Overview
- OpenAI's GPT-4o image-generation tool has enabled users to create images mimicking Studio Ghibli's hand-drawn aesthetic, sparking widespread use and controversy.
- Artists, including One Piece director Megumi Ishitani, have condemned the trend, citing concerns over the devaluation of artistic labor and calls for legal action.
- Legal experts highlight that while Studio Ghibli's style may not be protected under copyright law, its usage could raise trademark and unfair competition issues.
- Studio Ghibli founder Hayao Miyazaki's past criticisms of AI as 'an insult to life itself' have resurfaced, amplifying debates on the ethics of AI-generated art.
- The Ghibli fan community has banned AI-generated content, reflecting broader public backlash against the tool's impact on cultural and artistic legacies.