AI: The Ghibli Style Ignites ChatGPT And Shakes The Servers Of OpenAI

The viral trend of Ghibli-style images generated by ChatGPT has overwhelmed OpenAI’s servers, which are now nearing technical saturation. This phenomenon reveals the technical limits of generative AI and raises questions about the use of copyright-protected styles in automated art.

OpenAI: a viral storm named Ghibli

While Google is trying to overturn OpenAI with its new AI model Gemini 2.5, on ChatGPT’s side, they are having fun with Ghibli. Indeed, since March 25, 2025, millions of users have been using image generation to create scenes worthy of My Neighbor Totoro or Spirited Away. A viral wave amplified by visual nostalgia and the unique graphic signature of the Japanese studio.

In the face of the massive influx of requests, Sam Altman recently stated that OpenAI’s GPUs “are melting down.” The consequence was immediate: limitation to three images per day for free users. Even for a giant like OpenAI, the surge exceeds expectations.

OpenAI, forced to set boundaries?

OpenAI had to implement filters to restrict certain requests too close to the Ghibli style. An effort to protect the integrity of its infrastructure while maintaining minimal accessibility to the tool.

The trend has not spared public figures. Mike Tyson, Elon Musk, Nayib Bukele (president of El Salvador), Michael Saylor, and many others have shared their Ghibli-style portraits. For our part, we tried the experience today with Donald Trump, but without success due to the “content policy.” Too bad…

AI: the legal and moral limits of automated creativity

The Ghibli style is protected by copyright. Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli, has himself expressed his rejection of AI-generated art. OpenAI is now navigating between the massive use of its tools and the ethical responsibility of not overstepping artistic boundaries.

As Microsoft prepares to welcome GPT-5 by May 2025, the buzz around the Ghibli style exposes the technical vulnerabilities of OpenAI’s generative AI in the face of global virality. It also raises a fundamental question: how far can we allow AI to explore the collective imagination without cultural or technical disturbances?