Shunsuke Muramatsu, Sony Music Entertainment Japan President, Representative Director of the Board, and Group CEO, recently revealed that the company is developing AI coloring technology for use in anime production in collaboration with its subsidiary studios. Sony had previously hinted at AI development for anime last May when it shared more details on its AnimeCanvas software at the Sony Corporate Strategy Meeting 2024.
In a new interview from Sonyâs recent Business Segment Presentation & Fireside Chat 2025 (video here, 11:15), Muramatsu was asked about anime creatorsâ working conditions and how Sony Music supports them.
ALSO READ:
Live-Action to Anime in âThree Hours,â Boasts Lionsgate Vice Chairman About AI Technology Capabilities
Muramatsu replied that Sony had revamped its anime studios to ensure creators can better focus on their work. He also highlighted the development of AnimeCanvas and that Sony is contributing technologies to its studios to âcreate completely new anime production processes.â When asked about the specifics of the use of Sonyâs technologies, Muramatsu replied:
âAt A-1 Pictures and CloverWorks, everyone including management and creators is deeply involved in the development. One specific example is the use of AI in the coloring stage of anime production. Itâs a process of trial and error, but I hear itâs coming together well. I often visit the studios, and animators and other creators still use a lot of analog processes. So, if we can offer technological support that reduces physical work and raises efficiency, freeing them up to focus more on creation, I would like to do more.â
ALSO READ:
âI Canât Have a Firm Responseâ: Crunchyroll Admits up to 50% of Customer Support Queries May Go Unsolved in Select Languages
Crunchyrollâs CEO Says No to AI Use in Anime but the Rest of the Sony Group Presses Ahead
With Sony Music Entertainment Japan and its subsidiary anime studios A-1 Pictures and CloverWorks (under Aniplex) pressing ahead with the development of AI for anime use, anime fans may wonder how Crunchyroll fits into this as a Sony Group member. This is especially since Crunchyroll CEO Rahul Purini made it clear that Crunchyroll was not considering AI for the creative process of anime production, telling Forbes in April 2025:
âWe are not considering AI in the creative process, including our voice actors. We consider them to be creators because they are contributing to the story and plot with their voice.â
While Crunchyroll certainly isnât A-1 Pictures, CloverWorks, or SMEJ, it is co-owned by SMEJâs Aniplex (with Sony Pictures Entertainment in the U.S), which may merit re-examination of Puriniâs comments at the time. Crunchyroll may not personally advocate for AI use, but anime is nearly always made by committee, rather than a single production company.
Crunchyroll has previously solo-produced select titles under its Crunchyroll Originals banner, such as The God of Highschool. Other recent solo productions include MAPPAâs Chainsaw Man and Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill, Bilibiliâs Aharen-san wa Hakarenai, and Toei Animationâs Girls Band Cry. Nevertheless, these are uncommon.
ALSO READ:
Trained on 1 Million Videos: Major Anime Producer Bilibili Releases AI-Generated Anime Model
Toei Animation Responds After Backlash to AI Plans: Denies Current Use, but Still Expects to Introduce It
As Crunchyroll nearly always produces anime as part of a committee, itâs not exactly clear whether Crunchyroll is even in a position to reject AI if its partners are for it. Doubly so, if these partners include Crunchyrollâs own parent and sister companies. These clarifications were sought from Crunchyroll, and probably shouldâve been sought at the time, but no response was received prior to the publication of this article.
Source: Sony Business Segment Presentation & Fireside Chat 2025 (video)
Featured image: Sony Groupâs Corporate Strategy Meeting 2024, © Solo Leveling Animation Partners
