ASCENDANCE OF A BOOKWORM Season 4 Sparks Controversy, Suspected of Using AI Technology

Kapanlagi.com - The Spring 2026 anime season has finally started with many exciting titles that immediately catch the attention of fans. One of the most anticipated is certainly the return of ASCENDANCE OF A BOOKWORM Season 4, which continues Myne's journey in her new world. This anime is known as a light isekai with a warm story that has many fans.

However, instead of receiving only positive feedback, this latest season has become embroiled in controversy. Not long after the first episode and opening were released, fans began to notice something strange in the visuals. Allegations of AI technology usage quickly became a hot topic in the anime community.

This controversy intensified because the anime is produced by WIT Studio, a major studio known for its animation quality. Fans' expectations are automatically very high, so when there are oddities, it immediately becomes a topic of discussion. Here are the complete details.

1. Comeback that Ends in Controversy

The Season 4 opening quickly became a topic of debate among fans (credit: X/@anime_booklove)

The return of ASCENDANCE OF A BOOKWORM Season 4 was initially met with great enthusiasm by fans who had long awaited the continuation of Myne's story. As an isekai anime with a more relaxed approach and a focus on character development, many hoped that this latest season could present a more mature story and visuals. The excitement was high before it eventually shifted after the official opening was released to the public.

Problems began to arise when some fans felt that there was something off about the visuals of the opening, especially in the background, which appeared inconsistent. This led to speculation that the production process might have involved AI technology, something that is still quite sensitive in the anime industry. Discussions quickly spread on social media, with many comparisons to the studio's older works that were considered much neater and more detailed.

2. Fans Highlight Visual Oddities

The AI suspicion arises from visual details that are considered unnatural (credit: X/@anime_booklove)

Various oddities have started to be discussed by fans, ranging from the random blur effects, colors that feel less cohesive, to the shapes of objects that appear strange and not like hand-drawn results. These small details have become the focus because usually, anime from major studios have very high visual standards. This has led to increasing speculation about the use of AI, especially after several viral posts showed comparisons of frames that were deemed abnormal.

However, until now there has been no evidence or official confirmation from the studio regarding the use of AI. Interestingly, this criticism is only focused on the opening part, while the anime episodes themselves continue to receive positive responses from viewers. Many believe that the quality of the story and main animation is still maintained, making this controversy feel quite unique as it only targets one specific part.

3. Studio Clarification and Latest Conditions

The studio has not provided clarification regarding AI, but the production of the opening has started to be explained (credit: X/@anime_booklove)

Amidst the heated debate, WIT Studio has yet to release an official statement regarding the allegations of AI usage. However, their animation producer, Keita Yoshinobu, provided some explanation about who was involved in the production process of the opening. He mentioned that the storyboard and key animation were done by Kazuto Nakazawa, under the direction of Saki Fujii.

Additionally, the illustrations in the final scene were created by animation director Minowa, while most of the other scenes were animated directly by Nakazawa. Although this does not address the AI issue, this explanation gives a glimpse into the production process. On the other hand, the anime continues to run normally and airs on Crunchyroll with new episodes every week, while fans are still waiting for further clarification from the studio.

(kpl/afd)