Ghibli-Style AI Art Craze Overloads ChatGPT, Prompts OpenAI to Impose Limits
Creating Ghibli-style AI art has become a popular trend, thanks to advancements in AI tools
OpenAI’s ChatGPT has been overwhelmed by a viral trend of AI-generated Studio Ghibli-style images, forcing the company to implement usage restrictions and delay the rollout of its image generation feature to free-tier users.
The surge in demand, driven by users transforming profile pictures, pets, and even politicians into Ghibli-inspired artwork, has caused server strain, leading to temporary outages and prompting CEO Sam Altman to plead with users to “chill” on image generation to give the team time to recover.
“Can yall please chill on generating images this is insane our team needs sleep,” Altman posted on X, as the company scrambled to keep up with the overwhelming demand.
can yall please chill on generating images this is insane our team needs sleep
— Sam Altman (@sama) March 30, 2025
OpenAI has introduced new policies to curb the trend, including limiting free users to three image generations per day and restricting the creation of Ghibli-style portraits from real-world images to address copyright concerns and infrastructure strain.
Despite the restrictions, the trend continues to captivate users, with Altman acknowledging the “biblical” demand and vowing to optimize the tool for better performance.
The craze has also sparked debates over AI’s role in creative industries, with some users reporting inaccuracies in the generated images, such as gender swaps and added facial features, leading to calls for an end to the trend.
Meanwhile, OpenAI faces criticism from artists and creators over potential copyright infringement, as the company works to refine its policies and manage the overwhelming popularity of its image generation feature.
Creating Ghibli-style AI art has become a popular trend, thanks to advancements in AI tools like ChatGPT, Grok 3, and Google Gemini. Here’s a concise guide to generating these enchanting images:
Using ChatGPT (GPT-4o)
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Access the Tool: Open ChatGPT via its website or app and log in to your account. Ensure you have access to the image generation feature, available for premium users.
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Upload or Describe: Either upload an existing image or describe the scene you want to create. For example, “Generate a Ghibli-style image of a serene countryside with cherry blossoms”.
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Refine and Download: Review the output and refine it by adjusting the prompt or using editing features. Once satisfied, download the image.
Using Grok 3
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Access Grok: Open Grok 3 via the X app or website and navigate to the chatbot interface.
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Input Prompt: Enter a detailed prompt, such as “Create a Ghibli-style image of a cozy village under the moonlight”.
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Generate and Save: Review the generated artwork and save it for personal use or sharing.
Using Google Gemini
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Open Gemini: Access Gemini AI through Google’s chatbot interface or mobile app.
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Provide Prompt: Input a detailed description, like “Draw a Ghibli-inspired forest with floating lanterns and a serene lake”.
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Customize and Download: Use additional AI refinements to adjust colors and details, then download the final image.
Free Alternatives
For those without premium access, tools like Craiyon, Artbreeder, and Deep Dream Generator offer free options to create Ghibli-style art. Upload an image or describe the scene, and let the AI generate the artwork.
These tools allow users to recreate the iconic Studio Ghibli aesthetic with minimal effort, making it accessible for both enthusiasts and creators.
