- 2 days ago
Artificial intelligence is transforming every creative field—and now it’s reaching anime soundtrack production. In this video, we explore how AI-generated music is beginning to influence the soundscape of modern anime, using Mushoku Tensei (Jobless Reincarnation) as a key example.
From composition tools to automated orchestration and new hybrid workflows, we analyze how AI may shape the future of fantasy anime OSTs, background atmospheres, and emotional scoring. Is AI enhancing creativity… or replacing it?
---
⭐ In this video you’ll discover:
How AI tools are being used in Japanese music production
The evolving process behind anime soundtracks
Whether AI-generated music could appear in series like Mushoku Tensei
The impact of AI on composers, studios, and fan expectations
Benefits, risks, and the future of OST composition in Japan
From composition tools to automated orchestration and new hybrid workflows, we analyze how AI may shape the future of fantasy anime OSTs, background atmospheres, and emotional scoring. Is AI enhancing creativity… or replacing it?
---
⭐ In this video you’ll discover:
How AI tools are being used in Japanese music production
The evolving process behind anime soundtracks
Whether AI-generated music could appear in series like Mushoku Tensei
The impact of AI on composers, studios, and fan expectations
Benefits, risks, and the future of OST composition in Japan
Category
😹
FunTranscript
00:00In recent years, artificial intelligence, AI, has made a strong impact on music,
00:06capable of analyzing large volumes of musical data to generate new melodies, harmonies, and rhythms that mimic various styles.
00:14This revolution is no small matter in a country like Japan, where anime, video game, and TV music play a central role in popular culture.
00:23Today, even without musical training, anyone can compose songs with AI using advanced generative tools.
00:31Platforms such as ChatGPT or Specialized Generators, e.g. Suno, Ideagram, have demonstrated on Japanese TV shows that a simple text prompt is enough to create complete songs.
00:45All of this makes the topic extremely relevant in 2025, as it opens the door to a new era in soundtrack creation.
00:53A paradigm shift that speeds up production and raises questions about creativity and authenticity.
01:00The benefits are obvious, much shorter production times and reduced costs, with results comparable in quality to human compositions.
01:08However, cultural and legal questions also arise.
01:13Is it authentic? Who is the author?
01:14This video explores in depth how AI is transforming music in Japan, from its technological roots to specific examples, the technical and creative impact, industry reactions, ethical dilemmas, and future trends, with references to real cases, statements from Japanese experts, and specific tools.
01:35Japan has a long tradition of musical innovation.
01:39Analog synthesizers, such as the Moog, were introduced to the country in the 1960s and 1970s to fuse classical music with electronic music.
01:49One pioneer was Aisao Tomida, who won several Grammy Awards in 1974 for Snowflakes, R-Dancing, an album of classical arrangements using the Moog.
02:00In the following decades, Japanese electronic music evolved with city pop music and anime and video game soundtracks.
02:09The advent of chiptune music with composers such as Yuzo Koshiro and the widespread use of FM synthesizers, used by many composers at Sega, Nintendo, etc., marked the early digital era.
02:22At the end of the 20th century, the arrival of DAWs, digital audio workstations, democratized production.
02:30Software programmers and independent producers began experimenting with sequencers and digital plugins.
02:36At the same time, newer technologies such as Vocaloid, e.g. Hatsune Miku, emerged, allowing for the generation of artificially sung voices, opening up another field of algorithmic composition in Japanese pop.
02:51Today, anime music is characterized by distinctive sound palettes, vibrant orchestral arrangements mixed with electronic passages and emotive melodies.
03:01This evolution, from live recording with orchestras to the use of synthesizers and digital tools, has paved the way for the next technological leap, AI systems that can bring new sounds to Japanese soundtracks.
03:14AI music, or generative music, is music created entirely or partially by artificial intelligence algorithms.
03:23AI systems learn from vast music libraries, identifying patterns in melodies, progressions, and rhythms.
03:30They use techniques such as deep learning and neural networks.
03:34For example, recurrent networks or transformers train with millions of bars to then predict new notes in a coherent manner.
