Ghibli Style Trend and reactions

« I’m completely disgusted … I feel strongly that this is an insult for life itself. » In these words, the « magician » of animation Hayao Miyazaki had expressed his opinion on its use Artificial intelligence In the world of art, in 2016’s « Never-Ending Man: Hayao Miyazaki » documentary.

He knew that nine years later, the internet would be filled with images inspired by the style created by Hayao Miyazaki and loved the whole planet, « born » by an AI tool.

In the last 24 hours, millions of images have flooded the world of the Internet in Ghibli Style – images that took a few seconds to create. Images of stupid and innocent to provocative and offensive. Pictures that opened Aeolos’ bag and brought back the big question: Evolution, fun or clear theft of copyright?

Let’s say at this point that in order to complete the masterpiece of Hayao Miyazaki « My Neighboro Totoro » of 1989, it took about 240 days, with eight artists working on the film.

The birth of Ghibli Style Trend

The trend began after the introduction of new image creation from Openai to the GPT-4O, the latest Chatgpt version.

Users and subscribers of the premium capabilities of the artificial intelligence model can upload any images to the system and ask the chatgpt to turn them into « Studio Ghibli’s style ».

And as expected, as in all trends, thousands – if not millions – were the ones who rushed to participate. Among them also governments, such as that of the US.

White House’s official account on X (formerly Twitter) uploaded the time of 36 -year -old Virginia Gonzalez from Ice to Ghibli Style, causing users to rage.

https://t.co/pvdinmshxs pic.twitter.com/bw5yuci2xl

– The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 27, 2025

« We live in levels of dystopia so deep that the Black Mirror could not prophesy or imitate, » one user wrote, with most stressing that « this is a shame. » Probably the US wanted to make the horror look more beautiful.

However, this movement of the White House should not be surprised. After all, Openai has asked the US government this month to facilitate AI companies to learn from copyright protected material, citing the need to « boost America’s lead » worldwide in promoting technology. And she probably got the permission she wanted – and her wishes.

‘It’s not a copy, it’s theft’

Many and particular artists have talked about this new trend, expressing their concern about copyright, but also that this uncontrolled use of artificial intelligence can lead.

« It’s not a copy, but the theft, » said Deborah Sapiro, an academic specializing in design and animation. « These companies do not understand art, but only from profits. None of what they attempt will ever be able to capture the soul of the works of Hayao Miyazaki. « 

At the same time, there are many who are demanding that there are legal implications for Openai. « It takes and exploits the work of an artist, without the permission to do so, » said artist and professor John McGy.

Openai, for her part, in a letter, had emphasized that « we have added a setting that does not allow the user to create a picture in the style of a living artist. »

Probably someone would forget to tell them that the co -founder of Studio Ghibli Hayao Miyazaki is extremely healthy.