The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Shaping Cultural Narratives and Values Education in Eastern Animation: Opportunities, Risks, and Future Directions

Background/purpose. The integration of Artificial Intelligence across creative fields, including Eastern animation, has the potential to contribute significantly to not only the development of production and narratives but also to the achievement of educational objectives. This article examines the impact of AI on culture, symbolism, and values education through animated narratives. This analysis examines the ways in which AI technologies can serve as a means of cultural expression and unofficial channels for the transmission of moral and ethical values within educational settings. Materials/methods. Over 60 peer-reviewed articles, conference proceedings, and published dissertations between 2002 and 2025 were analyzed through a qualitative systematic review and thematic analysis. The data were accessed from prominent academic databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, and SpringerLink. Thematic coding methods were employed to identify trends in AI's impact on narrative form, cultural symbolism, educational applications, and value transmission. Results. The results indicate that AI streamlines the animation workflow, makes production more accessible, and transforms the narrative form. Nonetheless, there are concerns about losing cultural depth and moral character when the use of AI is not culture-informed. Several studies have shown support for the concept of using culture-informed AI applications in animation for values education, integrating moral and symbolic lessons into the story. This makes East Asian animation a highly influential medium, both for preserving culture and promoting moral education. Conclusion. AI can become an agent of transformation for education when used with culturally sensitive paradigms. With the use of local data, working collaboratively with educators, and the development of ethical frameworks, AI-powered Eastern animation can be beneficial not just to the creative sector but also to educational institutions, promoting values, education, and cultural literacy through inspiring digital stories.