Ghibli-style art has been dominating the internet recently. Its dreamlike scenery, rich colour palettes, and nostalgic charm remind many of the classic films from Studio Ghibli, like Spirited Away or My Neighbour Totoro. But what exactly is this AI trend that generates such enchanting images? And how can brands tap into it meaningfully?
Let’s break it down.
What is Ghibli Art?
Ghibli art refers to a specific visual aesthetic inspired by the films of Japan’s Studio Ghibli. These visuals often feature soft watercolour textures, scenic landscapes, detailed architecture, and an overall whimsical feel. It’s warm, surreal, and deeply emotional.
It’s no wonder people are drawn to it—it taps into something timeless and gentle. In a fast-paced digital world, this kind of nostalgic storytelling stands out.
The Role of AI in Ghibli Art
Traditionally, this art style required exceptional hand-drawing skills. But with the rise of AI image generators, Ghibli-inspired visuals are now accessible to anyone with the right prompt.
DALL·E, Midjourney, and ChatGPT are some of the AI tools that can create breathtaking Ghibli-style images from simple text instructions. From cosy streets to floating castles, AI can paint these scenes in minutes—helping marketers, creators, and brands bring magical worlds to life without spending much.
For digital marketing agencies, this opens up a whole new visual language for storytelling.
How We Leveraged the Ghibli Trend
At our agency, we saw the Ghibli trend as more than a passing fad. We saw a way to connect emotionally with audiences through an art style they already loved.
For our client Ayushakti, we designed a carousel Instagram post in Ghibli-style. Each image revolved around their product or service, set inside a dreamlike world—complete with greenery, foggy meadows, and pastel skies. The post saw a noticeable boost in engagement.
The campaign wasn’t just beautiful—it was memorable.
Visual References
Want to see the results for yourself?
Here are two projects we crafted using the Ghibli aesthetic:
- Client: Ayushakti Ayurveda
Ghibli-style café vibe with grains and greenery
- Instagram: @ayushakti
- Client: Nodwin Gaming
Valorant characters reimagined in Ghibli style - Instagram: @nodwingaming
These visuals helped our clients stand out in a crowded feed—without the need for photo shoots or hand-drawn artwork.
Final Thoughts
The Ghibli trend shows how storytelling can be reimagined through AI. Brands can use this as an opportunity to connect with emotion, nostalgia, and visual beauty. When done thoughtfully, it’s not just art—it’s marketing magic.
But as we ride this creative wave, it’s also important to acknowledge where it began.
Would AI be able to recreate these dreamlike visuals if Hayao Miyazaki hadn’t first imagined them with such care and detail? Every AI-generated Ghibli-style image is, in some way, built on the foundation of an illustrator’s vision and craftsmanship.
So while the trend is exciting and accessible, let’s not forget the artists, designers, and storytellers who first brought this world to life. Behind every “instant” masterpiece is a legacy of thought, skill, and emotion.
Let your brand step into a storybook scene—with creativity and with respect for the creators who made it all possible.
Author - Sharvari Saroj (illustrator)
