The adaptation of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice into an anime should have been exciting news for fans. With its brutal sword fighting, eerie setting, and layered story, FromSoftware’s game seemed perfect for a faithful animated version. However, that excitement quickly turned to doubt when reports surfaced claiming the studio behind Sekiro: No Defeat used artificial intelligence (AI) during production.
Although the studio Qzil.la has insisted the anime is entirely hand-drawn, the controversy has left a mark. In an era where AI sparks heated debates about creativity, fans’ skepticism reflects a deeper fear: that beloved anime projects might lose their artistic soul to shortcuts driven by machines.
Suspicious Evidence and Fan Doubts
The controversy centers on a still frame from the anime’s promotional material. Fans pointed out that a character’s hand looks oddly distorted, sparking speculation that AI-generated imagery might have slipped into production. While this is far from conclusive proof, it was enough to fuel suspicion on social media despite official statements from the anime’s X account denying any AI involvement.
Concerns grew when Qzil.la openly acknowledged using AI in their overall production process. Their website mentions experimenting with AI technology to “break” traditional anime creative methods. Although this doesn’t directly reference Sekiro: No Defeat, it raised eyebrows among an already cautious audience.
Skepticism deepened when Crunchyroll, the exclusive streaming platform for the series in 2026, became part of the debate. Fans still remember Crunchyroll admitting to using AI-assisted subtitles, setting a worrying precedent whenever new projects emerge.
The Future of Anime and AI Concerns
The mix of suspicious visuals, the studio’s AI experiments, and Crunchyroll’s shaky reputation created a perfect storm. Instead of focusing on the hype around adapting one of the decade’s most acclaimed games, the conversation shifted to controversy.
The anime industry is no stranger to technological experimentation, with CGI integration happening for decades. However, AI-generated art presents a more complex challenge, striking at the heart of artistic identity. Unlike CGI, AI risks completely replacing parts of the production process to cut costs and ease workloads.
For fans, AI raises questions about authenticity and artistic soul. Anime thrives on the unique strokes of animators, capturing subtle expressions and imperfect lines that breathe life into characters. AI risks stripping away this human essence, leaving something technically polished but emotionally hollow. Fans fear that what makes anime special could be lost in the pursuit of efficiency.
This is why the Sekiro: No Defeat debate extends beyond a single show. It reflects broader anxieties about anime’s future. If studios lean too heavily on AI, will the creative spirit of the industry be sacrificed for convenience?
According to Screenrant