Yukimura: “AI steals art, and I'm in trouble if AI develops too much. The reason why we are in trouble is because AI does a good job to some extent. It's just a fact. It is not an affirmation.”
Makoto Yukimura at San Diego Comic-Con 2023 Photo by Kalai Chik
Vinland Saga manga creator Makoto Yukimura clarified on Sunday an earlier comment regarding generative AI on his X (formerly Twitter ) account. Yukimura said, “Wow haha, I surprised everyone because I said 'AI does a good job.' AI steals art, and I'm in trouble if AI develops too much. The reason why we are in trouble is because AI does a good job to some extent. It's just a fact. It is not an affirmation.”
Yukimura's statement comes after he commented on an image based on Vinland Saga posted to X/ Twitter . The image depicts Vinland Saga character Thorfinn in a wheat field. In his comment, Yukimura said, “Very wonderful! A rich wheat field all over the place. Thank you for understanding his heart. If all people were rich enough, we wouldn't have to fight.”
Another X/ Twitter user replied to Yukimura to say the piece was made using generative AI: “I hate to say this... but that so-called 'art' was created using AI. The user did not create it. The user has also been stealing real, human made art from other artists in the fandom and passing it off as their own.”
Yukimura responded to the assertion that the piece was made using generative AI by saying, “Wow, Is that so? AI does a good job.”
Following Yukimura's comments, several X/ Twitter users were critical of the manga creator, with one saying he “washed.” Another user criticized Yukimura for supporting generative AI use based on art.
After Yukimura issued his clarification on generative AI, fans had a more favorable view towards the manga creator. One X/ Twitter user said, “People love to jump to conclusions,” noting how some of Yukimura's fans were opposing him prior to his clarification, only for Yukimura to return to those fans' good graces.