In 2016, a clip of renowned Japanese animation director Hayao Miyazaki expressing strong disapproval during an artificial intelligence demonstration captivated internet users. Miyazaki, celebrated for animated masterpieces like 'My Neighbor Totoro' and 'Spirited Away,' was shown a presentation of AI technology designed to generate lifelike movements for models. His visceral reaction, driven by his meticulous hand-drawn animation philosophy, became a viral sensation, particularly his declaration of being 'utterly disgusted' by what he perceived as an 'insult to life itself.'
However, instead of deterring progress, Miyazaki's controversial remarks, and the subsequent online ridicule, surprisingly provided an unexpected impetus for innovation. Nearly a decade later, the very technology that sparked his ire has been re-imagined and repurposed to power 'ANLIFE: Motion-Learning Life Evolution,' a new game launched on Steam on February 11th by Attructure Inc. Far removed from the grotesque zombie movements Miyazaki witnessed, 'ANLIFE' presents a whimsical evolution simulator. Players engage in cultivating the development of abstract life forms, akin to a relaxed version of 'Spore,' with a central focus on unique movement mechanics where creatures evolve distinct gaits.
The genesis of Miyazaki's profound disapproval stemmed from viewing a zombie animation in the documentary '10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki.' This animated zombie was programmed to move by its head, and a Studio Ghibli producer, Nobuo Kawakami, explained that the creature, being incapable of pain, would interact unnaturally with its environment. This intentionally unsettling display, originally intended for a theoretical horror game, triggered Miyazaki's powerful response. He drew parallels to a friend with a disability, finding the AI's depiction of movement deeply insensitive and disrespectful to the complexities of life and suffering.
Miyazaki's infamous quote, "Whoever creates this stuff has no idea what pain is whatsoever. I am utterly disgusted. If you really want to make creepy stuff, you can go ahead and do it. I would never wish to incorporate this technology into my work at all. I strongly feel that this is an insult to life itself," continues to be a subject of debate. While some argue his critique was specific to the AI's application rather than the technology itself, the subsequent evolution of AI, particularly its tendency to imitate and appropriate the distinctive styles of creators like Studio Ghibli, reinforces the enduring relevance of Miyazaki's concerns about generative AI's impact on human creativity. His horrified reaction, amplified by advancements like OpenAI's Sora, periodically resurfaces across social media platforms.
Ironically, it is precisely Miyazaki's harsh assessment that has brought 'ANLIFE' into the spotlight. Many Steam reviews for the game directly reference the notorious exchange, and news reports frequently link 'ANLIFE' to Miyazaki's past comments. Contrary to expectations of a negative backlash from purists, the game has received a surprisingly warm reception, boasting a 'positive' rating on Steam with no negative reviews at the time of this writing.
One review describes 'ANLIFE' as an "evolution as a sandbox experiment—watching machine-simulated critters figure out how to exist through trial, error, and a lot of falling over." Despite acknowledging the gameplay's "primitive" nature and limited playtime, the reviewer still found the experience worthwhile. Another reviewer expressed, "There’s something oddly charming about watching digital life stumble toward survival." Many critics characterize the game as basic yet enjoyable as a casual, secondary-screen experience, highlighting its calming effect: "My blood pressure has lowered," one review noted, suggesting a departure from the traditional survival-of-the-fittest narrative toward a more tranquil, inevitable form of evolution.
The developers at Attructure, while acknowledging the 2016 incident as a "topic of discussion" on their website, clearly internalized the criticisms. 'ANLIFE,' with its vibrant colors and playful, almost childlike aesthetic, appears to be a deliberate refutation of the earlier zombie presentation. The animation technology here serves not to mimic or replace human movement, nor to trivialize pain. Instead, 'ANLIFE' subtly conveys a deeply human message: despite the constant challenges and cosmic struggles, life, in its myriad forms, ultimately finds a way to endure and thrive.