Latest news with #Toei
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
One Piece studio Toei Animation responds to fan outrage over AI plans
Toei Animation, the acclaimed studio behind the hit anime One Piece, has come under fire following its announcement to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into its production workflow. The revelation ignited strong backlash from fans, who fear that AI could undermine the quality, originality, and artistic integrity of Toei's work. In response to the mounting criticism, Toei has now addressed the controversy. As reported by Screenrant, Toei's earnings report not only covered financial details but also offered a glimpse into the studio's future plans. One of the most debated elements was the revelation that Toei Animation is investing in artificial intelligence, with intentions to incorporate it into several aspects of anime production. The report outlines that areas like storyboard creation, coloring, in-between animation, background generation using photos, and frame correction are expected to be impacted by this initiative. Toei Animation reacts to the backlash over AI plans Toei has since revised the document to clarify that it is not currently utilising AI technology in any of the listed production processes. However, the company reaffirmed its intention to adopt AI in the future. One Piece animator Vincent Chansard shares his POV One Piece animator Vincent Chansard reacted to the backlash and shared on X, '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 inovative company" aimed at shareholders with no concrete real life production change.' 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 inovative company" aimed at shareholders with no concrete real life production change. What are anime fans fearing? A simple answer to this is that anime fans who have been following Toei's projects have always admired the studio's animation quality. What they fear is that the use of AI will make the work feel too artificial, causing the essence of anime to be lost.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Will stop watching': Anime fans express concern as One Piece animation studio plans to adopt AI in production
Reports that Toei Animation, the well-known studio behind One Piece, Dragon Ball, and other classic series, intends to integrate artificial intelligence into various phases of its animation production have sent anime enthusiasts on the internet into a panic. Following its investment in Preferred Networks (PFN), which is said to have "top-level AI technology competence in Japan," further information about Toei Animation's AI ambitions has surfaced. "We will seek to co-develop new business opportunities and improve the efficiency and quality of our production, capitalizing on synergies between AI and animation production technologies," Toei Animation stated in the FY2026 forecast section of its FY2025 financial report. Anime fans upset as One Piece animation studio plans to adopt AI in production The news was shared with fans on Reddit by a social media user and while some people expected it, others felt that the animation studio will have its downfall. One wrote, 'It's pretty hard not to feel like this is coming for the entire industry piece by piece. Will be interesting to see how much human hand there still is in anime 10 years from now.' Another added ' It's funny. I remember Miyazaki during the time of Princess Mononoke was pretty disappointed that computers couldn't handle things like in-betweens (he found it boring and tedious).' A third went on to add, 'Get ready, this is what the future of anime looks like.' Anime made by Toei animation studio Toei Animation stands as one of Japan's most historic and influential animation studios, with a legacy of producing many legendary anime titles. Among its flagship creations are Dragon Ball (1986), Dragon Ball Z (1989), and Dragon Ball Super (2015), which together make up one of the most iconic franchises in anime history. The studio also produces One Piece (1999–present), a record-breaking and widely cherished series. Other timeless titles from Toei's extensive catalog include Sailor Moon (1992), Saint Seiya (1986), Digimon Adventure (1999), Fist of the North Star (Hokuto no Ken, 1984), GeGeGe no Kitarō (first aired in 1968 with several remakes), and Dr. Slump (1981). For those who don't know, Toei Animation has already experimented with producing anime with AI support. In 2021, it collaborated with PFN to convert photo backgrounds into anime backgrounds for an experimental short film using PFN's Scenify technology.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Hard to follow': One Piece fans divided as animator Vincent Chansard addresses overanimation claims in Luffy vs Kizaru fight
After watching the Luffy vs. Kizaru fight in One Piece recently, fans began calling it "overanimated," suggesting that too much was happening within the frames during the scene. Many tweets and comments about the issue went viral on social media, eventually catching the attention of animator Vincent Chansard, who later responded to the claims. The animator said, 'I'm not sure what overanimation would mean; one guy is literally the god of the sun, and the other is literally light.' Following his statement, fans were divided while some agreed with him, others did not. Fans react after One Piece animator Vincent Chansard addresses overanimation claims in Luffy vs Kizaru fight There's no denying that the Luffy vs. Kizaru fight was truly epic and became one of the most remarkable moments in the anime's recent episodes. However, the 'overanimation' made it 'hard to follow', a sentiment fans continue to express even after Chansard's clarification. Some however also said that more than the animation, the sound design was a problem. One wrote, 'I had more problem with the sound than I did the animation personally.' Another added, 'I think it was hard to follow in some parts only but not as a whole, like "what is happening here".' A third went on to add, 'People are not confused because g5 skills are hard to grasp due to being a god nor kizarus skills due to being light, its a problem of the animation direction and how they chose to portray it.' Also, it's important to note that one of the animators, Sota Shigetsugu, had called out the bad sound production in One Piece. He had written in Japanese, 'Toei should urgently fire the sound team for One Piece. That's not the work of professionals.' Is the Luffy vs. Kizaru Fight in One Piece overanimated? The fight between Kizaru and Luffy was undoubtedly a thrilling, high-stakes event. As admirers describe it as both a visual masterpiece and "hard to follow," however, the discussion about anime's animation quality and direction keeps expanding. What are your thoughts? Was the fight overanimated, or did it push the boundaries of anime storytelling in a good way?
