OpenAI’s latest image generator, powered by GPT-4o, has stirred up a lively conversation online with its Studio Ghibli-inspired art. This has led to a heated debate about whether it aligns with the cherished principles of the iconic studio. If you’re a fan of Studio Ghibli or its legendary co-founder, Hayao Miyazaki, you might know he’s been quite vocal about his skepticism towards AI. He once called it an affront to life itself. So, it’s a bit ironic that Ghibli’s unique style has been recreated and transformed into a popular filter, flooding social media with anime-like versions of personal photos and famous images.
Once OpenAI’s image generator hit the market, folks quickly realized it could churn out high-quality images without many copyright hassles. Sure, there are still some quirks, like odd-looking fingers and strange backgrounds, but they’re less noticeable now, making it tougher to tell AI art from the real deal. People have been experimenting with different cartoon styles, but it’s the Studio Ghibli look that really caught on, especially on X (formerly Twitter). Ghibli films are known for their serene, nostalgic scenes, which might explain why so many people are eager to apply a ‘Ghibli filter’ to their own photos.
This trend has left some Studio Ghibli fans scratching their heads. After all, using AI to mimic an artist’s unique style seems to clash with the values Miyazaki and his studio stand for. Critics argue that this trend downplays the painstaking effort that goes into creating Ghibli’s revered artistic style. Miyazaki’s disdain for generative AI was clear years ago when he saw some AI-generated animation and said, “I strongly feel that this is an insult to life itself.” When he learned about machines being developed to draw like humans, he was silent for a moment before reflecting on the technology’s implications, saying, “I feel like we are nearing the end times. We humans are losing faith in ourselves.”
Studio Ghibli films often highlight the beauty of nature and the importance of living in harmony with the environment, which stands in stark contrast to the energy-consuming nature of generative AI. Some commentators have noted this irony, suggesting that the Ghibli trend’s novelty might wear off quickly, becoming just another filter. Even though Ghibli’s style is already a cultural staple and widely parodied, generative AI speeds up the mass production of images that mimic art at first glance.
