The organizers of Yuriten, a long-running exhibition series dedicated to yuri manga and illustration, have canceled their upcoming 10th-anniversary kickoff event. The decision follows a swift backlash from professional creators after the event's promotional materials were found to feature generative AI imagery. The event, which was scheduled for October 17 and 18 in Tokyo’s Hareza Ikebukuro complex, was intended to celebrate a decade of the exhibition.
Prominent industry figures were quick to voice their disappointment. Nio Nakatani, creator of Bloom Into You, expressed confusion and frustration regarding the decision, noting her history of participation in past exhibits. Other creators, including Yukiko (Futaribeya: A Room for Two) and Yayoi Osawa (Hello, Melancholic!), also criticized the move, highlighting the disconnect between the event's reliance on AI and the community of human artists it was meant to celebrate. In response to the outcry, the organizing company, Lilium, issued an apology, admitting that they failed to properly vet an outside contractor responsible for the promotional assets.
Lilium has since deleted the initial announcement and confirmed that they will enforce a strict policy against the use of generative AI in all future exhibitions and marketing. The company stated it is currently reviewing its internal management processes to prevent similar oversight with third-party contractors. This cancellation marks another turbulent moment in the event's history, which previously saw the 2018 exhibition relocated just days before its scheduled opening due to venue logistical issues.
Given the strong reaction from the creators who have historically supported the brand, do you think this policy shift will be enough to restore trust in the Yuriten exhibition series?
