Flooding social media with Studio Ghibli-style AI Image versions of popular photos and memes, OpenAI’s GPT-4o has ignited a viral trend. From OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s X profile picture to the famous ‘Trump shooting’ photo and iconic memes like “Why are you gay?” and Ben Affleck’s exhausted look, AI-generated Ghibli-style art images are everywhere.
This trend, driven by GPT-4o’s image-generation feature, known as “Images in ChatGPT,” has enabled users to create illustrations in the signature style of the beloved Japanese animation studio.
images in chatgpt are wayyyy more popular than we expected (and we had pretty high expectations).
rollout to our free tier is unfortunately going to be delayed for awhile.
— Sam Altman (@sama) March 26, 2025
If you’re wondering how to transform your image into a Studio Ghibli-style AI masterpiece, well, let’s first explore what makes Studio Ghibli art so unique.
What is Studio Ghibli Art?
Studio Ghibli, founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki, is a legendary Japanese animation studio known for its hand-drawn animation, intricate backgrounds, and emotionally rich storytelling. The name “Ghibli” originates from the Libyan Arabic word for a hot desert wind and was also the name of the World War II-era Italian aircraft Caproni Ca.309 Ghibli, as well as a Maserati car model.
The viral studio Ghibli-style art AI images portray the distinct visual identity of the studio’s works—soft pastel and muted colours, fine details, and an enchanting, dreamlike atmosphere. This art style has remained a favourite among anime fans due to its depth, nostalgia, and whimsical aesthetic.
Why is Studio Ghibli Art Trend So Popular?
According to World Population Review, the US, with the second-highest anime viewership after Japan, sees approximately 72% of its population watching anime regularly. This massive global following contributes to anime’s widespread internet sensation.
Notably, Studio Ghibli’s unique animation style has had a long and significant impact on the global appeal of hand-drawn animation.
With OpenAI’s 4o image generation tool, users can now upload photos and have them transformed into stunning Studio Ghibli-style AI images. This feature has fuelled the trend on social media like X, allowing users to see themselves or familiar images reimagined in a fantasy-like, animated world.
How to Create Studio Ghibli AI Images using ChatGPT
Go to OpenAI’s ChatGPT site
Click the “+/📎” icon to upload the image you wish to transform.
In the “Ask Anything” text box, type in a descriptive prompt to guide ChatGPT-4o.
ChatGPT Studio Ghibli Style Art Prompts
- “Turn my photo into a Studio Ghibli-style character with intricate details and a soft, magical colour palette.”
- “Can you transform this into a Ghibli-style illustration?”
- “Sketch me in Studio Ghibli style with warm lighting and a hand-drawn feel.”
- “Convert this image into a watercolour-inspired Ghibli animation frame. Use soft organic lines and gentle colour transitions to maintain a dreamlike atmosphere.”
Arrghhh they are turning everything in 90’s style Japanese anime https://t.co/tMnDG1fbVS pic.twitter.com/5QEAo3x39n
— Kaz 🎙️ (@btcKaz) March 26, 2025
Using one of the above, well-structured prompts, users can enhance the AI’s ability to generate personalised Studio Ghibli-style artworks with the perfect balance of detail and creativity.
