Esquire Singapore has sparked widespread criticism after publishing what it described as a “deliberate creative decision” — an AI-generated interview featuring Japanese-American actor Mackenyu, known for his role in One Piece.
The piece, titled Mackenyu in Resonance, was published on 6 March but only gained traction weeks later after netizens questioned its authenticity and editorial ethics.
According to the magazine, attempts to secure a direct interview with Mackenyu were unsuccessful due to scheduling conflicts. The team also said follow-up email requests went unanswered, leaving them without material ahead of publication deadlines.
In response, the editorial team turned to artificial intelligence tools such as Claude and Copilot, feeding in Mackenyu’s previous interviews to generate responses that mimicked his voice.
The magazine then presented the AI-generated answers alongside questions, framing the feature as an exploration of celebrity identity and digital representation.
However, the approach quickly drew backlash online, with many users expressing confusion and concern over the ethics of publishing fabricated responses under a real actor’s name.
The controversy escalated further after the article circulated on platforms such as Reddit and YouTube, where critics questioned whether the piece blurred the line between journalism and AI-generated content.
Some commentators also took issue with sensitive portions of the AI-generated responses, particularly references involving the actor’s late father, prompting further criticism and calls for greater editorial responsibility.
In reaction to the backlash, Esquire Singapore said the feature was an intentional creative experiment aligned with the theme of its March issue, Echoes, which explores identity and technology.
The publication maintained that the use of AI was clearly disclosed in the article and intended to examine the concept of a “digital echo” of celebrity personas in the absence of direct access.
While acknowledging the strong public reaction, Esquire Singapore said it would take the feedback into consideration for future editorial decisions. Mackenyu has not publicly commented on the matter so far.
