In recent days, a beautiful trend has taken over social media. People are transforming their personal photos into portraits inspired by the Ghibli art style. With just a few clicks, a selfie becomes a dreamy scene that feels like it belongs in a Studio Ghibli film. Peaceful skies. Warm colors. Kind faces. It is no surprise that millions of people are falling in love with this.
But behind the fun of generating Ghibli-style images lies something deeper. A longing. A quiet dream. When people choose to turn themselves into Ghibli characters, they are not just following a trend. What they are really saying is, “I wish I could live in that world.” A world that feels calm, sincere, and full of gentle beauty.
As someone who teaches applied cognitive neuroscience and studies creativity and human behavior, I find this trend both touching and thought-provoking. Ghibli is no longer just a collection of animated films. It has become a symbol of emotion, nostalgia, and imagination. It is a place where many of us wish we belonged.
Still, I must admit that as I observe this moment, I feel a quiet tension too.
The Beauty That Comes From Dedication
Ghibli is not just a visual style. It is the result of decades of hard work, artistic devotion, and quiet persistence. Every frame was drawn with patience. Every scene was painted by hand. The light, the movement of leaves, the softness of a glance, all came from deep artistic sensitivity and a lifetime of commitment. These works were not generated by machines. They were born through soul and effort.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with creating a Ghibli-style portrait for personal joy. I understand the thrill. I smiled when I saw mine too. But when something so precious can be replicated in seconds, with no effort or process behind it, I cannot help but feel a little uneasy.
As an academic, I have learned that creativity never appears out of nowhere. It does not fall from the sky. Creativity is shaped over time. It grows through preferences, lived experiences, silent reflections, and hours of practice. That is what makes it meaningful. That is why it matters.
When something becomes too easy to create, it can lose the very spirit that made it valuable. The effort is what gives it its soul.
Remembering the Spirit Behind the Style
Some may bring up copyright concerns, and those are valid points. But beyond legality, there is something deeper that we should consider. Studio Ghibli is not just admired for its beauty. It is respected for its philosophy. It reminds us to slow down. To live with intention. To notice the little things. When we copy the look but forget the values behind it, something important is lost.
It is a quiet irony. The more we try to make ourselves look like we belong in the Ghibli world, the more we might forget what makes that world feel so special.
Even so, I believe this moment holds creative potential too. Trends do not have to be endings. They can be beginnings. This fascination with the Ghibli style might spark new ideas. It might inspire young artists to tell stories rooted in care and emotion. New visual languages may grow from this, shaped by the same spirit but expressed in different ways.
Creating with Gratitude
I share these thoughts not to criticize, but to reflect. I am someone who deeply believes in joy, imagination, and creative play. But I also believe in remembering where beauty comes from.
If you have created a Ghibli-style portrait of yourself recently, that is wonderful. Enjoy it. Celebrate it. But maybe, just for a moment, pause and think of the artists who gave us this world. Think of the brushstrokes, the sketches, the dreams behind every frame. Whisper a quiet thank you for their dedication.
Because when we create something new, whether with our hands or with technology, we are always building on the soul of what came before.
And that soul deserves our respect.
In the words of Hayao Miyazaki, the legendary heart behind it all,
“I feel like we are nearing to the end of times. We humans are losing faith in ourselves.”
Let us remember that real creativity is not just about generating images.
It is about honoring the effort that gives those images life.
