement marks a notable departure from Aniplex's previous stance and raises questions about how AI in anime will reshape an industry built on hand-drawn artistry.

The timing of this policy shift matters. Just one year earlier, in January 2025, Ufotable president Hikaru Kondo—writer and chief director for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -- The Movie: Infinity Castle—pledged that "our studio, Aniplex and Ufotable, will continue to work with our hand-drawn artists, our writers, our voice actors, and the talent that help bring this emotion to the big screen"1

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. Nishimoto, who became Aniplex president in April 2025 after leading Aniplex of America, appears to be charting a new direction for the company1

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Balancing Japanese creativity with technological advancement

Aniplex's influence in the anime industry cannot be overstated. The company sits at the heart of Sony's expanding control over Japanese entertainment, with the conglomerate owning Crunchyroll, the world's largest anime streaming platform, and holding the largest stake in Kadokawa Corporation1

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. Animation studios A-1 Pictures and CloverWorks operate as Aniplex subsidiaries, while the company served on the production committee for Demon Slayer, which generated the two highest-grossing anime movies of all time: Mugen Train and Infinity Castle1

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Despite signaling openness to AI tools in anime industry, Nishimoto emphasized preserving the originality of anime as a Japanese art form. "I believe Japanese anime is a highly original form of content, created through a unique combination of Japan's distinctive worldviews, visual direction, storytelling, and cultural context," he told Variety1

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. He stressed the importance of maintaining "the essence of Japanese creativity" rather than diluting content to fit global markets, noting that the overseas market now accounts for more than half of the Japanese anime industry's 4 trillion yen (approximately $25 billion) value1

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Growing industry adoption amid creator concerns

Aniplex's evolving position reflects broader movement across Japanese entertainment. A 2025 CESA survey revealed that 51% of Japanese game companies were already using machine-generated systems for visual assets, story and text drafting, and programming support, with major players like Capcom, Konami, and Square Enix participating2

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. Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry reportedly considered 11.5 billion yen in subsidies for translation work across 15 media companies2

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. Animation studios including Production I.G., MAPPA, and Studio Colorido have tested limited uses of the technology2

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Yet the backlash risk from AI remains substantial. WIT Studio issued a public apology in April 2026 and redrew an opening sequence after facing criticism over generative backgrounds2

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. Creator surveys paint a stark picture of anxiety: 88.6% of respondents said the technology posed a serious threat to creators' livelihoods, approximately 12% reported income declines, and 92.8% demanded legal disclosure of copyrighted training data used in AI systems2

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What comes next for AI in creative processes

The central question facing Aniplex and the broader industry is whether AI in creative processes can coexist with artistic integrity. Nishimoto's dual commitment—to technological openness and preserving originality—will be tested as implementation details emerge. For smaller studios and freelance creators already reporting income losses, the distinction between AI that "supports" versus AI that replaces human work will determine whether this shift strengthens or undermines the industry's foundation. Watch for how Aniplex defines "positive impact on creators' work" in practice, and whether the company establishes transparency standards around copyrighted training data that could set precedent across the anime sector.