Photo : Tetsuo Hirakawa
Conference: "Animation and Generative AI – A Creator's Perspective"
"For more than twenty years that I have worked in the animation industry, I have seen the methods of creation and production evolve. Through this experience, I invite you to discover how Japanese animation series were produced until now, but also the reality of the arrival of generative artificial intelligence in studios today."
Maison de la culture du Japon à Paris (Paris 15th)
About
"At a time when generative AI is capable of mass-producing ideas, images, and visual proposals, the role of the creator is evolving: it is no longer just about 'drawing,' but increasingly about 'choosing,' guiding, and giving meaning. But this transformation also raises many questions. If AI allows for the production of works on a large scale, does it not risk destroying the very experience of learning through trial and error, as well as a part of the creative culture that has been built up over generations?"
Speaker: Tetsuo Hirakawa (animation film director, animator, and screenwriter)
Born in 1979. Animation film director, animator, and screenwriter. During his studies, he worked as an illustrator and as an assistant in artist Takashi Murakami's studio.
In 2002, he joined the animation studio Madhouse as an animator. He later became a freelance worker and participated in numerous productions as a director or screenwriter.
In 2009, his first feature-length animated film as director, River Light (Kawa no Hikari), was a critical success and was honored at numerous festivals, including the Chicago International Children's Film Festival, which awarded it in the best animated feature film category.
In 2013, he participated in the TV series The Flowers of Evil (Aku no Hana) as assistant director and implemented the production system based on the rotoscope animation technique.
In 2022, he signed his first original work, writing and directing the TV series Bucchigire!. His directing work is not limited to traditional hand-drawn 2D animation: he also explores 3D computer-generated imagery (CG) as well as live-action, without restricting himself to any particular genre. Having realized the potential of artificial intelligence very early on, he has also begun working as an independent creator using AI as a means of artistic expression.
Moderator: Xavier Kawa-Topor (historian, artistic director, and writer)
A medievalist by training, he was the director of the major historical sites of Conques and the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud. Joining the Forum des Images at the end of the 1990s, he opened the venue to animated cinema by hosting the greatest international directors. He contributed to the rediscovery of the work of pioneers Emile Cohl and Ladislas Starewitch while creating the Nouvelles Images du Japon biennial, whose headline guests included Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Satoshi Kon. The festival played an avant-garde role in the critical recognition of Japanese animation in France.
Xavier Kawa-Topor currently directs NEF Animation, a national association dedicated to research and creation for animated film, whose residency program has to date benefited over 500 animation filmmakers of 58 different nationalities. He chairs SCALAÉ productions, a cooperative company supporting the emergence of new talent. Founder of BLINK BLANK, the animated film magazine, he is the author of reference works such as 100 Films of Animated Cinema and Stop Motion, Another Animated Cinema (in collaboration with Philippe Moins) and The Odyssey of Fantastic Planet (in collaboration with Fabrice Blin). In 2021, he received the Animafest Zagreb Award for Outstanding Contributions to Animation Studies.
Our take on this event
Animation is undergoing a radical shift as artificial intelligence challenges the traditional way we tell visual stories. Join a seasoned industry professional as he breaks down how the craft is evolving from drawing lines to curating creative output. It is the perfect chance to explore whether technology will stifle or fuel the future of artistic expression.
The Maison de la culture du Japon in Paris hosts a compelling talk on January 14, 2027, exploring how generative AI is reshaping the animation industry. From 18:30 to 20:30, director and screenwriter Tetsuo Hirakawa joins historian Xavier Kawa-Topor to discuss the evolving role of the artist in an era of automated creation. Designed for audiences aged 12 and up, this event delves into the balance between technical innovation and creative tradition. Admission is free, though reservations are required starting November 16. The venue is fully wheelchair accessible, ensuring everyone can participate in this insightful dialogue on the future of animation.
On January 14, 2027, join us at the Maison de la culture du Japon in Paris for an in-depth exploration of how generative AI is transforming animation. Running from 18:30 to 20:30, the event features veteran director, animator, and screenwriter Tetsuo Hirakawa. Having worked on projects ranging from traditional 2D animation to CG and live-action, Hirakawa shares his unique perspective on utilizing AI as a tool for artistic expression while preserving the essential role of the human creator in guiding visual narratives.
The discussion is moderated by Xavier Kawa-Topor, a renowned animation historian and director of the NEF Animation. Together, they will examine critical questions regarding the future of creative labor: can we maintain the depth of the learning process and the heritage of craftsmanship when AI is capable of generating massive amounts of content? This exchange promises to bridge the gap between technical potential and artistic intent.
The event is open to anyone aged 12 and older. While the talk is free to attend, reservations are mandatory and open on November 16. The venue provides full wheelchair access to accommodate all attendees interested in this look at modern visual culture.
