Is AI a benefit or a concern? The latest trend of using ChatGPT to turn your photos into Ghibli Art again raised this question. Here’s Why!
ChatGPT’s New Image Generator is Controversial
ChatGPT recently upgraded its AI-image-generating capabilities in GPT-4o. The new model can write text better as well as create complete diagrams and charts. People have shared many amazing examples of how it might be the best among its competitors.
However, users were more interested in using it for turning their photos into the beloved aesthetic of Studio Ghibli movies. Fans have been sharing their pet portraits as pop-culture memes turned into Ghibli-esque art. The excitement stems from the accessibility and quality of the tool.
Ghibli art refers to the distinctive animation style of Studio Ghibli, the renowned Japanese animation studio founded by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. Known for its breathtaking hand-drawn animation, Ghibli’s films feature rich, immersive worlds, expressive characters, and a dreamy aesthetic. The art style is characterized by hand-painted backgrounds, fluid animation, and meticulous attention to detail, making every scene feel alive.
A normal user just has to enter this prompt into ChaTGPT: “turn this picture into Studio Ghibli-style illustration” and attach an image. The results are very impressive. It can make any normal person smile, but it has also stirred up a new debate.
Critics are questioning the copyright and ethical concerns related to this new feature. Is it OK for AI to copy an artist’s unique style with permission? Even though the AI-generated art looks impressive, does it capture the magic of human creativity?
1) Did OpenAI steal their copyright?
The art style of Studio Ghibli is their creative legacy. While copyright law generally doesn’t protect a “style”, many argue that this style is owned by the studio because they came up with it and made it that popular.
A counter argument can be that many freelance visual artists can mimic the style. But that doesn’t hurt the creativity and financial health of a studio. On the other hand, AI tools developed by major corporations that can instantly mass-produce images are a different thing.
The AI models must be trained on a vast amount of data, including potentially copyrighted works like Ghibli, without necessarily obtaining explicit permission from the creators.
Still, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman joined the hype, swapping his X profile picture for a Ghibli-fied version of himself:
2) Ethical Implications for Artists
Artists spend years honing their craft. When AI can churn out a “Ghiblified” version of your photo in seconds, it sparks concerns about devaluing the artistry behind each frame of a Studio Ghibli film. Even fans like Robin Williams’ daughter have voiced their worries.
Beyond their stunning visuals, Studio Ghibli movies are beloved for their deep storytelling, emotional depth, and universal themes. They often explore themes of nature, environmentalism, childhood wonder, and self-discovery, resonating with audiences of all ages. This does not apply to all new AI-generated images.
3) Misusing the Meaning of Art
Turning your selfie into Ghibli is one thing, but some users took the feature to a different extent. Even the White House.
https://t.co/PVdINmsHXs pic.twitter.com/Bw5YUCI2xL
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 27, 2025
They are turning controversial and sensitive images into this animation style. This might not resonate with what type of movies the studio makes and what they want to convey to their audience through them.
Takeaways
There’s no denying this is quite a fun trend, but this magic comes with its share of controversies. While AI tools like this continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible, it is also a reminder that it might diminish human creativity.
