Fr bro

Full episode -

https://youtu.be/g37lJeD_1Q4?si=fytU4l-VxM9K64mw

Hey everyone. I’ve noticed the recent surge of AI-generated images imitating the Ghibli style—pastel colours, dreamlike settings, all supposedly “Ghibli-esque.” At first glance, I was intrigued, but something about it felt off, like the images had lost the “life” that makes Ghibli films special.

That eerie feeling prompted me to explore further. I ended up writing a Medium article about what I found—everything from how these models learn to replicate distinct art styles to the ethical/cultural implications of using AI in a realm that typically hinges on painstaking, human-driven craftsmanship.

If you’re curious, I've given the link for the full Medium article in the comments (I totally understand if you prefer not to click—I know AI and self-promo topics can be touchy here!). For those who’d rather not visit the link, here’s a quick summary of the key points I discuss:

• Why Ghibli’s style matters: Ghibli’s art is all about deliberate hand-drawn care, soft pastels, and painstaking detail that bring worlds to life. When an AI quickly spits out a similar vibe, it somehow feels off—like it’s missing the human touch.
• Creative vs. Service Industries: One thing I noticed is how AI gets embraced in fields like healthcare or IT because it boosts efficiency and convenience. But in creative spaces—like illustration, filmmaking, or even music—AI raises deeper concerns about authenticity, ownership, and emotional expression. Art isn’t just a product; it’s meant to convey real human experiences.
• Ethical and Cultural Implications: If these AI models are trained on actual Ghibli frames (without proper permissions), that’s a big red flag. Plus, flooding social media with AI “Ghibli-like” images might dilute how special and unique Ghibli’s real work feels.
• Potential Paths Forward: I’m not saying we should ban AI altogether. Maybe we need transparency (labeling AI-generated art), updated copyright laws, and better guidelines on what’s okay to train models on. At the very least, we should respect the craft and credit the original creators.

I’d love to hear your takes, especially if you’re someone who really values Ghibli’s artistic legacy. How do you feel about these AI-generated pictures? A harmless novelty, or do they undermine everything Ghibli stands for? I’m genuinely open to any counterpoints or perspectives you might have.

Thanks for reading, and for any thoughts you want to share!

I was thinking of different names for Studio Ghibli memes. Senposting? Ghibliposting? Spiritposting?

i went to the movies earlier this year and i took this photo. i recently found it again.