WIT Studio's AI scandal won't be anime's last

WIT Studio, known for Attack on Titan, issued an apology after fans spotted AI-generated distortions in the opening sequence of Ascendance of a Bookworm. The studio pulled the sequence and promised a replacement, but the damage was done. The incident reflects a growing trend of AI creeping into anime production. From Amazon's botched AI dubbing to Toei Animation's 100 billion yen expansion plan embracing AI, financial pressures and rising content demands are pushing studios toward shortcuts. With WIT reportedly losing 170 million yen in 2025, AI use in anime looks increasingly inevitable.