Evolution Of ANLIFE, Miyazaki’s “Insult”: From Horror To Habitat

A specific segment of internet culture remembers the 2016 clip where celebrated animator Hayao Miyazaki viewed a demonstration of artificial intelligence and expressed his absolute disgust. The technology on display utilized machine learning to generate realistic movement in models, but the presentation did not impress the director of Spirited Away. The team behind that technology did not abandon their work despite the harsh feedback and the subsequent years of online ridicule. Attructure Inc. repurposed the core motion-learning tech to power ANLIFE: Motion-Learning Life Evolution on Steam, which launched on Feb. 11.

The final product bears little resemblance to the Grotesque imagery Miyazaki witnessed nearly a decade prior. functions as a relaxed evolution simulator where users oversee the development of abstract biological forms. I see the game operates somewhat like a casual version of Spore, but it prioritizes movement mechanics where creatures generate gaits specific to their physical structures.

The way people use this quote regarding the insult to life often ignores the eventual outcome of the developers' work. ANLIFE is available for purchase on Steam for $11.99. The creators have invited players to submit their evolved creatures for inclusion in an upcoming virtual zoo exhibition.

The context of the original incident remains a significant part of the game's history. The encounter appeared in the four-episode documentary 10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki. The footage showed the animator observing a CGI zombie programmed to propel itself using its head. Nobuo Kawakami, a producer at Studio Ghibli, explained to Miyazaki that the digital creature felt no pain and therefore had no hesitation about interacting with the environment in unnatural, damaging ways. The demonstration was intended to showcase a theoretical horror game concept through an intentionally grotesque display. Miyazaki dismissed the technical achievement and focused entirely on the lack of empathy in the creation. The movement of the zombie reminded him of a friend with a disability, and he found the association deeply upsetting.

"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."

— Miyazaki

Debates continue regarding whether Miyazaki directed his anger at the concept of AI tools or the specific application shown in that room. The landscape of AI technology has shifted dramatically since 2016, and the industry has seen Studio Ghibli's visual style imitated countless times by generative models. The argument that generative AI fosters human creativity becomes harder to sustain when viewing these modern developments. Miyazaki's reaction retains its relevance in 2026, regardless of how one interprets his original intent. The clip circulates on social media platforms multiple times every year, ensuring the moment remains fresh in the public consciousness.

The brutal nature of those comments provided the spark for the current attention surrounding the release of ANLIFE. A majority of the reviews on Steam mention the exchange between the filmmaker and the developers. News outlets have spent the week since the release connecting the title to Miyazaki's critique. One might anticipate a negative reaction from fans defending the animator's philosophy, but the title currently holds a positive rating on the platform. As of this report, the game has not received a single negative review.

"This is evolution as a sandbox experiment—watching machine-simulated critters figure out how to exist through trial, error, and a lot of falling over,"

— one review reads.

The reviewer describes the gameplay loop as primitive and notes the short runtime of a few hours but ultimately considers the experience worthwhile.

"There’s something oddly charming about watching digital life stumble toward survival,"

— the review continues.

Players suggest the game works best as a secondary experience alongside other tasks. Evolution in this virtual environment focuses on inevitable progress rather than a harsh struggle for survival. Another user noted that their blood pressure lowered while playing. The developers at Attructure appeared visibly distressed during the 2016 meeting, but they seemingly internalized the critique. The ANLIFE website addresses the event briefly, characterizing it as the catalyst for a topic of discussion. The game utilizes bright colors and an art style resembling toys, which serves as a spiritual rejection of the zombie demo. The animation technology does not attempt to mimic human behavior or ignore the concept of pain.

I find the game demonstrates a human quality by showing life persisting through a cosmic struggle. The team at Attructure maintains that the zombie demo did not reflect the artistic vision they hoped to achieve.

"In truth, I wanted to create life being lived within a simulation," ANLIFE creator Masayoshi Nakamura said in 2018.