A fierce debate has erupted over ChatGPT’s Studio Ghibli trend, which got so popular that OpenAI’s GPU’s started melting due to how many were using it. The popularity of Studio Ghibli movies has made them a stylistic inspiration for OpenAI’s updated image generation software, part of GPT-4o. The popularity of generating Ghibli-style images has made it a social media trend, with everything from famous movie images to popular memes being remade in the anime studio’s unique style. This is despite co-founder Hayao Miyazaki’s past comments where he explained his loathing for AI’s use in creating art.

However, as the trend has grown more popular, its uses have gone from innocent images to more nefarious posts. The biggest of these comes from the White House’s official X account, which posted a Ghibli-style image of Virginia Basora-Gonzalez, a woman convicted of fentanyl trafficking, being arrested by ICE. A post on Bluesky from Charlie Warzel revealed an even more shocking image: X employee Zach Warunek recreated a still image from Columbine High School mᴀssacre footage in the Ghibli art style. These are just some of the controversial ways the image generator has been used since it was launched.

\n”‘};

window.arrayOfEmbedScripts[“twitter”] = “”””;

OpenAI’s CEO Says Studio Ghibli Image Generations Are Melting Their GPU

The Public Response Has Been Furious

According to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, the popularity of the Studio Ghibli AI image generator has resulted in ChatGPT’s GPU to start melting. He announced that, because of how many people are using the software, daily caps are being temporarily used for those who utilize it for free. His statement, which can be seen below, emphasizes that, despite the controversial image generations by high-profile groups and individuals, the software remains publicly popular.

\n”‘};

window.arrayOfEmbedScripts[“twitter”] = “”””;

However, there’s also been fierce public backlash to ChatGPT’s Studio Ghibli image generation software. Many took to X and Bluesky, voicing their frustrations about the way the studio’s art was being boiled down to a general style for any purpose. This includes high-profile voices who aren’t in favor of the program and how it twists the work of such a beloved anime studio. Check out some of the public responses below:

Pearlmania500 explained the irony of the White House’s “racist propaganda” in the form of a Studio Ghibli-style image, using 1982’s Porco Rosso to illustrate an anti-fascist message.

Evan Minto, co-founder of manga app and publisher Azuki, vented frustrations about the style of the studio’s movies being “stripped of all context,” becoming nothing more than an aesthetic for anyone to use for any purpose.

Author Brain Merchant explained his deep displeasure of the trend, pointing out Miyazaki’s misgivings with using AI for creative works.

\n”‘};

window.arrayOfEmbedScripts[“twitter”] = “”””;

In the midst of the trend, film studio NEON highlighted director Céline Sciamma’s Peтιтe Maman, which pulled inspiration from Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbor Totoro.

\n”‘};

window.arrayOfEmbedScripts[“twitter”] = “”””;

One Perfect SH๏τ responded directly to the AI trend by posting a 2019 article from Film School Rejects, highlighting the “50 Most Beautiful SH๏τs” in the studio’s movies.

\n”‘};

window.arrayOfEmbedScripts[“twitter”] = “”””;

TheWapplehouse posted a clip from The Brutalist where Adrien Brody’s László Tóth says everything ugly is someone’s fault, a direct response to the AI trend.

\n”‘};

window.arrayOfEmbedScripts[“twitter”] = “”””;

The Sietch of Sci-Fi explained that AI will never be able to capture the “emotion, depth, the heart and soul” that only a human can create, using GIFs from various Ghibli films to illustrate the point.

\n”‘};

window.arrayOfEmbedScripts[“twitter”] = “”””;

Brendan Hodges points out the irony of using AI tech to generate Ghibli images when the studio’s films commentate heavily on the dangers of “environmental waste.“

Our Take On The Debate Surrounding Studio Ghibli’s AI Image Trend

What Was Once Innocent Has Become A Monster

While many of the images initially generated seemed to be innocent, Studio Ghibli‘s art style is now being used for political posturing and the recreation of tragedies. This makes the backlash even more understandable, as, on top of generative AI minimizing decades of creativity, it’s also being used in nefarious ways. However, the strong negative reaction is contrasted by its continued popularity; based on Altman’s statement, it doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon.

Source: Various (see above)