ChatGPT’s viral Ghibli-style images have captivated fans but also raised serious ethical and legal questions regarding AI’s use of copyrighted material.
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| OpenAI’s promotion of Ghibli-style AI art has stirred controversy, with critics questioning whether it infringes on copyright laws and exploits artistic work for profit. Image: CH |
London, UK — March 28, 2025:
Fans of Studio Ghibli, the celebrated Japanese animation studio behind masterpieces like Spirited Away, are delighted by a new AI tool that transforms photos and memes into images inspired by the distinct style of founder Hayao Miyazaki. The feature, part of the latest version of ChatGPT, has taken social media by storm. However, it has also raised pressing ethical concerns, particularly regarding the potential infringement of copyrighted material.
Miyazaki, 84, known for his iconic hand-drawn animations, has long expressed skepticism about the use of AI in animation, having once criticized the medium for its lack of emotional depth and the potential for it to dehumanize art.
Entrepreneur Janu Lingeswaran, from Germany, was one of the many who embraced the tool, uploading a photo of his cat, Mali, and receiving a stunning Ghibli-style interpretation of the image. “I was amazed by the result,” Lingeswaran shared. “It looks so beautiful, we're thinking of printing it out and hanging it.”
The AI-generated images have included reimaginations of internet memes, like the famous Disaster Girl, and even depictions of notable figures such as Turkish pistol shooter Yusuf Dikec at the 2024 Olympics.
OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has acknowledged the viral trend but remains firm in defending its position. The company’s CEO, Sam Altman, even adopted a Ghibli-style image as his social media profile picture. In a statement, OpenAI explained that its new image generation tool “takes a conservative approach” when mimicking the work of individual artists. While OpenAI has implemented a system to block AI-generated images in the style of living artists, it has defended the use of broader studio aesthetics, calling the results "inspired original fan creations."
The controversy has heightened legal concerns about AI training on copyrighted materials. Josh Weigensberg, a partner at Pryor Cashman law firm, emphasized that the key issue is whether OpenAI secured permission to use Studio Ghibli’s works in training its model. Though artistic style itself is not copyrightable, AI-generated images could still infringe upon specific elements that are closely associated with Ghibli’s distinct visuals.
As the trend spreads, past comments from Miyazaki about AI have resurfaced. In a 2016 documentary, he expressed strong disapproval of AI’s use in animation, calling it “an insult to life itself” and critiquing the mechanical nature of AI-created movement, especially in contexts that ignore the struggles and emotions of real people.
The legal debate has intensified, with artists like Karla Ortiz, who is suing AI companies over copyright infringement, calling the trend a blatant exploitation of Ghibli’s name and legacy. Ortiz condemned OpenAI’s promotion of Ghibli-style AI art, calling it an affront to artists’ work and livelihoods.
On March 27, the controversy took a political turn when the White House posted a Ghibli-style AI image on its official X account, depicting a woman from the Dominican Republic who had recently been arrested by U.S. immigration agents. The use of AI to depict such real-life struggles prompted further outrage from critics, including Ortiz, who argued that the creation distorted a serious issue to sell AI-generated art.
Studio Ghibli has not yet commented on the viral trend, and both the studio and its North American distributor did not respond to requests for comment. As the debate over AI and copyright continues, the question of how to navigate the intersection of technology and creativity remains unresolved.
Source: With input from agencies