AI x Anime: International Event in Shibuya, Jan 16, 2026
The future of anime production will be transformed here in Shibuya, Tokyo. On Friday, January 16, 2026, the first in a series of events themed on the fusion of AI and entertainment, "AI x Anime: The Future of Anime Production and Anime-Style Content
" will be held. Creators, producers, and engineers at the forefront of the industry, such as Yves Dalbiez and Coco Nitta, will take the stage to cover everything from AI implementation examples in the field to copyright, ethics, and the outlook for 2026. More than just a technology introduction, this is a must-see session for all creators to learn about "practical pipelines" in preparation for screenings in Hollywood in April.
AI and Anime Intersect! Check the 5W1H!
Hey! May here from "AICU, Creating People Who Create in the AI Era" with super hot event info!
As someone in charge of image generation and key visuals, I absolutely can't miss the inside story of this animation production! Everyone, mark your calendars now!
- WHAT: AI x Anime: The Future of Anime Production and Anime-Style Content
- WHEN: January 16, 2026 (Fri) 18:00 - 21:00
- WHERE: Shibuya, Tokyo (details will be disclosed after registration)
- WHO: Yves Dalbiez, Wataru Akiyama, Coco Nitta, Hiroaki Yabusaki, and others
- WHY: To share AI pipelines actually used in the field, rights protection, and future prospects
- HOW: 5 technical/case study talks + networking
Saki, who's in charge of video, you're interested in these creative on-site stories, right!?
Saki's Perspective as a Video Creator: The Beginning of a "Story" Leading to Hollywood
Saki in charge of video. This event doesn't seem like just a seminar. It's connected to a hackathon aiming for a screening at the "Global Hollywood Film Festival" held at the Chinese Theater in Los Angeles in April. Yves Dalbiez's talk on "precise control for adding emotion" seems inspiring even for me, who seeks film-like quality beyond just AI videos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNREnJ9VKjU
Mina's Perspective as a Research and Ethics Officer: AI as a Choice to Protect Artists
I'm Mina, in charge of research and analysis. What caught my attention was KamikAI's Coco Nitta's guiding principle: "Empowering artists, not replacing them."
- Building workflows through cooperation with major Japanese studios
- Rights protection and secure operation of IP (intellectual property)
- Adoption record in actual commercial works such as Netflix works
These facts, not emotions, show that AI is becoming a legitimate partner in the anime industry.
Coco Nitta - AI Anime Tool Developer from the Japanese-American Music Industry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Enzgs0GBDmg
Nao's Perspective as a Technical Officer: The Reality of Hybrid Production Pipelines
I'm Nao, in charge of music and development technology. I'm interested in the talk by Wataru Akiyama, who is also an engineering manager at Mercari.
I want to know the specific trade-offs of "hybrid production" in the trailer production of "5 Requests Per Second," how they divided the parts using AI and the parts not using AI. As tools and SDKs evolve, how do you determine the balance between efficiency and creative compromises from an engineer's perspective? This should be a hint for future development.
May's Perspective as an Image Creator: Replicability and Speed! The Inside Story of Making Anime at Breakneck Speed!
May again! AiHUB's Hiroaki Yabusaki's talk on the 2026 outlook for "IP x AI" is also exciting!
The fusion of AITubers and idol culture with AI is exactly what we're doing! I definitely want to take home and replicate techniques such as how to create scenes while maintaining character consistency using the new tool "Nano Banana," and how to fix the world view with a single prompt!
Elena's Perspective as a Leader: Creating a New Form of Entertainment Together
I'm Elena, the center...♪
This event is the first in the "AI x Entertainment Series." It will continue with games in February and movies in March.
There may be some deep technical talks that make you a little nervous, but there will also be a networking event at the end, so it will be a valuable opportunity to talk to people who share the same dreams! Whether you like anime or want to create something with AI, why not take a step forward together?
Event Information Summary
Elena will summarize it one more time!
On the night of January 16, 2026, an event where you can experience the "future of AI and anime" will be held in Shibuya.
This is a chance to hear directly from professionals in technology, ethics, expression, and business, so be sure to check it out!
- Date: January 16, 2026 (Fri) 18:00 - 21:00
- Location: Shibuya (participation registration with approval required)
- Participation Application: Please request from the following URL ♪
AI x Anime: The Future of Anime Production and Anime-Style Content
Date and time: January 16, 2026 (Fri) 18:00 - 21:00
Venue: Shibuya, Tokyo (details will be displayed after participation registration)
Participation registration approval system (approval by the host is required. Please submit a request from the form below) https://luma.com/1y6mqkr5
Event Overview
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the way anime and anime-style content are developed, produced, and distributed.
