Konami Removes Yu-Gi-Oh! Videos After AI Voice Model Used Actress Without Consent

Konami’s AI Voice Project Faces Backlash Over Unauthorized Use of Voice Actress

Konami recently removed two YouTube videos featuring AI-generated commentary for the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2025 duels. These videos were part of a test for an AI live commentary system, released in multiple languages. However, controversy arose when it was suspected that the Japanese commentary AI used the voice of popular voice actress and singer Hibiku Yamamura without her permission.

Voice Actress Raises Concerns Over Unauthorized AI Use

On September 6, Hibiku Yamamura publicly addressed the issue on X (formerly Twitter), stating she discovered videos using her voice for AI narration without her consent. Although she did not directly name Konami, the timing and details strongly suggest she was referring to their AI commentary videos. Yamamura described feeling “sad, frustrated and overwhelmed” by the unauthorized use and involved her agency to handle the situation.

Konami’s Response and AI Technology Details

Konami confirmed they used an open-source AI voice model called Anneli, part of the Aivis Project, a commercial-use speech synthesis system. In light of the concerns, Konami issued a statement affirming their respect for creators and launched an investigation. They also clarified that this AI technology has not been integrated into the Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel game yet.

Background: Anneli Model and Unauthorized Training Data

The creator of the Anneli model disclosed on August 30 that this AI was trained on voice samples from Est Gealach Arnotts, a character from an adult game voiced by Hibiku Yamamura. This training occurred without consent from the voice actress or the game’s publisher. Following the controversy, the website distributing the Aivis Project models, including Anneli, was temporarily taken offline on September 8 for fact-finding and review.

What This Means for AI Voice Synthesis in Development

• Unauthorized use of voice data in AI training can lead to legal and ethical issues, impacting development timelines and public trust.
• It’s crucial for developers and companies to verify data sources and obtain clear permissions when working with voice synthesis AI models.
• Open-source AI tools require careful oversight to avoid misuse or infringement on creators’ rights.

For IT and development professionals working with AI voice technologies, this incident highlights the importance of ethical data practices and transparent communication with stakeholders.

To learn more about responsible AI training and voice synthesis tools, consider exploring relevant courses and resources at Complete AI Training.