TikToker “Twins Hinahima” will be made into an anime in the spring of 2025! Comments have arrived from top creators Makoto Tezuka and Yoshikazu Yasuhiko regarding “Creativity and AI”
Animate Holdings Co., Ltd. Press release: December 13, 2024 TikToker “Twins Hinahima” will be made into an anime in the spring of 2025! Comments have arrived from top creators Makoto Tezuka and Yoshikazu Yasuhiko regarding “Creativity and AI” Frontier Works Co., Ltd. (Toshima-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director and President: Tsuji Masahide) and KaKa Creation Co., Ltd. (Meguro-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Yasutomo Takehara) are pleased to announce that TikToker “Twins Hinahima”, who is active on TikTok and YouTube, will be made into an anime. Publication is scheduled for around spring 2025. Prior to the release, a key visual and teaser movie were released.
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https://youtu.be/dOUIEFT1OLI
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOUIEFT1OLI Twin high school girls attending a high school in Tokyo, currently in their first year. The older sister is Himari (Hiri), who has white hair, and the younger sister, Hinana (Yonana), who has red hair. I started posting videos on TikTok because it was popular around me. I like anime, so I’d like to try cosplay dancing someday, but I can’t do it because I don’t have the money. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hinashimaa YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hinahimaaa X: https://twitter.com/hinahimaa
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/16756/6074/16756-6074-d0e080a44130c8de85205218b3f7e2f5-1013×1350.jpg ■Synopsis Twin high school girls Himari and Hinana dream of becoming a hit. Starting with dance, he starts filming things that seem to be going well, and when he notices a strange “abnormality,” he steps into a strange world. ■The values that this project values most, About the idea of “Supportive AI” AI technology is rapidly spreading into everyday life while creating various possibilities and challenges, and it is also becoming very familiar to creators’ creative activities. However, there is still a deep gap between creators and AI, and it appears that time has passed without the debate reaching maturity. In response to this situation, our two companies are based on the idea that “AI is only an auxiliary tool for creators’ creative activities”, that is, the idea of ”supportive AI”, and we have decided to solve the problems when using AI and develop it. We believe that there is a need to tackle AI technology in a way that uses its performance in the right way. We believe that the usefulness of AI for creators can be broadly divided into the following two categories. 1) “Efficiency” aims to reduce the enormous amount of work that is causing the shortage of human resources and the increase in work hours at animation sites 2) “Establishment of new expressions” that was difficult to achieve with existing technologies such as handwriting and CG 1. Specific method of using AI in this work This work is produced using AI technology in addition to the Adobe and Celsys products used in conventional animation production. More than 95% of the cuts in the main story are cut using AI to reduce the burden, while final additions and corrections are made manually to ensure quality. The key visual was created using the following method. Character: All hand drawn in CLIP STUDIO PAINT. Background: Convert the photo you took into an anime background style using AI. After that, the art staff retouched it. Logo: All hand drawn in Adobe Illustrator. Special effects: Processing with Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects. 2. Why bother using AI As AI content is being mass-produced, we believe that the most important thing when using AI in anime production is to seriously address quality and creativity. , our first priority was to create an AI work that met these
requirements. Anime production is labor-intensive work that requires a complex and diverse process. This characteristic lengthens the production period and increases the workload, creating a barrier to entry for young creators. To address this issue, we will use AI technology as an assist tool to improve work efficiency and save labor, improve the working environment of creators, and create an environment where they can focus on more creative activities. We aim to By starting this “Twins Hinahima” anime project, we hope to contribute to solving the problems of solving the shortage of creators facing the anime industry, improving the working environment by increasing productivity, and improving the treatment of creators. I’m thinking. With a sense of crisis that anime is in danger of
disappearing due to a shortage of human resources, we are confident that by utilizing AI technology, it is possible to make the future of anime production brighter and more sustainable. . ■ Comments have arrived from top creators regarding “Creativity and AI” The anime production industry has faced serious challenges for many years. Harsh working conditions, tight schedules, a production process that has remained unchanged for over 40 years and relies heavily on manual labor, the aging of creators and a lack of successors, and concerns about protecting intellectual property rights have led to the introduction of new technology. There are many problems such as delays. This project aims to provide an opportunity for the entire industry to seriously face the challenges of anime production. We also interviewed top creators Makoto Tezuka and Yoshikazu Yasuhiko about how creators interact with AI. [Interview with Makoto Tezuka *Partial] 〇Click here for the full interview Anime “Twins Hinahima” official website Interview with Makoto Tezuka:
https://anime-hinahima.com/interview01/
