For years, Studio Ghibli has captivated audiences with its stunning animation. Now, with the help of Artificial Intelligence, its iconic style is experiencing a fresh wave of global admiration. The launch of OpenAI's GPT, which can generate images in the beloved Ghibli aesthetic, has taken social media by storm, with people creating AI-generated portraits and reimagined movie scenes.
The trend quickly gained traction, drawing attention not only from fans but also from celebrities and major brands. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was one of the first to embrace the craze, updating his profile picture on X with a Ghibli-inspired version of himself.
It didn't take long for Indian public figures to jump on the bandwagon. Politicians and film stars started sharing their AI-generated Ghibli-inspired images, with even Prime Minister Narendra Modi joining the trend. His illustrations were posted via the government’s MyGov website, accompanied by the caption: “Main character? No. He’s the whole storyline. Experience through New India in Studio Ghibli strokes.”
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has also joined a growing list of celebrities, including Sachin Tendulkar, Arjun Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Katrina Kaif, Parineeti Chopra, and many others, in sharing viral images inspired by Studio Ghibli.
Amitabh took to his blog to share several Studio Ghibli-styled images from a meet and greet with his fans, whom he affectionately calls his “Extended Family,” outside the gates of his Mumbai home. He wrote: “...and Ghibli.. invades the world... in the reality of the realm of communication… (sic).”
In addition to the images, he also posted a clip discussing the “popular concept” of “reels.” He commented, “And the making of the ‘reel’... another now popular concept… one which demands attention.”
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar got creative, posting Ghibli-style illustrations of his iconic 2011 World Cup victory. His tweet read, “AI-sa kuch trend ho raha hai, maine suna. Toh socha (“I heard there’s an AI trend going on, so I thought), what if Ghibli made cricket?”
Rakul Preet Singh shared a Ghibli-style edit of her pre- and post-marriage moments with Jackky Bhagnani. “How it started and how it is going,” she captioned the animated images.
Studio Ghibli, a renowned Japanese animation studio based in Koganei, Tokyo, was founded in 1985 by directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, along with producer Toshio Suzuki. The studio has made a significant mark in the animation world, expanding its reach into various media, including short films, TV commercials, and two television films. Recently, OpenAI’s ChatGPT platform has introduced a feature that can transform pictures into Studio Ghibli-inspired animation.
