During the LEVEL5 VISION 2026 II: Dreams presentation, which was intended to showcase new titles from Level-5, including the remake of the first Professor Layton, much of the social media discussion focused on the developer's use of artificial intelligence.
After the broadcast, players began raising suspicions that AI-generated elements were present in game materials such as Professor Layton and the Curious Village, Yo-kai Watch 2: Haunted Domain, Inazuma Eleven: Bold Revolution, and DecaPolice. Concerns included inconsistent scenarios, character movement, and even the animated representation of the company president, Akihiro Hino.
Level-5 confirmed using AI in parts of the presentation itself, but Hino vehemently denied that the technology was being used to define the creative identity of the games. A main focus of the criticism was the newly announced remake of Professor Layton and the Curious Village, where fans questioned scenarios for presenting inconsistencies suggesting AI generation.
Similar criticisms were directed at other projects: background art for Yo-kai Watch 2 was questioned, and the animations in Inazuma Eleven: Bold Revolution received criticism for their rigidity. However, it is important to note that Level-5 never confirmed that these specific game elements were created with the aid of generative AI.
This distrust was intensified by the company's history regarding technology. In 2025, Hino declared at an event for candidates of the Top Game Creators Academy that between 80% and 90% of the code would be written by AI, later adjusted by human programmers. At that time, he also mentioned that the technology was advancing in areas such as art, music, and design, aiding creative work efficiency.
Additionally, in 2023, Level-5 had already conducted tests with ChatGPT to create character designs and generate background art for Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road, thus fueling public suspicion after the new presentation.
In response to the backlash, Hino released a clarification. He admitted that AI processing was used in the videos shown during the event, as part of an experiment aimed at greater impact. The executive also apologized to viewers who felt uncomfortable.
However, Hino stressed that the crucial aspects for the 'charm and individuality' of Level-5 productions—such as scripts, core concepts, and character designs—remain under human responsibility. According to him, the company's intention is to apply AI primarily to optimize later stages of production, citing as an example the more accurate conversion of original art into polygonal models.
The executive acknowledged that the technology was applied more broadly than anticipated in the presentation materials and stated that the public reaction will be a learning experience for future events. Although the explanation does not confirm whether every detail pointed out by fans in the trailers was done with AI, it establishes Level-5's stance: to continue using AI as a productive tool while preserving the defining elements of creative identity in the hands of human professionals.