Frontier Works Co., Ltd. (Toshima-ku, Tokyo, President: Masahide Tsuji) and KAKA Co., Ltd. CREATION (Meguro-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Yasutomo Takehara) will be animated by TikToker “Twins Hinahima” who is active on TikTok and YouTube. The release is scheduled for the spring of 2025. Prior to the release, we released a key visual and a teaser movie.

About the anime “Twins Hinahima”

KAKA CREATION’s TikTok and youtube twin TikToker “Twins Hinahima” has been decided to be animated. The key visual and teaser movie will be released for the first time.
This work uses AI in the process of production, and the staff is composed of animators, art, photography, CG staff who usually participate in works such as Netflix originals and TV series.

In the teaser that was released today, Himari, who made her hair flutter, appeared. This is made using AI. In the key visual, AI is represented by the “information” that is an important element of the work.

〇Teaser movie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=douieft1OLI

<“Twins Hina Hima” Profile>

A twin high school girl who attends high school in Tokyo and is currently in the first year. Her older sister is Himari (Hiri) and her younger sister is red-haired Hinana (Hinana). I started posting videos on TikTok because it’s popular around me. I like anime, so I’d like to try cosplay dance someday, but I can’t do it because I don’t have the money.

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hinahimaa
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hinahimaaa
X: https://twitter.com/hinahimaa

■ Synopsis

Twin high school girl Himari and Hinana dreaming of buzzing. Starting with the dance, as I take pictures of the story that is likely to grow, I step into a strange world from the moment I notice a strange “odd accident”.

The values that this project values most, the concept of “supportive AI”

While creating various possibilities and challenges, AI technology, which is rapidly becoming popular in everyday life, is becoming very familiar to creators’ creative activities. However, there is still a deep gap between creators and AI, and it seems that time has passed without a mature discussion.
In response to this situation, the two companies are based on the idea that “AI is just an auxiliary tool for creative activities of creators,” that is, the idea of “supportive AI.” However, while clearing the challenges of using AI, I thought that it was becoming necessary to face AI technology with the correct use of the performance.
We believe that the usefulness of AI for creators can be divided into the following two categories.

1) “Efficiency” with the goal of reducing the enormous amount of work that is the cause of the shortage of human resources and the bloated working hours at the animation scene.
2) “Establishment of new expressions” that was difficult to realize with existing technologies such as handwriting and CG

1. Specific usage of AI in this work

This work is produced using AI technology in addition to Adobe products and Celsys products used in conventional animation production. Cuts of 95% or more of the main part of the work are reduced by the burden of AI, but on the other hand, in the end, the quality is guaranteed by adding corrections by hand.

Note that the key visual was produced by the following method.
Character: All handwriting in CLIP STUDIO PAINT.
Background: Convert the photos you have taken with AI to an anime background style. After that, retouching by the art staff.
Logo: All handwritten in Adobe Illustrator.
Effect: Processing with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe After Effects.

2. Why bother to use AI

While AI content is being mass-produced, the most important thing in using AI in animation production is to face quality and creative work with sincerity. Thinking that there is, the first priority is to create an AI work that has cleared that by the staff who are usually involved in anime works.

Anime production is a labor-intensive work that requires complex and diverse processes. This characteristic is a barrier for young creators to enter, which leads to a longer production period and an increased workload.
To address this issue, we aim to create an environment where we can work more efficiently and save labor, improve the working environment of creators, and focus on more creative activities by using AI technology as an assist tool.

With the start of the “Twins Hinahima” animation project this time, we would like to contribute to the resolution of the shortage of creators that the anime industry is facing, the improvement of the working environment by improving productivity, and the problem of improving the treatment of creators. With the sense of crisis that animation is in danger of disappearing due to the lack of human resources, I believe that it is possible to make the future of animation production brighter and more sustainable by using AI technology.

Comments from top creators about “Creative and AI”

The animation production industry has faced serious challenges over the years.
There are many problems, including the harsh working conditions, tight schedules, the unchanging production process for more than 40 years, which depends heavily on manual work, the aging of the creators and the shortage of successors, and the delay in introducing new technologies due to concerns about protecting intellectual property rights.

The project aims to be the catalyst for the industry as a whole to face the challenges of animation production.
We interviewed top creators Makoto Tezuka and Yoshikazu Yasuhiko on how to deal with creators and AI.

[Interview with Makoto Tezuka *part]

〇 Click here for the full interview
Anime “Twins Hinahima” official website
Interview with Makoto Tezuka: https://anime-hinahima.com/interview01/

Is AI the same as when CG appeared? The history of resistance and evolution

―I think you used to have a project to use AI as a support tool and create a new work by Osamu Tezuka’s work. With that in mind, could you give us your opinion on how AI and creative are involved?

