Post by : Badri Ariffin

AI-generated clips that echo Studio Ghibli’s signature visuals have sparked a swift backlash in Japan. CODA, the trade body that represents major publishers including Studio Ghibli, has formally asked OpenAI to stop using copyrighted Japanese material to train its systems.

OpenAI’s video tool Sora 2 — rolled out on 30 September — rapidly gained attention for producing visuals reminiscent of Ghibli’s aesthetic. CODA’s letter, dated 27 October, argues many outputs “closely resemble Japanese content or images,” implying that copyrighted works were likely used during training.

Japan’s copyright framework requires creators’ consent before their works are used; CODA says OpenAI’s opt-out approach, which removes content only after training is complete, clashes with this legal requirement.

The organisation set out two clear requests: stop using CODA members’ works without explicit permission, and engage seriously with rights holders’ copyright concerns. CODA stressed that innovation must not come at the expense of creators’ rights.

The dispute adds to other sensitive Sora 2 incidents. OpenAI paused certain AI images of Martin Luther King Jr after his estate raised objections, illustrating mounting scrutiny over content moderation and ethical AI use.

As debates heat up globally, Japan’s move underscores growing calls for transparency and prior consent when AI systems rely on creative works from living artists and publishers.

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