OpenAI's recent integration of a native image generation feature within its GPT-4o model has ignited a global trend, with users transforming their photographs into artworks reminiscent of Studio Ghibli's distinctive animation style. The feature, unveiled on Wednesday, has demonstrated remarkable proficiency in emulating various art styles, particularly the whimsical and detailed aesthetics associated with the renowned Japanese animation studio.
Studio Ghibli, established in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki, is celebrated for its hand-drawn animations and rich storytelling. Iconic films such as "My Neighbor Totoro," "Spirited Away," "Howl's Moving Castle," "Kiki's Delivery Service," and "Princess Mononoke" have cemented its reputation worldwide. The studio's art style is characterised by pastel and muted colour palettes, intricate details, and a dreamlike quality that continues to captivate audiences.
The adoption of OpenAI's new feature has been widespread across social media platforms. Users have been sharing their Ghibli-style portraits, experimenting with images of themselves, family members, friends, and even public figures. Brands have also joined the trend, utilizing the feature for promotional purposes. Notably, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman updated his profile picture on X (formerly Twitter) to a Studio Ghibli-style image.
The trend has also attracted participation from notable figures in the tech industry. Elon Musk, CEO of X, shared an image depicting himself in a Ghibli-inspired style, captioned "Theme of the day."
Additionally, Nithin Kamath, CEO of Zerodha, joined the movement by posting his own Ghibli-style image on X.
To create these Ghibli-style images, users have employed specific prompts within ChatGPT, guiding the AI to produce detailed, whimsical portraits. Popular prompts include:
"Transform photos into Studio Ghibli-inspired characters, with a focus on detail and whimsy."
"What would I look like as a Ghibli character?"
"Transform this photo into a hand-drawn animated illustration. Apply watercolor techniques, soft organic lines, and a warm color palette. Maintain the original image's composition while adding a magical, dreamlike aesthetic. Emphasise gentle color transitions and a whimsical, slightly surreal atmosphere typical of classic Japanese animation."
"Can you Ghiblise my photo?"
"How would Ghibli sketch my features?"
These prompts enable users to customise their images, achieving personalized animated portraits that resonate with Studio Ghibli's enchanting style.
However, the widespread use of this feature has not been without controversy. Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli, has previously expressed strong reservations about AI-generated art. In a 2016 interview, he described AI-generated animation as "an insult to life itself," stating: "I can’t watch this stuff and find [it] interesting. Whoever creates this stuff has no idea what pain is whatsoever. I am utterly disgusted. If you really want to make creepy stuff, you can go ahead and do it. I would never wish to incorporate this technology into my work at all. I strongly feel that this is an insult to life itself."
OpenAI's rollout of the image generation feature has been met with overwhelming demand. Initially made available to Plus, Pro, Team, and Free users, the surge in usage led to a temporary delay for Free users. Sam Altman confirmed this adjustment, noting that the rollout for Free users would be "delayed for a while." The company plans to extend access to Enterprise and Edu users via its API in the near future.
For those without access to ChatGPT's premium features, alternative platforms such as Midjourney, Getimg.ai, and insMind offer similar capabilities, enabling users to create Ghibli-inspired portraits. These tools provide both text-to-image and image-to-image generation, allowing for creative exploration across different mediums.
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