In a significant development for the anime industry,
an animation company in Aichi, Japan, has implemented artificial
intelligence (AI) to improve production efficiency. The
Nagoya-based company “K&K Design” has made processes that previously took a
week, such as creating funds, now 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.
According to Hiroshi Kawakami, CEO of K&K
Design, the decision to integrate AI into its 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 staying
competitive. Additionally, labor shortages in the industry have been a
key factor that has accelerated the adoption of this technology.
AI in anime production is not just
limited to coloring and creating backgrounds. Companies
like Orange, a Tokyo-based AI startup, are developing technologies that
accelerate manga translation, increasing the speed up to ten times .
This could be a radical change for the expansion of anime and manga in foreign
markets, breaking language barriers and increasing the global presence of these
cultural products.
However, the impact of AI on the anime
industry is not without controversy and concerns . As AI takes over
tasks traditionally performed by humans, the question arises whether animators
and other workers in the sector will lose their jobs. Automation could
lead to job cuts , especially in more technical roles, where AI can
offer a faster and cheaper solution.
However, some experts suggest that AI could
redefine the role of animators , allowing 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 the export of anime,
further driving the growth of the global market.
Despite the potential benefits, the rapid expansion
of AI also presents significant risks. Abroad, 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 the rights of creators 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
guides seek to promote the use of AI in a way that benefits both creators and
companies, without compromising artistic quality or workers' rights.
As AI continues to evolve , it 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.
Source: NihonKeizai Shimbun
