Anime studio behind MF Ghost, Nekopara says it hasn’t adopted generative AI after animator job listing sparks backlash

Japanese anime production studio Felix Film (known for its work on anime like the Nekopara series, MF Ghost, and A Tale of the Secret Saint) recently posted an animator job listing that cited the use of AI image generation tools as an “especially welcome” skill. The listing quickly met backlash online as Japanese anime fans raised concerns about the potential use of gen-AI in anime production. In response, the studio has since revised the advertisement and released a statement on October 17 clarifying its stance on generative AI.

The first eligibility requirement in the original and revised job applications remains the same, with Felix Film looking for “individuals who aspire to become animation directors, animation supervisors, character designers, or concept designers.” However, the second requirement in the original job listing warmly welcomes applicants who “can create artwork using Blender or image-generating AI.”

The revised version is different and much longer, welcoming applicants “who are eager to utilize 3DCG tools such as Blender and new digital technologies to streamline the animation process and expand the range of artistic expression.”

In the separate statement to fans, Felix Film stated that it views AI as a tool for creators and not their replacement. Given that animation involves many labor-intensive and time-consuming tasks, the studio says it wants to find a way to use AI to improve production efficiency and reduce the burden on its creators. By doing so, it hopes to allow its staff to dedicate more of its time and energy on “core creative work.”

Felix Film also emphasized that it has not yet introduced generative AI into its production workflow, and is only in the stage of considering its potential future use. The studio currently uses a mix of hand-drawn animation and 3DCG for its anime productions, with the latter being used for layouts, drawing guides, and background creation. While Felix Film sees the potential of using generative AI in a similar manner, it doesn’t want to use the technology to create entire animations or use AI-generated images as is. It also recognizes that using generative AI comes with a lot of concerns, such as copyright issues and creators’ rights, and promises to carefully evaluate the characteristics of the software it uses.

Related: Background and prop artists, assistant programmers cited as game industry jobs most impacted by generative AI in Japan

Over 85% of Japanese game developers use generative AI in game development, 2026 CESA survey shows. An increase from last year’s 51%