The Ghibli AI Trend: What We Think Is Missing

💭 Our Take on AI-Generated Ghibli Content

We get why this trend took off.

The images are beautiful. They make people feel something. And they’re easy to create.

But that’s exactly why it’s important to pause and think about what we are actually participating in.

This isn’t just about what AI can do. It’s about what we choose to do with it.

Here’s what’s making us uncomfortable:

1. The original creator never wanted this

Hayao Miyazaki, the co-founder of Studio Ghibli, has been vocal about his feelings toward AI art. In a now widely shared interview, when shown an AI-generated animation, he said:

“I strongly feel that this is an insult to life itself.”

That wasn’t about this specific trend, but the message still stands. Ghibli films are built on years of thought, craft, and care.

Using that same style to quickly generate images, especially without the creator’s support, goes against everything the original work stood for.

2. It’s already being used for scams and shady products

In just a few days, Ghibli-style AI art has shown up on posters, stickers, and prints sold across Etsy, Redbubble, and other marketplaces. Some sellers don’t mention that it’s AI-generated. Others imply they created it themselves. Buyers are being misled. Creators are being bypassed.

What started as a creative trend is already being used to make money without credit, transparency, or consent.

3. It strips away originality

Following a trend is easy. Building something from scratch is harder. But that’s what makes it meaningful.

When brands and creators borrow a style that doesn’t belong to them, especially one as emotionally rich as Ghibli. they risk becoming forgettable.

The more we copy, the less we say. And over time, that’s a real cost to identity.

4. It puts people’s personal photos at risk

To join in, people are uploading their own photos into AI tools. That might seem harmless, but it comes with risks.

Depending on the platform, those images could be stored, reused, or even used to train future models. Most users aren’t reading the fine print.

And in the rush to join the trend, personal privacy can easily get overlooked.

To us, this is more than a visual debate.

It’s a reflection of how we want to show up in a world of AI.

We are not just building systems for scale.

We are building systems that reflect who we are , with integrity, originality, and respect for creativity.

🔍 The Bottom Line: Should You Use AI to Copy Ghibli Style?

At Rev-Empire, we use AI tools including image generation to support how we work. But try to be intentional about how we use them.

If you are thinking about using the Ghibli aesthetic in your AI-generated marketing content, ask yourself why. Are you building something new, or are you riding someone else’s vision?

• Use AI to assist, not erase.
• Use it to build, not borrow.
• Use it to support your unique voice, not to imitate someone else’s.

Our aim is to create transparent marketing systems with real results. And we believe the most powerful brand is the one you create from scratch.