Anime declares war on AI

As AI-generated images gain popularity, concerns arise in the anime industry about copyright and the value of human creativity

Agencias

November 4, 2025
Updated: November 4, 2025 at 4:17 PM

In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) has permeated various creative aspects, users have begun to identify specific characteristics in the images generated by these tools.

Elements like flat lighting, nonsensical texts, and a distinctive yellowish tint, often referred to as “urine filter,” are now recognizable to those who regularly browse the internet.

A remarkable phenomenon occurred in March 2025, when the transformation of photos in the style of Studio Ghibli became a viral trend, using AI tools like ChatGPT.

Shueisha, Japan’s largest publisher and home of Shonen Jump hits like One Piece, Dragon Ball, and Demon Slayer, has issued an official statement threatening OpenAI.

"This autumn, with the release of OpenAI’s new generative AI service Sora2, a large number of videos resembling… pic.twitter.com/kNlCNVLiGw
— Anime News And Facts (@AniNewsAndFacts) November 3, 2025

AI, that thief that can only steal original works to feign originality

This trend, popular among users who wanted to evoke the visual warmth of Hayao Miyazaki’s films, led to the creation of thousands of images that have retroactively influenced the visual outcomes of future AI-generated productions.

However, the resurgence of these practices has provoked a strong reaction in the anime industry. The Content Overseas Distribution Association, which represents prominent studios like Toei and Square Enix, has made a formal call to OpenAI, asking that their works not be used to train the Sora program without proper permission.

Likewise, the Japanese government has requested OpenAI to refrain from using copyrighted works, highlighting the importance of its anime series as “irreplaceable treasures”.

Japan’s anime industry might never be the same👀

AI can now create full anime scenes with voice, motion, everything.. all from a single prompt

7 wild examples: pic.twitter.com/6Y9C1iUT65
— Nelly; (@nrqa__) September 6, 2025

The iconic director Hayao Miyazaki has also expressed his disdain for the use of AI in artistic creation, considering that this approach represents a lack of respect for life and the creative process. Miyazaki, in an appearance in the documentary “Never-Ending Man,” stated that he is “totally disgusted” by the use of technology to generate content that lacks human effort.

Anime companies are beginning to adopt defensive measures, arguing that automated art creation strips works of their essence and creative process. The battle between technological innovation and the preservation of traditional art is intensifying, marking a turning point in the relationship between AI and human creativity.