Reader asked:
“Recently, there is a trend on social media to create, share and display AI-generated images, and it looks like it comes from movies from Gibbli Studios, some of which are very controversial. Meanwhile! Some others seem to be using Gibbli Image Generator to create interesting or sarcastic posts, or do something harmful on the internet. Ghibili Sue Openai, the company owns CHATGPT by litigating the infringement or plagiarism of its work?
OpenAI launched GPT-4O local image generation on March 25, 2025, creating a virus moment when users find that they can generate very accurate moments Studio Ghibli– Style artwork with simple text prompts. From Turkish Olympic Shooter to the infamous “Disaster Girl” Meme. Even Openai CEO Sam Altman joined in “Fun” by changing his profile picture to a Ghibli-style portrait.
This trend is so huge that Openai has to promote to the free-tier users because their servers are unable to meet the needs. Below the surface of the joke is a complex network of legal, moral and artistic issues that can fundamentally reshape how we view the creativity of the AI era.
I don’t know the rest of you, but I’ll never get used to officials White House The account about X became one of the most popular shit club destinations in the world. They also re-developed the image of Ghibli-styled by a crying Dominican woman who was recently arrested by ICE, a meaningless act that reduces the genius of the real master and shows indifference to human suffering. Like most AI, it looks terrible.
For me, this generative AI tool that directly mimics Miyazaki’s art style is a blasphemy for something important, timeless and fragile. This is a great case study of why we should use AI tools with caution for art. As a consumer and creator.
As a consumer, adopting the Gibli image generator is a meaningless exercise of “Look at me, look at me!”. Rotten and narcissism in the early 21st century. “Hello everyone! I only used a thousand suns to make my cat look like tension. ” Just like I said.
We will achieve this soon, but first, we need to talk about the legal implications, because copyright issues are equally there. Traditional copyright laws protect specific works rather than the “style” of art. Studio GhibliThe protective frame and film are protected, but the wider aesthetic, soft watercolor, expressive eyes and whimsical features are designed to run within the legal grey area. Modern social norms collapse before our eyes. The movement of technology is fast and reckless, but the movement of law is very slow.
Legal experts recommend Studio Ghibli There can be feasible claims under multiple theories. When ChatGpt quotes the “Ghibli Style” prompt, it can be said that trading on its trademark. More importantly, the only way AI can produce this convincing Ghibli-style artwork is to train thousands of frames in fact Studio Ghibli Movies without permission (or compensation). Is that surprising considering how long it takes for Ghibli to even agree to allow their movies to be restored via streaming or 4K? As a brand, they seem to be skeptical of the new digital technology that disrupts the anime art and business.
So what do you think about Hayao Miyazaki? Many people claim he’s “got Record“In 2016, the art of damn AI generation was “an insult to life itself.” Only! He doesn’t mean the generated AI image generator; he’s discussing completely different animation software.
Since March 2025, Miyazaki has made no public comments, and it is impossible for him to do so. Japanese companies have no lawsuits, especially regarding “overseas business”. Perhaps the Disney lawsuit against Midjourney will force AI companies to be organized when respecting creators.
I haven’t heard many good arguments about why Gen-Ai is good for artistic expression or the creative industry. Perhaps it’s because few of us use AI tools. It is obvious that those who shouted at the benefits of AI are the ones who built and sold it, not writers, artists and animators. However! This doesn’t mean it won’t be a net positive for the future of animation. How do we know that few of us try these tools?
Chatgpt mentions the democratization of artistic creation, but I prefer the term “accessibility”. Some of the best animators I know start with drawing comics in their bedrooms and learn how to do storyboards and animations from “How to do” training books, then end up in formal academic training and studio apprenticeships. This is very important.
I recently watched the song “Animation Music Promotion”Love letter to Los Angeles(Cuco) was created by animation director Paul Trillo and his Asteria Studio, who used hundreds of illustrations by artist Paul Flores and leveraged some of the “moral generation AI” toolsets to power some production lines. The end result gave me hope for the future, and my attitude towards Japanese animation is very strange if you can use “similar to you”, or “you can use”. Your tips will produce slopes, which is an exact tool that requires a well-trained mind to get the best shape. You need to know how to animate to know how to create great animations in AI.
Those who have not learned to animate, who lack training visions of the essential “performance” elements of high-quality animation and do not understand post-production mastery, usually do not create beautiful animations. However! Can creating the first animated short film with AI prompts be a promising young animators find the difference in the first step?
Another AI Demo Show how mixer 3D modeling can now be assisted in time with Claude AI control. This is what AI helps animators access and learn new tools at a very small cost. AI will provide skill-based learning for curious creativity.
I’ve highlighted some potential positives of AI in animation, but I don’t discuss the drawbacks that are mine. There are many of them. AI could devalue human art and threaten the livelihoods of professional artists. This is almost certain, but if you create an anime, how do you structure it as negative? The demand for animation is higher than ever, and there has been more anime content produced in the past decade alone than in the past few decades, but there are less With over 6,000 domestic animators, how will they meet their needs?
The average production budget for TV half-hour anime is about $300,000 per episode. That’s not much compared to the United States or Europe, where the budget can easily double that number. Those who pay for anime content (production planning committee and global streaming) don’t want these costs to increase, so where will all new animators come from? China or South Korea? I don’t think so. These two countries have been a huge service provider in Japan, but now hub From the “service studio mentality” to the “creative studio mentality”, they should. They can adapt to excellent IP (webcomics, light novels, Manhava etc.), their stuff is starting to become more and more popular. What will Japan do?
Once AI workflows become common in animation studios, we will see improved quality and consistency, but the numbers for animators are reduced. The highest skills will be vital, while juniors may become redundant, while others may find their climbing frame animations turbocharged.
Studio Ghibli Although they confirmed that the viral stop and ongoing letters were fake, they remained silent. Their restrictions can be strategic, copyright litigation is expensive and unpredictable. at the same time! The legal landscape around AI training is still evolving.
This controversy represents the IP concerns of more than one studio. This is a test case of whether human creativity can survive algorithmic reproduction. If the court is on the side of the AI company, we will move towards a future without any artistic style, which can be copied immediately without consent.
My prediction? Studio Ghibli Will eventually take litigation Directly or as part of a class action lawsuit filed by multiple creators, brands and copyright owners. The bet is too high to ignore. Whether or not they win may determine the future relationship between human creativity and AI.
That’s right. AI is here, getting smarter and can also do many jobs, even Subtitle translation It’s still rough at best. One thing I want to convey: Explore AI tools and use them. Being someone who can use AI to achieve great results is more valuable than someone who can’t. Except for plumbers. AI will never remove your bathroom.
Do you have the answer questions?
We would love to answer your questions, especially those that are encouraged to be inspired by recent news and headlines. But first read:
● Check the file. Over the years, we have answered thousands of questions and probably have answered your questions!
●We can’t tell you if the show will get another season, nor can we help you get in touch with any producer, artist, creator, actor or licensor.
●Submit your questions only once.
●We only ask questions by email. (Tweet issues have been ignored!)
●Please keep your question within the length of the paragraph.
●Email address is [email protected].
Thank you!
