Studio Ghibli AI art is going viral but could raise copyright concerns

• The Studio Ghibli AI art trend gained popularity after OpenAI launched GPT-4o, which enables high-quality image generation and allows users to replicate famous artistic styles. It has sparked both nostalgia and controversy online.
• Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki remains critical of AI-generated art. He described it as “an insult to life itself” and expressing concerns about its impact on creativity and authenticity.
• Legal concerns could emerge over whether AI can mimic a living artist’s style. OpenAI is already facing multiple lawsuits for copyright infringement while the Studio Ghibli trend continues to grow.

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If you’ve scrolled through social media lately and seen dreamy, animated images of Donald Trump or Steph Curry, you’re not imagining things. People are using AI to recreate real moments in full-on Studio Ghibli style — and it’s sparking both nostalgia and controversy.

The whimsical Studio Ghibli AI art trend took off after OpenAI launched its upgraded model, GPT-4o, in May 2024. One of its most notable features is high-quality image generation that allows users to create stylized content with just a short prompt.

According to OpenAI’s official announcement, GPT-4o’s image capabilities have made it easier than ever to mimic famous art styles. They include Studio Ghibli’s soft, storybook-like visuals.

“Spirited Away,” Studio Ghibli’s Oscar-winning film, has become a touchpoint for the trend. Ghibli’s iconic hand-drawn style is now being applied to political figures, athletes, and even historic moments — thanks to the growing popularity of Studio Ghibli AI art.

While the images have charmed the internet, they’ve also sparked conversation about ownership, legality, and originality.

Miyazaki’s take on AI

Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki has been critical of AI-generated content. In a now-viral clip from NHK’s 2016 documentary “The Never-Ending Man — Hayao Miyazaki,” the animation legend was shown an AI-generated zombie movement demo by developers from Dwango.

“I would never wish to incorporate this technology into my work at all. I strongly feel that this is an insult to life itself,” he said.

Miyazaki later explained that the demo reminded him of a close friend with a severe disability who could not even give a high five. To date, he has not publicly changed his stance or embraced AI in animation.

Possible legal concerns of Studio Ghibli AI art

As Studio Ghibli AI art continues to spread, the legality of mimicking an artist’s style with AI remains a gray area.

OpenAI is already facing multiple lawsuits over copyright infringement. The New York Times has sued the company for allegedly using its content without permission to train models like ChatGPT. Prominent authors, including George R.R. Martin, also filed legal action. They argue their work was used to generate similar content without compensation or credit.

Now, with Studio Ghibli AI art flooding social platforms, the debate is shifting toward whether a visual style can be copyrighted — and whether living artists like Miyazaki have any recourse when their creative identity is mimicked at scale.

In a system card released alongside GPT-4o, OpenAI claims to have added a refusal protocol that stops users from generating art in the style of living artists. However, users have still been able to generate Studio Ghibli AI art using prompts referencing Miyazaki’s aesthetic — despite the fact that he is still alive.

The company’s response

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman hasn’t commented directly on the Studio Ghibli AI art trend. Still, he recently leaned into it himself — by updating his own profile picture on X to a Ghibli-style illustration.

So far, Studio Ghibli has not publicly responded to the viral content.