The viral Ghibli trend has taken down anime-inspired art, with AI models refusing to generate images in the style of Studio Ghibli.
The Ghibli Trend: A Viral Sensation with Unseen Consequences
After OpenAI debuted its new GPT-4o image generation capabilities, the internet was flooded with AI-made cartoons and memes imitating the style of Studio Ghibli. This wave of ersatz Ghibli art was inescapable in AI spheres, with many users uploading personal photos to be redrawn into a still from a Ghibli movie.
Established in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, Studio Ghibli is a renowned Japanese animation studio.
Known for its beautifully animated films that often explore environmentalism, pacifism, and human relationships, the studio has captivated audiences worldwide with classics such as 'Spirited Away' and 'My Neighbor Totoro'.
With a focus on traditional hand-drawn techniques and stunning attention to detail, Studio Ghibli's films have garnered widespread critical acclaim and numerous awards.
The trend seemed to have Altman’s personal blessing, as he tweeted a joke about the trend and changed his profile picture to a Ghibli-style image of himself. However, it appears that ChatGPT has started refusing requests to generate images in Ghibli’s style, despite widespread user complaints on social media.
The Controversy Surrounding Studio Ghibli-Style Images
OpenAI’s stance on generating images in the style of individual living artists is clear: they prevent such generations. However, when it comes to broader studio styles like Studio Ghibli, the company takes a more laissez-faire approach. This has raised questions about whether OpenAI intentionally implemented additional guardrails to block Ghibli prompts.
In light of the reports that ChatGPT has started refusing Ghibli requests, we reached out to OpenAI for clarification on this matter. An OpenAI spokesperson responded with the same statement provided earlier, stating that the company’s goal is to give users as much creative freedom as possible while preventing generations in the style of individual living artists.
However, when queried directly about restrictions on generating images in the style of Studio Ghibli, ChatGPT replied: ‘Yes, GPT-4o has restrictions on generating images in the style of Studio Ghibli. Studio Ghibli’s art style is copyrighted, and I can’t create images that explicitly mimic it. However, I can generate images inspired by similar themes.’
A Mixed Message from OpenAI
An update shared by Altman online suggested that this is all some sort of mix-up, saying that ‘we are refusing some generations that should be allowed; we are fixing these as fast as we can.’ Again, no direct mention was made of the Ghibli trend. More than a few replies to Altman’s update are from fans inquiring about using Ghibli’s style.
In any case, the dust is yet to settle. The Ghibli trend has provoked nearly as much backlash as it has inspired eager participation. The effrontery of the rampant AI imitations is heightened by ‘an insult to life itself’ – a phrase famously used by Miyazaki to describe the use of AI in art.
Hayao Miyazaki is a renowned Japanese film director, producer, screenwriter, animator, and manga artist.
Born on January 5, 1941, in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan, he co-founded Studio Ghibli with Isao Takahata and Toshio Suzuki.
Miyazaki's films often combine fantasy and historical elements, exploring themes of environmentalism, pacifism, and the human condition.
His notable works include 'Spirited Away,' 'Princess Mononoke,' and 'My Neighbor Totoro.'
