New AI tool with Studio Ghibli-style artistic creations sparks copyright concerns

Studio Ghibli fans, the famed Japanese animation creators renowned for masterpieces like Spirited Away, have been captivated by an innovative tool from ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI. This feature enables users to transform popular memes or personal photographs into the inimitable style of Ghibli's founder, Hayao Miyazaki.

However, the launch of this tool has ignited discussions about ethical concerns surrounding AI's use of copyrighted art and its potential impact on the livelihoods of human artists. 

i gave in to the fomo, some of my favourite 2025 photos Studio Ghibli edition x pic.twitter.com/xRmHgALnJj

— simran sachdeva (@simranrambles) March 27, 2025

Transformations and Memes

Most images transformed into Ghibli include the iconic photo of Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec, wearing an unorthodox T-shirt as he clinched a silver medal at the 2024 Olympics. This photo has been reimagined in the Ghibli style. Furthermore, the 'Disaster Girl' meme, featuring a young girl with a wry smile in front of a burning building, has also been recreated.

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI—the company currently facing legal challenges over copyright issues—has endorsed these artistic endeavours. In a nod to the trend, he updated his profile picture to a Ghibli-style likeness on social media platform X.

It's been 24 hours since OpenAI unexpectedly shook the AI image world with 4o image generation.

Here are the 14 most mindblowing examples so far (100% AI-generated):

1. Studio ghibli style memespic.twitter.com/E38mBnPnQh

— Barsee 🐶 (@heyBarsee) March 26, 2025

Ethical Considerations

In an official statement, OpenAI explained, “We have enforced a refusal mechanism when users attempt to generate images akin to living artists' styles.” While safeguarding individual artists, the exploration of broader studio-inspired aesthetics, such as Ghibli's, continues to be allowed.

As Ghibli-style images proliferate across social media in India, discussions have resurfaced regarding Miyazaki's views on AI in animations. Miyazaki, aged 84, celebrated for his intricately crafted animations and spellbinding narratives, has previously voiced skepticism regarding AI's encroachment into the realm of animation.

In a 2016 presentation, Miyazaki expressed distaste after viewing an AI animation of a body dragging itself by the head, likened to zombie movements.

Licensing and Future Prospects

Meanwhile, Studio Ghibli is yet to make any comments on this development. On the other hand, OpenAI is also yet to disclose whether it possesses the necessary licensing agreements pertinent to this tool.