⬛ Ghibli : Should people stop?

What is Ghibli Studio Style Art?

Ghibli Studio Style Art is the unique and magical animation and art style employed by Studio Ghibli, a world-famous Japanese animation company co-founded by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. The company is well-known for its intricately designed animated movies such as Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, and Howl's Moving Castle.

Here are some key features of Ghibli Studio Style Art:

1. Hand-Drawn Aesthetics: The art often looks hand-drawn with a painterly feel, featuring soft and organic line work.

2. Rich, Vibrant Colors: Colors are carefully chosen to create a sense of warmth and nostalgia, often reflecting the natural world.

3. Detailed Backgrounds: The environments are highly detailed and immersive, blending fantasy with reality. Forests, old towns, and intricate interiors are common settings.

4. Expressive Characters: Characters have a simplistic yet expressive design, often with large, emotive eyes and subtle facial expressions.

5. Fantasy Meets Reality: The art style often seamlessly blends fantastical elements with everyday life, creating a whimsical yet grounded feel.

6. Fluid Animation: Even simple actions are animated with meticulous attention to movement and fluidity, making the characters feel alive.

7. Nature and Harmony: There is a strong emphasis on nature, harmony, and coexistence, often portrayed through lush landscapes and interactions between humans and the natural world.

What is this trend going on around Ghibli Art?

The recent surge in Studio Ghibli-style art across social media stems from the latest update to ChatGPT, which now includes an AI image generation feature capable of transforming photos into the distinctive Ghibli aesthetic. This development has enabled users to "Ghibli-fy" personal photos, memes, and various images, leading to a viral trend where individuals share their AI-crafted, Ghibli-inspired portraits online. ​लोक आलोक न्यूज़ The Economic Times The Times of India The Verge

The trend gained momentum when Grant Slatton, a software engineer from Seattle, shared an AI-generated Ghibli-style image of his family on social media. The post rapidly gained popularity, inspiring others to create and share their own Ghibli-esque images. This widespread engagement even prompted OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, to announce temporary rate limits due to the high volume of image requests. ​Business Insider

However, this phenomenon has sparked ethical and copyright discussions. Critics argue that generating art in the style of Studio Ghibli without explicit permission may infringe on intellectual property rights and devalue the craftsmanship of human artists. Notably, Hayao Miyazaki, the co-founder of Studio Ghibli, has previously expressed strong disapproval of AI-generated art, considering it an affront to life and creativity. ​The Economic Times The Week The Verge San Francisco Chronicle

Despite these concerns, the trend continues to thrive, with users captivated by the nostalgic and whimsical qualities of Ghibli-style imagery. This situation underscores the ongoing debate about the role of AI in creative fields and the importance of respecting artistic integrity and intellectual property.

Different opinions

The views on the Ghibli art trend are very diverse, from excitement and admiration to concern and criticism. Here's a summary of various views:

🌟 Positive Reactions:

1. Social Media Enthusiasts:

• Everyone enjoys the nostalgic and whimsical look of Ghibli-style art. A lot of people are posting their own "Ghibli-fied" portraits and photos on Instagram, Twitter, and other platforms.
• They enjoy the convenience with which AI enables everyone to relive the magic of Ghibli art without specializing in high-grade artistic talents. 

2. Grant Slatton (Engineer behind the trend's popularity):

• Uploaded a social media Ghibli-style family photograph that became an internet hit.
• Stated astonishment and joy at the speed with which the trend gained momentum, terming it a heartwarming reaction.

🛑Critical Reactions:

1. Artists and Creatives:

• Certain artists are of the opinion that AI-created Ghibli illustrations dilutes the value of traditional hand-drawn animation and the distinctive craftsmanship of Studio Ghibli.
• Concerns about intellectual property rights have also been raised, as Ghibli’s style is distinct and protected.  

2. Hayao Miyazaki (Studio Ghibli Co-Founder):

• Although his viral reaction wasn’t specifically to this trend, an older video resurfaced where Miyazaki expressed his strong disapproval of AI-generated animation.
• In the clip, he said that AI art is an insult to life itself and does not have the soul and emotion that hand-drawn art has.
• This video is being shared far and wide again due to the trend, with everyone concurring that AI art does not have the humanity and craftsmanship of traditional animation.

💼Corporate and Technical Views:

1. Sam Altman (OpenAI CEO):

• Admitted the trend and took responsibility for the fact that an overwhelming volume of image requests resulted in temporary rate limits.
• Showed excitement about the way humans are using AI in imaginative ways but didn't respond specifically to the ethical issues flagged.

2. Copyright and Legal Experts:

• Raised questions regarding whether producing and distributing Ghibli-style art without authorization is copyright infringement.  
• Emphasized the requirement of more decisive guidelines on using AI to reproduce copyrighted styles of art.

⚖️ Summary:

The trend is a cultural phenomenon with mixed reactions. Fans are captivated by the charming, nostalgic art style, while artists and the animation community are critical of how it undermines the painstaking work of traditional animation. Studio Ghibli itself has not officially commented on the trend, but Miyazaki’s past statements make it clear where he would likely stand. It’s an ongoing debate about creativity, ethics, and the role of AI in the arts.

Should we stop making? (My Perspective)

The Ghibli art trend is irresistibly charming and innovative, and I thoroughly enjoyed being part of it by creating some Ghibli-inspired photos myself. It is amazing how AI can transfer the dreamy beauty of Studio Ghibli's art style into our own photos to make them seem nostalgic and enchanting. How much people have welcomed this trend explains how closely the aesthetic appeals to viewers across the globe.

But I also see the intellectual property issues and the importance of preserving traditional craftsmanship. Although I don't believe we should entirely refrain from producing AI-generated Ghibli-style artwork, it may be prudent to put some boundaries in place. Being respectful of the original artists and recognizing the individual craftsmanship of Studio Ghibli is important. Maybe having some guidelines for commercial use or crediting inspiration could find a middle ground between artistic expression and being respectful of artistic integrity.