Akihiro Hino, the CEO of Japanese game developer Level-5, has issued a formal apology after the studio confirmed it used generative AI during its latest digital showcase. The admission follows widespread fan observation of visual inconsistencies in trailers for high-profile titles including the Professor Layton and Yo-kai Watch series.
The apology, issued on 12 September 2026, addressed the “Level-5 Vision 2026 II: Dreams” presentation. Mr Hino stated that the technology was employed as an “experiment” to make the digital event appear “more spectacular”, rather than as a permanent replacement for human artistry in final game builds.
While the studio head maintained that core creative elements such as character design and storytelling remain human-led, he confirmed that AI is being integrated into the company’s broader strategy to significantly shorten production timelines. Level-5 currently aims to reduce its major title development cycles from five years down to just two years through the use of AI.
Fan spotting and technical artifacts
The controversy began shortly after the showcase aired, as viewers identified what appeared to be AI-generated “artifacts” — visual errors or distortions common in machine-generated imagery — in several featured games. Specific concerns were raised regarding the remake of Professor Layton and the Curious Village and the upcoming Yo-kai Watch 2: Haunted Domain.
Reports from viewers highlighted inconsistencies in background rendering and character facial details. According to Anime News Network, the use of these tools has sparked a debate among the fanbase regarding whether the “hand-crafted” aesthetic traditionally associated with the Professor Layton brand will be preserved in future releases.
Despite the apology, some fans have expressed concern that AI-generated assets seen in the presentation may still be present when the games reach retail shelves, particularly given the studio’s ambitious new two-year development target.
Release dates and platforms
Amidst the discussion regarding AI, Level-5 provided concrete updates for its most anticipated project, Professor Layton and the New World of Steam. The puzzle-adventure title is now officially scheduled for release on 10 December 2026.
Level-5 has not yet confirmed whether the specific background assets identified as AI-generated in the trailers will be replaced with hand-drawn alternatives before the December launch date.
