Toei Animation embraces AI to streamline animation - What does it mean for One Piece?

It has been over a decade since I started watching anime, and Toei Animation has been a part of my otaku journey. From the emotional waves of Sailor Moon and the epic journey of One Piece, I have watched them all.

Hearing that the studio is embracing artificial intelligence to streamline animation hit me like a Gear 5 punch to the gut. Honestly, I feel that this decision could change everything. Animation, like every other creative field, is evolving. And now, with Toei diving headfirst into AI, fans like me end up questioning what will happen to the anime we love.

I am aware that technology has always shaped animation. From hand-drawn panels to digital frames, and now CGI-enhanced visuals, innovation is nothing new. But to accept AI is difficult, mostly because it has become infamous for the fact that it can easily replace jobs.

I remember watching The Dog and the Boy, a short released by Toei that used AI-generated backgrounds. It was fascinating. Beautiful, even. But it felt experimental, like a toe dipped into the AI waters. But now that Toei Animation has decided to embrace AI into their work, a lot of people, including me, cannot help but worry about the future of our favorite shows.

Although they have reassured us that AI won't replace human creativity, I can't help but stress. Because the moment you automate part of a creative process, it’s hard to stop. According to their reports, Toei Animation promises faster production timelines, lower costs, and more “efficient” design processes.

Well, if I take a step back from being a fan and look at it from the business standpoint, this makes sense. AI can handle repetitive tasks like background creation, in-betweening, color correction, and maybe even voice synthesis.

Honestly, this shift is causing a major shift in fandom because for us, Toei Animation isn’t just animation to me, it’s heart, it’s craft, it’s soul. And maybe with this fast-paced world, it gets difficult to accept a new shift, especially when it questions the future.

Toei’s partnership with PFN isn’t just about saving money, it’s also about preparing for a future where animation demands more than human labor can provide. And maybe, just maybe, we, the fans, are part of the reason Toei is making this move. We expect fast releases, jaw-dropping animation, and weekly consistency. It is a high bar, and studios like Toei are under constant pressure to deliver.

Just look at what’s happening at MAPPA, the sheer burnout, the insane hours, the toll it’s taking on animators. If Toei is seriously trying to avoid that fate, I can respect that. If AI can genuinely ease the burden by handling tedious or repetitive tasks, maybe it will allow the actual artists to focus on storyboarding, key animation, and the emotional beats that really matter. If that’s true, and if it’s done ethically, it could be a tool for balance, not destruction.

So, what does this mean for One Piece by Toei Animation?

One Piece is Toei’s crown jewel, an anime that has been running strong since 1999. And hearing rumors that AI might touch the production of such an iconic series has understandably sent fans (myself included) into a full-blown panic. Luckily, One Piece animator Vincent Chansard, who has worked on some of the most jaw-dropping episodes in recent arcs, stepped in to calm the waters.

Furthermore, he has come out and clarified that as far as he is aware, One Piece has not started using AI. But the future of this series is unknown. Toei Animation hasn’t given a clear roadmap. They have only announced the intention to use AI, not how or when they will do it. And so far, One Piece still looks, feels, and breathes like the human-driven show we love.

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In conclusion, I will be honest — the reason I love anime because it’s made by people for people. There’s an emotional language in hand-drawn art that AI, no matter how advanced, just can’t reproduce. Because if anime loses its soul, then no matter how efficient it gets, it won’t feel like anime anymore. For now, I’ll stay hopeful, that AI will be a helping hand for Toei Animation and not a replacement. That the heart of anime keeps beating.

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