Toei Animation and Japanese Media Giants Invest Heavily in AI to Boost Efficiency
Japan’s animation industry is making significant strides in adopting AI technology to streamline production. Toei Animation, the studio behind iconic series like Dragon Ball, One Piece, and Sailor Moon, has joined forces with other major players such as Kodansha and Tokyo Broadcasting System to invest over 5 billion yen (approximately US$34.7 million) into Preferred Networks (PFN), a leading AI research and development company.
This investment is part of a larger funding pool exceeding 24 billion yen (~US$166.7 million) that PFN has secured since 2024 from various Japanese corporations. The collective goal is to leverage AI to improve operational efficiency in animation production—a process traditionally marked by high costs and lengthy timelines.
Why AI Matters to Animation Studios
Producing animation remains expensive and labor-intensive, with many studios facing financial strain before their projects generate profit. AI presents a potential solution by automating repetitive tasks and speeding up workflows, allowing creative teams to focus more on high-value elements.
However, this shift raises concerns about job displacement within the industry. Animation professionals worry that increased AI integration could reduce entry points for new talent as machines handle more of the technical workload.
Real-World Examples of AI in Anime Production
- OLM Studio (known for Pokemon and Beyblade) has already incorporated AI-generated animation in its projects.
- Twins HinaHima, aired in March 2025, is noted as the world’s first nationally broadcast anime created with 95% AI-generated animation cuts combined with traditional methods. This project exemplifies how AI can serve as a tool rather than a replacement, supporting creative teams by handling less complex tasks.
Naomichi Iizuka, unit director of Twins HinaHima, emphasized that AI should assist rather than replace creative decision-making. He delegates minor animation duties to AI while keeping the core creative control with human staff, a balanced approach that Toei Animation appears to be adopting as well.
Toei Animation’s AI Tool: Scenity
Since 2021, Toei Animation and PFN have been collaborating on Scenity, an AI-powered background art production support tool. This technology aims to reduce repetitive workload, enabling staff to focus on more creative tasks and potentially increasing overall production speed and quality.
Kodansha plans to integrate PFN’s AI technology with its editorial expertise to expand content possibilities, while Tokyo Broadcasting System is exploring AI-driven innovations to streamline video creation and develop new forms of visual expression.
Implications for IT and Product Development Professionals
For those working in IT and product development, this collaboration highlights how AI can be integrated into creative workflows to optimize efficiency without compromising artistic integrity. The animation industry’s approach—using AI to augment rather than replace human roles—offers a useful model for other sectors looking to balance automation and creativity.
Exploring AI tools like Scenity and following developments at PFN can provide valuable insights into building AI solutions that support complex, creative projects. This approach emphasizes modular AI assistance focused on specific tasks rather than full automation, a mindset applicable across many product development challenges.
For practical AI training and resources that cover automation and creative AI applications, visit Complete AI Training.
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