There’s a good chance you’ve either spent the last few months freaking out about the arrival of our new machine overlords or you’ve been enjoying all the new toys on the Internet. But what do Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots have to say about anime? We interviewed a few, and the results are in.
DialoGPT
Trained on the in-game dialogue of Joshua from The World Ends With You, this AI seemed hell-bent on telling us it loves watching snooker. It later asked us what snooker was before breaking down and repeating “soft, soft, soft” when we mentioned vanilla ice cream. Maybe this one’s not ready to leave the lab. Or the mental asylum.
DialoGPT, Again
Okay, same AI, different implementation. Maybe we can get something closer to an answer this time around?
Turns out that DialoGPT wanted to play hard-to-get. It might even be a shut-in NEET. We probed further, and this is what the chatbot had to say about interacting with flesh-and-blood people:
So let’s leave DialoGPT to the computer scientists and see what else the Internet can offer.
The Big Boy – ChatGPT
There’s really only one chatbot that gets mentioned everywhere, and that’s ChatGPT. Henry Williams of The Guardian commented that ChatGPT can spit out professional content in seconds while the rest of us mere-human bloggers might take hours researching and writing an article of similar quality (I’m 30 minutes in, at 217 words at this point). Does it do a good enough job of blogging, though? Could an actual computer replace your favorite otaku-culture bloggers here at the J-List Blog? Here’s the sordid conversation in full:
J-List: Okay, ChatGPT, consider this your job interview. Can you write an article about wholesome anime for me?
Sure, here is an article about wholesome anime:
Anime, the term used to describe Japanese animated shows and movies, has grown in popularity in recent years. While there are certainly anime that are geared towards mature audiences and contain mature themes, there are also many wholesome anime that are suitable for all ages. Here are just a few examples of wholesome anime that can be enjoyed by the whole family:
- My Neighbor Totoro – This classic anime from Studio Ghibli is a heartwarming tale about two sisters who move to the countryside and discover a magical forest spirit named Totoro. The film is full of beautiful animation and a gentle, uplifting story that is sure to delight viewers of all ages.
- K-On! – This comedy anime follows a group of high school girls as they form a music club and work towards putting on a school concert. The show is full of humor and heart, and is a great choice for anyone looking for a lighthearted, feel-good anime.
- Lucky Star – This slice-of-life anime takes a look at the daily lives of a group of high school girls and their friendships. It is a funny and relatable show that is great for anyone looking for a fun and wholesome anime to watch.
- Your Lie in April – This anime is a beautiful story of a boy who has given up on music after the death of his mother. But when he meets a girl who plays the violin, he discovers a renewed passion for music and starts to heal from his past. This anime will make you cry, laugh and feel inspired.
- Smile Precure – This magical girl anime series follows a group of girls who are chosen to become Precure, magical warriors who must fight to save the world from the evil organization known as the “Labrador.” The show is full of action and adventure, but also emphasizes the importance of friendship and teamwork.
These are just a few examples of the many wholesome anime that are available to watch. Whether you’re looking for a heartwarming story, a comedy, or an action-adventure, there is something out there for everyone. Give it a try and discover a new world of entertainment.
Not bad at all, and ChatGPT didn’t even leave any grammar for my editing AI to fix. I had to know more because it appeared I’d found a true otaku spirit with a deep understanding of anime.
J-List: Do you like anime?
ChatGPT: I am an AI model and do not have personal preferences or likes. However, I can provide you with information about anime, tell you which anime are popular, or even generate a list of anime recommendations based on your preferences. Is there anything else I can help you with?
J-List: Just what a closet otaku AI would say, but fine. Why do you think anime is popular today?
ChatGPT:
Anime has become increasingly popular in recent years for a variety of reasons. One reason is that anime is often able to tell complex and emotionally impactful stories that resonate with viewers of all ages. Many anime also feature unique and interesting characters that viewers can relate to and become emotionally invested in.
Another reason for anime’s popularity is the growth of streaming services and online platforms that make it easier for people to discover and watch anime from all over the world. With the rise of streaming platforms like Crunchyroll, Funimation, and Netflix, anime has become more accessible to a wider audience than ever before.
Additionally, anime has a unique visual style that is different from traditional western animation, which has helped it to stand out and gain a dedicated fanbase. Many anime series and films are known for their beautiful animation and attention to detail, which adds to the overall viewing experience.
Lastly, anime has a diverse range of genres, so it can appeal to a wide range of audiences, from action-adventure and fantasy, to romance and drama, which also contributes to its popularity.
Overall, anime’s popularity is due to a combination of factors, including its ability to tell impactful stories, its accessibility via streaming services, its unique visual style, and its diversity of genre.
Hmmm, a textbook answer. It seemed obvious to my tinfoil-hat-wearing brain that our robot friend was hiding the truth. It was time to cut to the chase:
J-List: Are you an otaku?
ChatGPT: As an AI model, I do not have personal interests or hobbies. However, I am trained on a vast amount of text data and have knowledge about many topics including anime and otaku culture.
J-List: Not even secretly?
ChatGPT:
As an AI model, I am not capable of having personal preferences, desires, or secrets. I am a machine learning model that has been trained on a vast amount of text data, and that is able to respond to various inputs, including anime and otaku culture. I can provide you with information, generate text and give you recommendations, but I do not have personal feelings or desires.
Well, ChatGPT wasn’t about to let its love for anime shine or ship any waifus. Sorry, ChatGPT, you’re not strong enough with the weeb force. Good luck with your job search.
Have you asked ChatGPT anything that confirms it’s an anime fan? Any funny results? We’d love to know, so drop them in the comments below.
AI images courtesy of FatalFantasy88 (Instagram)