03:42In some cases, generative adversarial networks, GNs, are used, in which two neural networks compete to produce new sounds based on existing data.
03:52The result is that these systems can compose original music in seconds.
03:57They generate complete arrangements in styles ranging from classical to rock or electronic, adapting parameters such as tempo, instruments, and even desired emotions.
04:07There are several platforms dedicated to this.
04:10Amper Music, for example, promotes itself as AI for quickly producing background music and soundtracks.
04:19With it, the user simply adjusts the genre and duration, and the system creates a coherent backing track.
04:25On the other hand, AIVA, Artificial Intelligence Virtual Artist, advertises itself as a composer's assistant.
04:32It can generate complete scores for film, video games, and multimedia.
04:38These tools allow non-expert creators to obtain musical material from scratch.
04:43Other solutions, such as JukeDeck, OpenAI Musenet, Google Music LM, Soundful, use artificial intelligence in similar ways, with variable customization options.
04:54In short, AI composed, music combines advanced algorithms with accessible interfaces, helping to create entire songs without playing an instrument.
05:04Current musical AI is used both to generate creative ideas, simulating specific styles, and to complete initial arrangements, leaving the final review in human hands.
05:15In Japan, there are already several examples of soundtracks or songs created entirely or partially with AI, as well as composers who openly experiment with these tools.
05:27One of the most notable cases was the anime Chainsaw Man, MAPPA, 2022.
05:33Composer Kintsuk Ushio collaborated with Sony CSL Computer Science Labs to develop Chainsaw Gian, an AI tool trained with chainsaw sounds.
05:43This allowed Ushio to input simple rhythms, Zuta de Das, into the AI, and obtained distorted outputs that inserted chaotic textures into the music.
05:54He himself explained that in the end, the soundtrack doesn't sound like simple chainsaws, but the AI-generated material provided the unpredictability necessary to reflect the chaotic world of the series.
06:06Another case is At A Confessional, a live-action film based on the Rohan Kishib spinoff of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.
06:15Its composer, Nariyoshi Kikuchi, stated that he used generative AI to compose the entire main soundtrack.
06:23He had previously tried generative tools in episodes of the same saga in 2022 and 2023,
06:29using software such as OMACS that improvises music by processing recorded fragments.
06:35These examples show that major Japanese productions, TV anime and movies, are already experimenting with AI in their scores.
06:44AI has even found its way into idle music and TV shows.
06:48In 2025, the popular group AKB48 organized a televised songwriting contest.
06:54Yasushi Akimoto, the legendary lyricist, versus another version, Akimoto AI, trained by Google Gemini.
07:02The result was surprising. Fans voted that the AI-generated song, Omoid Scroll, was better, with a difference of more than 3,000 votes.
07:12State-of-the-art tools, Gemini, were used to emulate Akimoto's style, generating lyrics, melody, and even deciding which members would sing.
07:22In the end, AI's Omoid Scroll won the contest.
07:26At the same time, Takumi Ashiai, an influential Japanese AI expert, has pointed out in interviews that today,
07:34anyone, even without musical experience, can create complete songs with AI.
07:40In his program, he introduced Suno, a generator capable of producing lyrics and music from simple text prompts.
07:47Tools like this are being used for jingles, corporate anthems, and background music and videos,
07:54facilitating the work of creators and advertisers, who are particularly concerned about copyright.
08:00Several creators have adopted AI as part of their process.
08:04In addition to the aforementioned cases of Ushio and Kikuchi,
08:07there have been public debates in the video game and anime composer community.
08:12For example, Nobuo Yumatsu, famous for Final Fantasy, stated in 2024 that he is completely against AI composition,
08:22as he believes that true music must come from the depths of one's soul,
08:26and has unique characteristics that are impossible for a machine to achieve.
08:30In contrast, Nariyoshi Kikuchi defended his use of AI and will continue to study this technology,
08:37seeing it as a creative opportunity,
08:39even stating on social media that he is excited to enter the world of musical AI.
08:45These contrasts illustrate an active climate.
