Studio Ghibli’s Miyazaki Doubts AI Art: ‘“I can’t watch this and…”
If you’ve been scrolling through social media over the past 24 hours, you’ve likely encountered a flood of stunning Ghibli-style artwork created by AI, following OpenAI’s latest image-generation update. These stunning AI creations, ranging from magical landscapes to charming characters, have captivated audiences and taken over timelines.
But in the midst of this AI-driven artistic wave, an old video of Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki has resurfaced. The legendary filmmaker, known for his classics like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro, harshly criticized AI-generated animation, calling it “an insult to life itself.” Miyazaki’s comments which were made years ago feel more relevant today as AI art becomes more popular.
The Viral Clip: Miyazaki’s Take on AI Animation
In the now-viral video, Hayao Miyazaki is seen reacting to an AI-generated animation presented to him and Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki. The animation features a zombie-like figure moving in a bizarre, unnatural way. The creators of the AI project eagerly explain how artificial intelligence can create creepy, unnatural movements that human animators could never imagine.
Miyazaki’s response was far from enthusiastic. Rather than marveling at the AI’s ability, he expressed discomfort, even personal distress. Miyazaki, deeply moved by the comparison, drew a parallel to his disabled friend, who struggles with basic human movements. He made it clear that he couldn’t find any joy or interest in the AI-generated animation, as it lacked the one thing that defines human experience: pain.
Miyazaki expressed his displeasure, saying, “I can’t watch this and find it appealing. The people who create this clearly have no understanding of pain. I am deeply repulsed. If you want to create disturbing content, feel free, but I would never consider using this technology in my own work.”
The AI Creators’ Justification
Shocked by Miyazaki’s reaction, one of the AI designers quickly defended the experiment, stating that their intention wasn’t to present the creation to the world but merely to explore what AI could achieve in animation.
Studio Ghibli’s Toshio Suzuki questioned the AI creators about their ultimate goal, to which they responded that their aim was to build a machine that could draw pictures like humans do—essentially trying to replicate the artistry of humans through technology.
The AI-Ghibli Craze: Would Miyazaki Approve?
Interestingly, this old clip has resurfaced just as AI-generated Ghibli-style art is taking the internet by storm. OpenAI’s GPT-4o, which now includes an image generation feature, has led to a wave of AI creativity, with users across the world creating whimsical, painterly images reminiscent of Ghibli’s unique aesthetic.
Even OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has jumped on the AI art bandwagon, changing his profile picture to an AI-generated Ghibli-style avatar. The sudden popularity of AI-generated Ghibli art, with its soft color palettes, dreamy lighting, and enchanting landscapes, has sparked excitement among fans who feel they can now create Studio Ghibli-inspired images with just a few clicks.
But would Miyazaki approve of this? Given his famous disdain for AI-generated content, it seems highly unlikely. The iconic filmmaker has always emphasized the importance of human touch, experience, and emotion in the creative process. For him, the magic of Ghibli-style art comes from the very human stories and deep connections embedded in every frame, something AI cannot replicate.