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/16756/6074/16756-6074-93dd976721a1269cc30b8ed3ded43e10-2421×1818.jpg Is AI the same as when CG was introduced? History of resistance and evolution -In the past, Osamu Tezuka has said that he uses AI as a support tool to create new works I think you were working on a project. Based on that, AI and creative Could you give us your opinion on how to get involved? [Tezuka] Basically, that project was not led by me, but by NEDO, a national research and development agency led by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. AI developers tried to approach “manga” by developing story-type content with AI and using image generation AI technology, and from there, “Osamu Tezuka’s content was used. Can you do something like that?” This is a form of proposal. Therefore, it was just a presentation of a research demonstration experiment. -The painting style and stories of a person who has already passed away are said to be generated into stories and pictures as if they were drawn by the person himself Although they are technically amazing, some people may feel uneasy or disgusted by them. In addition to such laws, as a person concerned, how do you think about people’s feelings and physiological aspects? Does it feel that way? [Tezuka] I’ve been making videos for many years, so I’ve seen some revolutionary technological advances. For example, computer graphics (CGI) came out around the 1980s. At the time, there was a lot of resistance to this, and some people who felt a sense of crisis even said things like, “We might no longer need actors and stuntmen,” and “We might no longer need directors.” , so far it hasn’t gone away. However, as a result, the range of expression has expanded and there have been some changes. I feel exactly the same way about this AI. Nowadays, people don’t specifically say that they used CG in movies. I think the reason why everyone is concerned about AI now is because we are now saying, “We are using AI.” Now we have to make an
announcement, so when we say, “We have this new technology,” the reaction to our words is very sensitive. But I don’t think you’ll know anything if you don’t tell me. I don’t even know if it was drawn by a human or by a program. I don’t think there is a problem with that. In movies and entertainment, the result is everything, so my way of thinking is that as long as the audience is entertained, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a person or a program. Every magic trick has seeds. -Do you think that AI is just a tool? [Tezuka] I think so. Did Osamu Tezuka use AI for his assistant work? -What do you think Osamu Tezuka would do if he saw AI technology? [Tezuka] First of all, you don’t have to use an assistant, so let me do that. First of all, draw the border, fill in the solid color, and part of the background (lol) The assistant system was started by Osamu Tezuka. Actually, I want to draw everything myself, but I’m too busy and if I do everything myself, I won’t be able to meet the deadline for the magazine. That’s why I hired people to do things that weren’t essential to the work, such as drawing borders and filling in solid areas, and I didn’t really want to hire apprentices. I think they wanted to use it for parts that are mechanical and don’t need to be human. – After listening to your story, I’ve already decided what to do for the anime, such as coloring. I thought there was a possibility that tasks like making things happen could be left to AI. Creators do the important part, use AI as a tool, and leave which part to them I wonder if we’ll live in an era where each creator can choose. [Tezuka] In the end, it’s up to the creator. What is the difference between AI and humans regarding “learning”? -Currently, there are some people who are resistant to learning using AI. What do you think about learning using AI? [Tezuka] For example, when Osamu Tezuka first appeared and his popularity exploded, all the other manga that came out were manga with Osamu Tezuka’s touch. We all read and learned about Osamu Tezuka, and that’s how we drew. It’s permissible because a human did it, but I think it’s strange that it’s wrong the moment a machine does it. Everyone is studying Osamu Tezuka and drawing manga. Learn, draw according to the instructions, memorize it, and become a manga artist. What’s wrong with that? ―I think creativity starts with learning in the first place. [Tezuka] that’s right. All I can do is learn. On the other hand, learning is necessary no matter how old you are. It’s a lie to say that you can create a work from scratch. Towards a future where “anxiety due to not knowing” is resolved -Finally, please let me know your feelings about AI. [Tezuka] I don’t really understand AI right now, so I don’t even know what to say. There are a lot of people who are so nervous. But once you understand it, you’ll be like, “Is this what it is?” and it won’t be anything. Makoto Tezuka Visualist Born in Tokyo in 1961. He began making 8mm films when he was in high school and received high praise from filmmakers including director Nagisa Oshima. Since his time at university, he has been active in various media including movies, television, and videos. Although he focuses on movies, he also produces novels, digital software, events, and CDs, and is attracting attention for his advanced content and style. In 1999, the feature film “The Idiot” was screened at the Venice International Film Festival and other venues and received international acclaim. [Interview with Yoshikazu Yasuhiko *Partial] 〇Click here for the full interview Anime “Twins Hinahima” official website Interview with Yoshikazu Yasuhiko:
https://anime-hinahima.com/interview02/
