AI keeps creeping into anime

In a significant development for the anime industry, an animation company in Aichi, Japan, has implemented the artificial intelligence (AI) to improve production efficiency. Nagoya-based company K&K Design has made it possible for processes that once took a week, such as creating backgrounds, to be completed in just five minutes thanks to generative AI. This change has allowed the company to maintain the quality of its productions while improving the working conditions of its team.

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According to Hiroshi Kawakami, CEO of K&K Design, the decision to integrate AI into their workflow was driven by the need to balance quality with improving the work environment. In a context where the demand for anime, both nationally and internationally, continues to increase, the speed and quality of production are crucial to remain competitive. Furthermore, labor shortages in the industry have been a key factor accelerating the adoption of this technology.

AI in anime production is not just limited to coloring and background creation. Companies like “Orange,” a Tokyo-based AI startup, are developing technologies that speed up manga translation, increasing the speed up to ten timesThis could be a game-changer for the expansion of anime and manga into foreign markets, breaking down language barriers and increasing the global presence of these cultural products.

Nevertheless, The impact of AI on the anime industry is not without controversy and concernsAs AI takes over tasks traditionally performed by humans, the question arises as to whether animators and other workers in the industry will lose their jobs. Automation could lead to job cutsespecially in more technical roles, where AI can offer a faster and cheaper solution.

However, Some experts suggest that AI could redefine the role of animatorsallowing them to focus on more creative aspects such as character design and story conceptualization. Improved productivity could translate into better wages and working conditions for workers who remain in the industry.. Furthermore, with the increase in diversity in productions, there could be an increase in anime exports, further boosting the growth of the global market.

Despite the potential benefits, the rapid expansion of AI also presents significant risks. Overseas, concerns have already been raised about the possibility of Japanese works being used without authorization to train AI.which could lead to unauthorized imitations. This has led to more than 10,000 signatures on a petition to protect creators’ rights under Japanese copyright law, which faces challenges in adapting to new technological realities.

In response to these developments, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has begun drafting guidelines for the implementation of AI in the anime and video game industry.These guidelines seek to promote the use of AI in ways that benefit both creators and businesses, without compromising artistic quality or workers’ rights.

As the AI continues to evolveit is crucial that the anime industry finds a balance between technological innovation and preserving the creativity and human talent that have made anime a global cultural phenomenon.

Fountain: Nihon Keizai Shimbun

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