In a new interview with Gizmodo Japan, Cowboy Bebop creator Shinichiro Watanabe was asked about his exploration of the themes around AI in Carole & Tuesday and his latest work, Lazarus. Watanabe also said he believes AI as a “god for a new religion” will become a reality one day, and spoke about the increasing trend of its use in anime.

“Actually, there is a trend to introduce AI into anime. But, I think that people who work in anime started their careers because they wanted to draw pictures, create stories, and make good works. If AI makes everything, does it mean anything, no matter how advanced the work is? I think we’re forgetting the basic fact that we make music because we want to. Carole & Tuesday was also about why we make music in an age where it’s common for AI to make music. We can say it’s to create a hit or to capture people’s hearts, but ultimately, the question is whether it’s fun to make it. It’s also about why humans create.“

ALSO READ:
Trademark Applications for ‘AI Anime’ & ‘AI Animation’ Launched by Creator’s X Anime Studio in Japan

“This is not limited to AI,” Watanabe continued, “but I have worked in the anime industry for a long time and have concluded that anything drawn by human hands has a certain charm, even if the drawing is messy. This is because the feelings of the person who drew it are put into it. But when something is automatically generated by AI, no matter how detailed or high-quality it may be, it lacks any human emotion. It’s like a heartless monster. I don’t think people are impressed by the amount of information or the accuracy.“

Watanabe was then asked about AI that can generate art that resembles specific styles:
“Of course, some people will say it’s fine because you can’t tell the difference. So I think that’s why people are now expected to have a discerning eye for aesthetics. Well, my current conclusion is that, regardless of other fields, it’s better not to use AI in the creative field. And I want to continue making hand-drawn animation without AI, so please continue to support me in the future (laughs).“

ALSO READ:
‘Generative AI as a Supporter’: OLM Digital Anime Studio Reveals Plan to Incorporate AI Into Industry

This sentiment of hand-drawn art containing the “feelings of the person who drew it” was shared by Look Back director Kiyotaka Oshiyama in our interview with him last year. “From the beginning, when Look Back came to us, I really wanted to make sure we used this method of drawing with the lines and having the animators’ key animation be more of the main part instead of using more in-between animation,” he said, adding, “I really think key animation really reflects the emotions of the animator who is drawing it.” It was so essential to producing the film that he called it the “condition” to take on the project.

Be sure to check out Gizmodo’s interview where Shinichiro Watanabe talks about how John Wick director Chad Stahelski came onboard the Lazarus anime, the choice behind the soundtrack, the inspiration for Lazarus‘ Hapna, and more. Watanabe directed and co-wrote the series alongside Dai Sato, Takahiro Ozawa, and Tsukasa Kondo. Kamasi Washington, Bonobo, and Floating Points composed the soundtrack. MAPPA is responsible for animation production; you can check out the star-studded cast here.

Lazarus is available on Adult Swim and Max in the U.S. and is described, “2052 — A miracle drug turns lethal, and humanity faces extinction. It’s up to a team of outlaws known as LAZARUS to save the world.“

Source: Gizmodo Japan
© SUNRISE