Earlier this week, El Tigre creator Jorge R. Gutierrez announced Punky Duck, one of a trio of new AI generated animated series being launched by Amazon. While a rude duck with ‘tude may seek to ruffle feathers, the outrage that did generate was not the kind Gutierrez wanted. Two days following the announcement, Gutierrez is distancing himself from the entire project.
“I have decided to drop out of the AI program at Amazon,” posted Gutierrez. “My intent was to showcase artists, both new and seasoned, both inside and outside the studios, driving this new tech. My sincerest apology to those I upset. I promise to do better moving forward. Thank you for your patience with me. I will try harder.”
While distaste for the AI boom runs vast and deep, the disappointment towards the Nicktoon vet proliferated among his peers. Soon after the announcement of Punky Duck, Guillermo del Toro took to social media to promote I Am Frankelda, the first feature length Mexican stop motion film. Del Toro aided in the production of the feature, and boasted throughout the day that it, and other animated films, are “made by humans for humans.” While he didn’t mention Gutierrez by name, del Toro produced his feature film The Book of Life.
“This entire community never gives up- never abandons its faith,” posted del Toro. “Made by humans for humans. Whomever joins this adventure is doing the animation Gods’ work.”
We are working hard on BURIED GIANT. We have a lot of experimentation ahead. But this entire community never gives up- never abandons its faith: Made by humans for humans. Whomever joins this adventure is doing the animation Gods’ work. https://t.co/UP7YEs0tau
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) May 28, 2026
This is not the only controversy around Amazon’s AI animation program. Punky Duck is part of a trilogy of new animated series from the AI Creators’ Fund. Duck joins Love, Diana Music Hunters, which y’know, looks awfully familiar, as well as Cupcake & Friends. The latter, based on Loryn Brantz’ The Good Advice Cupcake, was made without the original cartoonists involvement or permission, as she debuted the character during her time at Buzzfeed.
“I am horrified and disgusted by BuzzFeed taking my character,” Brantz responded. “My time at BuzzFeed was marked by continually being taken advantage of and lied to. They repeatedly assured me in good faith that they would never do anything with Cuppy without my input, yet offered me no legal options, insisting that I would never need them. The news that this character, who is based on my own personality and whom I created as a microphone to spread love and positivity, has been taken and turned into a soulless AI puppet feels like my intestines being pulled out of my body.”
Since dismantling their editorial room, Buzzfeed has aimed to pivot towards AI made entertainment. So far, nothing has stuck. Brantz encouraged her fans to boycott Buzzfeed and all AI-generated animation.