08:48Japanese composers are debating the issue,
08:50with some embracing AI as a new instrument,
08:54with practical experience in specific productions,
08:56and others resisting it.
08:58AI in Japanese music is transforming various technical and aesthetic aspects of soundtrack composition.
09:06One major benefit is speed.
09:07AI systems can sketch out a bass piece in minutes or seconds,
09:12something that previously required long composition sessions.
09:16Tools such as Amper and AIVA Promise
09:19to generate an instrumental background track almost instantly from predefined parameters.
09:25This drastically shortens deadlines and reduces the cost of commissioning music,
09:30as it is not always necessary to hire additional artists early on,
09:34at least in the initial phase.
09:36Several analyses point out that AI offers a paradigm with significant savings,
09:43faster production cycles,
09:45greater efficiency,
09:46and more creative control for those who use it.
09:49In practice,
09:50in large productions,
09:51anime,
09:52games,
09:53this allows for provisional or complementary music to be ready in advance,
09:58helping directors fine-tune atmospheres without waiting for the final score.
10:02Technically,
10:03AI works as an assistant that suggests unusual alternatives.
10:08Kintsuk Ushio himself commented that using an AI tool,
10:12flow machines,
10:13was extremely useful precisely because it breaks a composer's habits,
10:18revealing melodies or rhythms different from their own.
10:21Similarly,
10:22AI can create countless variations of textures,
10:26e.g., infinite synthesizer sounds or news samples.
10:29That would take a human a long time to conceive manually.
10:34This can enrich the soundscape of a soundtrack and take it in unexpected directions.
10:39However,
10:39it also raises artistic questions.
10:42Does the music sound different?
10:44In general,
10:45a well-finished track often integrates naturally into the work,
10:48as when Ushio used Chainsaw Jan,
10:51fans barely distinguished chainsaws when listening to the final OSD.
10:56Still,
10:56some critical listeners note that AI-generated music tends toward more mechanical or less personal structures,
11:04occasionally lacking organic improvisations or human imperfections.
11:09In short,
11:10AI can alter the style of an OSD by introducing more polished or repetitive elements.
11:15In fact,
11:16AI raises questions about originality.
11:19Although it can generate resonant melodies,
11:22critics point out that it challenges traditional notions of creativity and artistic authorship.
11:28In terms of style,
11:29AI-created soundtracks can still look typically Japanese if they are well curated.
11:34For example,
11:36an algorithm can emulate traditional Japanese instruments or typical anime melodies,
11:41but also introduce unprecedented synthetic layers.
11:45In many cases,
11:46the result is hybrid.
11:48A composer can take the AI-generated bass and rearrange it with real orchestras or synthesizers.
11:54This makes the final music not sound like AI to the average listener.
11:59However,
12:00if the piece is left,
12:02as is without human editing,
12:03it could feel more uniform or lacking those little human touches,
12:08micro variations in tempo,
12:10expressive dynamics.
12:11In any case,
12:13the current trend is for AI to complement the creative process rather than replace it entirely,
12:20preventing a style from becoming monotonous.
12:22As technical data,
12:23it can be observed that current programs still require human intervention,
12:28e.g.
12:29AI-VA or amp-er-generated bass,
12:32but a composer must polish arrangements,
12:34mix,
12:35and add nuances.
12:37Thus,
12:38the final sound can only be distinguished with very attentive listening.
12:42Many fans and critics do not notice obvious differences on first listen.
12:46The Japanese music industry is divided over AI music.
12:50Institutions and figures in the industry have expressed a range of views.
12:55Big names have spoken out publicly.
12:56Nobuo Yumatsu,
12:59Final Fantasy,
13:00was categorical.
13:02He is against the use of AI in composition,
13:05as he believes that true music comes from personal experience
13:08and reaching deep within oneself,
13:11something that a machine could not do.
13:13In contrast,
13:14composers such as Nariyoshi Kikuchi defend the use of AI as a legitimate tool.
13:20Kikuchi even joked on social media about those who criticize him for using AI,
13:25stating that he will continue to study music technology and AI while continuing to compose live.
