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Journalism of Courage
If you’ve been scrolling through your social media feed lately, chances are it’s overflowing with Studio Ghibli-style animations. Wondering why? You’re not alone. With the latest ChatGPT update, users can now generate Ghibli-inspired visuals, and the Internet has gone wild with it.
This viral trend hasn’t only taken over personal photos—it has reimagined some of Bollywood’s most legendary moments. Iconic films like Sholay (1975), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Hera Pheri (2000), and Baahubali (2015) have all been transformed into dreamy, hand-drawn-style animations that look straight out of a Hayao Miyazaki film.
One of the most talked-about posts comes from X user Vivek Choudhary, who shared AI-generated images of Bollywood classics reimagined in a Ghibli-inspired world. Fans couldn’t get enough of the Hera Pheri trio—Raju, Baburao, and Shyam—redesigned as adorable, Totoro-like characters. Meanwhile, an iconic scene from Baahubali is filled with breathtaking landscapes and soft, magical hues. And of course, the famous DDLJ train scene is now wrapped in pure fantasy.
Another viral post by Ishika showcased AI-generated Ghibli-style recreations of Om Shanti Om, Rockstar, Pushpa, and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, making these beloved Bollywood moments even more enchanting.
More movies got Ghibli-fied and here are some viral posts:
Bollywood isn’t the only industry caught in this creative storm. Hollywood fans have jumped on the trend too, sharing AI-generated Ghibli-style versions of iconic scenes from Star Wars, The Godfather, The Lord of the Rings, Jurassic World, and Harry Potter. The combination of Western cinematic classics with the soft, whimsical charm of Ghibli has sparked endless admiration.
However, not everyone is thrilled about this AI-driven trend. Hayao Miyazaki, the legendary animator behind Studio Ghibli, has long been a vocal critic of artificial art. Known for his painstakingly hand-drawn frames and rich, vivid storytelling, Miyazaki has resisted digital animation even as technology has taken over the industry.
“I believe that the tool of an animator is the pencil,” he once told The New York Times in 2021.
His disdain for AI-generated art is well documented. In Never-Ending Man: Hayao Miyazaki, a 2016 documentary about his life, he was shown an AI-generated animation. His reaction was nothing short of scathing:
“I am utterly disgusted… I would never wish to incorporate this technology into my work at all. I strongly feel that this is an insult to life itself,” he had said, before ending the discussion with the following words: “I feel like we are nearing the end of times. We humans are losing faith in ourselves.”
While the Internet continues to flood timelines with AI-driven art, Miyazaki’s words serve as a stark reminder of the age-old debate—technology versus tradition, automation versus human touch. For now, the Ghibli-fication of pop culture shows no signs of slowing down, but it does raise a question: Does AI-enhanced creativity come at the cost of something deeper?
