Indonesia’s first fully AI-animated television series is drawing both attention and criticism, as viewers question whether artificial intelligence can truly replace human creativity in storytelling. Legenda Bertuah, which premiered on national broadcaster TRANS7 in January, has aired 14 half-hour episodes and is now at the centre of a heated debate over the future of animation.
The series, which brings Indonesian folktales such as Timun Mas to screen, is being described as a milestone in the country’s media industry. But online reactions have been sharply divided. While some viewers praised the show as “refreshing” and a new way to introduce younger audiences to traditional stories, others criticised its visual quality, calling the characters stiff and emotionally unconvincing.
“It has no soul,” one viewer wrote, echoing a wider sentiment that AI-generated performances still lack the subtlety of human expression. Critics pointed to inconsistent eye movements, disjointed action scenes and exaggerated character behaviour as evidence that the technology remains far from polished.
The production process itself reflects a hybrid model rather than full automation. According to TRANS7, around 10 people worked on each episode, which took roughly one month to complete. Human teams handled storyboarding, scripting and editing, while prompt engineers — many with backgrounds in IT and camera work — used tools like ChatGPT to generate still images and Google’s Veo to animate them into video.
Producers then refined the output by adjusting sound, lighting and colour, and consulted folklore experts to ensure cultural accuracy in costumes, settings and narrative details. The network has rejected claims that the show was created primarily to cut costs, arguing that AI remains a developing tool rather than a cheap shortcut.
Industry pushback and creative concerns
Despite that defence, the series has sparked concern among artists and industry professionals. Members of Indonesia’s animation community argue that AI-generated visuals should not be considered traditional animation, citing the lack of stylistic identity and controlled movement that typically define the craft.
Filmmaker and actor Satriaddin Maharinga said the rapid adoption of AI raises ethical questions about authorship and artistic value. “AI has no independent creative agency,” he said, questioning whether such productions should be seen as genuine works of art or simply industrial output.
Others in the industry warn that the shift is already affecting employment. Some animators report fewer opportunities and increasing competition as studios explore AI-driven workflows. While new roles such as prompt engineers are emerging, professionals say the transition is uneven and uncertain.
A broader debate over AI’s role in storytelling
The controversy surrounding Legenda Bertuah reflects a wider global debate as entertainment industries experiment with generative AI. Directors and producers increasingly use the technology for tasks such as editing, research and visual cleanup, but many remain hesitant to rely on it for core creative elements.
“Filmmaking still requires a human touch,” said Franklin Darmadi, chief executive of Wokcop Pictures, noting that AI tools struggle to capture micro-expressions and natural spontaneity. That limitation, he argued, is critical in emotionally driven storytelling.
At the same time, policymakers in Indonesia are working to address the rapid rise of AI in creative sectors. The country has introduced a national AI strategy, but officials acknowledge that regulation remains a challenge. Balancing innovation with worker protection is proving complex, particularly as concerns grow over copyright, fair pay and job displacement.
Global frameworks, including UNESCO’s AI ethics guidelines, highlight the need for responsible use of the technology while safeguarding human creativity. In Indonesia, discussions are ongoing about moving from general guidelines to legally binding rules.
For now, Legenda Bertuah stands as both a technological experiment and a cultural flashpoint. Its reception suggests that while audiences may be open to innovation, expectations around authenticity, emotion and storytelling remain firmly rooted in the human experience.
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