Netflix’s One Piece Anime Remake Studio Officially Confirms AI Use in Latest Release

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I recently learned that Wit Studio, the animation house known for its work on shows like the upcoming Netflix remake, has admitted to using AI tools in a recent project they released on Crunchyroll. It’s sparked some debate, and they’ve officially acknowledged it.

Wit Studio recently admitted that the new opening sequence for Season 4 of Ascendance of a Bookworm used AI-generated backgrounds, which many fans disliked. The original opening, released after the first episode, has been removed, and starting with Episode 2, a new opening with traditionally drawn backgrounds will be shown.

As a huge fan of Ascendance of a Bookworm, I was really disappointed to hear they used AI in the anime. It just felt wrong, considering the whole point of the show is about the joy of creating things yourself! It’s frustrating because AI often relies on artwork created by others without permission. And honestly, it made me worried about One Piece too. We’re all desperate for news on the live-action series, and I’m hoping they won’t go down the same path with AI, especially since we still don’t know much about how it’s being made.

Wit Studio Officially Confirms Ascendance of a Bookworm Season 4 Featured AI-Generated Backgrounds in New Anime Opening

Wit Studio announced that they investigated how their anime, Ascendance of a Bookworm: The Lord’s Adopted Daughter, was made, specifically looking at the opening sequence, after receiving feedback starting April 4, 2026. They confirmed that generative AI tools were used to create some parts of the opening sequence.

We used AI to help create some of the background art in the opening scene of the first episode. We’re redrawing that art, and starting with episode two, the opening sequence will be updated with the newly created backgrounds.

We closely follow new video production technologies, but generally don’t allow the use of generative AI in our work, with one exception: an experimental project created for testing purposes. However, the recent issue occurred because of failures in how we managed and checked our production process, and we take full responsibility.

We, as the company that made this work, are truly sorry to our fans, the author, and everyone else affected. We’re taking this as a learning experience and will improve how we make things in the future by updating our guidelines and processes. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Following confirmation that the AI-animated opening for Season 4 of Ascendance of a Bookworm will be removed, Wit Studio clarified that Nam Hai Art, the studio that outsourced the animation, and the artists who worked on it – including key artist and storyboard artist Kazuto Nakazawa – are not at fault.

Wit Studio recently addressed concerns about its upcoming One Piece anime remake for Netflix. Fans are disappointed by the lack of updates – there’s still no trailer or confirmed release date, despite the project being announced in December 2023.

Along with the announcement of Season 3 and the unveiling of a new animated LEGO spin-off, recent news about One Piece included some early concept art. Considering the existing concerns, many dedicated One Piece fans were understandably disappointed and worried by this latest reveal.

The recent debate about AI in animation, especially concerning Wit Studio’s work with Crunchyroll, may have led to a quick release of the first trailer for Netflix’s The One Piece. It seems the trailer was meant to reassure fans that the show wouldn’t use AI-generated animation. However, Netflix still hasn’t announced when The One Piece will be available.

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2026-04-10 16:18