The Hindu: Published on 14th April 2025:
Why in News?
OpenAI’s latest GPT-4o update allows users to generate images in Studio Ghibli’s iconic anime style, sparking controversy after:
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) used it to create war-themed images.
Users recreated tragic and political events like 9/11, Babri Masjid demolition, and even pornography, in a Ghibli-like style.
This clashed sharply with Hayao Miyazaki’s anti-war and anti-AI views, raising ethical, legal, and cultural concerns.
What is the Issue?
Studio Ghibli, known for its pacifist and anti-militaristic themes, is being used via AI to stylize violent and insensitive content.
AI-generated anime versions of terrorist attacks, military propaganda, and religious violence have gone viral.
This is seen by many, including ethicists and artists, as a violation of the spirit of Miyazaki’s work.
Cultural & Ethical Concerns-
Prof. David Leslie (The Alan Turing Institute) criticized the trend as a misappropriation of Miyazaki’s deeply personal, anti-war creations.
An old video of Miyazaki expressing disgust at AI animation has resurfaced, where he calls AI art an “insult to life.”
The Ghibli-style AI trend trivializes deep, meaningful storytelling by turning it into mere visual aesthetic filters.
Copyright and Legal Dimensions-
Is it Copyright Infringement?
No, under current U.S. copyright law, artistic styles (like "Ghibli-style") are not protected — only specific expressions (like a specific painting or image) are.
Thus, AI-generated art in Ghibli style does not violate copyright.
Fair Use Defense:
OpenAI relies on "fair use" to justify using copyrighted works to train AI models.
Critics argue it serves corporate interest (OpenAI, Microsoft) more than public interest.
Legal Uncertainty-
U.S. courts have not yet ruled whether generating images in the style of a living artist (without their consent) using AI constitutes copyright violation.
In the ongoing Andersen v. Stability AI case, courts are testing these limits.
The question remains: Are AI model outputs infringing on protected creative expression?
Artist Backlash & Protection Efforts-
Many artists feel their livelihoods are at risk, as AI scrapes and imitates their work without permission.
Tools like Glaze and robots.txt files are being used to resist scraping and training.
Experts like Tori Noble (EFF) argue that policy solutions, not just copyright, are needed to protect creators.
U.S. vs Other Countries-
U.S. law offers limited or no protection for “moral rights” — unlike some civil law countries (e.g., France, Germany).
So, Studio Ghibli cannot legally stop OpenAI from imitating its style in the U.S.
The Contrast: Human vs AI-Made Ghibli-Inspired Art-
- Films like The Glassworker (2024), directed by Usman Riaz, are lovingly hand-drawn and ethically inspired by Studio Ghibli, with real respect for Miyazaki’s values.
- In contrast, AI-generated Ghibli-style images of war, destruction, and tragedy betray the philosophy behind the original art.
