The art world is no stranger to controversy, and the use of AI in art has sparked a lot of debate in recent times. Ethical concerns and issues of ownership have been at the forefront of these discussions. Now, a publisher in Japan is set to add fuel to the fire with the debut of an AI-drawn manga.

Manga creator Rootpoot is teaming up with publisher Shinchosha to create an AI-drawn manga, set to be published under the Bunch Comics imprint on March 9th. The manga, which is a sci-fi retelling of the Japanese legend of Momotaro, will be entirely created using AI software. While the story will not be generated by the AI, the artwork, editing and assembly will be. Rootpoot has promised to share behind-the-scenes information on how the AI was used to create the manga once the full volume is released.

The use of AI in the art world has been a contentious issue, with many in the industry questioning whether it should be embraced or not. The manga industry is now set to contend with this firsthand, as the debut of an AI-drawn manga raises questions about the role of technology in the creative process. The upcoming manga reimagines the story of Momotaro in a cyberpunk setting, and it will be interesting to see how it is received by audiences.

The use of AI in art raises many questions about authorship, originality, and the nature of creativity. While the technology has the potential to revolutionize the art world, it’s essential to consider the ethical implications and address the ownership issues that arise with the use of AI. As the manga industry prepares to contend with this firsthand, it will be interesting to see how it navigates these challenges and embraces this innovation.