AI Replicates Ghibli’s Magic in 'My Neighbor Totoro' and 'Spirited Away', But Can It Capture Anime’s Soul?

AI Threatens Traditional Anime Jobs, But Ghibli’s Legacy Remains Untouched

As artificial intelligence continues to make its mark on various creative industries, the world of Japanese animation faces a growing concern.

Could AI replace the skilled artists behind beloved films like ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ and ‘Spirited Away’?

The possibility has stirred debate, particularly as new image generators, such as the one created by ChatGPT’s developers at OpenAI, flood the internet with pictures that closely mimic the whimsical style of Studio Ghibli.

Goro Miyazaki on AI’s Role in Animation

Goro Miyazaki, son of Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, has voiced concerns over the growing possibility that AI might replace animators.

Goro Miyazaki, a Japanese landscape architect and animation director, is known for his work on the Ghibli Museum and Ghibli Park, as well as directing films like ‘Tales from Earthsea’ and ‘From Up on Poppy Hill’.

He said in a recent interview,

"It wouldn't be surprising if, in two years' time, there was a film made completely through AI."

Despite this potential shift, Goro is sceptical about whether audiences would embrace fully AI-generated animation.

The question of authenticity, he suggests, remains at the heart of the debate.

He asked,

"Would people want to watch that?"

Despite concerns about replacing traditional animators, Goro, who currently serves as Studio Ghibli's managing director, also pointed out the creative opportunities AI could present.

He acknowledges that new technology brings “great potential for unexpected talent to emerge.”

Studio Ghibli's Handmade Artistry vs. AI’s Speed

Studio Ghibli’s hand-drawn animations have long been praised for their attention to detail and emotional depth, which AI-generated images struggle to replicate.

Goro shared the challenges faced by animators working under the studio’s rigorous standards.

Japan’s animation industry is already grappling with a shortage of skilled animators, many of whom face years of low-paying work to hone their craft.

The emergence of AI, capable of generating images in the signature Studio Ghibli style within seconds, has sparked further conversation about the future of animation labour.

For context, one animator at Ghibli, Eiji Yamamori, spent over a year to perfect a four-second scene, something that AI could replicate in mere moments.

This stark contrast raises concerns about the value of human creativity and effort, especially when machines can mimic results much faster and at a fraction of the cost.

The Resurgence of Hayao Miyazaki's Criticism of AI

The conversation surrounding AI and animation took a more personal turn with the resurfacing of a 2016 video featuring Hayao Miyazaki, the legendary director of ‘Princess Mononoke’ and ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’.

In the clip, Miyazaki’s intense disdain for AI technology is clear as he refers to it as “an insult to life itself.”

Miyazaki’s comments were made in response to an AI-generated image of a zombie-like creature, which he found "extremely unpleasant."

This video, which has recently gone viral, has since become emblematic of the ongoing clash between traditional artistry and AI’s encroachment into the creative space.

The Ghibli Style Goes Viral with AI Image Generators

Meanwhile, OpenAI’s latest AI tool, launched in March 2025, has brought Studio Ghibli’s distinctive animation style to the masses.

The tool allows users to transform their own photos into anime images characterised by the studio’s iconic clean lines and warm pastel colours.

The trend has gone viral globally, with even the White House sharing a Ghibli-style image on social media.

While many users revel in the ability to create such art effortlessly, some critics are concerned about the ethical implications of replicating an artist’s style without consent.

Goro Miyazaki on the Future of Ghibli’s Legacy

With his father Hayao Miyazaki now 84 and potentially nearing the end of his filmmaking career, Goro reflects on the future of Studio Ghibli.

Goro spoke about the eventual decline of his father and co-producer Toshio Suzuki,

"If those two can’t make anime or can’t move, then what happens?"

He also noted on the irreplaceable role they play in shaping the studio’s future, commenting,

"It's not like they can be replaced."

He added that the sense of loss and emotional depth that defines Ghibli’s films cannot be recreated by machines, particularly by AI.

Goro pointed out that Hayao and Isao Takahata, Ghibli’s co-founder, infused their works with a subtle sense of loss and fear, shaped by their experiences growing up during and after the war, reflecting,

“It’s not all sweet – there’s also a bitterness and things like that which are beautifully intertwined in the work.”

The underlying themes of death and the harsh realities of life permeated their films.

Even ‘My Neighbor Totoro’, often seen as a heartwarming tale, touches on the fear of losing a loved one, particularly a sick mother.

Goro noted,

"It’s a scary movie in some ways."

Such themes give the films a timeless resonance, something that younger generations, who have not experienced the same historical context, may find difficult to replicate.

AI’s Challenge to the Heart of Animation Art

The rise of AI-generated images in the style of Studio Ghibli brings into question the very essence of animation as an art form.

While AI tools may offer convenience and new creative possibilities, they cannot replicate the emotional depth and intricate detail of traditional animation that has defined Studio Ghibli’s films for decades.

Goro, who joined Studio Ghibli in 1998, has seen firsthand the challenges and rewards of the animation industry.

Though he was advised against pursuing animation by his mother, also an animator, he followed his creative passion, contributing to films like ‘Tales from Earthsea’ and ‘From Up on Poppy Hill’.

Despite the changing landscape of animation, Goro remains committed to preserving the artistic integrity that has defined Studio Ghibli for decades.