Overworked and underpaid: why is Japan’s animation industry still standing up against AI?

Japanese anime studios, known for pushing animators and staff beyond their limits, are eyeing AI as a potential solution amid public and industry backlash to artificial intelligence. Some view AI as a lifeline for struggling animators, while others treat it as an anchor on artists already struggling to stay afloat. Industry leaders say creators need to be recognised as an “extremely valuable strategic talent” for content creation in Japan.