Why Everyone Is Obsessed with the Studio Ghibli Trend Right Now?

If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, most of the posts would say ‘I asked Chat GPT to turn this picture into Ghibli’ – right? The Ghiblification has gone insane on the internet right now. People are obsessed over it and let’s admit it, all the pictures looked so beautiful and screamed aesthetic. The charm of the Ghibli studio has definitely got everyone under the spell. But how? And why?

The Allure of Ghibli’s Aesthetic

The Ghibli studio which conceptually embodies the beautiful and joyful aesthetic developed by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata in films such as “My Neighbor Totoro” and “Spirited Away” depict vibrant, hand-drawn animations with a sense of wonder and nostalgia. Ghibli’s trademark style, with bold colors and curious details, captures a sense of warmth and comfort.

Ghibli’s art has cozy, European-inspired settings, lush, natural scenery, and a balance of extraordinary and mundane. This uniquely simple art style has defined not just Ghibli’s arts but also promoted a style of art that moved beyond Ghibli films, which is fitting for further translation in various media.

AI- Generated Ghibli Art

The surge in Ghibli-style images can be traced back to OpenAI’s ChatGPT advancements in artificial intelligence. OpenAI released an update in March of 2025 that allowed users to create high-resolution images from text prompts that were reminiscent of Studio Ghibli. Users could “Ghiblify” their own images, and suddenly social media was flooded with AI-generated and Ghibli-style images on Twitter and Instagram.

A software building engineer from Seattle named Grant Slatton had an instrumental role in popularizing the trend. He first shared AI-generated images of his family members in Ghibli-style, which resonated with countless other users. It was now as simple as a person taking their own fleeting family moment and turning it into Ghibli-style art. This sense of democracy, or the ability to “Ghiblify” images, gave everyone a taste of a nostalgic recreation of their precious memories.

Reminiscence via. Modern Technology

The core of the Ghibli trend is tapping into nostalgia. For many, Studio Ghibli films are fond childhood memories, representing an era of innocence and imagination. Integrating that beloved aesthetic with current AI tools allows users to revisit those memories in a fresh and interactive experience.

The association of nostalgia and modernity, especially in the context of fast-paced digital life, provides users with a comforting escape through meaningful experiences: a world where magic and reality can coexist. The extra layer of personalization, by transforming your own photos, makes the experience increasingly intimate and more compelling.

The Japanese Creator’s Integrity

Although the Ghibli trend has been welcomed by many, it has also led to legitimate conversations about the ethics of AI-generated art. Hayao Miyazaki himself has raised objections to artificial intelligence in creative spaces, calling it an ‘insult to life itself’. The concerns about AI include its potential to threaten human creativity and also, the potential for the unauthorized use of unique artist styles. There have been several users who have raised concern against the trend considering the integrity of the creator and artists as a whole.

OpenAI has taken some measures with its programs to reduce the ability to imitate specific living artist’s styles, in an effort to support creative exploration while respecting original makers. Nevertheless, the debate about AI generated art continues and points to the need for further discussion where technology and art converge.

Creative Forms - AI Takes a Step Forward

The trend of emerging AI tools offers a glimpse into an increasingly multifaceted interaction of technology and art. As AI tools develop, new opportunities for expression arise and individuals are given the time and space to creatively explore the beloved aesthetics of the past. However, this also raises questions of responsibility, ethics, and the preservation of art and agency.

For fans of Studio Ghibli, and digital art as a whole, this trend is truly an exhilarating time for reflecting on the implications of an AI-enhanced human who creates art and generates creativity. It is important to not only reflect on the sources of inspiration for our imaginations, but also to enjoy the exploration of digitally enhanced art that technology allows.