For months, the internet was flooded with illustrations attempting to copy Studio Ghibli’s iconic visual style using AI. Despite users sharing these images on social media, the legendary animation house remained silent. Now, Toshio Suzuki, producer and president of the studio, has explained the real reason behind this silence and taken a clear stance on this technology.

In a recent interview, Suzuki revealed that during the rise of AI-generated images, he received numerous requests for his opinion. However, he declined them all, believing from the start that it was just a passing trend that would quickly bore the public. Over time, the phenomenon indeed faded without the studio issuing statements or taking legal action.

Suzuki believes AI-generated content lacks soul and true artistic value. While technology can mimic certain animation patterns, anyone with basic knowledge can immediately tell it’s artificial. According to him, such results mean nothing to those who truly appreciate art, contrasting the coldness of machines with the dedication of creators like Hayao Miyazaki.

Founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki, Studio Ghibli is one of the most acclaimed and respected animation studios in film history. With fantasy masterpieces captivating generations, the company maintains a production philosophy focused on hand-drawn traditional animation, where human detail is the cornerstone of every story.

Suzuki also shared an interesting detail about Miyazaki, noting that the legendary director is so isolated from external noise while working that he doesn’t even know what AI is. When asked about Ghibli’s role in this new technological era, the producer made it clear that Miyazaki’s artistic essence can never be replicated by any computer, demonstrating what it truly means to create art with human hands.

What do you think of Toshio Suzuki’s statements on AI in animation?