“Evangelion” singer cancels performance at anime orchestra concert due to use of AI-generated artwork

June 22, 2024

The Ikebukuro Anime Philharmonic is an upcoming concert series focusing on orchestral interpretations of iconic anime themes. The first performance is scheduled for July 10 at Shibuya Sakura Hall in downtown Tokyo, and the plan was to start with a bang by bringing in Yoko Takahashi, singer of the unforgettable opening theme “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” from “Evangelion.”

However, Takahashi announced in a post on her official Twitter account that she was withdrawing from the program because the organizers used AI-generated graphics for the promotional graphics on the event’s flyers, posters and website.

Takahashi’s statement states that her views do not align with the operational stance of the Ikebukuro Anime Philharmonic’s concert, at which she was scheduled to perform on July 10. As an artist, she cannot agree with the organizers and, after careful consideration, declines to participate in the event. She deeply apologizes to everyone who was looking forward to seeing her and wishes to give the feelings of anime fans the utmost importance.

Although it was not explicitly mentioned in Takahashi’s statement, rumors arose prior to her withdrawal that portions of the Ikebukuro Anime Philharmonic’s promotional graphics had been created by generative AI. The Ikebukuro Anime Philharmonic confirmed this in a statement released at the same time as Takahashi’s and apologized for the situation, although the organization denies knowingly or maliciously using AI-generated graphics.

“We are ashamed of our lack of attention to recent issues related to generative AI, despite calling ourselves an anime-loving music organization,” the Ikebukuro Anime Philharmonic explains, adding that the organization’s board of directors deeply regrets this and will replace the promotional illustrations with new illustrations by commissioned human artists.

▼ The new advertising image. Previously, the background consisted of a composite image of three illustrated musicians, in which the AI-generated assets were located

A day before making these statements, Yo Matsushita, a saxophonist and one of the organizers of the Ikebukuro Anime Philharmonic, posted a video on the organization’s official YouTube channel discussing the chain of events that led to Takahashi’s departure. According to Matsushita, there was originally no intention to use AI-generated graphics in the concert’s promotional materials. However, they failed to secure an artist for the project, and with the deadlines for the promotional materials fast approaching, they began searching for pre-existing images offered for commercial use. In doing so, they found the images of anime characters playing instruments that were used on the concert’s first poster. Unfortunately, Matsushita said, the Ikebukuro Anime Philharmonic did not realize that among the images they chose to use were ones marked as “AI-generated.”

Currently, the event is still scheduled to take place on July 10, and will feature pieces from anime such as “Dragon Ball,” “One Piece, Oshi no Ko,” “Ranma 1/2” and “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.” However, the Ikebukuro Anime Philharmonic says it will offer a refund of the entrance fee to ticket holders who, like Takahashi, are no longer interested in the event.

Source: Twitter/@yoko_t_official via Nikkkan Sports via Livedoor News via Jin, Twitter/@ikeaniphil, IT Media, Ikebukuro Anime Philharmonic