What is Ghibli and How did Ghibli trend suddenly become so popular?

Ghibli Trend

Written by Eliana Ball | March 30, 2025

Often connected with the historic animation firm Studio Ghibli, ghibli is a hot desert wind in Japanese. Originally started by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata in 1985, Studio Ghibli is renowned for its wonderfully beautiful films such Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro, and Howl’s Moving Castle. Hand-drawn pictures, inventive stories, and nature, humanity, and fantasy themes have made these movies well-known.

Why Did the Ghibli Trend Become Popular?

Thanks to the development of artificial intelligence capabilities, the Ghibli trend has lately become somewhat well-known online. OpenAI unveiled a program allowing one to generate a Ghibli-portrait from their picture, therefore capturing the well-known animation trend of the company. Included with AI capabilities, the ability lets everyone produce anime-inspired images with pastel hues, whimsical figures, and fantasy settings.

As social media influencers, celebrities, and companies released their Ghibli-inspired creations, the craze got off steam. Studio Ghibli became a viral sensation since its vintage and emotive beauty touched people all over. The simplicity of the instrument and the emotional connection to Ghibli’s works helped to explain its success.

Why Is It So Popular?

Ghibli Trend

  • Nostalgia and Emotion: Studio Ghibli’s films are loved all across for their wonderful animation and appealing narratives. Drawing on this nostalgia, the trend allows people to live themselves in an enchanted Ghibli-like environment.
  • Creativity Made Accessible: The Simple production of such AI-generated images has made it feasible for everyone, regardless of degree of artistic ability to follow the trend.
  • Social Media Buzz: People sharing their work has inundated social media sites including Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, therefore generating rapid viral popularity.

How to create a Ghibli account on Instagram?

AI tools can help you create magical, anime-style artwork from your images for Instagram Ghibli portraits. Here is a methodical guide:

Choose an AI Tool: Deep Dream Generator, Dream by Wombo, or Ghibli AI Editor. These should produce pictures reminiscent of Ghibli style.

Upload Your Photo: Select a clear photo of yourself or any image you want to transform.

Apply Ghibli Filters: Use the Ghibli-style filter included in the app or ask the AI to “Ghiblify” your picture.

Download the Artwork: Get your Ghibli-style portrait downloaded to your device once the AI produces it.

Post on Instagram: Upload your fresh Ghibli-inspired picture to Instagram, add a clever comment, and share it with your friends!

Top Apps to Create Ghibli-Style Photos Using AI

You can produce Studio Ghibli-style images with several programs. Here are some well-known choices:

  1. Ghibli AI Editor: Available on the App Store, this app allows users to upload photos and transform them into Ghibli-style artwork using AI.
  2. Dream by Wombo: A free art generator driven by artificial intelligence with filters producing Ghibli-style images.
  3. Deep Dream Generator: Offers artistic styles like watercolor and Ghibli-like effects.
  4. Artbreeder: Primarily used for portraits, but it can blend artistic elements to achieve a Ghibli-style look.
  5. Runway ML: An excellent artificial intelligence tool for producing beautiful styles of animated-style graphics.
  6. Ghibli Anime Maker: Another app that transforms selfies into enchanting Ghibli-style portraits

How One Man Sparked the Viral Ghibli-Style Photo-Edit Trend? Who is He?

The trend went viral because of the work of software engineer Grant Slatton. His popular posts, including Ghibli-style cuts of his family and dogs, have drawn millions of views and likes. Considering the high demand, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman even joked that the company’s servers would melt.

Despite its popularity, AI-generated art has also sparked debate about its morality and how it might affect traditional art.

Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli, has fiercely denounced the use of artificial intelligence in animation as “an insult to life.” Notwithstanding these problems, the direction of Ghibli Studio is clear-cut.

Is Ghibli AI bringing nostalgia and creativity together or raising ethical concerns?

The fad gained momentum when OpenAI included the capability to create Ghibli-style images. Then, when celebrities, consumers, and even businesses joined the trend, social media websites were loaded with such AI-generated images.

Yet, the trend has raised ethical questions about artificial intelligence art. Emphasizing the need for human creativity, co-founder Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli has been candid about his distaste for artificial intelligence applications in animation. However, Ghibli’s work still appeals to those who appreciate timeless beauty combined with technology.

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