THIS NEW AI TREND”

This trend involves using ChatGPT’s new image generation feature, part of the GPT-4o model released on March 26, 2025, to transform photos into Studio Ghibli-style illustrations. Users upload images and ask the AI to convert them into the studio’s distinctive, nostalgic, hand-drawn look, featuring soft colors and imaginative worlds.

Participation and Impact

Many X users, including brands like Zomato and Swiggy, have joined in, sharing their creations, which has led to widespread engagement. Even OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, participated by sharing his own Ghibli-style image.

On March 26, 2025, OpenAI launched the GPT-4o model with native image generation capabilities, allowing users to create and edit images directly within the chatbot. This feature, dubbed “Images in ChatGPT,” enables users to transform uploaded photos into various styles, including the distinctive Ghibli aesthetic, characterized by lush backgrounds, soft color palettes, and nostalgic vibes. This update has sparked a flood of user-generated content on X, with the trend gaining momentum within 24 hours of the release.

Based on X posts and news reports, the primary activity in this trend involves users uploading personal photos, memes, or public figures and requesting ChatGPT to re-create them in the Studio Ghibli style. Examples include transforming images of delivery partners, family portraits, and even political figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump into Ghibli-esque illustrations. Brands have also participated, with Zomato converting an image of a delivery partner and Swiggy sharing a Ghibli-style depiction of mangoes, captioning it to align with the trend.

The mechanics are straightforward: users, particularly those on ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Team, or Free tiers, can input a prompt like “transform this into Studio Ghibli style” and receive an AI-generated image. The feature’s ability to handle subtle details, such as facial expressions and background elements, has contributed to its popularity. However, as of March 27, 2025, free-tier users face delays in accessing this feature due to high demand, as announced by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.