Sekiro Developer Denies AI Use in Anime Production

Qzil.la, the production studio behind the newly announced anime Sekiro: No Defeat, has released a statement addressing concerns that the upcoming series could be made with generative AI, clarifying that this will not happen.

In a statement posted on Twitter/X in Japanese and provided to IGN in English via PR, Qzil.la confirms that the Sekiro anime will be entirely hand-drawn.

Details on the production approach for 'SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT' pic.twitter.com/yIwzzf9WXl

— Official SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT Anime (@sekiro_nd_anime) August 22, 2025

"We are thrilled to exclusively launch Sekiro: No Defeat on Crunchyroll in 2026," the English statement reads. "The entire anime adaptation is a hand-drawn 2D animation produced by the skilled teams at Qzil.la, ARCH, and Kadokawa. We assure fans that no AI is involved in the creation or production of this anime. Expect the same artistry and precision that made the original game iconic, now brought to life in a new format."

Sekiro: No Defeat was unveiled at gamescom: Opening Night Live last week as an adaptation of FromSoftware's game Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. The anime is a collaborative effort between Qzil.la, Kadokawa, and ARCH, and is set to premiere on Crunchyroll in 2026.

Concerns about generative AI use emerged shortly after the anime's announcement, with social media users pointing to a line on Qzil.la's website that suggests the company utilizes AI. Translated via Google, the line states, "We are developing technology to maximize the value per second for everyone involved in anime production. We question traditional methods, partner with technically advanced companies, and employ cutting-edge technologies like AI to enhance production processes and creative expression, driving digital disruption in the anime industry."

These concerns were exacerbated by Crunchyroll's recent controversy over using ChatGPT to subtitle a new anime series. CEO Rahul Purini had expressed interest in such AI use in 2024, but in April this year, he told Forbes that Crunchyroll was "not considering AI in the creative process." The company later attributed the AI subtitle incident to a third-party vendor, promising to investigate and resolve the issue.

Sekiro: No Defeat is directed by Kenichi Kutsuna and written by Takuya Satou. Wolf is voiced by Daisuke Namikawa, Kuro by Miyuki Satou, and Genichiro Ashina by Kenjiro Tsuda. The series is scheduled to debut on Crunchyroll sometime next year.