OpenAI’s latest image-generation feature in ChatGPT has ignited a wave of controversy—especially among passionate Studio Ghibli fans. As AI-generated images mimicking Ghibli’s iconic animation style flooded social media last week, many users were quick to celebrate the tool’s creative potential. But not everyone was impressed. In fact, long-time followers of Hayao Miyazaki and his work took serious issue with what they view as a disrespectful misuse of Ghibli’s legacy.
While Studio Ghibli itself has yet to comment on the AI art trend, fans on Reddit have taken a firm stand. The subreddit dedicated to Ghibli quickly lit up with posts denouncing the rise of AI-generated “Ghibli-style” artwork. One moderator emphasized that the ban on AI art isn’t new—it’s been in place for years.
“I just noticed about a dozen different ‘BAN AI NOW’ posts here,” the moderator wrote. “We don’t allow AI art. We haven’t allowed it basically since it became a thing.”
These fans don’t see these AI imitations as tributes. Instead, they believe it’s exploitation. AI art models are often trained on copyrighted content, including work by legendary animators like Miyazaki—without consent or compensation. That ethical dilemma has already led to legal action from other creators. The New York Times, along with several publishers, has sued OpenAI over unauthorized use of their content. Meta and Midjourney face similar lawsuits.
For Ghibli enthusiasts, this issue hits even harder. That’s largely because Miyazaki himself has openly expressed his disdain for AI-generated work. In a widely circulated documentary clip from 2016, the filmmaker reacts to an AI-generated animation demo with visible disgust.
“Whoever creates this stuff has no idea what pain is whatsoever,” Miyazaki said. “I am utterly disgusted.”
Despite his strong words, his stance seems to have been ignored in the latest viral trend. Across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), users have shared countless AI creations in the style of Studio Ghibli. Some have gone even further, using Ghibli aesthetics to create controversial or offensive content. In one case, even the White House’s official X account posted a stylized image mocking a woman being detained by ICE—a moment that many users found disturbing.
The trend has expanded beyond Ghibli too. AI-generated visuals now mimic everything from Pixar films to Dr. Seuss books. But the proliferation of “Ghiblified” images—created without permission and shared widely—has deeply frustrated many fans who feel the artist’s legacy is being co-opted.
Even as moderators and fans try to discourage AI-generated Ghibli content, the genie is already out of the bottle. According to OpenAI’s COO Brad Lightcap, the new image feature in ChatGPT has seen explosive use.
“The range of visual creativity has been extremely inspiring,” Lightcap said, adding that over 130 million users have already created more than 700 million images.
But for fans of Studio Ghibli, this “creativity” feels more like imitation—and appropriation.