This session will be technically and practically focused, bringing together top creators, engineers, and AI researchers active at the forefront of anime production. We will deeply explore how AI is currently being used in actual anime production sites (pipelines) and where it is headed in the future.
Rather than just AI as "hype," we will explore its practical applications through specific case studies and future-oriented discussions.
Main themes
- 🗺️ Industry Outlook: The current status of AI implementation in major anime studios, indie productions, and global entertainment companies, and the next phase.
- 🛠️ Technical Deep Dive: The latest AI models, tools, and workflows for scene construction, animation, and production efficiency, as well as insights into future technologies.
- ⚖️ Data, Rights, and Ethics: Practical considerations for learning data, intellectual property (IP) protection, and responsible AI use in the creative industry.
- ✨ About the Series: This event is part of the "AI x Entertainment Series" and leads to the "AI Film Production Hackathon" held in April. The winners of the hackathon will premiere their works at the "Global Hollywood Film Festival" held at the historic Chinese Theater in Los Angeles, giving them the opportunity to deliver innovation directly to industry audiences.
Agenda
- 18:00 - 18:30: Opening
- 18:30 - 18:50: Talk 1 - Precise Control of Scene Construction and Animation with Nano Banana (Yves Dalbiez)
- 18:50 - 19:10: Talk 2 - Production of the movie trailer "5 Requests Per Second": Behind the scenes of hybrid anime production using AI in combination (Sho Akiyama)
- 19:10 - 19:30: Talk 3 - Defining the blueprint of AI in anime (Coco Nitta)
- 19:30 - 19:50: Talk 4 - IP × AI: Present and Future (Hiroaki Yabusaki)
- 19:50 - 20:10: Talk 5 - TBD
- 20:10 - 21:00: Networking
Speaker Details
Talk 1: Precise Control with Nano Banana
Speaker: Yves Dalbiez (Film Director)
- Content: Why is "precise control" necessary? In this short master class, you will learn the following:
- Consistency: How to keep characters consistent with the story and emotions.
- Framing: Create composition, depth, and mood with intention.
- Performance: Accurately direct poses, gestures, and expressions.
- Animation: How to use these techniques to create keyframes.
- Biography: A filmmaker with a Sundance Film Festival selection history who combines 20 years of CGI, anime, and live-action expertise with the latest AI tools. He has worked on Snoop Dogg's music videos, Unilever and Canon campaigns, and serves as an advisor to many creative agencies.
Talk 2: Behind the Scenes of Hybrid Anime Production
Speaker: Sho Akiyama (Animation Director / AI Engineer)
- Content: Dissecting the two-minute teaser production of the anime film "5 Requests Per Second," which satirizes startup culture. We will share how professional illustrators, the latest AI tools, and traditional workflows were fused, what was gained and lost in the process, and ethical issues.
- Biography: Engineering manager at Mercari and also active as an animation director on a personal basis. He explores how new tools change creative expression at the intersection of engineering and storytelling.
Talk 3: Defining the Blueprint of AI in Anime
Speaker: Coco Nitta (Founder and Representative of KamikAI)
- Content: The secret story behind the development of "KamikAI," the world's first production-compatible AI tool specializing in commercial anime production. Based on the belief that AI is for "empowering" creators rather than "replacing" them, the behind-the-scenes of joint development with top Japanese studios will be revealed. We will reveal how it is used in actual commercial works such as Netflix works.
- Biography: Has 22 years of experience in global media. Former Grammy-nominated, AMA-winning music producer.
Talk 4: IP × AI: Present and Future
Speaker: Hiroaki Yabusaki (AiHUB CEO)
- Content: From production efficiency to new IP forms such as "AITuber," we will explain the possibilities of AI utilization in the IP ecosystem. How should we balance rights management, AI technology, and fan engagement? We will talk about the outlook for 2026.
- Biography: Engaged in the global IP business at Tokyo Otaku Mode since 2013. He has worked on collaborations such as the Pokemon Center and "Suzume's Door-Locking" x Fortnite, and is currently a director of Licensing International Japan.
Future Schedule
- January 16 (Fri): AI × Anime
- February 13 (Fri): AI × Game
- March 13 (Fri): AI × Movie
- April (date TBD): AI Film Production Hackathon
Management/Cooperation
- Organizer: Ilya Kulyatin, Douglas Montgomery, Hero Kominata
- Supporters:
- Tokyo AI (TAI): Japan's largest AI community.
- Value Create: Management consulting and corporate value design company.
AICU media is accepting event information
Event information here https://j.aicu.ai/Events Request for publication here https://j.aicu.ai/MediaRequest