This week, fans of Japanese animation witnessed an unprecedented collaboration, not for a film or TV debut, but for a cause that affects artists at their core.
Twenty-six of Japan’s most respected voice performers, including Koichi Yamadera, Romi Park, and Ryusei Nakao, have joined forces to release a public video under the campaign title No More Unauthorized Generative AI. Their message is simple but urgent: stop using performers’ voices without their consent.
The video, posted to the group’s official YouTube channel, begins with Nakao, known globally for his role as Frieza in Dragon Ball, sharing his own experience.
“Someone was selling my voice without permission. I was shocked. Our voices are our livelihoods. They are our lives,” he says in poignant reflection. As he finishes, the assembled actors together declare, “No more unauthorized generative AI!”
Their call resonates across industries struggling to understand the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. For these performers, synthetic voice replication is not just an artistic concern; it is a deeply personal issue tied to identity, livelihood, and creative authenticity.
Following the video’s release, a detailed press statement expanded on their concerns. It noted that voice data and clips had been uploaded and sold online without permission, even appearing in readings and songs that the performers never recorded.
“Our voices are our lives,” the statement emphasizes, contrasting enthusiasm for technology’s progress with fears of cultural disregard.
The purpose of this movement is not to vilify technology but to encourage thoughtful dialogue. The campaign stresses peaceful discourse and expert involvement to create ethical cultural norms for how AI interacts with creative industries.
“We hope to protect the fertile soil in which good works can be created for the next ten, the next twenty years,” the group’s statement reads, a plea for sustainability over exploitation.
The Faces and Voices Leading the Movement
The list of participants reads like a hall of fame for Japanese anime voice acting.
Among them are Koichi Yamadera (Cowboy Bebop’s Spike Spiegel), Romi Park (Fullmetal Alchemist’s Edward Elric), Ryusei Nakao (Dragon Ball’s Frieza), and an array of veterans whose voices helped shape the identity of modern Japanese entertainment. Their shared reputation gives the campaign considerable emotional weight and cultural impact.
Other members include Michihiro Ikemizu, Yoji Ueda, Yuko Kaida, Yuki Kaji, Mika Kanai, Bin Shimada, and Hiroki Touchi. Each artist brings decades of experience, recognition, and personal connection to fans who have grown up hearing their voices.
Together, they represent nearly the full span of anime history, from 1980s classics to current global blockbusters.
Their unified stance sends a powerful message: the artistic essence behind voice acting deserves the same respect as any other human creative medium. This movement is not simply about protecting legal rights but about affirming the emotional integrity of art that depends on a performer’s humanity.
For decades, voice performers have existed somewhat behind the scenes, their work celebrated yet often unrecognized. In recent years, advancements in AI-generated sound have begun to blur the lines between authentic voice artistry and algorithmic mimicry.
Anime Icons (Credit: NBC)
Companies can now recreate voices with uncanny precision, raising vital questions about consent, compensation, and creative control.
While some industry leaders in Japan, including major agency Aoni Production, have cautiously embraced AI collaborations for limited use, the No More Unauthorized Generative AI initiative focuses on the darker side of automation: exploitation without permission or payment.
Technology Meets Ethics: The Industry Response
The timing of the campaign is notable. Only weeks before, Aoni Production confirmed a partnership with AI company CoeFont to produce machine versions of certain voices for “non-acting” projects.
Among those voices is Masako Nozawa, the iconic performer behind Goku from Dragon Ball. The partnership has been described as controlled and authorized, emphasizing consent and creative boundaries.
Even with those reassurances, unease lingers. Many artists fear that once companies begin digitizing voices, the door opens for misuse by third parties or unauthorized clones. And whereas major names might secure contractual protection, smaller artists often lack such safeguards, leaving their livelihood vulnerable to replication.
The No More Unauthorized Generative AI group’s statement clearly distinguishes authorized innovation from ethical violations.
Their argument isn’t against progress but rather the lack of responsibility in implementing it. They stress the importance of mutual respect, transparency, and fair compensation whenever AI utilizes a performer’s likeness or recordings.
The conversation also highlights cultural values deeply rooted in Japan’s creative community. Respect for craftsmanship has long underscored anime production, the belief that each artist’s touch contributes something irreplaceable. When that touch becomes data, artists fear losing not only income but identity.
Some industry professionals are echoing these concerns globally. Western voice actors have voiced similar frustration after finding digital replicas of their performances used in fan projects or unauthorized AI training models.
