Social media is buzzing with Ghibli-style AI-generated memes, as users bring their favorite moments to life with the iconic hand-drawn anime aesthetic.

The viral trend exploded after OpenAI’s latest image-generation tool allowed users to create stunning Studio Ghibli-inspired images effortlessly.

How the Ghibli AI trend took off

The trend gained traction on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, with users transforming everything from Bollywood scenes to historic sports moments into Ghibli-style masterpieces. Some highlights include:

A Bollywood Ghibli crossover, where classic film stills were reimagined in the dreamy animation style.

A Ghibli-fied version of Sourav Ganguly’s iconic jersey-waving moment from the 2002 NatWest Final.

Wholesome family portraits are given a magical Ghibli makeover, making them look like scenes from My Neighbor Totoro.

This is a humorous meme about Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki’s “reaction” to the trend, referencing his well-known skepticism toward AI.

Why Ghibli’s art style is so captivating

Studio Ghibli, known for masterpieces like Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and Princess Mononoke, has captivated audiences for decades with its intricate hand-drawn animation, whimsical storytelling, and breathtaking visuals. The AI-powered Ghibli meme trend taps into this nostalgia, blending technology and artistry in a way that fans can’t resist.

Creating Ghibli-style AI images is easy! Simply head to ChatGPT, enable GPT-4o’s image generation, and type a prompt like “Make this Ghibli anime style.” The results? Pure magic.