The AI-generated Anime versus manual animation debate highlights a growing concern for animators and manga artists. It poses a burning question regarding AI’s role in the manga and anime industry. Artificial Intelligence seeks to minimize effort and promises efficiency while failing to replicate the human emotions in art.
To counter the labor crunch, several Webtoon and anime production houses are turning to AI for help. While it sounds promising, this decision has animators, manga, and manhwa creators’ careers in jeopardy. Besides that, the use of AI neither solves overworked animators nor counters plagiarism and copyright infringement.
Animation Studios’ dependency on AI jeopardizes animators and their careers
The growth rate of the anime industry in the world market is constantly increasing. With new anime and manga releases, readers and viewers have freedom and options. Besides that, the need for a fresh perspective drives this industry.
However, introducing AI in anime could jeopardize animators’ careers along with the manga industry. Overworking and burnout are common in both the manga and anime industries. Apart from long working hours, the salary of animators has also raised concerns and burning questions among aspiring artists.
In an interview with Nikkei Asia, K&K Design, a Nagoya-based animation house revealed their move to counter the labor crunch through the use of AI. The Director of the company Hiroshi Kawakami revealed how it would aid the production quality:
Background art that usually takes a week can now be done in five minutes.We decided that we needed to work with AI in order to improve the working environment while maintaining the quality of production,
While this statement reflects the company’s move to produce quality animation through AI, it doesn’t answer the pressing question regarding the animators’ overworking and burnout. Although AI proves to be time-saving and efficient, it cannot address copyright infringement, plagiarism, and translation. It also broadens the scope of unemployment.
AI’s failure to counter plagiarism in anime is lost in translation
Apart from overworking and burnout, animators often face plagiarism and piracy. With the leaking of anime episodes, manga artists and animators face a growing risk of copyright infringement. Piracy, plagiarism, and copyright infringement pose a risk to both the anime and manga industry, along with an increase in unemployment.
Apart from posing a risk of unemployment for potential animators and manga artists, AI cannot resolve plagiarism. Be it Corridor Digital’s AI-generated anime or Eiichiro Oda‘s Luffy song, AI strips an author of their ownership of their work. Fans refer to Corridor’s anime as a cheap imitation of Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust film.
Besides that, AI cannot translate and provide meaning to art. Its efficiency and time management cannot compensate for its mechanic inputs and perspectives. This is especially true for translation. An AI startup Orange plans on investing in the speed and efficacy of manga translation. An executive from the company said:
This is a project that will lead to strengthening Japan’s industrial competitiveness,
While this decision looks promising in terms of accessibility, AI is subject to failure. Especially when it’s regarding translation, several words and references lose their significance. It cannot place cultural references and also puts professional manga translators’ jobs at risk.
With piracy, copyright infringement, and plagiarism plaguing anime and manga creators, the use of AI will only further the scope of risks. From cheap imitations to the risk of losing jobs, this move puts animators and manga artists and their careers at stake.
