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By now, you've likely come across the latest AI trend — transforming personal photos and Internet memes into Studio Ghibli's signature style
Fans were initially excited this week when an updated version of ChatGPT made it possible.
However, the trend quickly sparked controversy, raising ethical concerns about AI-generated art and its impact on human creativity and copyright.
OpenAI's latest tool, which allows users to generate images in various artistic styles, has been widely used to create "Ghibli-fied" versions of popular images.
Examples include a Ghibli-style depiction of Turkish pistol shooter Yusuf Dikec winning a silver medal at the 2024 Olympics and a reimagining of the famous "Disaster Girl" meme in the soft, hand-drawn aesthetic associated with Hayao Miyazaki's films, such as Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman appears to encourage these experiments, even changing his social media profile picture to a Ghibli-style portrait
Despite the enthusiasm, critics have raised serious concerns about the AI's training methods.
The legalities of AI-generated art remain unclear, particularly regarding whether AI models were trained on copyrighted works without permission.
Studio Ghibli has yet to issue an official response to the trend
However, 84-year-old Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki has long been vocal about his disdain for AI-generated animation.
In a 2016 documentary, he reacted viscerally to an AI demonstration featuring a grotesque, writhing body dragging itself forward.
"I am utterly disgusted," Miyazaki said. He then shared a personal story about a friend with a disability, criticising the developers for their lack of empathy. "Whoever creates this stuff has no idea what pain is," he remarked. "It's an awful insult to life."
Watch the video below:
Miyazaki has always championed hand-drawn animation, believing it to be an extension of the human soul.
The controversy over AI-generated Ghibli-style art is part of a broader debate about artificial intelligence in creative industries
Hollywood actors, musicians, and other artists have increasingly voiced concerns about AI tools replicating their work without consent. Legal battles, such as The New York Times lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft over the unauthorised use of published content, highlight the growing tensions in this space, Variety reported.
While OpenAI insists its models adhere to fair use principles, critics argue that replicating a studio's distinct visual language — without its creators' involvement or approval — crosses ethical and potentially legal lines.
