AI-generated images have evolved dramatically from the days of abstract renderings to glitchy amalgamations. The latest release from OpenAI, titled “Images for ChatGPT”, showcases an impressive ability to capture depth, shadows, and even text. This innovation has sparked a wave of creativity, with many users recreating the beloved art style of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. This style, already popular online due to its soft and comforting aesthetic (as seen with Lofi girl), is now easily accessible through AI.
The trend began on a light-hearted note. Couples transformed their portraits, pet owners created cartoonish depictions of their cats, and many users are happily Ghibli-fying their families (some, like me, prefer sticking to selfies to protect their loved ones’ likenesses). This trend mirrors the human-drawn art commissions available on Etsy — creating personalized art in the style of favorite anime.
However, the excitement quickly escalated into chaotic creativity. Nothing is off-limits: images of the Twin Towers on 9/11, JFK’s assassination, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang signing a woman’s chest, and President Donald Trump’s infamous group photo with Jeffrey Epstein are just some examples, along with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s congressional testimony …
