Toei Animation and Partners Invest $166M in AI to Boost Anime Production Efficiency

Toei Animation and Partners Invest Heavily in AI to Boost Operational Efficiency

Japanese animation studios are increasingly embracing artificial intelligence technology to improve their production workflows. Toei Animation, known worldwide for the Dragon Ball series, has joined forces with other major players in the industry to make a substantial investment in AI development.

According to the Animation Business Journal, Preferred Networks (Pfn), a leading AI research and development group in Japan, has secured over 24 billion yen (approximately US$166.7 million) in funding since 2024. Out of this, Toei Animation, Kodansha (publisher of Attack on Titan), Tokyo Broadcasting System (known for The Seven Deadly Sins), and several other companies contributed about 5 billion yen (~US$34.7 million).

Why AI Matters for Animation Studios

Creative efficiency is a pressing issue for animation studios. The integration of AI tools helps automate repetitive tasks, accelerates production timelines, and reduces operational costs. Large studios such as Olm have already incorporated AI-generated animation elements into their projects, setting an example in the industry.

By investing in Preferred Networks, Toei Animation aims to leverage AI to streamline their operations and optimize resource allocation. This move reflects a broader trend among Japanese studios to adopt AI-driven solutions to stay competitive and meet increasing content demands.

What This Means for IT and Operations Professionals

• Operational Efficiency: AI can reduce bottlenecks in the animation pipeline by automating routine processes such as in-between frame generation, coloring, and quality checks.
• Resource Management: Predictive analytics and AI-based scheduling tools can better allocate human and technical resources, cutting down idle time and improving project delivery.
• Collaboration: AI platforms can facilitate better communication between creative and technical teams by providing real-time feedback and version control.

For IT and operations teams in creative industries, keeping pace with AI advancements is critical. Integrating AI tools requires a solid understanding of both the technology and the unique workflows in animation production.

If you're interested in expanding your AI skills relevant to operational roles, consider exploring specialized courses on Complete AI Training, where you can find targeted content for IT and development professionals focused on automation and AI implementation.

Looking Ahead

The investment by Toei Animation and its partners signals a growing recognition of AI’s potential to support creative industries beyond just content creation. By improving operational efficiency, studios can focus more on innovation and storytelling without being weighed down by manual, time-consuming tasks.

As AI continues to mature, expect more studios to adopt similar strategies to stay agile and productive in an increasingly competitive entertainment market.