One Piece anime director in “despair” over Studio Ghibli AI trend & demands legal action
CRUNCHYROLLLegendary One Piece anime director Megumi Ishitani has called out the Studio Ghibli AI art trend, demanding legal action against the “unauthorized” use of Miyazaki’s art.
The Studio Ghibli AI trend continues to prove popular, with even celebrities and politicians using ChatGPT’s AI image generator to make Ghibli-inspired pictures. This viral movement has proven so popular that OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, famously urged users to ease up on generating images.
While Hayao Miyazaki, the legendary animator and face of Studio Ghibli, has yet to make any statement, that hasn’t stopped people from speaking out on his behalf. One such person who has voiced their distaste for the AI Ghibi is legendary One Piece anime director, Megumi Ishitani.
One Piece anime director slams Studio Ghibli AI art
On April 2, Megumi Ishitani took to X to voice her “despair” and frustrations over the machine-made Ghibli art flooding the internet. “Are there any Japanese who use Ghibli AI? I’m in despair. It’s an act that could damage the value of the Ghibli brand,” the director wrote.
Megumi followed up her original post with another Tweet, stating: “I want legal action to be taken… I can’t stand seeing Ghibli treated so cheaply.” She then questioned the legality of ChatGPT’s lifting of Miyazaki’s art style, writing: “There’s no way Ghibli would officially give permission, right? This was without permission! Why is this allowed…?”
CRUNCHYROLLThe One Piece anime director was angered by the trend, especially since she knows firsthand how much time and effort goes into making animated shows. Megumi herself is renowned for directing episode 1015, which is currently one of the highest-rated One Piece episodes of all time (9.7 IMDB rating).
It’s not just Megumi who has voiced their displeasure at AI art. Hayao Miyazaki famously criticized AI technology in a 2016 broadcast, where he revealed he’d “never wish to incorporate this technology into my work at all. I strongly feel that this is an insult to life itself.”
Whether you’re a fan of Studio Ghibli films or looking for that next anime to add to your watchlist, check out our best anime movies of all time and find out more about Netflix’s biggest anime show releasing in April.