Toei Animation, the studio behind One Piece, has come under scrutiny after announcing plans to integrate AI into its production processes. This move has led to backlash from fans who fear that AI could compromise the artistic integrity of their favorite series.
Is One Piece getting animated using AI?
Toei Animation has partnered with Preferred Networks (PFN), a Japanese AI tech company, to explore AI-driven solutions for animation production. The studio’s financial report mentions plans to use AI for tasks like storyboarding, coloring, and background generation to improve efficiency. However, this has raised concerns about whether One Piece, one of Toei’s most iconic series, will rely on AI-generated animation.
Fortunately, One Piece animator Vincent Chansard has reassured fans that AI is not currently being used in the show’s production. He stated, “If that’s your concern, there’s no concern at this point. But the company is large, and I’m not aware of what’s happening across all teams; I’m continuing to keep myself informed.” (via Dexterto)
While Chansard acknowledged that he cannot speak for the department within the studio, he emphasized that the talk of AI at Toei seems largely promotional at this stage, focusing more on potential future applications rather than immediate changes to production.
Why are fans angry with One Piece’s Al use?
Despite these reassurances, fans are still on edge about the potential for AI to replace human artists in One Piece’s production. First and foremost, they argue that artificial intelligence lacks the soul and creativity of human animators. One viewer posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Streamlining isn’t progress if it strips away the human touch that makes anime special.”
Others worry about the impact on animators themselves. The anime industry is notorious for overwork and low pay, and many fear AI could make things worse by reducing job opportunities. As one fan expressed, “Everyone will be expected to do 3 times as much work for the same pay now, and you’ll hear about layoffs in the next 2 years.”
For now, it seems One Piece remains safely in the hands of human animators. But Toei’s interest in AI is undeniable, and the debate over its role in animation is far from over.
