The One Piece remake will not use AI-generated art for its backgrounds. Tomonori Kuroda, the art director for the remake, is strongly opposed to using AI, even for background work, and believes it is the wrong approach.
In a Twitter post from February 22, Kuroda stated that using AI ignores the interests and dignity of the rights holder. He urged other animators and artists to uphold their professional ethics, even if AI becomes legal and commercially available.
Kuroda, often associated with J.C. Staff, is an experienced art director who has worked on popular series like “A Certain Magical Index” and “A Certain Scientific Railgun.” He also gained attention for his role in 2021’s “Kiyo in Kyoto: From the Maiko House.”
WIT Studio, known for using AI art in the 2023 anime short “The Dog and the Boy,” justified the move due to a lack of manpower. This has led some fans to speculate that the One Piece remake might still use AI despite Kuroda’s influence.
The One Piece remake by Studio WIT, the creators of Ranking of Kings, Attack on Titan Seasons 1-3, and Vinland Saga Season 1, has recently announced its staff and revealed concept art for the show. The remake will start with the East Blue Saga and aims to minimize major censorship of dark content found in the original manga.
