PIXTA Inc. has repurposed Anipops into a worldwide short‑form anime streaming service and set up a fresh anime studio that incorporates AI tools into its workflow. The new version debuted on August 12 2026, offering five original anime series.
Anipops made its debut in March 2026 as an AI‑driven platform for creators to submit and share anime content. PIXTA has now transformed it into a subscription‑based streaming service that focuses on original series made by its own studio. The former submission and viewing tools are being migrated to a separate “Anipops Creators” section.
The studio is described as being driven by “state‑of‑the‑art AI technology,” with the entire pipeline—from concept and scriptwriting to the final animation—handled internally. PIXTA intends to keep producing its own original anime through the studio and is also looking at partnerships that involve established IPs and other media.
The five launch titles are:
- The Detective Club
- The Curse-Breaking Bride
- Morks
- Bells Of The ONI
- Burned Out by My Corporate Job, I Moved to the Country—Now My Stray Cat Streams Are Going Viral
The Detective Club
Kawase Tan, who calls himself a brilliant detective, and Usagi Hikaru, a shy gaming enthusiast, are opposites in personality and method. Together they investigate a locked‑room murder at an old school and a threat against a famous streamer. Specters, manipulated footage, and hidden secrets surface as Hikaru’s keen observations merge with Tan’s decisive actions, revealing the truth beneath the deception. This school‑set detective story blends light‑hearted dialogue, authentic suspense, and a caring impulse to protect the vulnerable.
The Curse-Breaking Bride
Sun Rong, an orphan with amber eyes, is abruptly taken to the imperial palace as the “curse‑breaker bride” tasked with rescuing a prince who slumber endlessly. In the court she sees pale blue chains缠绕 the prince—an odd sight only she can perceive. The prince’s deep slumber, a fallen dynasty’s legend from thirty years earlier, and a secret tied to Sun Rong’s own origins all unfold within a politically charged environment, weaving her destiny with the nation’s hidden history. The narrative is rich with enigma and enchantment.
Morks
Mysterious beings called “Morks” start appearing all over Japan. Yura, a compassionate girl, meets a wolf‑like Mork that shows no aggression toward humans. After forming a bond with Yura, the wolf engages in an all‑out fight against a brutal queen ant‑type Mork to keep her safe. This creature‑centered epic explores the deep tie that can develop between humans and the enigmatic Morks.
Bells Of The ONI
A trio of oni hunters rove the countryside: a sword‑wielding man, a maiden who rings a bell, and a boy with a hearty appetite. When a local youth asks for help, they travel to an abandoned mine where his father vanished. Confronting the hidden oni, their friendships and resolve are severely challenged in this samurai‑style historical action saga.
Burned Out by My Corporate Job, I Moved to the Country—Now My Stray Cat Streams Are Going Viral
Disillusioned by a draining corporate career, the main character relocates to a tranquil Hokkaido village. He encounters Shiro, a fluffy white stray, and Koharu, a supportive high‑school girl who urges him to livestream his relaxed daily routine. Simple videos of sleeping and farm chores attract massive worldwide donations. The secret? Shiro is actually a legendary guardian beast adored even by the toughest reviewers. The result is a carefree, blissful rural streaming adventure.
PIXTA Inc., established in 2005, runs PIXTA, the biggest stock‑content platform in Japan that lets both pros and hobbyists sell pictures, illustrations, videos, and music. Recently the firm has started offering image and video assets for use as training data by businesses and schools, together with annotation solutions. By default, all contributors are covered by these licensing terms and may choose to exclude themselves via their profile settings.
On May 22 2026 PIXTA ceased taking AI‑generated entries into its image bank. In an interview with Anime Corner, CEO Daisuke Komata explained that the move was driven by a flood of AI‑produced material that made it difficult to align buyer needs, as well as an increasing preference for creator‑originated images. He clarified that the policy was not meant to dismiss work that incorporates AI assistance.
Komata added that Anipops relies on multiple third‑party generative AI tools—though he kept their names confidential—and clarified that the platform does not develop its own models or incorporate assets from the PIXTA catalog into its shows. The workflow starts with scripts and concept art, then proceeds through AI‑aided video generation, followed by human editing and polishing. He also stated that character voices are created via external AI voice‑synthesis services.
PIXTA has no intention at present to disclose specific personnel credits like writers or directors, nor to mark titles as AI‑produced unless mandated by law. The complete interview with Daisuke Komata covers the studio’s production process, queries about training datasets, how creators are credited, the use of AI‑generated narration, copyright issues, industry reactions, and the company’s stance on AI‑related critiques.
Anipops targets a global viewership and offers subtitles for its Japanese series. Some episodes are available at no cost. After the free portion, users can purchase individual episodes, watch ad‑supported content for free, or subscribe on a weekly or monthly basis for unlimited access to eligible shows. The price points are $0.50 per episode, $6.99 for a weekly plan, or $19.99 for a monthly plan.
PIXTA is especially interested in the expanding vertical short‑drama niche and foresees short‑form animation playing a bigger role there. The firm intends to leverage its AI‑enabled production capabilities to broaden Anipops’ original catalog and explore partnerships that incorporate established intellectual properties.
Several firms have shared views on integrating AI into traditional productions. Aniplex’s president, Shu Nishimoto, indicated a careful stance, noting openness to AI only when it helps creators. Crunchyroll’s CEO, Rahul Purini, emphasized that creators may adopt any technology they choose, yet the company does not plan to employ AI for its own subtitling or dubbing workflows.
Source: Press Release, Anipops Official Website, Daisuke Komata Interview by Anime Corner
Featured image generated using AI, provided by Anipops
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