The internet is abuzz with Studio Ghibli-inspired artwork following the recent release of OpenAI’s GPT-4o, which features an advanced image-generation tool. This new capability has allowed fans of the legendary Japanese animation studio to flood social media with artwork that captures the whimsical, hand-drawn aesthetic characteristic of Ghibli films. The trend has gained momentum, attracting attention from everyday users to notable figures like Elon Musk.
OpenAI unveiled GPT-4o on March 25, 2025, promoting it as their "most advanced image generator yet." The model, which is multimodal, boasts the ability to produce precise and photorealistic outputs, but users quickly discovered its knack for replicating the distinct anime style of Studio Ghibli. Musk, the owner of the AI competitor Grok, joined the excitement, posting on his X account an image that creatively blends Ghibli's charm with his own flair. In the image, Musk appears as a monkey from The Lion King, lifting the DOGE mascot, a nod to the meme-driven cryptocurrency Dogecoin. He captioned the post, "Theme of the day," further igniting the trend among his followers.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman also embraced the Ghibli phenomenon, changing his X profile picture to an animated version of himself. He humorously tweeted, ">be me >grind for a decade trying to help make superintelligence to cure cancer or whatever >mostly no one cares for first 7.5 years, then for 2.5 years everyone hates you for everything >wake up one day to hundreds of messages: 'look I made you into a twink ghibli style haha.'" This playful engagement has encouraged many users to create their own Ghibli-style images, transforming everyday photos and scenes into animated versions.
As the Ghibli trend surged, an old video of Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli, resurfaced, reigniting discussions around AI-generated art. In the video, which has gone viral, Miyazaki expressed his strong disapproval of AI animation, stating, "I am utterly disgusted by it. If you want to make creepy stuff you can go ahead and do it. I would never wish to incorporate this technology into my work." He further emphasized his disdain, saying, "I strongly feel that this is an insult to life itself." The clip showcases Miyazaki reacting to an AI-created animation that exhibited unnatural movements, which he likened to the struggles of a disabled friend.
As users continue to share their Ghibli-inspired portraits, the conversation around the ethics and artistic value of AI-generated imagery has intensified. While many fans celebrate the novelty and creativity of the trend, critics are using Miyazaki's remarks to question the implications of allowing machines to interpret human emotion and creativity.
The phenomenon has also led to the emergence of meme images that mimic the aesthetic of Miyazaki's films, with social media platforms like X seeing a surge in such content. In addition to the artwork, a meme coin named $Ghibli has gained traction, skyrocketing in value since its launch on March 25, 2025. The token's market value surged past $24 million, reflecting a staggering 24-hour increase of over 10,824%. This surge is attributed to the hype surrounding the Ghibli-style artwork generated by GPT-4o.
OpenAI's GPT-4o model allows users to create images from text prompts without needing to connect to external models, marking a significant advancement in AI's ability to generate art. The model is described as an "Omni" model, trained on various forms of media, including text, images, audio, and video. This capability has made it easier for users to create personalized images that resonate with their intentions.
In the midst of this viral trend, Miyazaki's previous comments about AI-generated art have sparked a robust debate about authenticity and the emotional depth that inspires art. While some users argue that Miyazaki's remarks were taken out of context—pointing out that he was critiquing emotionless caricatures created by younger artists and not specifically AI-generated art—his opinions have nonetheless fueled discussions about the role of AI in creative fields.
In the world of animation, the painstaking effort that goes into creating Ghibli films is often highlighted. For instance, the four-second crowd scene from The Wind Rises took an animator over 15 months to complete, showcasing the dedication and artistry that Miyazaki and his team embody. This level of detail contrasts sharply with the rapid generation of images by AI, raising questions about the value of human artistry versus machine-generated content.
As the Ghibli-fication of the internet continues, the juxtaposition of AI's capabilities and the traditional artistry of studios like Ghibli has opened a new chapter in the conversation about the future of animation and creativity. Whether this trend will lead to a deeper appreciation for human craftsmanship or a greater acceptance of AI-generated art remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear: the dialogue surrounding AI and art is far from over.
