OpenAI's latest AI model, GPT-4o, has taken the internet by storm with its ability to generate stunning images in the iconic Studio Ghibli style. This new feature, which rolled out earlier last week, has captivated users worldwide, allowing them to transform ordinary photos into enchanting visuals reminiscent of the beloved Japanese animation studio. However, the overwhelming demand for this feature led to significant outages for the ChatGPT platform on March 30, 2025.
As users flocked to create their own Ghibli-style art, the surge in activity overwhelmed the system, resulting in a global outage that affected many trying to access ChatGPT's services. Reports indicate that the issues began around 4:19 PM, with Downdetector noting a massive spike in complaints, totaling at least 219 by the time OpenAI acknowledged the disruption. The company quickly responded, stating, "All impacted services have now fully recovered. The team will publish the detailed Root Cause Analysis (RCA) in the next five business days," at 4:40 PM on the same day.
OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, took to social media platform X to address the situation, humorously urging users to "chill on generating images this is insane our team needs sleep." He elaborated on the unprecedented demand, stating, "Biblical demand, I have never seen anything like it," and even mentioned that "GPUs are melting." This candid acknowledgment of the strain on their resources highlighted the challenges faced by the team amidst the excitement surrounding the new feature.
Meanwhile, users were not deterred by the outages. One Reddit user, known as u/TheKlingKong, shared a clever workaround to create Ghibli-style videos using ChatGPT. By feeding the chatbot an existing image from a well-known Japanese anime, the user prompted it to generate a series of images. The command read, "Make 10 images. Frame by frame. As she pulls out a folded piece of notebook paper. After all images are complete, use python to stitch them together in order and save it as a 5 FPS mp4 video." This innovative approach allowed users to create animated sequences, albeit with limitations due to system restrictions.
The final product, shared by u/TheKlingKong, was a brief but recognizable Ghibli-style animation. The user noted, "Rate limits only allowed 5 frames," indicating the constraints of the free workaround. Nonetheless, the output successfully captured the essence of hand-drawn animation, showcasing the potential of AI-generated art.
As the popularity of the Studio Ghibli-style image generation feature continues to grow, users are eagerly experimenting with creative prompts to make their own animated sequences. Students, homemakers, and professionals alike are using these Ghibli-inspired images for their social media profiles, searching for the perfect prompts to achieve the desired look.
Despite the technical challenges, the excitement surrounding AI-generated Ghibli-style art reflects a broader trend in the digital art community. With tools like GPT-4o, users are empowered to explore their creativity in new ways, pushing the boundaries of what is possible with artificial intelligence. The recent outage serves as a reminder of the rapid pace of technological advancement and the need for robust infrastructure to support it.
As OpenAI works to enhance the efficiency of its services, it is also temporarily introducing rate limits to manage the overwhelming demand. Altman's commitment to maintaining the quality of the user experience while scaling up the platform's capabilities indicates a proactive approach to addressing the challenges posed by such a high level of interest.
In conclusion, the intersection of AI technology and creative expression has never been more pronounced. As users continue to engage with these innovative tools, the future of digital art looks bright, albeit with some growing pains along the way. The journey of AI-generated art is just beginning, and it promises to be an exciting one.
