Sekiro: No Defeat Anime Will Be Entirely Hand-Drawn Without AI

Qzil.la, the studio behind the upcoming anime Sekiro: No Defeat, has officially addressed rumors about artificial intelligence in its production process. Following speculation sparked by statements on the company’s website and concerns after Crunchyroll’s past AI subtitle controversy, the studio confirmed that the project will be entirely hand-drawn.

“We’re incredibly excited to bring Sekiro: No Defeat exclusively to Crunchyroll in 2026,” Qzil.la stated.

“This anime is a fully hand-drawn 2D adaptation created by the talented teams at Qzil.la, ARCH, and Kadokawa. No AI is being used in the creation or production.”

The announcement comes just days after the anime was revealed at gamescom: Opening Night Live. Based on FromSoftware’s acclaimed game Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, the adaptation will be directed by Kenichi Kutsuna with scripts by Takuya Satou. Voice actors include Daisuke Namikawa as Wolf, Miyuki Satou as Kuro, and Kenjiro Tsuda as Genichiro Ashina.

Concerns over AI involvement spread quickly, with fans citing Qzil.la’s reference to “utilizing the latest technologies such as AI” in its production philosophy. Crunchyroll’s reputation also complicated the discussion, as the platform was criticized earlier this year for AI-generated subtitles in another series – something it later blamed on a third-party vendor. CEO Rahul Purini has since clarified that the company does not plan to use AI in creative work.

For longtime anime fans, the reassurance that Sekiro: No Defeat will embrace traditional artistry rather than AI is significant. While opinions remain divided on whether every hit game needs an anime adaptation, Qzil.la’s promise of hand-drawn animation signals a commitment to preserving the detail and style that made FromSoftware’s original game so memorable.