Studio Ghibli’s “Princess Mononoke” box office re-success comes as OpenAI mimics its iconic style

Studio Ghibli‘s “Princess Mononoke” 4K re-release is making waves at the box office while the animation studio indirectly responds to AI controversies. The 1997 classic generated $1.2 million in preview showings across 330 IMAX screens, with Gkids’ statement emphasizing the value of hand-drawn animation just as OpenAI‘s latest image generator sparked controversy for mimicking Ghibli’s distinctive style. This timing highlights the ongoing tension between traditional animation craftsmanship and emerging AI technologies that attempt to replicate established artistic styles.

The timing speaks volumes: Gkids’ statement about “Princess Mononoke” appears to indirectly address the controversy surrounding OpenAI’s new image generator.

• Chance Huskey, VP of distribution for Gkids, noted: “In a time when technology tries to replicate humanity, we are thrilled that audiences value a theatrical experience that respects and celebrates Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli’s masterpiece in all its cinematic hand-drawn glory.”
• The statement came just one day after OpenAI launched image generation technology that quickly went viral for its ability to mimic Studio Ghibli’s distinctive animation style.

Miyazaki’s stance is unambiguous: Studio Ghibli’s co-founder has previously expressed strong opposition to AI-generated animation.

• In a 2016 meeting where he was shown an AI animation demo, Miyazaki stated: “I am utterly disgusted. If you really want to make creepy stuff you can go ahead and do it. I would never wish to incorporate this technology into my work at all.”
• He further emphasized: “I strongly feel that this is an insult to life itself.”

Behind the artistry: Studio Ghibli’s animation process involves intensive human craftsmanship and personal oversight.

• Akihiko Yamashita, supervising animator on “Howl’s Moving Castle,” explained that Miyazaki personally draws layouts and storyboards, often redoing animators’ work if it doesn’t meet his standards.
• Yamashita noted the immense volume of hand-drawn work: “I really have no idea how many pages of drawings there were or how many cels we drew. I just know that we worked a huge amount and we drew a huge amount.”

The bigger picture: The controversy reflects broader concerns about AI’s impact on creative industries.

• Many animation professionals and creatives have spoken out against the notion of replacing time-intensive animation art with automated technologies.
• Hollywood actors and other creative professionals have expressed concerns about AI companies attempting to “weaken or eliminate” copyright protections when training their systems.