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/16756/6074/16756-6074-ec9ff6025a71db1be10d31fb31d9f5cc-3240×2412.jpg Will it be the savior of the anime industry? Possibility of AI as an auxiliary tool -There is a labor shortage problem in the anime industry, so I’m wondering if AI can be used as an auxiliary tool However, what do you think about that? [Yasuhiko] When I watch test videos that utilize AI, there are many things I want to say… Considering the current situation where we are producing pathetic products with low quality due to a lack of manpower, AI will improve the standard. Isn’t there a lot of hope that he might do it? -For example, use AI tools in the same way as pen and paper to output the images in your head If you could help me, would you like to use it to create some kind of work? [Yasuhiko] No, personally, I don’t think I’d want to use it… But I think we can get a lot of support for anime production, right now. For example, if they are going to do something like mid-way discounts, I think it would be great if they would do it more and more. During that time, the creators also studied acting. The basis of animation is “flow.” The middle division is a mechanical movement, so I’m asking you to help me. Also, if it’s a manga, I’ll draw the borders and fill it in. Screentones have disappeared now…I was saddened that screentones were discontinued…but I guess no one is posting them anymore. In the past, I was told that if you can’t do Kakeami, you can’t become a manga artist, and I too thought, “If you can’t do that, you won’t be able to make a living as a manga artist, so I’ll make a living as an animator.” But no one plays Kakeami these days, right? Wouldn’t it be possible for AI to help you with that part as well? That’s why I feel like it’s slow, and I wonder if it’s still at that level. Mr. Yasuhiko’s idea of AI “learning” ―Also, I would like to ask Mr. Yasuhiko, one of the points that AI is criticized for is “learning”. I will. However, the same is true for photo reference and copying for studying drawings, which is also done at the anime site. Although it was “learned” from the actual reference, it is allowed, but the learning of AI is criticized What do you think is the reason? [Yasuhiko] I don’t know what AI’s learning attitude is, but it’s “learning,” right? It’s called “learning,” not plagiarism. When it comes to “learning,” I have my own preferences, so I don’t mean absorbing everything, but rather, “Oh, let me learn this part.” I don’t incorporate things I don’t like, and I don’t incorporate things that are technically impossible. “Learning” itself is a natural thing, and I think it’s fundamental. Also, there’s a saying in anime productions that you shouldn’t use shadows. Because the number of colors increases. Pretty simple now, right? – There was a trend of increasing the number of shadows for a while, but now they have decreased considerably. I also think that more and more photos are being posted during the shooting process. [Yasuhiko] I “learned” and adopted it, but I decided to throw it away or no longer need it. I wonder if I can choose something like that. If you incorporate everything, it will become noisy. -yes. When creating anime using AI, “throwing away” has become important. If you leave it alone, the amount of information will increase rapidly… [Yasuhiko] …When I listen to the stories, it seems like there is no problem (with utilizing AI). What I would like to ask AI for is “support for the part where there is a lack of manpower in animation production” -I think that current AI, for better or worse, is more of a tool or a technology. Is there anything Professor Yasuhiko would like AI to help or support? [Yasuhiko] I’m not a full-time manga artist, but…I also draw the backgrounds, though it’s a pain. However, in the case of animation, if you don’t have enough manpower, it would be nice if you could ask them to help out, like mobs, passersby, and many other people in the classroom in a school drama. . Yoshikazu Yasuhiko Manga artist, anime director, and illustrator. Born in Hokkaido in 1947. He is attracting attention as a character designer and animation director for the TV anime “Mobile Suit Gundam.” He retired from the anime industry after the 1989 theatrical anime “Venus Senki” and became active as a manga artist. In 1990, he won the 19th Japan Cartoonists Association Award for Excellence for “Namji – Okunishu – Kojiki Volume 1”. In 2000, he won the Manga Division Excellence Award at the 4th Japan Media Arts Festival for “Royal Dog”. In 2012, he won the 43rd Nebula Award (Comic Category) for “Mobile Suit Gundam THE ORIGIN.” In 2015, he returned to the anime industry for the first time in 25 years with the anime “Mobile Suit Gundam THE ORIGIN,” for which he is the original author of the manga, and served as general director.
As we move forward, we are sure that new challenges will emerge, but we will continue to face each challenge one by one and work hard to establish “AI technology as an assisting tool for creators.” Masu. [Copyright notation] (C)KaKa Creation/Twins Hinahima Project [Original summary] Twin TikToker “Hinahima” ≪Various accounts≫ [Original official account] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hinashimaa YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hinahimaaa X: https://twitter.com/hinahimaa [Anime official website] Anime “Twins Hinahima” official website: https://anime-hinahima.com/ [Company Profile] Company name: Frontier Works Co., Ltd. Representative name: Masahide Tsuji Location: Registered head office address: 78-3 Yayoi-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Central office: 3-22-17 Higashiikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
Higashiikebukuro Central Place 4F/5F Established: August 2002 Business overview: Planning, production, sales of DVDs, CDs, books, magazines, radio, goods, games, events, musicals, film distribution URL: https://www.fwinc.co.jp/ Company name: KaKa Creation Co., Ltd. Representative name: Yasutomo Takehara Address: LANTIQUE BY IOQ 410, 1-1-17 Nakameguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0061 Established: June 2023 Business overview: Anime production business using AI / Content service development business URL: https://kakacreation.co.jp/