OpenAI’s latest image generator has unleashed a flood of Studio Ghibli-style portraits across social media, but a resurfaced clip of Japanese animator and Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki condemning AI art is reigniting a heated debate on creativity and technology.
Miyazaki’s outrage: ‘An insult to life itself’
In a 2016 NHK documentary, the visionary behind Spirited Away and My Neighbour Totoro condemns AI-generated animation. Miyazaki reacted sharply to an AI-generated animation showing a distorted, zombie-like figure. Addressing the engineers, he says, “I have a friend who is disabled… this is mocking his struggle,” calling the technology “an insult to life itself.”
“I can’t watch this stuff and find it interesting,” he told FarOut Magazine. “Whoever creates this stuff has no idea what pain is whatsoever. I am utterly disgusted.”
He didn’t stop there. With quiet intensity, Miyazaki delivered a final blow: “If you really want to make creepy stuff, go ahead. I would never wish to incorporate this technology into my work. I strongly feel that this is an insult to life itself.”
His words resurface as OpenAI’s GPT-4o allows users to create Ghibli-style images with simple prompts like, “A Studio Ghibli version of me in a magical forest.” Even OpenAI CEO Sam Altman joined the trend, updating his profile picture to an AI-generated Ghibli portrait.
The divide: Art or imitation?
While many celebrate the AI-generated art as playful, critics echo Miyazaki’s concerns: “Miyazaki spent decades perfecting his craft, and now people think typing a prompt makes them artists,” one user posted.
Others argue AI “mimics aesthetics but lacks the soul” that defines Ghibli films.
The core debate
Miyazaki’s rejection of AI reflects a broader question—can machines ever replicate the human touch? While AI generates images instantly, fans argue that true artistry lies in the imperfections and emotional depth only human hands can create.
For now, the Ghibli-style AI craze grows—but as Miyazaki’s words spread, the clash between human creativity and artificial intelligence intensifies.