ChatGPT’s Studio Ghibli Image Generator: A Viral Sensation Amid Ethical Debates

OpenAI’s ChatGPT has recently introduced a feature that allows users to transform their images into the distinctive style of Studio Ghibli, the renowned Japanese animation studio founded by Hayao Miyazaki. This development has led to an overwhelming response, with users flooding social media platforms with their “Ghiblified” creations. The surge in activity prompted OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to comment on the unprecedented demand, stating that the response has been “insane,” leaving the team with little time to rest. ​

can yall please chill on generating images this is insane our team needs sleep

— Sam Altman (@sama) March 30, 2025

By mixing Studio Ghibli’s drawing style with ChatGPT’s generative features, users have been able to make quirky, dreamy graphics that remind them of Ghibli classics like “Spirited Away” and “My Neighbor Totoro” and change everyday images from landscapes to profiles. With hashtags like #Ghiblified and #GhibliArt trending as users, including celebrities and businesses, this trend has dominated platforms such as X (previously Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok, featuring AI-generated artwork shared.

This isn’t just art. It’s the internet rediscovering its soul. #ghibliart #Ghiblification #ghiblistyle #ghibli pic.twitter.com/ixSLhWwZZF

— acutely_desi (@preetiUnzipped) March 27, 2025

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However, the prominence of this function begs ethical questions about the application of artificial intelligence educated on copyrighted intellectual works. Critics say that making art like Studio Ghibli does without permission could break the intellectual property rights of the original creators and make it harder for human artists to make a living. Among other things, Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli, has strongly spoken out against using AI in creative processes, calling it “an insult to life itself.” OpenAI has lost value as a result, yet many have advised them to produce Ghibli-style movies instead.

Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki is currently trending on Twitter X for his reaction to seeing an AI-generated animation in 2016:

“I am utterly disgusted […] I strongly feel that this is an insult to life itself.”
pic.twitter.com/zpbvJ6i21n

— ToonHive (@ToonHive) March 27, 2025

Many ChatGPT users battled to access the tool, and 59% of them were not convinced about its performance. According to Altman, ” GPUs are melting” from all the photo requests and the resources are fast running out. OpenAI put rate limits in place for a short time to help control this, letting free users make up to three shots a day while they worked to make the system more efficient.

Is ChatGPT down ? @sama @ChatGPTapp @OpenAI #chatgpt pic.twitter.com/mvdRjNISGp

— 𝕬𝖓𝖋𝖎𝖇𝖎 (@anfiibi) March 30, 2025

Understanding Studio Ghibli’s Art Style

Studio Ghibli’s art style is celebrated for its attention to detail, hand-drawn animation, richly crafted worlds, and emotionally resonant storytelling. Visually, it features soft, pastel color palettes that create a warm and cozy atmosphere.

People in the story have clean, simple faces that look real. A few lines depict their lips, cheeks, and eyes. Often behind the scenes of Ghibli films, they resemble actual locations. Every scene underwent much thinking, which gives the film a dreamlike and fascinating quality.

Creating Studio Ghibli-Style Images with ChatGPT: A Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these steps to create images using ChatGPT that resemble those from Studio Ghibli:

• Access ChatGPT Plus: Ensure you have a subscription to ChatGPT Plus, as the image generation feature is available to paid users.​
• Upload Your Photo: Go to the ChatGPT interface and upload the picture you want to edit. ​​​​​​
• Enter the Prompt: Use a prompt such as “Restyle this image in Studio Ghibli style, keeping all details.
• Generate the Image: Send the prompt watch the ChatGPT process and create the Ghibli-style picture.
• Download and Share: When you’re done, you can save your “Ghiblified” work and share it with friends or on social media.

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Because so many people want pictures, you might only be able to make a certain number each day for a short time. Additionally, OpenAI has implemented restrictions to avoid mimicking specific living artists’ styles, although broader studio aesthetics are still permitted.

It’s fun to use this feature to interact with the famous Studio Ghibli art style, but it’s important to remember the rights of the original artists and think about the moral problems. As AI gets better at solving these hard problems, ongoing discussions about the point where technology and art meet will become very important.