TV Tokyo Uses Generative AI in Drama Scenes With On-Screen Disclosure

TV Tokyo has introduced generative AI into the production of its crime drama 'Keiji, Furidashi ni Modoru,' using it for fire and animal scenes since the first episode aired on April 17, while displaying an on-screen note stating that 'parts of the footage use generative AI.' According to Oricon, the series began on April 17, 2026, in the Friday 9 p.m. slot. In the first episode, a cat fleeing in surprise at a gunshot in a parking lot scene was generated with AI, while the fourth episode (aired May 15) recreated a greenhouse fire from a serial arson case by layering generative AI processing over footage of a person shot under orange lighting at a greenhouse that was not actually burning. At the end of the program, alongside the standard 'This drama is fiction' caption, a note indicating the use of generative AI was added. Report