The Ghibli Effect? More Like The AI Defect
The AI-generated Ghibli trend that has taken over Instagram has been going around for a few days now, and I’ve been sitting with it, trying to make sense of how I feel. At first, it seemed harmless- just another internet craze where people turn their pictures into something dreamy and cinematic. But the more I saw it, the more discomforted I became. It has taken me some time to fully process why this trend unsettles me, but I believe I finally have my thoughts in place, and will articulate them through this blog. This new trend, where people ask ChatGPT or other AI tools to reimagine their own images in the style of Studio Ghibli, is one of the most absurd examples of art commodification I’ve seen in a while. It is not just about AI replicating an art style, but rather about how quickly people have reduced an entire legacy of animation to nothing more than a superficial filter for their pictures. Studio Ghibli’s artistry isn’t just about soft lighting and painterly backdrops. It’s abou...