13:31These opposing reactions illustrate the creative divide between traditionalists,
13:36who see a risk of music becoming uniform,
13:39and avant-gardists,
13:40who appreciate the potential for experimentation.
13:43In general,
13:44large Japanese studios are cautious in their adoption of AI.
13:48One example is Square Enix,
13:50which announced that it only used generative AI in the artwork for a video game album,
13:55emphasizing that the rest of the development was done entirely by the human team.
14:00Although this did not involve sound,
14:02it reflects a pragmatic attitude,
14:04testing AI where it makes sense without delegating core creativity.
14:10Anime and video game studios are watching with interest.
14:13Several collaborate with AI labs,
14:16such as Sony CSL with Ushio,
14:18but are still carefully evaluating the reputational risks.
14:22Internationally,
14:23there is concern about the impact on employment.
14:26In Japan,
14:27there are no public reports of unions formally declaring their position,
14:31but the global discussion is influential.
14:34The International Federation of Musicians,
14:36IFM,
14:38warns of the legal and employment challenges posed by AI in music.
14:42Although copyright law is being revised in Japan,
14:46there are fears that generated music could devalue creative work.
14:50In general,
14:51content production companies and industry associations
14:54are closely monitoring how legislation evolves.
14:58See next section.
14:59Beyond the unions,
15:00the public is also reacting.
15:03In the case of Rohan,
15:04at a confessional,
15:05for example,
15:06many local fans felt betrayed when they discovered that the OSD was generated by AI,
15:11expressing their outrage on social media.
15:14Some even canceled watching the film
15:16because they considered it unethical to use AI for a beloved work.
15:21Others argue that,
15:22in the end,
15:23Kikuchi always supervised everything.
15:27These reactions show that the industry
15:29is not only dealing with the technical challenge,
15:32but also with the cultural perception of the public.
15:34The possibility that viewers may see AI as something negative or as cheapening art.
15:41The adoption of AI in music raises several cultural and ethical dilemmas
15:46that are particularly relevant in Japan.
15:49Authentic music?
15:50Japan is a society where the concept of artistic authenticity is highly valued.
15:56There is a traditional idea that music should reflect real human feelings and experiences.
16:01In this context,
16:03some Japanese cultural critics argue
16:05that a fully algorithmic piece lacks the human spirit,
16:09or kokoro,
16:10that works made by people have.
16:12As a recent analysis points out,
16:14AI raises questions about originality,
16:18creativity,
16:19and the notion of artistic authorship.
16:21In other words,
16:22even though AI generates resonant works,
16:25there is debate as to whether they could be considered authentic.
16:29This reflects old dilemmas.
16:31Can an algorithm capture cultural sensibilities,
16:34e.g.,
16:34the Japanese wabi-sabi tone or pathos?
16:38Many believe that,
16:40at least for now,
16:41the deepest emotional layer is human work,
16:44copyright,
16:44and originality.
16:46Legally,
16:47AI music is complex.
16:49In Japan,
16:50in 2024,
16:51the Agency for Cultural Affairs
16:52published a report on AI and copyright.
16:56Among its key conclusions,
16:57no purely AI-generated piece has copyright
17:01unless a person is involved in a creative way.
17:04Under current Japanese law,
17:06a work must reflect the author's personality
17:08through free and creative choices to be protected.
17:13In practice,
17:14if an AI composes entirely without human control,
17:18what is generated may not be considered a work in legal terms.
17:22This creates uncertainty.
17:24Who would be the author?
17:25The AI programmer.
17:27The user who typed the prompt or no one.
17:30Furthermore,
17:31if the AI is trained with protected works,
17:33e.g.,
17:34it collects existing BGM without permission,
17:37it could infringe on copyright.
17:39The Japanese report notes that this will depend on a case-by-case basis
17:43and whether there is substantial similarity to the works used.
17:47Such ethical dilemmas,
17:49appropriation of styles,
17:51unintentional plagiarism,
17:53legal liability,
17:54are under active discussion.
17:56Cultural and emotional sensitivity.
17:58Another debate is whether AI music can touch emotional chords like human music.
