Anime’s darling WIT Studio, makers of Assault on Titan and the upcoming One Piece remake, simply went toe-to-toe with its personal followers — and misplaced. The studio launched an apology after receiving backlash from its use of generative AI within the opening sequence (OP) of Ascendance of a Bookworm.
The anime sequence debuted in early April, however was instantly criticized when followers seen tiny distortions all through the OP. Though one of the well-known studios within the house, WIT isn’t above using generative AI. Whereas it’s withdrawing the OP and changing it with a “accomplished model,” it feels as AI’s affect within the anime business is beginning to fester.
We noticed how issues went in late 2025, when Amazon tried utilizing AI-generated dubbing to velocity up manufacturing for reveals like Banana Fish, Vinland Saga, No Recreation No Life: Zero, and extra. The corporate hoped nobody would discover, however the translations have been so poor it was exhausting to not. Like WIT, Amazon walked again using AI and changed the fumbled translations. Nonetheless, that didn’t cease the multi-billion greenback firm from posting a brand new opening for an undisclosed AI dubbing platform in January 2026.
AI’s encroachment on anime doesn’t cease there. In 2025, Toei Animation — the studio behind One Piece and Dragon Ball — launched a 10-year, 100 billion yen ($650 million) plan to increase its attain globally. One of many essential tenets within the plan was to embrace next-gen expertise, like AI, VR, and AR.
Whereas many on-line have been frightened by the point out of AI, I feel the scariest a part of Toei’s announcement was the objective to extend its IP creation threefold. That’s no simple feat. Animated TV sequence take time to carry to life, with most productions lasting round one to 2 years for completion. Even with the addition of latest studios throughout the globe, a a lot bigger workload means you’re sure to see some reducing corners.
Working situations within the anime business are already pitiful at greatest. Including AI to the equation assuredly received’t remedy the issue. The truth is, it would solely result in a far worse end result if left unchecked.
WIT, like many different studios within the business, is dealing with immense stress to launch content material on a constant foundation. It solely is sensible why it might dip its toes into the combo, particularly provided that WIT Studio reportedly misplaced 170 million yen within the fiscal yr ending Might 2025. There’s a degree of necessity to fulfill the heightened demand for anime as we speak that makes using AI nearly an inevitability within the business — and WIT’s current actions solely solidify my conviction.
In case you thought the instance set by WIT was dangerous, assume once more. This received’t be the final time you’ll see AI in anime.
