Artificial intelligence is gradually creeping into all areas of life, and most recently, the technology has found its way into art and animation. A new ChatGPT image generator was recently debuted that allows s to transform images they into Hayao Miyazaki's iconic art style seen in his Studio Ghibli films.
This usage of AI in art has sparked the artist's outrage, and understandably so. Miyazaki's son, Goro, has spoken out on the controversy though, and explained why no AI-generated work could ever come close to achieving the legacy his father has built through the acclaimed Studio Ghibli films.
Goro Miyazaki is Confident AI Art Can Never Replace Human-Created Works
Hayao Miyazaki’s Son Does Not Believe That AI Can Replace Writers and Animators
Hayao Miyazaki described the mixing of artificial intelligence and artwork as "an insult to life itself" in a 2016 interview, making his feelings towards the technology crystal clear. Although he has not yet offered commentary as to his feelings about the freshly released Studio Ghibli-inspired OpenAI filter, it is highly unlikely that he would be a fan. AI artwork is not just being created by fans with online tools, there has been a gradual pivot within the animation industry itself to begin integrating AI into new projects, including an anime created almost completely with artificial intelligence that has received mixed reviews.
Twins Hinahima, designed by Kaka Technology Studio and released on March 28, 2025, is the first AI-generated anime short film, and although some fans had their curiosity sparked by glimpses at the project, others worry that the anime will set a dangerous precedent within the animation industry. Human artists, animators, writers, and creators have always been at the heart of animated films and television shows, and according to Hayao and Goro Miyazaki, the creation of art should be left to these talented individuals who can add a human touch that is absolutely impossible for AI to ever replicate.
AI Will Never Top Hayao Miyazaki’s Originality and Artistic Charm
Goro Explains That AI-Generated Content Will Be Released, but It Won't Sur Human Creators’ Originality
In the interview with Goro Miyazaki, posted on Goro also questioned whether these AI-generated creative works would appeal to fans in the same way that Miyazaki's original Studio Ghibli films do. Hayao Miyazaki's films are not just visual masterpieces; with pastel-hued, dazzling animation, the depth of the films' writing also resonates deeply with fans.
"An Insult to Life Itself": Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki Hates AI ionately, And He's Told Us Why
Hayao Miyazaki has already explained his utter disgust for AI and its consequences, and why he thinks so.
Artificial intelligence may be able to roughly copy Miyazaki's art style, to a certain extent, but these technologies could never quite grasp his profound musings on the human experience, because artificial intelligence is not human. This point was explored by Goro Miyazaki in the interview, who assured "it's not like they can be replaced," when referring to his father, Hayao, and the co-founder of Studio Ghibli, Isao Takahata. The future of artificial intelligence is incredibly uncertain, but Goro's words can offer some comfort to fans, assuring them that Miyazaki's originality can never be duplicated by technology.
Source: Japan Today
