Generative AI Short Anime: Ex-KADOKAWA Chairman Predicts the Future of Japanese Content

A former top boss at KADOKAWA, Tsuguhiko Kadokawa, just made a bold prediction. At a press event for the new Japan-China International Animation Film Festival (coming in May 2026), he told everyone that short anime and generative AI will lead Japanese movies, shows, and games to the next big level.

He said: “From now on, short anime will drive Japanese content. When we add generative AI, we jump forward fast. Japan needs to learn from China and build respect both ways.”

Tsuguhiko is now honorary chairman of the KADOKAWA Culture Promotion Foundation, which is running the festival. He used to run the huge KADOKAWA company and worked with big groups like the Tokyo International Film Festival. But in 2022, he was arrested for bribery tied to the Tokyo Olympics. He stepped down as chairman and says he did nothing wrong. Today, he has zero role at KADOKAWA (confirmed by the current CEO in March 2025).

Even so, his words match what many in the anime world are saying right now.

What Exactly Is “Short Anime”?

Short anime are super-quick episodes—usually 1 to 5 minutes long (sometimes just 15 seconds!). They’re perfect for phones and apps like YouTube and TikTok.

Why are they exploding?

• Super cheap and fast to make.
• Easy to create tons of new characters and stories.
• Great for ads, toys, and merchandise money.
• Young people love quick videos—they swipe from one to the next all day.

Big platforms are jumping in:

• Plott (a top short anime company) has 12+ million subscribers and 13 billion views! They raised $5 million for a new app to become the “Crunchyroll of short anime.” Visit Plott Official.
• Crunchyroll boss Rahul Purini said kids today want 2-4 minute stories, not 24-minute episodes. He wants anime to change fast.
• Even big studios like WIT Studio made 15-second ads for Google Play. Watch example here.
• TikTok is backing new anime projects to grow the industry. TikTok NAFCA news.

Old-school pros are switching too. Masayuki Ozaki (ex-Sunrise/Bandai Namco) started Creadom8 in 2024 just for short anime and characters.

Bonus: AI Is Already Helping

KADOKAWA says they’re “actively investing” in AI for making anime faster. Sony is building AI coloring tools with studios A-1 Pictures and CloverWorks. Read: Sony AI Anime Tech.

Why This Matters for Fans

Short anime + generative AI = more stories, faster releases, and cheaper tickets for new ideas. Japan + China working together could mean amazing new shows in 2026 and beyond.

What do you think—ready for 3-minute anime made with AI? Drop your favorite short anime in the comments!