Studio Ghibli chairman and producer Toshio Suzuki recently sat down with Asahi Shimbun to discuss generative AI and the widely circulated “Ghibli-style” AI artwork that dominated online spaces for a time. He also reflected on director Hayao Miyazaki’s creative process and Studio Ghibli’s significance in the era of artificial intelligence.
Suzuki revealed that during the peak of the “Ghibli-style AI illustration” phenomenon, he received numerous interview propositions but deliberately turned them down, viewing the trend as a passing fad that would lose public interest swiftly. As anticipated, the craze subsided, especially since Studio Ghibli opted not to make any official statements regarding the matter.
The producer noted, “While AI can readily generate a specific kind of animation, anyone with basic understanding can discern its artificial nature. It lacks substance and isn’t particularly engaging.” He drew a contrast between generative AI, which synthesizes online data to produce what it deems the “optimal solution,” and Miyazaki, who, since working on 2023’s The Boy and the Heron, is said to have isolated himself from external influences to concentrate on his craft. According to Suzuki, Miyazaki remains unaware of what generative AI entails.
When queried about Studio Ghibli’s role in the age of AI, Suzuki humorously pointed out that the technology itself provides a fitting response when asked: “Ghibli will transform into a cultural institution exemplifying the essence of human artistic creation.” He firmly maintained that no AI or computer graphics can replicate Hayao Miyazaki’s unique artistic expression.