The evolution of ChatGPT's capabilities has ushered in a new era of AI-generated art, sparking both excitement and concern. While these advancements showcase the power of generative tools, but it has also highlighted how the Japanese copyright framework has screwed over some of its most beloved artists in the name of AI.

AI’s attempt to imitate Miyazaki’s legacy

Hayao Miyazaki, the legendary co-founder of Studio Ghibli, has recently become a focal point in discussions surrounding AI-generated art.

Social media platforms are flooded with images claiming to replicate Miyazaki's unique style. Even OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has joined the conversation, changing his X avatar to reflect this trend.

But just as there are a huge chunk of netizens who are praising the new AI art as uncanny to the original and a pure beauty, there are also others on the other end of the spectrum who are claiming that these AI-generated works often fall short of truly capturing Miyazaki's artistry.

Critics are highlighting that while these AI arts might superficially resemble Studio Ghibli’s aesthetic, but you would be able to find some glaring inconsistency upon closer inspection. Some of the differences includes how the characters from the AI art lack meaningful eye contact, how the intricate details in textures like wood or stone are missing, and most importantly, the emotional depth that defines Miyazaki’s creations is absent.

Generative images often has the ability to make something that is hard to understand concrete and visible, but they also expose risks inherent in relying on machines for creative expression.

A recent YouTube video reimagining Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings in Miyazaki’s style exemplifies these shortcomings. While Studio Ghibli films like The Boy and the Heron feature meticulously crafted facial expressions and nuanced details, but it is still evident that the AI-generated images often lack the life and zest compared to the characters drawn by a human artist.

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This trend raises concerns about the diminishing appreciation for authentic artistry. Viewing knockoffs without recognizing their lack of depth deprives audiences of fully experiencing the beauty of original works.

How Japanese copyright laws have allowed AI to steal Ghibli's work

While the ability to mimic any style with just a few prompts is what makes generative AI so powerful, but this exact action is also at the heart of the growing controversy. Many artists find it unsettling that their distinct craft and style that they have used so much time to slowly hone and master could be recreated just like that with a simple prompt.

While the Ghibli artist has yet to publicly respond to the trend, but he has previously shown his disdain for AI art. In the short interview, he had called AI art utterly disgusting while stating that he would never wish to incorporate this technology into his work.

This also brings us to how the Japanese law has failed great maestro like Hayao Miyazaki. The Japanese copyright framework dictates that copyrighted works could be used without permission for AI training purposes.

This loophole also means that as long as the AI isn't enjoying the works its ingesting, it's perfectly fine to feed it the entire corpus of an artist's life work without consent or compensation. This means that as long as the AI doesn't create a photo of yourself standing beside Totoro, or recreating scenes from Spritied Away, its all okay.

This isn’t just bad policy—it’s spectacular cognitive dissonance from a nation that has built significant cultural capital and soft power through its artistic exports. Japan, home to anime, manga, and some of the world’s most distinctive visual storytellers, has essentially told its creative class: “Your work is valuable enough to protect from human copycats, but feel free to let the machines have at it.”

Treating AI as a tool, not a solution

To harness AI responsibly, it must be treated as a powerful tool rather than an infallible solution. History is rife with examples of misplaced trust in technology—from flawed software convicting innocent workers to rigid algorithms misguiding judicial decisions.

The rise of AI underscores an enduring truth: knowledge and understanding remain paramount. Whether appreciating the intricacies of an animated masterpiece or critically evaluating an AI-generated proposal, deeper engagement is essential to avoid pitfalls and maximize benefits.