A quick scroll through social media, and you may be duped into thinking you’ve stepped into a Studio Ghibli film. Gone are the usual influencer promos, doom-laden headlines, and celebrity sightings — replaced by anime-style portraits of your friends, real-world events, and memes, all bathed in the golden-hour glow that defines the beloved Japanese animation house.
Given the state of the world, retreating into a Ghibli simulation is a tempting escape, but the reality isn’t so picturesque. Those whimsical images flooding your feed are, in fact, AI-generated creations made using ChatGPT.
Last week, OpenAI baked a new image-generating tool into its powerful AI model, known as GPT-4o. Of course, when a trend takes over the internet, it’s tempting to get in on the act. So, if you want to create your own Ghibli-fied pics, here’s what you need to do.
How to create Studio Ghibli AI images with ChatGPT
To use the new perk, you’ll first need to sign up for a ChatGPT subscription, which starts from £15.74 per month. Although OpenAI has said that it will be offered to free users at some stage, the insane demand for the new feature could mean a long wait.
With your premium membership activated, follow the below steps to create Studio Ghibli images:
Using a photo:
Want to give an existing picture (like a selfie or a meme) a Ghibli-style makeover? Here’s how:
Open ChatGPT and use the “+” icon in the prompt bar at the bottom of the page to upload your image.
Use a clear prompt to describe the transformation, such as: "Turn this image into a hand-drawn anime illustration with soft lighting and whimsical details, inspired by classic Studio Ghibli films"
ChatGPT will then take a few seconds to a minute to process your request
Tip: If ChatGPT gives you an error message, try again, but avoid using exact brand names like "Studio Ghibli" to prevent content restrictions.
OpenAI has clarified that it permits art styles inspired by studios but not those that closely mimic the work of individual living artists. However, some users have found that the AI doesn’t always consistently follow this guideline, occasionally rejecting prompts that reference well-known animation styles.
Creating a brand-new image:
In the prompt bar, type your directions for an original creation. For example: “Create a dreamy countryside landscape with a cozy cottage, lush greenery, and warm lighting in the style of a nostalgic Studio Ghibli film."
Wait for the results and then tweak your prompt if the image isn’t quite right by adding details (e.g. “add more warm tones” or “include a small character with a red umbrella”).
Is it legal to create Studio Ghibli AI art?
In short, creating AI art inspired by Studio Ghibli is generally fine for personal use — sharing it with friends, posting online, or using it as a wallpaper. However, using it for commercial purposes is risky due to copyright laws.
In the UK, copyright law protects original artistic works. While mimicking an art style isn't explicitly illegal, closely replicating key elements of a copyrighted work could be considered infringement.
The law also grants copyright to those who create AI-generated works, but this doesn’t allow the use of copyrighted material as input. Meanwhile, OpenAI’s policies specifically forbid repurposing content to “mislead” others, so claiming that your AI artwork is from a new Studio Ghibli film is a big no-no.
At the same time, artists and companies are pushing back against AI models trained on copyrighted content without consent, with lawsuits and protests on the rise. Of course, that puts you in the crosshairs if you decide to share your AI images online, leaving you open to rebuke or ridicule on places like X (formerly Twitter). Therefore, it’s best to exercise caution.
What are the best examples from social media?
Need some inspiration? Here are some images we spotted online, and those highlighted by others:
Diane Abbot’s infamous Mojito-gate pic
The DOGE king, starring Elon Musk
A thread of Ghibli-fied memes and other images
Bernie Sanders in mittens
Ghibli-style images based on real events