The recent explosion in demand for AI-generated Studio Ghibli-style art using ChatGPT’s image-generation tool has taken the internet by storm. Over the past week, millions of users—from casual AI enthusiasts to major influencers—have flocked to OpenAI ’s chatbot to transform their photos into whimsical, hand-drawn visuals inspired by the legendary Japanese animation studio.
This unprecedented surge in traffic resulted in record-breaking user activity for OpenAI’s chatbot, straining its servers and temporarily limiting access to the image-generation feature. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has since hinted at a more advanced version of the tool, teasing that users are “not ready for images v2.”
Beyond the technical challenges and widespread excitement, the trend has also sparked discussions about copyright issues, with legal experts weighing in on whether AI-generated art that mimics the distinct Ghibli aesthetic could pose intellectual property concerns. Meanwhile, old comments from Studio Ghibli ’s co-founder, Hayao Miyazaki , resurfaced, reigniting debates about the ethics of AI-generated art.
Sam Altman teases ‘Images v2’ after Ghibli AI art craze
Following the overwhelming response to the Ghibli-style image-generation trend, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman hinted at the next iteration of the technology. Posting on X, he wrote:
"Y’all are not ready for images v2..."
This cryptic message suggests that OpenAI is developing an even more advanced version of its image-generation tool. While no official details have been shared, experts speculate that future iterations could include enhanced customization options, higher-resolution outputs, and more refined artistic control over AI-generated images.
If “Images v2” expands capabilities beyond Ghibli-style transformations, OpenAI may further revolutionize AI-powered digital art creation.
Ghibli AI trend sparks record surge in ChatGPT users—1 million in an hour
Over the past week, a viral trend of using ChatGPT’s image-generation tool to create Studio Ghibli-style artwork caused an unprecedented spike in OpenAI’s user base. Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and Instagram, saw a flood of AI-generated art showcasing the hand-drawn, watercolor-like aesthetic reminiscent of classic Ghibli films such as Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro.
As a result, OpenAI’s chatbot saw a dramatic rise in user engagement:
Ghibli AI frenzy overloads ChatGPT—Altman warns of delays
The overwhelming demand led to temporary service disruptions. Many users experienced slow processing times, glitches, and intermittent failures when attempting to generate images. OpenAI had to throttle access to manage capacity constraints.
Acknowledging the issue, Sam Altman posted on X:
"We are getting things under control, but you should expect new releases from OpenAI to be delayed, stuff to break, and for service to sometimes be slow as we deal with capacity challenges."
Despite these setbacks, OpenAI’s rapid adoption rate has drawn comparisons to the initial launch of ChatGPT in late 2022, which similarly saw a viral user surge.
What is Studio Ghibli
Founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki, Studio Ghibli is one of the most renowned animation studios in the world. Known for its breathtaking hand-drawn animation, deeply emotional storytelling, and richly detailed backgrounds, the studio has produced some of the most beloved animated films, including:
The studio’s unique aesthetic—soft color palettes, expressive characters, and dreamlike landscapes—has become instantly recognizable, making it a prime target for AI-generated art experiments.
What does ‘Ghibli’ mean
The name 'Ghibli' is derived from an Arabic word meaning "hot desert wind," signifying a fresh, bold approach to animation that Miyazaki and his team sought to bring to the industry.
Can AI mimic Studio Ghibli’s style
Potential copyright issues
As AI-generated art becomes increasingly sophisticated, legal experts have begun examining the implications of creating images that closely resemble established artistic styles.
Evan Brown, a partner at the law firm Neal & McDevitt, commented on the issue:
"The legal landscape of AI-generated images mimicking Studio Ghibli’s distinctive style is an uncertain terrain. Copyright law has generally protected only specific expressions rather than artistic styles themselves."
Can AI art be considered copyright infringement?
Hayao Miyazaki’s criticism of AI-generated art
Notably, comments from Hayao Miyazaki in 2016 have resurfaced, highlighting his opposition to AI-generated artwork. Upon being shown an early AI-generated animation, Miyazaki responded:
"I am utterly disgusted. I would never wish to incorporate this technology into my work at all."
While Miyazaki’s concerns were initially directed at AI-generated motion graphics, his views on AI-generated static art remain relevant today, especially as AI tools continue advancing.
Also read | Genshin Impact Codes | Fruit Battlegrounds Codes | Blox Fruits Codes
This unprecedented surge in traffic resulted in record-breaking user activity for OpenAI’s chatbot, straining its servers and temporarily limiting access to the image-generation feature. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has since hinted at a more advanced version of the tool, teasing that users are “not ready for images v2.”
