How It All Began
On , Grant Slatton shared an AI-generated Ghibli-style photo of his family and dog at the beach on X (formerly Twitter). His post, captioned: “Tremendous alpha right now in sending your wife photos of y’all converted to Studio Ghibli anime,” quickly gained momentum, racking up 44,000 likes and over 46 million views.
“I just wanted to share something fun with my family, but it turned into a global phenomenon,” Slatton said.
Though Slatton wasn’t the first person to use the tool, his viral post helped catapult the trend into global popularity.
OpenAI’s Role in the Craze
The trend gained so much traction that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman humorously pleaded for users to slow down, saying his team needed sleep and couldn’t work 24/7.
OpenAI has since made its AI-powered image-generation feature accessible to free users on ChatGPT, further accelerating the trend.
Here’s how you can create your own Ghibli-style portrait:
- Open the ChatGPT website or app.
- Click on the ‘+’ sign at the bottom left corner to upload an image.
- Type ‘Ghiblify this’ or ‘Turn this image into a Studio Ghibli-style portrait’.
- Wait a few seconds for your Ghibli-style image to generate.
Why Studio Ghibli?
Studio Ghibli, founded by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, has enchanted audiences for decades with films like Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro, and Howl’s Moving Castle. Their distinct hand-drawn animation, soft color palettes, and dreamlike worlds have influenced generations of animators and artists.
Now, thanks to AI, fans can immerse themselves in Ghibli’s magic by stepping into their own Ghibli-style world—one portrait at a time.
Expert Insights
“This trend showcases the growing accessibility of AI tools. It’s remarkable how quickly these technologies have moved from niche applications to mainstream use.”
Dr. Carter also noted that while the trend is fun, it raises important questions about copyright and the ethical use of AI in creative industries.
Broader Implications
The viral success of AI-generated Ghibli portraits highlights several key trends:
- AI Accessibility: OpenAI’s decision to make its tools free has democratized AI image generation.
- Cultural Impact: The trend demonstrates the enduring appeal of Studio Ghibli’s artistic style.
- Industry Influence: Other AI companies, like xAI with its Grok 3 chatbot, are now racing to capitalize on similar features.
What’s Next?
The AI-generated Ghibli portrait trend shows no signs of slowing down. As more users experiment with these tools, we can expect even more creative applications—and potentially new challenges for AI developers and copyright holders alike.
Stay tuned for updates as this story continues to develop.
Latest Updates
- – OpenAI reports a 300% increase in ChatGPT usage since the trend began.
- – Grant Slatton’s original tweet surpasses 50 million views.
- – Studio Ghibli releases a statement expressing both admiration and caution regarding the AI-generated portraits.
- – Major social media platforms report a surge in AI-generated content, prompting discussions about moderation policies.
