Demon Slayer’s producer Aniplex is open to the use of AI to contribute to the creative process
Aniplex, the anime production and distribution subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Japan, has signaled openness to incorporating artificial intelligence into its creative production processes. The stance was outlined by Shu Nishimoto, who assumed the presidency of Aniplex in 2026, during a recent interview with Variety discussing the company’s strategic vision and direction.
The disclosure marks a controversial position within the anime industry, which has faced growing concerns about AI’s potential impact on creative workers and traditional animation processes. Aniplex is a dominant force in anime production and distribution, having been involved with major franchises including Naruto, Bleach, Sword Art Online, Fate, Solo Leveling, and Demon Slayer over its 30-year history.
The announcement arrives amid Sony’s expanding consolidation of the Japanese entertainment sector. The parent conglomerate owns Crunchyroll, the world’s largest anime streaming platform, and holds the largest stake in media corporation Kadakawa. This growing concentration of power has implications for both the anime industry’s future direction and how creative labor will be impacted by emerging technologies.