What differentiates Japan’s campaign is its unified front: more than two dozen top artists publicly speaking as one collective.
Why This Moment Matters
This movement represents a turning point for creative ethics in digital entertainment. As generative AI becomes more advanced, the question of artistic consent grows increasingly complex. For voice actors, whose work exists solely through sound, the threat of being replaced by software feels deeply personal.
Koichi Yamadera, known for his iconic versatility across roles from Spike Spiegel to Donald Duck’s Japanese dub, symbolizes why this issue matters.
His instantly recognizable voice carries the emotional DNA of multiple generations of characters and audiences. Losing control over that voice could mean losing ownership of an entire lifetime of artistry.
Similarly, Romi Park’s passionate portrayal of Edward Elric stands as a reminder of how emotional authenticity differentiates human actors from algorithmic reproductions.
The same applies to young voices like Yuki Kaji, who has built international admiration through roles in Attack on Titan and My Hero Academia. Each represents a creative history that cannot simply be “recreated” through data synthesizers.
The initiative’s tone, a mix of concern, hope, and cooperation reveals its deeper message. The group is not demanding bans or punishment but rather proposing the creation of cultural norms.
Their statement calls for dialogue with both experts and technologists, envisioning a future where technology respects human contribution instead of erasing it.
The campaign also demonstrates that artists, even those operating behind animated characters, possess the collective power to influence an entire global discussion. By gathering such a high-profile roster, No More Unauthorized Generative AI turns personal loss into public awareness.
A Path Toward Cultural Responsibility
Artificial intelligence has introduced new possibilities for art and communication, but this initiative reminds us that innovation must coexist with consent.
If properly guided, AI can amplify creativity, helping actors preserve aging voices or extending access to art across languages. Without regulation, however, it risks exploitation and emotional harm.
By elevating this issue, Yamadera, Park, Nakao, and their peers have championed a necessary intersection between technology and ethics. They demonstrate that progress includes listening to those most affected by its consequences.
The No More Unauthorized Generative AI movement now plans to release individual messages from each performer, sharing personal experiences and deeper reflections. Their goal is not confrontation but education, inviting thoughtful collaboration across industries to ensure integrity remains at the core of artistic advancement.
Through empathy, awareness, and honesty, Japan’s most beloved voices are proving that humanity must stay central even as machines learn to imitate it. Their message transcends languages and fandoms: respect the creators, respect the voices, and respect the soul behind every sound.
And as millions of fans echo their rallying cry across online platforms, one truth stands timeless these voices will always be human, and they deserve to be treated that way.
One of Japan’s most influential pop groups, Perfume, has officially announced a hiatus after over two decades of redefining the technopop genre.
The beloved trio Nocchi, Kashiyuka, and A-chan shared the decision through their official fan community website on September 21, bringing a wave of emotions across the Japanese music scene.
Perfume clarified that this pause is not a breakup but a deliberate “cold sleep,” their poetic term for temporarily freezing their activities to preserve their creative spirit and reassess their future direction. “All three of us agreed that now is the time to step back, look at what we have built, and think about what lies ahead,” the group stated.
The announcement came just days after completing their 25th-anniversary celebrations, highlighted by the release of Nebula Romance, a two-part album filled with nostalgic energy and fresh electronic experimentation.
The album served as a love letter to their supporters, featuring both new material and tributes to their artistic evolution.
The Final Notes Before the Break
Perfume’s “Nebula Romance” tour marked a powerful farewell to this chapter of their career. Over several months, they performed across 11 cities in Japan, culminating in 23 concerts before their final show at Tokyo Dome on September 22.
The Dome concert was particularly special; it was their first time performing there in five years, and the atmosphere was filled with gratitude, excitement, and tears.
Fans who attended described the performance as a “celebration of unity.” Each song, from Electro World to Dream Fighter, carried layers of nostalgia.
The group’s signature choreography and futuristic visuals brought both their past and present together on stage. A-chan’s parting words at the Dome echoed the sentiment of the moment: “Perfume has always been about love, rhythm, and connection. Taking a pause is just another way of honoring that.”
While the group did not disclose a return date, they confirmed that their activities will continue until the end of this year, after which they will each pursue individual projects. The decision highlights their desire for balance after maintaining an intense pace for decades.
The members reassured fans that Perfume remains intact as both an identity and a collective dream. “We are not ending Perfume,” the statement emphasized. “We are keeping it safe, like a precious crystal we will return to when the time is right.”
