Utopai Studios and Dena Launch Ai-assisted Animation Production Collaboration in Japan

Utopai Studios today announced a new AI-assisted animation production collaboration in Japan with the Entertainment Development Business Unit of DeNA Co., Ltd. (“DeNA”), a major Japanese technology company with businesses spanning mobile games, live-streaming communities, sports and other digital services. Founded in Tokyo in 1999, DeNA has more than two decades of experience developing, operating and marketing digital entertainment products and platforms for Japanese audiences.

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Through the collaboration, DeNA plans to incorporate PAI, Utopai Studios’ proprietary cinematic storytelling AI system, into DeNA’s experimental production workflows for animation. Utopai Studios’ dedicated AI production specialists will work with DeNA’s creative and production teams to explore the use of PAI across visual development, character and environment design, scene planning and production iteration. Artists will continue to determine the story, visual style, performances and tone of the work and retain final approval over all creative decisions.

“Japan is one of the world’s most important and influential animation markets, and DeNA brings a deep understanding of both its creators and audiences,” said Cecilia Shen, CEO and co-founder of Utopai Studios. “By integrating PAI into an animation-production workflow in Japan, we are building a model that combines new production capabilities with the artistry, judgment and authorship that define great animation. This collaboration is an important step for Utopai Studios in Japan and the foundation for a relationship we believe can grow significantly over time.”

Naoki Minabe, Head of DeNA’s Entertainment Development Business Unit, said: “Animation production requires an exceptionally high degree of creativity, overall consistency and attention to detail. Through our collaboration with Utopai Studios, we will explore how AI can help create an environment where creators can focus on their craft while making production workflows more efficient. As an initiative separate from the other animation productions currently underway at our company, we will combine the strengths of both companies and open new paths for Japan’s anime industry to continue competing globally.”

PAI was developed specifically for feature films, television programs and animation, where consistency must be maintained across multiple shots, scenes and episodes – from characters and backgrounds to visual expression and story details. Unlike a standalone video-generation tool, PAI maintains production context throughout a project, from initial concept and visualization to generation, editing and asset management. Its autonomous, agent-first system architecture allows approved designs and elements to carry forward and be refined as production progresses, without having to recreate them for every scene.

Studios, production companies and creative teams around the world are currently using PAI in professional production environments. In China, Huace Film & TV has adopted PAI as a core engine for long-form content production and is developing the AI-assisted animated series Journey to the West: The Lost Five Hundred Years. PAI is also being used in film and television production in the United States and in international co-productions spanning Europe, North America and Asia.

For the work with DeNA, access to production materials and creative assets will be strictly controlled under mutually agreed rules governing permissions, intellectual property rights and security. Creators and producers will determine the direction of production, select the materials to be used and give final approval to the completed work. PAI will initially be used within this evaluation process as DeNA and Utopai Studios explore its potential applications in animation production.

About DeNA

At DeNA (pronounced “D-N-A”) we engage in a variety of businesses, from games and live communities to sports & smart city and healthcare & medical, under our mission to delight people beyond their wildest dreams. Since our founding, DeNA has produced many businesses leveraging our passionate and enterprising employees and our technological capabilities. We develop and operate high value add services. Today, aiming to build a Delight Creation Ecosystem, we are leveraging AI as a growth driver to improve productivity, reinforce the competitiveness of existing businesses, and drive the creation and growth of new businesses. Founded in March 1999, DeNA Co., Ltd. is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (2432). For more information, visit: dena.com/intl/.

About Utopai Studios

Utopai Studios is building the next evolution of the global studio system for the AI era. The company combines original IP development, production expertise, talent partnerships, and proprietary AI infrastructure to create and scale stories across film, television, streaming, animation, and digital platforms. At the center of its model is PAI, Utopai Studios’ cinematic storytelling artificial intelligence system, which is designed for long-form entertainment workflows. Utopai Studios is building a studio model designed to protect authorship, expand creative opportunity and bring ambitious projects to market faster and more efficiently. The company’s international footprint includes Utopai Studios APAC and Utopai GmbH in Germany, reflecting its expanding presence across key global markets. For more information, visit www.utopaistudios.com.

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