Studio Ghibli chairman and producer Toshio Suzuki recently commented on the rise of generative AI. He stated that while AI can easily mimic specific animation styles, it fails to replicate the artistic expression of Hayao Miyazaki. Consequently, the studio views AI-generated images in the Ghibli style as lacking significant value or interest.
In 2025, AI-generated images imitating the Ghibli aesthetic gained attention, leading to numerous interview requests for Suzuki. He declined all of them, anticipating that the trend would be short-lived. Official records confirm that the public interest in these AI imitations subsequently declined rapidly.
Suzuki contrasted the AI generation process, which relies on finding optimal answers from vast internet data, with Miyazaki's creative approach. He noted that since completing The Boy and the Heron in 2023, Miyazaki has been focused on his next project and may not even be familiar with the specifics of generative AI.
Regarding the studio's stance in the AI era, Suzuki remarked that AI could easily generate a polished statement about Ghibli becoming a cultural entity that showcases human creativity. However, he maintained that the core artistic essence of Miyazaki's work remains beyond the reach of AI or computer-generated animation.
