Controversy because North Korea gets into anime

In the fall of 2023, a cloud storage server with a North Korean Internet Protocol (IP) address was discovered, incorrectly configured and already deprecated. This discovery sparked an investigation that revealed a stunning panorama: daily files flowing to and from this server, showing evidence that North Korean animators were working on major productions for Western companies.

Among the files found included what appeared to be working files for “ Invincible ,” an Amazon original series produced by Skybound Entertainment . In addition, files related to “ Iyanu, Child of Wonder ,” a Lion Forge Entertainment production for HBO Max , and “ Dahliya In Bloom ( Madougushi Dahliya wa Utsumukanai ),” a Japanese anime, were found . Some of the files were also named after Ekachi Epilka , a Japanese anime studio.

The discovery of this server exposed a complicated network of transnational collaboration in the entertainment industry. The files suggested that North Korean animators were working on these productions without the knowledge of the contracting Western companies. No evidence was found to suggest that these companies were aware that a portion of their projects had been outsourced to North Korean animators.

The chronicle of the events

The story begins in 2023 with the discovery of this server on a North Korean IP address. Configured incorrectly and with no apparent use, it allowed anyone without a password to access the files that circulated through it daily. This practice is common in North Korea, where Internet access is highly restricted and controlled. The server was discovered by Nick Roy, who runs the NK Internet blog. Throughout January of this year, files were observed that included instructions for animation work and the results of that day. The identity of the person or persons uploading the files could not be determined, but they often contained editing comments and instructions in Chinese , presumably written by the production company, along with a Korean translation, suggesting the existence of an intermediary. between North Korean production companies and animators.

For example, in the following communication, the animator is asked to improve the shape of the character's head:

Although the identity of the North Korean partner was never revealed in any of the documentation observed, it is likely the Korean April 26 Animation Studio , also known as SEK Studio . This Pyongyang-based studio is known for being the leading animation production company in North Korea, having previously worked on several international projects, including during the “Sunshine Policy” era in the early 2000s.

However, in 2016, the studio was sanctioned by the United States Department of the Treasury as a North Korean state-owned enterprise , and the United States government has imposed additional sanctions on Chinese companies that have worked with the studio or acted as intermediaries. , once in 2021 and again in 2022.

This discovery raises questions about ethics and transparency in the entertainment industry. Although no evidence of knowledge on the part of the contracting Western companies has been found, the fact that North Korean animators are working on international productions without the contractors' knowledge highlights the complexities and risks of global outsourcing in the digital age.

The files concerned a number of projects, suggesting that several animators were likely involved in the work. Throughout the observation period, the apparent identity of some of the projects became clear. Among them were:

The third season of “Invincible ,” an Amazon Original animated series produced by California-based Skybound Entertainment. A document on the server listed the name of the series and “Viltruminte Pants LLC,” which appears to be part of the Skybound group.
“Iyanu, Child of Wonder,” an animated superhero series created by Maryland-based YouNeek Studios and produced and animated by Lion Forge Entertainment for airing in 2024 on HBO Max.
“Dahliya In Bloom” (Madougushi Dahliya wa Utsumukanai), an anime series from Japan scheduled to air in July 2024.
Files with the name “猫” (Cat) that are also named after Ekachi Epilka , an animation studio in Hokkaido, Japan.
Video files that appear to belong to “Octonauts” , a BBC children's cartoon. The files contained no additional identifying information and appeared to be finished, so it is possible that the animators did not work on them.
An unidentified animated series with documents referencing “Dalian's Shepherd Boy Animation (大连牧童动漫)”.