Metropolis Japan
08-05-2025
- Metropolis Japan
Tokyo Train Guide: Asakusa Line
There is little doubt that Tokyo is one of the world's great urban experiments. The city's aesthetic appeal seems to forever move back and forth through classical building designs and suburban sprawls to revitalization projects and ultra-modern experiments that dazzle as architectural expressions of change. Not bad for a nation famous for tradition. Now, if Tokyo is a great urban project, its rail system is one of the many tools that opened it up for its citizens. Take the Toei Asakusa Line, for example. The first to offer through-services connecting Narita and Haneda airports without requiring a train change, the pink line whisks well over a million passengers daily between Nishi-Magome and Oshiage stations. And sitting along its twenty stations are numerous design wonders that reveal the extraordinary commitment to change that traditional Japan embodies. Photo Credit: Toshihiro Gamo Tokyo's famed modernity extends to recreating its past. Located a short walk from the current Shimbashi Station, the original Old Shimbashi Station was built in 1872, locomoting Japan into the modern world. Designed by the U.S. architect Richard Bridgens, the exact details of his Meiji Period design have since been lost. After having been thumped out of existence by the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, a reconstruction had to wait until 2004. It used a 3D technological analysis of photographs and artworks featuring the former Meiji-period station. The result is a memorial merging of Japan's historical and modern tracks. Higashi-Ginza Station is home to the kabuki theater, Kabuki-za. Recognized by UNESCO, Japan's classic theatrical art has its roots in the seventeenth century. The irony is that, though seen as a bastion of tradition, Kabuki-za has undergone constant change in the pursuit of keeping its tradition alive. Reborn several times due to natural and human disasters, the current building design by renowned architect Kengo Kuma is its fifth iteration. Kuma was tasked to work with the then baroque Japanese revivalist style, leading to a building design that combines classic architecture with modern accessibility, a uniquely clear cultural standout amidst its modern neighbors. Never merely a collection of buildings, the historical space of Tokyo (formerly known as Edo) also featured elegantly landscaped gardens, many of which have endured the transformations of the city to this day. Kyu-Shiba Rikyu, easily accessible from Daimon Station, is an extraordinarily beautiful expression of this open design. Created on reclaimed land from Tokyo Bay, the gardens were originally part of the residences of Edo period feudal lords. Opened to the public in 1924, the garden's 4.3 hectares now act as an ornamental retreat for the public. In search of solace, local salarymen and visitors from across the city are drawn to reflect on the seasonal meanings embedded in the garden's hills, ponds and rock design elements. The final stop of the line is Oshiage Station and it is here that Tokyo's ultimate architectural experiment finds its home. The tallest structure in Japan and the third tallest in the world, Tokyo Skytree is an eye-raising 634 meters high of monster engineering. Built as a broadcast tower with restaurants, shopping complexes, a planetarium and an observation deck, Tokyo Skytree's neofuturistic template combines the power of technology with unconventional design. The inspiration behind the tower's shape is said to derive from the curve of a samurai's katana blade as well as Japan's traditional pagoda designs. The result is an awesome display of tradition and future that is exacerbated by its truly massive presence and position within Tokyo's traditional downtown Sumida district. It doesn't take all that much to find change within Japan's long-standing traditions. Its architectural and urban designs have a history of adapting to the times, all while bringing forth that unique sensibility so associated with the country. Through the Toei Asakusa Line, one of the capital's many subway routes, a discovery of Meiji period recreations, Edo era landscape experiences and future-driven design are all part of the appeal. Explore the Toei Asakusa Line using a One-Day Pass (¥700), or with a combined Toei & Metro Two-Day Pass (¥1,200) or Three-Day Pass (¥1,500). Did you like our Tokyo Train Guide to the Asakusa Line? Read our other guides here: Tokyo Train Guide: Shinjuku Line Tokyo Train Guide: Fukutoshin Line
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
One Piece Episode 1129 Preview: Kuma's Heartbreaking Backstory Unfolds
One Piece is about to air its most tragic backstory yet: Kuma's story begins in episode 1129. Image Source: Toei Animation Kuma's tragic past will break your hearts One Piece is on a break this week, but when it returns, fans will witness one of the most heartbreaking stories in One Piece's history. One Piece Episode 1129 , titled 'Kuma's Past. A World Where You're Better Off Dead,' will be airing on May 18. And as the title suggests, this episode will feature the backstory of Kuma – a character whose silent suffering has long puzzled on May 11, instead of episode 1129, a special episode titled 'Dr. Chopper's Adventure Checkup - The Ballad of a Father and Daughter' will be piece does NOT contain manga spoilers for the Kuma flashback. So if you're an anime-only watcher, feel free to read it Piece is known for many things – world building, comedy, character designs, etc. But one thing the show does that takes the viewer's experience to the next level is giving characters emotional backstory. And it's not just the Strawhats that get these detailed, heartbreaking stories – even small side characters like Senor Pink and Chouchou have incredible lore behind from this episode, the most emotionally impactful flashback for any One Piece character is about to begin. And that's saying something. For years now, all we know about Kuma is that he is a Warlord for the World Government, and he has some connection to the revolutionary army. We all knew that someday we'll get to see his backstory and now the time is here. Recently, manga readers discovered the real story behind Kuma. And it is deeply story is not only important for the plot — it also shows the deeper message of the series: the fight for freedom, no matter how painful the path. With stunning anime production from Toei and a buildup of emotional scenes already hinted at in Episode 1128, Kuma's flashback is about to hit with full force. If the anime handles it well (and so far it's cooking), this could be the most memorable and emotional part of the Egghead Arc.