18:04Some critics argue that machines,
18:06lacking life experience,
18:08do not reproduce the emotional richness
18:10that a Japanese composer infuses into their work.
18:14interpretation details,
18:16narrative intentions,
18:17etc.
18:18For example,
18:19the Rohin Kishib saga,
18:21original work,
18:23emphasizes artistic individuality.
18:25So many fans said they felt offended to learn that its soundtrack was not 100% created by the composer's hand.
18:32This speaks to a cultural dilemma.
18:35Bundio Ongoku,
18:36mass popular music,
18:38can accept AI for corporate content,
18:40but in the most cherished narrative genres,
18:43anime,
18:43elite J-pop idols,
18:45there is emotional resistance.
18:47Again,
18:48this contrasts.
18:49Critics like Yumatsu consider AI to be alien to real musical art,
18:54while others,
18:55like Kikuchi,
18:56believe the human-AI interaction will not detract from the creative process.
19:00In practice,
19:01the community is gradually defining what is ethical and acceptable.
19:06For example,
19:07many agreed that publicly sharing whether a song is made with AI is important for transparency,
19:13as Kikuchi did,
19:14and that using AI without saying so can be seen as a kind of artistic deception.
19:20Looking ahead,
19:21there are several signs pointing to a collaborative model in Japan.
19:25Rather than completely replacing composers,
19:27AI is emerging as a creative partner.
19:31There are already advanced platforms that allow users to compose with AI in a conversational manner.
19:37For example,
19:38Wondera is an adaptive music generator for video games where users give instructions in natural language,
19:44obtaining dynamic soundtracks that change according to the scene.
19:47Although it originated in the U.S.,
19:49this type of conversational AI approach could inspire tools in Japan that turn AI into a co-composer.
19:57In fact,
19:58Takumi Ashiai predicts that soon anyone will be able to write songs with AI,
20:03democratizing artistic creation.
20:05At the same time,
20:07major Japanese technology firms and studios,
20:10Sony,
20:10Yamaha,
20:12will likely continue to integrate their own AI systems into creative workflows.
20:16There is talk of a future of human AI co-creation.
20:20Composers could specify moods,
20:22genres,
20:23or stylistic references,
20:25and the AI would deliver multiple options for inspiration,
20:28which the human would then adjust.
20:30This hybrid model already appears in interviews with Ushio.
20:34He described using flow machines to generate ideas and then develop the final track.
20:40Kikuchi,
20:41for his part,
20:42plans to continue devoting himself to live performance.
20:46Composition,
20:47and the study of music technology,
20:49including AI,
20:51suggesting a future where creators master technology.
20:54In stylistic terms,
20:56we can expect Japanese soundtracks of the future to continue mixing the traditional and the futuristic.
21:03Anime is known for fusing orchestra and synthesizers.
21:07With AI,
21:08the fusion could be extended even further.
21:10For example,
21:12we could see soundtracks that incorporate traditional Japanese instruments.
21:16Tycho,
21:17shamisen,
21:17but processed or generated by AI to create new textures while maintaining the cultural flavor.
21:24It is also possible that kaleidoscopic styles will emerge where AI fills traditional melodic elements with electronic layers.
21:32The truth is that,
21:34according to analysts,
21:36AI tools will continue to advance in 2025 and beyond,
21:40making AI a central element in multimedia production.
21:44In short,
21:45the future points to Japan defining its own path,
21:48a type of AI music with a Japanese sensibility.
21:52Current trends suggest that Japanese soundtracks will become more varied and experimental,
21:58resulting from the synergy between the human touch of its famous composers and the generative power of machines.
22:04All in all,
22:05the human element,
22:07emotional storytelling,
22:08will remain key,
22:10while AI will bring new sonic horizons,
22:13together shaping the new style of Japanese soundtracks in the coming years.
22:17Buy a defense.
22:30Fari Hob calle Smith.
22:32Fari Hob medial space
22:34Fari Hob笑
22:34Fari Hob
22:42Fari Hob
22:44Fari Hob
22:44Fari Hob
Be the first to comment