Critics criticize Bleach: TYBW directors for suggesting AI will replace unmotivated animators
Veteran anime director of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War sparks controversy with troubling comments about replacing animators with AI Fan reactions highlight the concern surrounding the director's statements
The directors of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War have stirred up controversy in the anime community regarding AI and animator rights. Despite the previous uproar involving MAPPA and Jujutsu Kaisen, it seems that the higher-ups in the anime industry have not carefully considered how they treat their animators and what they communicate to the media.
The popularity of anime has soared in recent years, but the demands for new series have taken a toll on the quality of life for animators and manga creators. A recent example is Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, whose health has suffered due to the stress of keeping up with the manga’s schedule. The addition of AI to the industry has only exacerbated these concerns. Let's delve into the issue.
Anime directors slammed for troubling comments
A recent interview with Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War directors Tomohisa Taguchi and Keiichi Hara have sparked controversy among anime fans.
Tomohisa Taguchi, director of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, and Keiichi Hara, director of Colorful, have expressed their belief that AI could potentially serve as a useful tool to "replace lazy animators who don’t get the work done." These comments have sparked unexpected and controversial discussions within the animation industry.
During an Annecy Film Festival panel interview, Bleach's Taguchi expressed his belief that AI will become increasingly utilized in animation production. He mentioned that these advancements are just the starting point and that as the technology improves, it could potentially address the issues raised by Mr. Hara regarding animators. Hara added that AI has the potential to resolve the problem of lazy animators by fulfilling their responsibilities, highlighting that AI does not complain, get tired, or need rest.
With the recent MAPPA controversy still on everyone's mind, these remarks are particularly ill-timed.
Keiichi Hara's critique of animators who fail to meet deadlines goes against prevailing industry sentiment. What are your thoughts? Is it justified or does it come across as an unjustified and unfounded rant?
- Posted on December 9, 2023 by @fufuro_moe, Hara criticized animators for accepting payment without finishing their work, leading to increased production budgets due to what he called laziness and incompetence. He referred to them as "leeches" and "scum" while discussing his latest film.
Fan reactions to the director’s comments
Constant controversy engulfs the anime industry. And these comments have only added fuel to the fire.
An esteemed anime director expressing deep concern, stating "This is truly terrifying. The industry must be completely restructured as this cannot continue."
The controversy surrounding AI in the workforce has particularly impacted creative industries, such as the anime industry, as evidenced by the recent remarks from the directors of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War. Fans have expressed outrage, with one Reddit user describing the comments as "actually horrifying for the future of the anime [industry]" and another proposing that rather than labeling animators as "incompetent", they should be provided with manageable deadlines, clear direction, and effective leadership to help them deliver quality work.
User comment by ElduRSverO from a discussion on the Bleach subreddit.
Both directors have earned high regard and have built extensive careers in the anime industry. Upon closer examination of their remarks, it becomes clear that their frustrations are not entirely baseless, especially when it comes to animators taking advantage of being paid upfront for incomplete work. The MAPPA controversy has brought attention to the poor working conditions for many creators in the anime industry, including concerns about mental health, delayed payment scandals, and unrealistic expectations. The Hollywood Writers Strike further highlights the risks of AI in an industry where many behind-the-scenes workers are underpaid and undervalued. It's no surprise that fans are voicing their concerns.
What are your thoughts on the ongoing controversy? Do you support the directors, or do you believe this could be a significant moment for the anime industry? Regardless of your stance, many fans may feel that their favorite shows will be forever changed. Explore more anime coverage here, and browse additional industry controversy coverage below.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I am deeply concerned about the recent comments made by the directors of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, suggesting that AI could replace unmotivated animators. This not only undermines the hard work and dedication of animators but also raises serious ethical questions about the future of the anime industry.
While AI technology has the potential to assist in certain aspects of animation production, it should never be seen as a replacement for human creativity and artistry. Animators are the backbone of the industry, and their skills and passion are what bring anime to life. Devaluing their contributions by labeling them as "lazy" or "incompetent" is not only unfair but also ignores the systemic issues within the industry that contribute to production delays and burnout.
