Japan has formally requested that OpenAI cease using copyrighted manga and anime styles in its generative tools, including Sora, after a wave of unauthorized depictions of characters like Mario and Pikachu surfaced online.
Japan’s IP chief Minoru Kiuchi condemned the trend, calling these art forms “irreplaceable cultural treasures” and warning that AI-generated imitations risk diluting national heritage.
The move comes amid growing global debate over AI and creative ownership, especially after OpenAI’s controversial opt-out copyright policy, which has since been rolled back.
This marks one of the strongest national pushbacks yet against AI-generated cultural mimicry — and signals that the next frontier of AI regulation may be artistic identity itself. 🎨