[Tezuka]
Basically, that project is not a private one, but a project of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry called “NEDO”. AI developers have tried to approach “manga” using the development of story-type content with AI and the image generation AI technology, and it will be the form of proposing “Is it possible to do such a thing using Osamu Tezuka’s content?”
Therefore, it was just the presentation of the demonstration experiment of the research.

―If the styles and stories of those who have already passed away are generated as if the story or pictures were created as if the person had drawn it, while it is technically amazing, some people may feel uneasy and disgusted.
How do you feel about not only such laws, but also the feelings and physiological aspects of people?

[Tezuka]
Since I’ve been working on video for many years, there was a revolution in technological advancement.
For example, computer graphics (CGI) came out in the 1980s.
At that time, there was a lot of resistance to this, and people who felt a sense of urgency said things like, “Isn’t there a need for actors and stuntmen?”
However, there are some things that have changed the range of expression and change.

I feel exactly the same about the AI this time. You don’t say “I used CG” especially in movies these days.
I think the reason why everyone cares about AI right now is because they are saying “I’m using AI” right now. Now that we have to announce it, when we say, “There is such a new technology,” we get a very sensitive response to those words.
But I don’t think you know anything if you don’t say it. I don’t even know if it was drawn by humans or if the program was done.
I don’t think there’s a problem with that.
In movies and entertainment, the results are everything, so my way of thinking is that if the person who accepts it is amusing, it doesn’t matter if it’s a human being or a program. Any craftsmanship has a seed.

―Mr. Tezuka, do you think AI is just one of the tools?

[Tezuka]
I think so.

If you’re Osamu Tezuka’s teacher, “Ai was used for assistant work”?

―What do you think would have happened if Dr. Osamu Tezuka saw the technology of AI?

[Tezuka]
First of all, you don’t have to use an assistant, so let’s do that.
First of all, draw a border, solid paint, part of the background (lol)

Assistant is a system started by Osamu Tezuka. Actually, I’d like to draw everything myself, but I’m too busy to do it all by myself and I can’t meet the deadline for the magazine.
That’s why I didn’t want to have a disciple because I was hiring people to do things like drawing the borders and painting solids, which is not the essence of the work. I guess you wanted to use it for mechanical things, even if you’re not a human being.

―After listening to the story, I thought that there is a possibility that AI will be entrusted with things like anime, such as coloring, such as coloring, or the work of making a fixed thing.
I wonder if it will be an era where creators will do the liver part, use AI as a tool, and which part will be entrusted to each creator.

[Tezuka]
Ultimately it depends on the creator.

What is the difference between AI and human beings around “learning”?

―There are some people who are reluctant to learn using AI. How about learning with that AI?

[Tezuka]
For example, in the early days when Osamu Tezuka appeared and the popularity exploded, all the other comics that came out were Osamu Tezuka’s touches. Everyone read and learned about Osamu Tezuka, and drew it that way. It’s permissible because it’s done by humans, but I think it’s strange that it’s strange the moment the machine does it. Everyone is learning Osamu Tezuka and drawing manga.

Learn, draw just like that, memorize it, and become a manga artist.
What’s wrong with that?

―I think creative starts with learning in the first place.

[Tezuka]
That’s right. There is only learning.
To put it the other way around, learning is necessary no matter how old you are.
It’s a lie to create a work from 0.

Towards a future where “anxiety because I don’t know” is resolved

―Finally, if you have any questions about AI, please let me know.

[Tezuka]
I don’t really know what AI is right now, so I don’t know what to say.
There are a lot of people who are so nervous. However, when I try to find out, I think that nothing will go away unexpectedly like “Is this what it is?”

<Profile>
Makoto Tezuka Visualist
Born in Tokyo in 1961. He started making movies with 8mm when he was a high school student, and has received high praise from filmmakers, including director Nagisa Oshima. Active in various media including movies, television, and video while still at university. While focusing on movies, he also produces novels, digital software, events and CDs, and is attracting attention for his advanced content and style. In 1999, the film “The Idiot” was screened at the Venice International Film Festival and elsewhere, and is internationally acclaimed.

[Interview with Yoshikazu Yasuhiko *part]

〇 Click here for the full interview
Anime “Twins Hinahima” official website
Interview with Yoshikazu Yasuhiko: https://anime-hinahima.com/interview02/

Is it the savior of the anime industry? Possibility as an auxiliary tool for AI

―There is a labor shortage problem in the animation industry, and I am wondering if AI can be used as an auxiliary tool. How about that?

