KADOKAWA’s CEO Reveals How AI Is Shaping the Future of Anime!

Takeshi Natsuno, the CEO of KADOKAWA, recently opened up in an interview with The Worldfolio about how the company is using artificial intelligence (AI) to support anime production, and what the future could look like for the anime industry.

Right now, KADOKAWA is not using AI to replace artists or create full anime episodes. Instead, AI is being used as a support tool. For example, it can help color animation frames after the drafts are done. This saves animators time and improves efficiency. However, the company is still testing these methods, and it’s not yet a major part of their workflow.

Natsuno made it clear that AI can’t be truly creative on its own. He explained that AI works by analyzing huge amounts of data, and while that makes it good at repeating patterns, it also limits originality. According to him, AI could never come up with something as unique and imaginative as a show like Oshi no Ko. That’s why KADOKAWA wants to use AI to assist artists, not replace them.

Natsuno has a tech background and also teaches at a university, so he understands the limits and possibilities of AI well. When he became KADOKAWA’s CEO, he told his team he wanted the company to become more tech-driven, using technology to reduce time spent on repetitive tasks so creators can focus on storytelling.

The company is also building its internal tech strength. One of KADOKAWA’s business divisions employs hundreds of engineers, including AI experts. This allows them to test and introduce AI where it makes sense, carefully. The idea is to protect and support creativity, not take it away.

KADOKAWA has already mentioned AI in its future plans. In its 2023–2027 strategy report, it included “AI-based production support” as a way to improve how its studios work. One of its AI projects, Mantra, helps translate Japanese manga into other languages using image recognition and language processing. This helps reduce the time between Japanese and international releases, which could also reduce piracy.

Besides AI, Natsuno talked about how KADOKAWA is changing the anime business. They’re investing in more studios, like the recent addition of Chiptune, and created a new Studio Business Division in 2025 to manage all 7 of their studios. The company earned over $245 million from anime in 2024 alone and plans to keep expanding, producing more content for TV, streaming, and theaters.

He also discussed Japan’s anime industry and said there are too many small companies that can’t grow or compete globally. KADOKAWA wants to merge with or acquire these studios to give them better resources and let them focus on creativity, while KADOKAWA handles sales, marketing, and management.

In short, KADOKAWA’s goal is to use technology to improve anime production while making sure artists stay in control of the creative process. AI will help — but storytelling will always come first.