Toei Animation, renowned for anime series like Dragon Ball and One Piece, is actively integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its production processes in 2025. This initiative aims to boost efficiency and quality by leveraging AI synergies with animation technologies.
According to Toei Animation's FY2025 financial report, the company plans to co-develop new business opportunities using AI, potentially through a joint venture with Preferred Networks (PFN). AI applications include AI-generated storyboards and layouts, coloring and color correction, line drawing correction, in-between generation, and background generation from photos.
While Toei Animation explores AI use, the anime community remains divided. The Nippon Anime and Film Culture Association (NAFCA) has voiced concerns regarding the impact of generative AI on creators' revenue and intellectual property rights. Despite these concerns, Toei Animation is moving forward, having previously experimented with AI, such as using PFN's Scenify tool to create anime backgrounds from photos, significantly reducing production time.