Beyond the technical challenges and widespread excitement, the trend has also sparked discussions about copyright issues, with legal experts weighing in on whether AI-generated art that mimics the distinct Ghibli aesthetic could pose intellectual property concerns. Meanwhile, old comments from Studio Ghibli ’s co-founder, Hayao Miyazaki , resurfaced, reigniting debates about the ethics of AI-generated art.
Sam Altman teases ‘Images v2’ after Ghibli AI art craze
Following the overwhelming response to the Ghibli-style image-generation trend, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman hinted at the next iteration of the technology. Posting on X, he wrote:
"Y’all are not ready for images v2..."
This cryptic message suggests that OpenAI is developing an even more advanced version of its image-generation tool. While no official details have been shared, experts speculate that future iterations could include enhanced customization options, higher-resolution outputs, and more refined artistic control over AI-generated images.
If “Images v2” expands capabilities beyond Ghibli-style transformations, OpenAI may further revolutionize AI-powered digital art creation.
y'all are not ready for images v2...
— Sam Altman (@sama) April 1, 2025
Ghibli AI trend sparks record surge in ChatGPT users—1 million in an hour
Over the past week, a viral trend of using ChatGPT’s image-generation tool to create Studio Ghibli-style artwork caused an unprecedented spike in OpenAI’s user base. Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and Instagram, saw a flood of AI-generated art showcasing the hand-drawn, watercolor-like aesthetic reminiscent of classic Ghibli films such as Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro.
As a result, OpenAI’s chatbot saw a dramatic rise in user engagement:
- Weekly active users surpassed 150 million, marking the highest count in 2025.
- ChatGPT added one million new users within an hour, as confirmed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
- Downloads and in-app purchases surged, with a reported 11% increase in app downloads and a 6% rise in revenue from in-app purchases (Source: SensorTower).
Ghibli AI frenzy overloads ChatGPT—Altman warns of delays
The overwhelming demand led to temporary service disruptions. Many users experienced slow processing times, glitches, and intermittent failures when attempting to generate images. OpenAI had to throttle access to manage capacity constraints.
Acknowledging the issue, Sam Altman posted on X:
"We are getting things under control, but you should expect new releases from OpenAI to be delayed, stuff to break, and for service to sometimes be slow as we deal with capacity challenges."
Despite these setbacks, OpenAI’s rapid adoption rate has drawn comparisons to the initial launch of ChatGPT in late 2022, which similarly saw a viral user surge.
What is Studio Ghibli
Founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki, Studio Ghibli is one of the most renowned animation studios in the world. Known for its breathtaking hand-drawn animation, deeply emotional storytelling, and richly detailed backgrounds, the studio has produced some of the most beloved animated films, including:
- My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
- Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
- Princess Mononoke (1997)
- Spirited Away (2001) – Academy Award Winner
- Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
The studio’s unique aesthetic—soft color palettes, expressive characters, and dreamlike landscapes—has become instantly recognizable, making it a prime target for AI-generated art experiments.
What does ‘Ghibli’ mean
The name 'Ghibli' is derived from an Arabic word meaning "hot desert wind," signifying a fresh, bold approach to animation that Miyazaki and his team sought to bring to the industry.
Can AI mimic Studio Ghibli’s style
Potential copyright issues
As AI-generated art becomes increasingly sophisticated, legal experts have begun examining the implications of creating images that closely resemble established artistic styles.
Evan Brown, a partner at the law firm Neal & McDevitt, commented on the issue:
"The legal landscape of AI-generated images mimicking Studio Ghibli’s distinctive style is an uncertain terrain. Copyright law has generally protected only specific expressions rather than artistic styles themselves."
Can AI art be considered copyright infringement?
- Copyright protects original works of authorship, meaning that specific Ghibli characters, scenes, and logos are legally protected.
- However, artistic styles themselves are not copyrightable, meaning AI-generated images that resemble Ghibli’s hand-drawn aesthetic may not necessarily violate any laws.
- The debate over AI-generated art and intellectual property rights is ongoing, with legal rulings still evolving as AI art tools become more advanced.
Hayao Miyazaki’s criticism of AI-generated art
Notably, comments from Hayao Miyazaki in 2016 have resurfaced, highlighting his opposition to AI-generated artwork. Upon being shown an early AI-generated animation, Miyazaki responded:
"I am utterly disgusted. I would never wish to incorporate this technology into my work at all."
While Miyazaki’s concerns were initially directed at AI-generated motion graphics, his views on AI-generated static art remain relevant today, especially as AI tools continue advancing.
Also read | Genshin Impact Codes | Fruit Battlegrounds Codes | Blox Fruits Codes
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