Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba has turned Aniplex and Ufotable into two of the most closely watched studios in modern anime, in Japan and overseas alike. As more companies test artificial intelligence in everything from storyboards to background art, these two firms are signalling that the people already inside their studios still come first. Their message is that the future of Demon Slayerwill continue to be built around human work, not automated shortcuts.
At the 9th Astra Film Awards on 10 January 2026, a representative for Aniplex and ufotable was asked directly whether AI would change how the studios make anime in the coming years.