A Trailblazing Journey in Japanese Pop
Formed in Hiroshima in 2000, Perfume began as three young girls with a shared fascination for the futuristic sounds of electronic music.
Debuting under indie labels, they initially struggled to gain mainstream recognition. However, their breakthrough came in 2007 with the release of “Polyrhythm,” a song that not only topped charts but also redefined J-Pop’s stylistic boundaries.
Perfume (Credit: NBC)
Produced by Yasutaka Nakata, best known for crafting technopop soundscapes that blend glitch, synth, and soft vocals, Perfume became the face of Japan’s modern electronic movement. Their sound fused robotic precision with emotional depth, translating techno’s digital pulse into universal human feeling.
Hits like Chocolate Disco, Laser Beam, Spending All My Time, and Magic of Love turned Perfume into a household name, both domestically and internationally.
They became one of the first Japanese girl groups to headline major festivals outside Asia, performing in Europe and North America with shows that combined holographic visuals, synchronized motion, and high-concept design.
What distinguished Perfume was more than technology; it was their unwavering chemistry. Over 25 years, Nocchi, Kashiyuka, and A-chan’s friendship became as celebrated as their artistry. Their synergy extended beyond the stage; each member represented a vital energy: Nocchi’s calm, Kashiyuka’s elegance, and A-chan’s warmth.
Their unity created a balance that defined Perfume’s identity as more than a pop act; it was a harmony of humanity and innovation.
The group’s music videos and performances were also widely recognized for pushing the limits of technology in art. Collaborations with choreographer Mikiko, combined with real-time motion capture and projection mapping, turned their concerts into immersive digital theaters.
Perfume’s creative vision influenced not only musicians but also designers and engineers who saw the intersection between rhythm, light, and motion in their work.
Fans React to the Hiatus
As news of Perfume’s pause spread, fans across the world responded with sorrow, pride, and gratitude. Social media platforms flooded with tributes, video clips, and heartfelt messages recalling how the group’s music shaped different moments of their listeners’ lives.
Many described Perfume as more than idols; they were innovators who inspired confidence, empowerment, and creativity.
Japanese media covered the announcement extensively, calling it a “graceful intermission” rather than a farewell. Several artists and producers expressed admiration for how Perfume handled the hiatus announcement calmly, sincerely, and with respect for their audience. “They didn’t fade away; they paused while shining,” one entertainment critic noted.
Perfume’s music, often futuristic in theme, has always carried a strange sense of timelessness. Fans see the hiatus not as an ending, but as part of that ongoing narrative of cycles and renewal, a theme the group frequently reflected upon through lyrics that spoke of digital worlds and human connection.
Some industry analysts consider the move strategic. After a consistent 25-year run, taking time off allows members to recharge creatively and potentially redefine their musical direction in an era where digital platforms are reshaping music distribution and performance.
Others believe this decision signals maturity and self-awareness, a recognition that longevity sometimes requires stillness.
The Legacy of Perfume’s “Cold Sleep”
The phrase “cold sleep,” used by Perfume to describe their hiatus, comes from science fiction a genre the trio often intertwined with their aesthetic. It suggests preservation, not disappearance; a body resting in stasis until the right conditions awaken it again.
That metaphor perfectly describes Perfume’s relationship with innovation. Their journey has always mirrored technological progress in Japan, from the early digital boom of the 2000s to present-day AI-assisted music production.
Even their quiet withdrawal now feels intentional, a reflective gesture in a hyperconnected age that rarely pauses.
With nine studio albums, three compilations, and one EP to their name, Perfume’s contribution to Japanese pop culture is monumental.
They helped usher in a futuristic sound that resonated beyond Japan’s borders, influencing artists like Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and even Western acts fascinated by their fusion of pop and performance art.
Each member is expected to pursue solo creative endeavors during the break. Kashiyuka, known for her elegant style, has shown interest in fashion and design. A-chan, admired for her expressive stage presence, may explore production and broadcasting, while Nocchi has mentioned interests in digital art and creative direction.
As 2025 draws to a close, Perfume’s silence will likely be felt across Japan’s pop scene. Yet, their pause feels more like a deep breath than a goodbye.
Whether it lasts a year or a decade, fans trust that when Perfume awakens from this “cold sleep,” they will return with yet another evolution of their sound and identity, one as futuristic, heartfelt, and transformative as their legacy has always been.
Until then, their music remains a glowing reminder of how innovation and emotion can coexist. Perfume may be going quiet for now, but their resonance will echo for generations.
