The Ghibli AI Trend Is Taking Over – Have You Tried It Yet? By Kaanchi Chawla - 29 March 2025

Ghibli AI

The internet is currently enchanted by a captivating trend – transforming ordinary photos into the whimsical world of Studio Ghibli! Imagine your pictures taking on the dreamy aesthetic of beloved animated films like “Spirited Away” and “My Neighbor Totoro,” complete with soft colors and intricate details. This delightful phenomenon, often called “Ghiblification,” has exploded across social media, allowing everyone to reimagine their memories through the iconic lens of Japanese anime. The latest advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are powering this trend, with sophisticated image generation tools that can mimic distinct artistic styles with remarkable accuracy.  

Why is everyone so captivated?


Studio Ghibli’s films have captured hearts worldwide for their stunning visuals, imaginative storytelling, and endearing characters. Now, thanks to user-friendly AI tools, anyone can easily transform their photos into scenes reminiscent of a Hayao Miyazaki masterpiece. This accessibility has sparked a global wave of creativity, with users eagerly sharing their “Ghiblified” images online. The trend gained momentum when prominent figures like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman joined in, changing his X profile picture to a charming Ghibli-style portrait. The simplicity of the process, often just requiring an image upload and a basic prompt, combined with the magical results, has made this trend incredibly popular.  

Where can you create your own Ghibli photos?

Here are some of the top platforms where you can bring the Ghibli magic to your pictures:

  • ChatGPT (GPT-4o): Known for Accuracy

OpenAI’s latest model, GPT-4o, is renowned for producing highly accurate and photorealistic Ghibli-style images. You can upload your photos and ask it to “Ghiblify” them with simple prompts. However, due to recent policy updates, creating Ghibli-style photos from real-world images might be restricted, and using text descriptions might be the way to go.  

  • Grok AI: A Free Alternative

Developed by Elon Musk’s xAI, Grok AI offers a free way to create Ghibli-style images, especially for those without a ChatGPT subscription. You can upload images or use text prompts on the X app to “Ghiblify” your content. While free, some sources suggest the results might not always be as precise as ChatGPT’s.  

  • Fotor and InsMind: Dedicated Filters

For a straightforward experience, Fotor and InsMind offer dedicated Studio Ghibli filters. These tools are easy to use, often requiring just an image upload and a click to apply the filter. Fotor claims to be a free tool with no sign-up needed, while insMind also has a free version that might include a watermark.  

  • Other Free Tools

Several other free AI image generators exist, such as Craiyon, Playground AI, and Deep AI. The quality and ease of use might vary.  

Also Read :- OpenAI nears $40 billion funding as revenue surges

How to join the trend?

Typically, you just need to upload your photo to one of these platforms and use a simple prompt like “Turn this into Ghibli style.”  

The Social Media Buzz and Star Power

Social media is flooded with Ghibli-style transformations of everything from personal photos to popular memes. The trend has been embraced by many, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Elon Musk. The trend has also reached India, with the government sharing AI-generated Ghibli-style portraits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Even prominent figures like cricketer Virat Kohli and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar have been reimagined in the Ghibli style, further fueling the trend’s popularity.

Things to keep in mind

  • Accuracy: While AI captures the Ghibli feel, it might not perfectly replicate the unique artistic nuances.  
  • Ethics: Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki has expressed strong disapproval of AI art, raising ethical questions about AI copying artistic styles.  
  • Free Version Limitations: Free versions of these tools might have restrictions like watermarks or daily limits on image generation.  

The Ghibli AI photo trend is a fun and accessible way to engage with AI and express creativity. It has brought joy to many online, but it also sparks important discussions about the intersection of art and technology.

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