Studio Ghibli explained: ChatGPT's image tool revives beloved animation style
What's the story
OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, recently introduced a native image creation feature. The innovative tool has triggered a wave of creativity on social media as people are using it to convert their images into Studio Ghibli-style artworks. The trend was even adopted by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who changed his X profile picture to this style and asked others if they could create a better one for him using ChatGPT.
Twitter Post
Take a look at iconic move scenes in Ghibli style
Iconic movie scenes, Studio Ghibli style. This is so much fun! pic.twitter.com/LwjkNjcEV9
— Mufaddal Durbar (@MDurbar) March 26, 2025
Animation legacy
Understanding Studio Ghibli's unique artistic style
Studio Ghibli, the famous Japanese animation film studio, was founded in 1985 by Miyazaki Hayao, Takahata Isao, and Suzuki Toshio. The studio is known for its brilliant filmmaking skills that marry hand-drawn animation with captivating storytelling. Some of their best-known films are My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Kiki's Delivery Service and Princess Mononoke.
User access
Access to ChatGPT's new image generation feature
OpenAI announced on Wednesday that the new image generation feature would be available to Plus, Pro, Team and Free users of the chatbot. However, Altman later clarified on X that the rollout for Free users would be "delayed for a while." The company also indicated plans to make this feature available to Enterprise and Edu users via its API in the near future.
Twitter Post
Watch: Lord of the Rings in Ghibli animation
This is insane.
— Barsee 🐶 (@heyBarsee) March 27, 2025
Lord of the Rings in Studio Ghiblipic.twitter.com/AioZkVhPc4
Disapproval
Hayao's criticism of AI-generated animation
Despite the popularity of the Studio Ghibli art style on ChatGPT, the studio has yet to comment on its use. However, in a 2016 interview, Hayao expressed strong disapproval of AI-generated animation. He said such creations lack an understanding of pain and that he found them utterly disgusting. "If you really want to make creepy stuff," he said, "you can go ahead and do it."