On August 20, 2025, the long-awaited anime adaptation of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice was announced. Titled SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT, it is being produced by studio Qzil.la, which is known for dealing with numerous AI technologies and projects. This caused a part of the audience to believe that the anime adaptation would itself utilize generative AI, which prompted an official statement from the SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT production committee.
As initially announced, the announcement against states that the team is committed to preserving the appeal of the original game. To achieve this, the anime is being produced entirely through hand-drawn 2D animation. The statement emphasizes that no generative AI technology will be used at any stage in the process.
The production committee also expresses that the staff is united in their efforts, devoting care and passion to every individual cut. You can read the full statement below.
We would like to inform you about the production methods of SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT, whose anime adaptation was announced on August 20, 2025.
In order to deliver the unique and unparalleled appeal of the original game to the fullest extent, this work is being produced as a fully hand-drawn 2D animation. No generative AI is being used at any stage.
All of our staff are united as one, pouring their souls into each and every cut as we move forward with production.
We sincerely ask for your continued warm support going forward.
August 22, 2025
SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT Production Committee
Qzil.la Co., Ltd.
The renowned staff lineup was already itself good reason to doubt there would be any AI use. You can see the main staff working on the anime below.
- Director: Kenichi Kutsuna
- Screenwriter: Takuya Satou
- Character Designer: Takahiro Kishida
- Deputy Director: Shunsuke Fukui
- Chief Animation Director: Kaito Moki
- Action Animation Director: Takashi Mukoda
- Art Director: Yuji Kaneko
- Color Designer: Azusa Sasaki
- Cinematographer: Keisuke Nozawa
- Editor: Yoshinori Murakami
- Sound Director: Yasushi Nagura
- Composer: Shuta Hasunuma
- Produced by: ARCH
- Production Company: Qzil.la
The anime will be streaming exclusively on Crunchyroll in 2026. You can watch the trailer below.
Source: SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT Official X
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