Anime and manga character images, particularly those created through artificial intelligence, have become increasingly prevalent on social media. Among these, a significant portion features “waifus”—2D female characters that some men idealize as romantic partners. Unfortunately, much of this AI-generated content often infringes copyright and portrays characters in compromising or inappropriate ways, sometimes with minimal clothing.
Recently, two men in Japan crossed a new boundary by not only generating these images through AI but also printing and selling them as posters online. While this type of content has been rampant on social media, Japanese authorities ensured the same wouldn’t go unchecked in the physical market.
A 36-year-old man from Yokohama City and a 40-year-old man from Shiga Prefecture were arrested for violating Japan’s Copyright Law. Between July 2023 and April 2024, their AI-generated illustrations, featuring characters from series like Yu-Gi-Oh! and Neon Genesis Evangelion, earned them 15.7 million yen (approximately 100624 USD in direct conversion). The images were sold via online auctions, and the authorities tracked the two through ongoing monitoring efforts.
Both suspects admitted to the crime, stating that all profits were used to “cover personal expenses.” They now face legal action, though the intellectual property holders of the affected works have yet to comment on the misuse of their characters through AI-generated art.
This incident highlights the growing concern around AI-generated content, not just for its copyright implications but also for the ethical questions it raises regarding the portrayal of beloved characters.
Use of artificial intelligence out of control?
The case of the two men in Japan underscores the growing need to monitor the use of artificial intelligence on social media and across the internet. Platforms like Instagram and X have become hotspots for sharing AI-generated artwork, with some users even selling both physical and digital products based on these illustrations.
It’s important to note that this type of content often infringes copyright laws and exceeds the legal boundaries for technology use. While this issue isn’t new to the internet, the accessibility of AI tools has significantly simplified the creation of such content—often explicit in nature—prompting stricter oversight to curb its spread.
