Goodnight Punpun creator Inio Asano paused Mujina Into the Deep, citing restrictions on generative AI in manga
Pop Culture & ArtJuly 19, 20261 min read
Goodnight Punpun creator Inio Asano has confirmed that his ongoing manga series Mujina Into the Deep will go on hiatus as he waits to see whether restrictions on the use of generative AI in the manga industry change.
Speaking on the Japanese talk show WEEKLY OCHIAI, Asano explained that his creative process depends heavily on 3D modelling software, including Blender and Unreal Engine.
According to the manga creator, he personally constructs more than 90% of the environments featured in the series before writing its story.
Asano compared his workflow to creating a video game such as Grand Theft Auto. He recreates real-world locations, including Shimokitazawa, to build detailed city layouts before developing the narrative around them.
He said this approach ultimately transformed Mujina Into the Deep from a grounded story about a middle-aged man into an action series featuring parkour.
The creator believes generative AI could significantly speed up that production process. However, he said professional manga artists are currently prohibited by publishers from using the technology because of copyright concerns.
“It’s a strange situation,” Asano said. “You’re not allowed to use it precisely because you’re a professional.”
Rather than continue creating the environments manually, Asano said he decided to pause the series and hopes publishers will relax the restrictions before the manga is scheduled to return in 2027.
During the discussion, Asano also shared his broader views on generative AI, suggesting the technology is well suited to producing viral, algorithm-driven content.
In contrast, he argued that human creators should focus on telling distinctive, emotionally resonant stories that AI cannot authentically replicate.
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