AI Animation in One Piece: Understanding the Toei Controversy

Vincent Chansard, an animator for the acclaimed series One Piece, candidly expressed his uncertainty regarding Toei Animation’s intentions surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI), stating, “everyone’s as confused as me.” This sentiment reflects a wider public bewilderment about AI’s role in the animation industry.

The integration of AI in artistic endeavors has sparked heated discussions recently, impacting various sectors from blockbuster films like Megalopolis and Thunderbolts to popular television shows such as True Detective. Even prominent YouTubers like Vikkstar and JCS have faced backlash for employing this technology.

Anime studios have found themselves at the center of the controversy as well. Notably, Crunchyroll retracted its plans to incorporate AI into creative workflows, and ChatGPT’s AI image generator came under fire for producing art reminiscent of Studio Ghibli. As Toei Animation—the powerhouse known for franchises such as One Piece, Dragon Ball, and Sailor Moon—explores AI integration, numerous questions have surged to the forefront. Here’s what you need to know.

Toei Animation’s AI Aspirations

Toei Animation

The short answer is that AI will indeed be part of Toei’s future production strategies. This was disclosed in the studio’s financial report for the fiscal year concluding on March 31, 2025, which stated an investment in Preferred Networks, Inc., a startup focused on AI technology.

The financial report highlighted plans for a joint venture aimed at developing new business avenues and enhancing both efficiency and quality in production through a synergy between AI and traditional animation techniques. AI is poised to assist in multiple stages of anime production—from storyboarding and color specification to in-betweening and background generation. However, specifics regarding which shows will utilize this technology or the timeline for its implementation remain unclear.

While the narrative frames AI as a potential solution for streamlining workflows and enhancing productivity, it also emerges as a response to pressing challenges faced by the anime industry, particularly a significant shortage of animators.

Many studios in Japan are grappling with severe difficulties in attracting and keeping talented staff. The demands of the profession often outweigh the rewards, leading to a precarious work environment where freelancers battle intense deadlines, long hours, and low remuneration.

Luffy and the Straw Hats in One Piece anime — Crunchyroll

Despite the global popularity of anime, entry-level animators in Japan frequently receive wages below the minimum wage, with burnout emerging as a common issue across the industry.

A report released by the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2024 directly criticized exploitative labor practices prevalent within the animation field, underlining the hazardous toll these conditions take on the mental and physical health of workers. The report found that “annual starting salaries of animators stand at a mere 1.5 million yen (approximately $10, 000).”

It called for Japanese studios to enhance working conditions, offer fair pay, and reduce reliance on underpaid or overworked freelancers. While AI may alleviate some of the workloads through automation, critics argue that it could threaten the roles of human artists instead of enhancing their capabilities, potentially exacerbating the ongoing crisis.

On social media platform X/Twitter, one user expressed their concerns: “Toei has over 1000 staff, why do they need AI? This will ruin One Piece. They already censor Super and Daima by removing the blood and gore, but now they want to do this too.”

Toei has over 1000 staff, why do they need Ai. This is going to ruin the one piece anime. I mean they already are sellouts for how they censor super and Daima by removing the blood and gore, but nooooo they want to do this too.

— SupremeVidsPro (@SupremeVidsPro) May 16, 2025

Another user cautioned, “The short-term efficiency might sound appealing, but Toei’s AI adoption risks long-term damage to the craft of anime. Background artists, in-betweeners, colorists—they’re not just ‘replaceable roles.’ They’re essential for developing the next generation of talent.”

Conversely, some individuals remain optimistic.“I don’t see an issue with it. Many people utilize AI for brainstorming, generating ideas, and handling routine tasks, ” commented one supporter.“With AI, they will accelerate the animation process, minimize costs, and free up time for creativity, thereby enhancing overall quality.”

Implications for One Piece

The ongoing debate surrounding Toei’s AI initiative has predominantly centered on its potential implementation within the One Piece anime. However, sources close to the situation suggest this may be more of a public relations maneuver than a real shift in production methods. If AI is indeed used in Eiichiro Oda’s work, fans should not expect immediate changes.

Have been talking to everyone I know on this AI thing, but it seems everyone’s as confused as me. RN, it just feels like an overblown disconnected PR-esque statement like “look how we are an innovative company”aimed at shareholders with no concrete real-life production change.

— Chansard Vincent (@Sparkleredpanda) May 17, 2025

As noted by animator Vincent Chansard, “At the moment, it feels like an exaggerated PR statement aimed at shareholders with no real-world production implications.” One concerned fan remarked, “I really hope they don’t use AI on the One Piece anime, ” to which Chansard reassured, “If that’s your concern, there’s no need to worry at this time.”

He added, “Sure, the company is large, and I might not be aware of everything happening across all teams; nonetheless, I am staying informed.”

Moreover, a leaker known as Pew stated via X/Twitter on May 18 that production staff at Toei Animation confirmed that the One Piece production process will remain unchanged despite the recent AI discussions.

Toei Animation staff confirms that One Piece production process will remain unchanged despite recent AI news. Toei’s announcement appears to be a PR move rather than a shift in anime production. Fans need not worry about sudden changes in animation style or quality pic.twitter.com/KegV7VJWzr

— Pew (@pewpiece) May 18, 2025

“Toei’s announcement seems to be primarily a PR strategy rather than a fundamental change in anime production, so fans shouldn’t be alarmed about any abrupt shifts in animation style or quality.”

Currently, there’s no cause for panic among fans. Like any artistic discipline, AI is poised to influence the animation landscape, but it will likely take some time before it significantly impacts well-established productions such as One Piece.

The ongoing discussion is not only about AI versus traditional artistry but also about how studios plan to leverage technology—either to alleviate pressures on animators and enhance working conditions or to exploit these advancements at the expense of talent and creativity.

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