A Step by Step Guide on How to Create Ghibli-style Images with the Help of AI
LOS ANGELES — With developments in new technology, anyone can create Ghibli-style images using artificial intelligence these days.
This trend took off online in early 2025, allowing fans to mimic the whimsical art style of Studio Ghibli. It’s happening globally, from hobbyists to artists, all eager to create their own fanciful scenes. Why? People finds the magic of the films such as “Spirited Away” and want to create their own magic.
How It Started
Many fans have been entranced by Studio Ghibli’s hand-drawn look for decades. Think verdant forests, adorable spirits and gentle palettes. Now, AI makes it easy to reproduce that style. Tools such as Midjourney and DALL-E received updates in 2024 that allow users to enter a few words and receive Ghibli-style art in a rush. X posts show thousands trying it, and hashtags such as #AIGhibli have been trending since January.
Once upon a time, only skilled draftsmen could draw like Hayao Miyazaki, the famed founder of Ghibli. Today, the heavy lifting is done by AI. No sketching or painting needed — just a laptop and an idea. A boom experts say is connected to improvement in A.I.’s ability to understand the style of art. “It’s a game changer for creativity,” Jane Kim, an AI art researcher at UCLA, said in an interview last week.
Steps to Make Your Own
Ready to try? It’s easy. First, choose an A.I. tool — Midjourney is popular and workable. Sign up, then enter a prompt like “cozy forest, Ghibli style, warm colors.” Tap enter, and within seconds, an image pops up. Ball with name to adjust it — tack on “cute fox” or “sunset glow” for fanciful variations. (Meaning you can totally read it online.)
Next, refine it. Tools allow you to tinker with specific details such as brightness, or you can add more Ghibli-flavored elements such as fluffy clouds. Some users provide sketches to guide the AI but that’s optional. You can see beginners crushing it in less than 10 minutes on X posts. The trick? Keep prompts short and clear. You just risk giving too many words and confusing the system that can leave you some odd result.
Tips for the Best Results
Experimentation is key. AI isn’t infallible — it sometimes spits out wobbly trees or blurry faces. Experiment with different tools; the free version of Stable Diffusion also works. Check out Youtube for tips from the pros. Ghibli fans on X recommend considering nature themes—rivers, hills and small spirits spring to mind—to get the look down. “The simpler your prompts, the better,” Kim said, explaining that AI responds best to clarity.
Time matters too. Depending on settings, most tools spit out art in 5-30 seconds. High-quality options require more time but yield sharper results. Just take your time — retool it until it feels as if it is right. But a little background goes a long way: Ghibli’s visual style is a combination of Japanese folklore and soft pastels, so guide your A.I. in that direction. By March 2025, more than 50,000 images had been posted online using the hashtag #GhibliAI, cementing it as a winner.
What’s Next for AI Art?
This isn’t just a fad. Experts expect AI art will only get bigger, perhaps even in movies. Studios can also use it as a quick way to brain dump scenes. But others fear it may eclipse human artists. For the moment, it’s a neat tool for fans to tinker with Ghibli magic. Next steps? You can try it yourself, or watch as pros mix up AI with real drawing. The future’s wide open.
You can join on anyone with a computer. No art expertise required — only curiosity. Expect even wilder creations as AI gets smarter. Will you create the latest viral Ghibli-style sensation? Grab a tool and find out.