Hirohiko Araki, the legendary creator of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (JJBA), recently made a statement that deserves more attention than the “bad AI” discourse we often see online.
On November 15, 2024, the second chapter of Araki's New Manga Technique dropped, and in it, he talks about coming across an AI-generated work of art that perfectly imitates his style. he. And when I say “perfect,” I mean he really thought that was what he drew.
Considering how distinct his style is—anyone who has seen his work from Phantom Blood to JoJolion knows the level of attention to detail he puts into things like eyelashes and creases clothes—this is no small job.
Araki's reaction was a mixture of shock and concern. He admits that while he can distinguish AI-generated works from his more recent works, it's much harder with older works, as he may not even remember every nuance. Thai.
That's where the real problem lies. As AI technology becomes more complex, it is more than just imitation; it's about indistinguishable fakes.
Hirohiko Araki talks about the evil of AI art in today's “world of scammers”. He worries about the impact of AI-generated counterfeits on manga. He recently saw an AI image and was shocked at how similar it was to his art style.
– New Manga Techniques by Hirohiko Araki (November 15, 2024) pic. twitter.com/NVNc2lUzXR— JoJo's Encyclopedia of Weirdness (@jojo_wiki) November 16, 2024
Araki's warning against artificial intelligence
Araki did not speak harshly. He points to the potential future of art and manga dominated by fraud and deception, and highlights two main dangers:
Crisis of authenticity: AI-generated counterfeits could blur the lines between real and fake art. Imagine a future where fans buy what they think is an authentic Araki sketch, only to realize that it was generated by an algorithm. That is not only harmful to the artist but also a betrayal to the audience.
Copyright challenges: Even as a Shueisha-backed veteran, Araki admits that copyright management is a difficult task in the age of AI. He emphasized that independent or “loose” artists are especially vulnerable to having their work used, altered or even stolen outright by AI tools.
And before anyone jumps to the “just adapt to AI” argument, Araki also points out how scammers can exploit legal loopholes.
In his words, laws that favor these bad actors could emerge before proper safeguards are in place. It's a grim prospect, especially for an industry already struggling due to copyright infringement and low wages for creators.
AI in Animanga Industry
This is not an isolated case. The anime industry has been grappling with AI-related issues for some time.
Recently, big-name seiyuu (voice actors) like Ryusei Nakao (Frieza in Dragon Ball) and Yuki Kaji (Eren in Attack on Titan) have sounded the alarm about illegal AI voice cloning. The same pattern is: technology advances faster than ethical or legal frameworks can keep up.
The conversation around AI is not inherently anti-technology. Araki himself has been using new tools in his work for years (the digital coloring in his JoJolion is proof of that).
But there is a difference between using technology as a tool and letting it replace the human element. Manga, like all works of art, is a reflection of the personality of its creator. That's why we connect with it on such a deep level.
Could this be a turning point?
This feels like a tipping point. If Araki—someone with decades of experience and resources—is concerned now, what does that mean for smaller creators? How do we protect the integrity of art in a world where AI can reproduce it with astonishing accuracy?
I don't have all the answers, but it's clear that we need better regulation and stronger protections for creators. On the other hand, we are moving towards a future where the line between genuine art and AI-generated imitation completely disappears.
(PS: If you're unfamiliar with Araki's style and what makes it unique, check out his work from the 80s compared to modern JoJo arcs. The evolution is amazing and only emphasizes the individuality of his art.)
