Solo Leveling Studio Is Officially Considering AI Usage In Anime

Anime was once a niche medium outside of Japan, but today, it has become a dominating force in the entertainment industry everywhere. Over the years, anime characters have become iconic figures all around the globe, and with time, anime projects have become lucrative money generators. Behind all this success, we will find some dedicated companies and animation studios pushing the anime medium forward.

Sony Entertainment owns many Japanese animation studios, including the likes of A-1 Pictures, and now, Nishimoto Shu, the President of one of their subsidiaries, Aniplex, has just made a shocking revelation, confirming that they wouldn’t mind making use of AI in their future projects in a new interview with Variety. This could have a massive impact on some of the biggest IPs in anime at the moment, which include series like Solo Leveling and even Demon Slayer.

Aniplex President Confirms The Studio Is Considering AI Usage In Anime In The Future

Sony Music Japan is an old and dominant entertainment company that was founded on 11 March 1968. It is a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, and under it, we see some massive companies and studios that produce a significant number of Japan’s most well-known and beloved anime series. Among them is one of its best-known subsidiary companies, Aniplex Inc. Aniplex is also an entertainment company that specializes in the production and distribution of anime series. It saw its founding 30 years ago, and it has stood behind some massive projects.

At the moment, the President of Aniplex of America is Nishimoto Shu, who took up the role in 2017. Nishimoto has had his biggest interview yet since assuming the role, and he definitely had a lot to say. In his interview with Variety, which was published on July 7, 2026, Nishimoto was asked about AI and if the company would be open to using it in the future.

Shockingly, Nishimoto expressed very openly that they are indeed open to using it. He emphasized that the top priority is to produce works, and if AI can help achieve that with a “positive impact,” then that would be something they would consider trying out.

Here’s his full comment on the matter as published by Variety in the interview:

“Aniplex’s top priority is to create works together with creators, including animators. If AI can have a positive impact on creators’ work, or contribute to the further development of the creative process, we would be open to carefully considering its use.” — Nishimoto Shu

Of course, Nishimoto kept it vague on how the AI would be used if they did use it, possibly to avoid further controversy. Through his message, it seems that, at least at the moment, they aren’t using any in their works.

What Aniplex AI Usage Means For Anime Series Like Solo Leveling and Demon Slayer

Aniplex AI Usage Anime Series Solo Leveling Demon Slayer

As previously stated, Aniplex and Sony are owners of some massive IPs that many fans have grown to love. Many studio subsidiaries under these companies include juggernauts like A-1 Pictures, CloverWorks, Studio Bind, and quite a few others. Additionally, Aniplex has close ties to Studio Ufotable, with which they often work on many of their big projects.

With so many big studios under, or in close relations with them, it suggests many big series could be seriously affected by AI usage in the future. Right now, A-1 Pictures is producing one of the biggest new IPs of the last few years, Solo Leveling. Solo Leveling has become a global icon, and it just had a new project announced in the form of a movie, titled ‘Solo Leveling: Beyond the System.’ Many fans have now grown worried that there might be AI-generated content in this new movie, and at the moment, it’s impossible to know if that will be the case.

Through their close ties with Ufotable, another big IP that could be affected by the AI rise is Demon Slayer. Demon Slayer broke records with its latest release, titled ‘Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle.’ This series has changed the industry, but many worry that to pump out content faster and get the other two Infinity Castle movies ready earlier, AI could be considered. This is definitely a big concern, and the latest comments by the president of Aniplex don’t put anyone at ease.

Other big series that could be affected by the AI usage include Sword Art Online by A-1 Pictures, which has a new movie, Integral Domain, in the works for 2028. Puella Magi Madoka Magica could also be affected, as it also has a movie that is highly anticipated. Alongside Walpurgisnacht: Rising by Studio SHAFT, and even the Fate franchise, which is one of the biggest IPs in Japan with almost unrivaled popularity, could be next. Fate is also handled by A-1 Pictures, and it is expecting new content, such as Fate/Strange Fake. There are dozens of other series to keep an eye out for that could well be affected if Sony decides to go through with AI usage.

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The Future of Anime In Japan And The Rise of AI

It’s no secret anymore that many animation studios are considering the usage of AI, one way or another. With anime becoming as mainstream as it is and generating a lot of money for these companies globally, there is a push to pump out more seasons and movies faster than ever before. Toei Animation, for example, a studio behind massive IPs like One Piece, Sailor Moon, and Dragon Ball, has previously stated that it would consider using AI for future productions.

WIT studio is known for many incredible anime series like Vinland Saga, Attack on Titan, and SpyxFamily, yet they were blasted when fans realized the opening sequence of Ascendance of a Bookworm Season 4 had AI backgrounds back in April 2026. Of course, the backgrounds themselves were created by NAM HAI ART, and not WIT Studio, but it was still WIT’s responsibility to check and vet their final work. With fans quickly noticing the AI, it’s hard to believe the studio itself fully missed it. The studio apologized and took full responsibility, but the fact that it still happened shocked many.

In the future, we can definitely expect some AI usage by anime studios to create more content faster, and it is only a matter of time until the usage of AI becomes more widespread, despite the criticism and disapproval of fans, and the massive loss it will cause for animators, storyboard artists, directors, and much more. No matter which way it is spun, AI is and will always be unethical, and we can only hope that studios are pressured into avoiding its usage. The last thing we want is faster, but lower quality final products in the upcoming years, at the expense of thousands of talented staff in Japan.