[Yasuhiko]
If you watch test videos that use AI, you may have a few things to say, but… Given the fact that there is a shortage of manpower and the current situation where the quality is pitiful at a low level, AI may be able to raise the level.

―For example, if you can use AI tools like pens and paper to help you output the image in your head, would you like to use it to create something?

[Yasuhiko]
No, I don’t want to use it myself… But I think I can get a lot of support from animation production, even right now.
For example, if you’re going to do something like that, I think it would be good if you could do more and more.
In the meantime, the creators should study the play.
Because the basis of animation is “flow”. It’s a mechanical movement, so I’m asking you to help.

Also, if it’s a manga, draw a border or paint it with a solid one.
Now that the screen tones are gone… It was hard for me to discontinue the screen tone… But isn’t there anyone who’s pasting it now?
In the past, people told me that if you can’t do it, you can’t become a manga artist, and I also thought, “If you can’t do that, you can’t be a manga artist, so let’s make a living as an animator.” But now, no one will do Kakemi, right?

Including that part, can AI help you?
That’s why it feels rather slow, “Is it still at that level?”

About “learning” of AI that Mr. Yasuhiko thinks

―Also, I would like to ask Mr. Yasuhiko, but there is a point of “learning” that is criticized for AI. However, the references for photographs, which are also used in animation scenes, and the copying for studying pictures are also “learned” references.

[Yasuhiko]
I don’t know what AI’s learning attitude is, but it’s “learning”, right?
It’s called “learning” instead of ripping off.

“Learning” doesn’t mean absorbing everything because you have a taste, but rather like, “Oh, let’s learn about this place.”
You don’t take in what you don’t like, and you don’t want to incorporate things that are technically impossible.

“Learning” itself is a natural thing, and I think it’s basic.

Also, there’s a story about not adding a “shadow” when it comes to anime. Because the number of colors increases. It’s pretty simple now, isn’t it?

― There was a trend to increase the shadow for a while, but now it has decreased considerably. Also, I think that the number of postings in the shooting process is increasing.

[Yasuhiko]
I’ve “learned” and adopted it, but I dare to throw it away or don’t need it.
I wonder if I can choose that sort of thing.
If you take everything in, it will become noisy.

-Yes. When it comes to animation production using AI, “throwing it away” is becoming more important. If you leave it alone, the amount of information will increase.

[Yasuhiko]
…When I listen to what you have to say, I feel that there is no problem (using AI).

What I want to ask AI is “support for the labor shortage in animation production”

―I think that AI today is a tool or technology, but is there anything that you want AI to help or support?

[Yasuhiko]
It’s not particularly a cartoonist in my main business, but it’s troublesome, but I also draw the background.

However, in the case of animation, if you don’t have enough manpower, it would be nice if you could help out, mobs, passers-by, and many other school drama classrooms.

<Profile>
Yoshikazu Yasuhiko Manga artist, anime director and illustrator.
Born in Hokkaido in 1947. He is attracting attention as a character designer and animation director of the TV anime “Mobile Suit Gundam”.
After withdrawing from the animation industry after the 1989 theatrical animation “Vinas Senki”, he was active as a manga artist.
In 1990, he won the 19th Japan Cartoonists Association Award for Excellence in “Namji – Okuninushi – Kojiki no 1”. In 2000, he won the Excellence Award at the 4th Agency for Cultural Affairs Media Arts Festival Manga Category for “The Royal Dog”. In 2012, he won the 43rd Nebula Award (Comics 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”, which is the author of the manga, and served as the general director.

I think that there will be new challenges as we move forward, but we will work hard to establish “AI technology as an assist tool for creators” while facing each issue one by one.

[Copyright notation]
(C) KAKA CREATION / Twins Hima Hima Project

[Outline of the original work]
Twin TikToker “Hinahima”

≪Various accounts?
[Original official account]
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hinahimaa
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:
Registration head office location: 78-3 Yayoi-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo
Central Office: 3-22-17 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
Higashi Ikebukuro Central Place 4F/5F
Established: August 2002
Business overview: Planning, production, sales and film distribution of DVDs, CDs, books, magazines, radios, goods, games, events, and musicals
URL: https://www.fwinc.co.jp/

Company name: KAKA CREATION Co., Ltd.
Representative name: Yasutomo Takehara
Location: 1-1-17 Nakameguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0061 Lantique by IOQ 410
Established: June 2023
Business overview: Animation production using AI / Content service development business
URL: https://kakacreation.co.jp/