OpenAI’s new image generation feature is taking over social media. Users are now turning their photos into Studio Ghibli-style portraits using AI, recreating the famous hand-drawn look of movies like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman also joined the trend and updated his profile picture to a Ghibli-style version.
What is Studio Ghibli Art?
Studio Ghibli was founded back in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki. It is one of the most famous animation studios in the world and is known for its rich storytelling and beautiful hand-drawn animation. Ghibli has given us classics like Princess Mononoke, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Howl’s Moving Castle, and The Boy and the Heron. The studio’s art style is unique with soft colors, breathtaking landscapes, and characters full of expression. This makes Ghibli’s visuals instantly recognizable and beloved by fans worldwide.
While Ghibli-style AI portraits are trending, Hayao Miyazaki has made it clear that he is against AI in animation. In a 2016 interview, he called AI-generated animation an “insult to life itself”, saying:
“Whoever creates this stuff has no idea what pain is whatsoever. I am utterly disgusted.”
Given his views, he likely wouldn’t approve of AI replicating Studio Ghibli’s iconic style.
How to Convert Photos into Ghibli Anime Style in OpenAI
OpenAI’s new image model is rolling out gradually, so not all users may have immediate access. However, if you have access to ChatGPT’s image generation feature, you can easily transform your photos into a Ghibli-style anime portrait.
OpenAI’s image generation feature is available for ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and Team users. The company also initially planned to launch it for free users, but later delayed the rollout.
Steps to create a Ghibli-style AI portrait:
- Upload your photo to ChatGPT (if you have image generation enabled).
- Use this prompt: “Convert this photo to Studio Ghibli-style anime.”
- Try variations for different effects:
- “Make this into Ghibli-style anime.”
- “Transform this into a Japanese anime-style illustration with high resolution and detailed artwork.”
- “Please convert this image into an anime-style illustration inspired by the visual aesthetics of Studio Ghibli. Maintain the original composition and key elements, but reimagine them with Ghibli-style features—soft, painterly textures, warm and natural color palettes, detailed backgrounds, and expressive character designs. Aim for a whimsical and nostalgic atmosphere, capturing the magical realism often seen in Ghibli films like My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, or Howl’s Moving Castle.”
If you don’t have access to OpenAI’s latest model, you can still use DALL·E to generate Ghibli-style images by providing the right prompts.
If you don’t have ChatGPT Plus, there are other ways to generate Ghibli-style portraits:
- Midjourney – A powerful AI image generator. Try prompts like “Studio Ghibli style portrait, Hayao Miyazaki, [character description], [setting description]”.
- Getimg.ai – A free tool that adds a Ghibli-style filter to your photos.
- insMind – Another AI tool that can transform images into Ghibli-style art.
You can either describe an image and let AI create it or upload an existing photo and convert it into Ghibli-style artwork.
AI has made it easier to create stunning images, but it also raises concerns. AI can perfectly mimic an artist’s style. What does that mean for creativity and human-made art? For now, AI-powered Ghibli portraits are just a fun trend. But should AI be used to recreate the magic of hand-drawn animation, or does it take away from what makes it special?
