Main lessons
GPT-4o started a viral trend with images inspired by Ghibli aesthetics.
A simple family photo edited by AI has generated over 50 million views.
The visuals are more realistic and detailed , with subtle textures and cohesive scenes.
Nostalgia drives success , driven by familiar and emotional styles.
Modern technology is redrawing the boundaries of artistic expression. The latest example: a viral trend that combines cutting-edge artificial intelligence tools with the handcrafted aesthetic of cult animated films. With just a few clicks, users around the world are transforming their everyday photos into dreamlike scenes worthy of Studio Ghibli masterpieces.
From experimentation to visual revolution
It all started with a fun experiment: engineer Grant Slatton posted an AI-generated image of a family moment, featuring a corgi posing in a magical setting reminiscent of My Neighbor Totoro . The result? More than 50 million views. The image is striking in its precision: realistic wrinkles on the clothing, soft lighting, lush vegetation... A qualitative leap made possible by GPT-4o , the latest iteration of OpenAI's model.
Unlike its predecessors, GPT-4o corrects the typical flaws of AI art—deformed fingers, blurred backgrounds—to produce stunningly consistent visuals. This makes the “Ghibli-esque” aesthetic accessible to everyone, appealing to both nostalgic and curious artists.
AI at the heart of popular culture
OpenAI didn't just deliver a technical feat. Its launch demo tapped into visual nostalgia, with scenes inspired by the anime universe. The result? A tidal wave of content on X, TikTok, and Reddit, and a renewed fascination with the Ghibli style, transformed by algorithms.
Tools like Midjourney started the movement, but GPT-4o blew it up. Today, even subtle textures and shadow effects pay homage to traditional art. This trend proves that technology doesn't replace creativity: it can also amplify it.
Between homage and controversy: Miyazaki resists
But not everyone is won over. Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli, has strongly opposed AI in art. In a 2016 documentary, he denounced machine-generated animation as an “insult to life itself.” For him, beauty lies in imperfection, the human gesture, the time spent bringing the wind in the trees or the wrinkles on a face to life.
This vision continues to inspire some fans: in 2023, the Studio Ghibli subreddit banned AI-generated images, out of respect for the studio's artisanal heritage. The debate highlights a divide: should we protect the soul of art, or celebrate visual innovation?
Legally unclear: AI-generated art and copyright
The explosion of this trend also raises a burning question: Who owns these creations? OpenAI asserts that generating an image in a “style” is not the same as copying a work. But the line remains blurred. In the United States, the Copyright Office ruled in 2023 that AI cannot be credited as author—a decision that plunges creators into a legal limbo.
Meanwhile, giants like Disney are aggressively defending their intellectual property, while other AI tools are mimicking aesthetics without permission. Artists are demanding protections, royalties, and even opt-outs from datasets.
The future: finding the balance between innovation and tradition
Ultimately, this phenomenon revives a reflection that began nearly a century ago. As early as 1933, Walter Benjamin warned that mechanical reproduction risked dissolving the aura of the work of art. Today, these words resonate more than ever. In a world where styles are endlessly cloned, how can we preserve the value of human creation?
The rise of AI in popular culture is only just beginning. The challenge now is to embrace the technology without betraying the sensitivity that is the essence of art. As in Miyazaki's films, it is in the harmony between nature and progress that the most beautiful stories are born.
FAQ
What is the trend behind Ghiblified images?
The trend involves using advanced AI tools to transform ordinary photos into works of art resembling Hayao Miyazaki's iconic animation style. It gained momentum as users shared their creations online.
Why is Hayao Miyazaki opposed to AI-generated art?
The legendary director believes technology lacks the emotional depth of human creativity. He has publicly criticized AI for undermining the art of traditional animation.
Are AI-generated Ghibli-style images legal?
The legality remains unclear. While AI tools don't directly copy scenes, copyright laws have not yet fully adapted to address derivative works created by algorithms.
Nicolas Sarazin