When Emmy-winning producer Bernie Su invited actor Tohoru Masamune to lunch to discuss a new project, Masamune knew it would be something unconventional. The two had previously collaborated on Artificial, Twitch’s first scripted interactive series, which earned Su an Emmy and cemented his reputation for pushing narrative boundaries. Now, Su’s latest venture, Whispers, takes that experimentation even further—merging artificial intelligence with real-time audience participation.
Whispers, built on Pickford’s AI platform, is an interactive murder mystery that allows viewers to influence the investigation as it unfolds. The experience debuted at the Busan Asian Contents & Film Market, giving audiences a glimpse of how AI-powered storytelling can reshape entertainment.
As someone who grew up loving Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, I was especially excited to speak with the man who once brought Shredder to life. Masamune’s energy and humor made it clear why he’s drawn to projects that challenge convention. “I’m all about new experiences,” he said. “That’s actually why I went into acting—I want every week to be different.”
Masamune describes Su as a “tech genius” and praised his transparency around AI and actor consent. “We went through everything with SAG-AFTRA,” he explained. “Once that was in place, I said, okay, this is the future. It’s really exciting technology. Legitimate actors will want to participate because the contracts make sense.”
The recording process itself was fast but creatively satisfying. “The sessions were a blast,” he recalled. “Bernie just lets me go and says, ‘You do you.’ I got to create this arrogant, full-of-himself character that I hope makes it into the final version. I can’t wait to see what AI does with it.”
Though he hasn’t yet seen or heard his fully realized AI-generated performance, Masamune is eager—and amused—to see how the technology interprets his work. “If I become some heinous character, you know it’s not me—it’s AI,” he laughed. “But I trust them.”
Reflecting on how Whispers fits into his artistic journey, Masamune sees it as a perfect continuation of his eclectic path. “I’ve always said I just want to do weird project after weird project,” he said. “If my career keeps me chuckling, that’s all I need.”
For Masamune, Whispers isn’t just another role—it’s a step into storytelling’s next frontier. “AI isn’t going away,” he said. “So why not roll with it and have fun seeing where it takes us?”
Jessie Hobson