#7 Behind the Ghibli-style hype: how to master AI image creation with ChatGPT

Social networks are overflowing with dreamy, cinematic art—here’s how GPT-4o makes it possible, and how you can create your own.

Mar 31, 2025

Thousands of dreamy, Ghibli-style illustrations have taken over Instagram, TikTok, and X—each one more magical than the last. If you’ve wondered why your feed suddenly looks like a Studio Ghibli storyboard, you’re not alone. This wave of stunning visuals isn’t random; it’s powered by a major leap in how ChatGPT understands and creates images. With the launch of GPT-4o, AI-generated art has entered a new era—one where your imagination can turn into frame-worthy images with just the right prompt.

TL;DR: What’s going on and why it matters

In this article, we’ll explore how the latest version of ChatGPT (powered by GPT-4o) has taken a massive leap in generating images—especially when it comes to specific art styles like Studio Ghibli, anime, pixel art, or realism.

We’ll break down:

What makes GPT-4o a true multimodal model (and why that’s a game-changer).
How better visual training helps the AI “get” your art prompts.
Why images now look cleaner, more stylish, and emotionally spot-on.
What makes style consistency (like faces and poses) actually work.
How to write smarter prompts to get the image you want.

Whether you're a hobbyist illustrator, creative storyteller, or just curious about AI art—this update makes it easier (and more fun) to bring your ideas to life.

The image that changed everything

Imagine asking an artist to paint a dreamy sunset scene, inspired by Studio Ghibli. Before, AI might have given you a blurry mash-up that sort of resembled Ghibli—but missed the magic.

Now? You get a soft, cinematic glow, floating flower petals, and a character who looks like they stepped right out of My Neighbor Totoro. Same vibe. Way more skill.

So what happened? In short: GPT-4o happened.

Let’s unpack what’s behind this glow-up—and why your AI art prompts are finally getting the results you imagined.

GPT-4o: One brain to rule them all

The first real multimodal model

Older versions of ChatGPT were like a tag team: text handled here, images generated there. Functional, but clunky.

GPT-4o is different—it thinks in text, images, and audio together.
It’s like the difference between reading a script and watching the movie at the same time vs. flipping between the two.

🎨 Example:
You show it a photo and describe what’s happening. It doesn’t just “see” the objects—it understands the vibe: cozy, tense, magical, nostalgic. That richer understanding means better, more intentional images.

Visual training: now with more artistry

GPT-4o has been trained on way more detailed visual descriptions. That means it’s not just randomly guessing at styles—it knows them.

It recognizes and replicates art styles like anime, pixel art, Studio Ghibli, or oil painting with much more accuracy.

🎨 Analogy:
Before: asking someone who’s vaguely heard of anime to draw “Ghibli style.”
Now: working with someone who’s watched every Ghibli film twice, studied the lighting, the faces, the forest-scapes—and knows the language of the style.

🎯 Example:
Prompt: “Draw a girl in vintage shoujo style with sunset lighting.”
Result: Dreamy pastels, sparkly eyes, soft shadows—basically a manga panel waiting to be printed.

Meet your new illustrator: DALL·E 3, but smarter

GPT-4o uses an improved version of DALL·E 3, and you can see the difference right away.

It nails composition, color palettes, and even the little details that make images feel handcrafted.

🖨️ Analogy:
Before: like printing on a dusty old inkjet—sometimes grainy, sometimes off-center.
Now: a top-tier art printer with a feel for tone, texture, and layout.

📸 Example:
Ask for a fantasy scene with floating castles, glowing lanterns, and golden hour skies?
What you get looks like the cover of an award-winning graphic novel.

Faces, poses, and style consistency

Let’s be honest—AI used to struggle with character consistency. One image, she’s got green eyes. Next image? Suddenly blonde with a different face.

Not anymore.

GPT-4o holds onto style and character identity across scenes, poses, and moods.

👩‍🎨 Analogy:
Before: like asking five different artists to draw the same character.
Now: one reliable portrait artist who can capture your character in every situation.

📷 Example:
You say: “Make her smile and stand in a field of flowers.”
She keeps her face, her outfit, and now radiates warmth that matches the new setting.

The emotional edge: deeper context and storytelling

One of the biggest upgrades? GPT-4o understands narrative and emotional tone when creating images.

🎭 Analogy:
Before: it felt like you were briefing a stranger.
Now: it’s like collaborating with an artist who knows your story and feels your characters.

📖 Example:
You describe a bittersweet scene, then ask for an illustration. The result? A character looking out a train window at twilight, soft tears in her eyes. The colors, lighting, and pose all match the mood.

Branded visuals made easy: AI images with built-in text

One more powerful feature worth mentioning? GPT-4o can now include text directly in images. So if you want a book cover with a title, a poster with a phrase, or even a fantasy map with labeled places, it can do that—with impressive accuracy and style.

✍️ Analogy:
Before: like asking someone to draw a beautiful image, then adding the text yourself in a basic editor.
Now: it’s like working with a designer who knows where and how to place text so it blends with the art.

📌 Example:
Prompt: “A Ghibli-style travel poster with the words ‘Welcome to the Sky Islands’ in whimsical hand-drawn font.”
Result: A dreamy landscape with floating islands, soft clouds, and the perfect lettering tucked into the sky

Want Ghibli-style magic? Here's how to prompt better

1. Start with the style

Be clear and direct:

“in Studio Ghibli style”
“modern anime shonen”
“hand-drawn watercolor”

2. Describe the main character

Details matter:

Age, expression, clothing, pose
Example: “A girl with short red hair, thoughtful expression, wearing a green school uniform.”

3. Set the scene

Give time, place, weather, and setting:

“In a foggy mountain village at dawn, with paper lanterns.”

4. Add the emotion or mood

What should it feel like?

“Nostalgic and peaceful, like a quiet scene from Spirited Away.”

5. Use references or comparisons

Name-drop helpful styles:

“Similar to Princess Mononoke”
“Like a frame from a Makoto Shinkai film”

6. Add copy or text elements

Want your image to include a title, quote, or label? Just say so!

Example: “A fantasy map in Ghibli style with labeled towns and landmarks.”
Example: “A magical book cover with the title ‘Tales from the Sky Islands’ in whimsical lettering.”

This helps the model place text directly into the image—great for marketing visuals, posters, or story-driven art.

🎯 Full prompt example:

“Illustration in Studio Ghibli style showing a young girl with short red hair and a calm expression, wearing a green school uniform. She’s standing in a foggy mountain village at dawn, with paper lanterns glowing around her. The atmosphere is nostalgic and peaceful, like a quiet scene from Spirited Away. Text in the sky reads: ‘Welcome to the Sky Islands’ in hand-drawn lettering”.

BONUS TIPS:

Be specific, but not too overloaded — too many details can confuse the model.

Your turn: bring your imagination to life

The leap from “kind of right” to “wow, that’s exactly it” is a big one—and GPT-4o just made it happen.

So what scene do you want to bring to life?
A magical forest with glowing spirits?
A retro anime cafe on a rainy night?
Your D&D party drawn in 90s pixel art?

Try a prompt using the tips above.
Then come back and share your creation. What worked? What surprised you?

If this article helped you take the next step in your AI journey, share it with a friend or colleague who might find it useful!

This is a picture of me in horse racing, after losing all my money, in different Japanese anime styles. What is your favorite?