Kazuma Kaneko, the artist widely known for his work on the Persona series and Metaphor: ReFantazio, has addressed public concerns regarding the use of generative AI in his game development projects. Following criticism directed at his recent work, including Tsukuyomi: The Divine Hunter, Kaneko took to social media to clarify his creative process and future development plans.
Clarifying the Use of AI
In a post on July 20, 2026, Kaneko responded to fans questioning whether he would continue to incorporate AI into his titles. He acknowledged that he is currently preparing a new project at the company Colopl. Addressing the backlash, he stated, "I'm in a bit of a bind because of a misunderstanding, but while I did participate in a project that used AI in the game's mechanics, I haven't used AI for my own art."
Regarding his upcoming work, Kaneko provided a direct commitment to players: "For the work I'm currently preparing, I'm not considering a game that uses AI in its mechanics."
Context of the Backlash
The artist's clarification follows negative feedback regarding Tsukuyomi: The Divine Hunter, a game that featured AI-generated cards based on player choices. While Kaneko has worked with Atlus on demon designs for Metaphor: ReFantazio and remains a legendary figure in JRPG art, his recent independent ventures at Colopl drew scrutiny from fans concerned about the integration of generative tools in game design.
With this statement, Kaneko aims to distinguish his personal artistic contributions from the technical implementation of AI in his previous projects, assuring those following his next game that the artwork will be original.