The year 2025 marks a turning point in the world of digital art, sparking passionate debate and scathing criticism. Among the most influential voices, that of master Ghibli stands out for its scathing criticism, calling into question the very foundations of this modern art form.
As technology continues to redefine the boundaries of creativity, the words of this giant of Japanese animation resonate as a call to reflect on the future of art and its impact on our visual culture. Discover how this bold stance could influence artists and art lovers the world over.
The rise of AI-generated art in the Ghibli style
The March 25 launch of OpenAI’s new image generation tool has enabled users to create striking visuals imitating the distinctive style of Studio Ghibli. The innovation has sparked excitement on social networks, where hashtags such as #GhibliStyle and #AIGhibli have proliferated on X, Instagram and Reddit. Internet users enthusiastically share landscapes, portraits and historical events reimagined in the Ghibli style.
However, this trend has also revived ethical and legal debates about the use of artistic styles without consent or compensation, calling into question the boundary between human creativity and artificial intelligence.
Ethical and legal concerns surrounding artistic AI
The growing popularity of AI-generated artworks in the Ghibli style has raised concerns about copyright infringement and the ethics of using artistic styles without permission. Influential figures, such as artist Karla Ortiz, denounce the practice as unfair exploitation, highlighting the lack of compensation for original creators.
This highlights the challenges facing traditional artists, whose livelihoods could be threatened by the ease with which AI reproduces years of artistic work. The debate intensifies as the industry seeks to balance technological innovation with respect for creators’ rights.
Hayao Miyazaki’s position on AI-generated animation
Hayao Miyazaki, an iconic figure in traditional animation, has expressed his profound disagreement with the use of artificial intelligence in the artistic realm. A 2016 video, recently brought back to light, shows Miyazaki reacting indignantly to a demonstration of AI-generated animation, which he calls “an insult to life”.
For him, art must reflect human experience and sensitivity, values that AI cannot reproduce. This opposition highlights the gap between modern technology and artisanal methods, underlining an ongoing debate about the future of artistic expression in the digital age.
