GKIDS Fires Back at Studio Ghibli AI Trend

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A trend of AI-inspired by Studio Ghibli has been dominating online platforms, and GKIDS has acknowledged and applauded the impressive success of films like “Princess Mononoke” during its recent re-release. In commemoration of Studio Ghibli’s 40th anniversary for “Princess Mononoke,” GKIDS has introduced a 4K remastered version of the movie in theaters as part of a new re-launch. This freshly restored edition can only be viewed at IMAX, and it highlights the immense dedication and artistic authenticity that went into creating the film when Hayao Miyazaki and his team initially made it years ago.

4K remaster of the movie “Princess Mononoke” debuted in theaters nationwide on IMAX screens, totaling 330 locations. Before the full weekend had even started, it made $1.2 million during its preview night, according to GKIDS. Chance Huskey, the VP of distribution for GKIDs, commented about this success in a statement to Variety, suggesting that audiences are expressing their appreciation for traditional hand-drawn cinema over modern technologies that merely mimic and lessen such artistry. However, he was vague regarding whether or not this was a response to OpenAI’s recent surge in popularity.

GKIDS Celebrates Princess Mononoke’s Success

In a public announcement, Chance Huskey, the VP of distribution for GKIDS, didn’t specifically mention the current trend involving OpenAI, but he did express joy over how Princess Mononoke stands out when compared side by side, stating, “Amidst an era where technology strives to mimic human creativity, we are delighted that audiences appreciate a theatrical presentation that honors and applauds Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli’s masterwork in its original, hand-drawn cinematic splendor.” While the Internet has been abuzz with people using OpenAI to transform their images into replicas of classic Studio Ghibli artworks, these new creations seem to lack much of what makes Studio Ghibli so enduringly popular.

Enthusiasts are posting their imagined “Studio Ghibli” transformations, perhaps unknowingly causing more damage to animation as a whole. However, as Huskey points out, audiences appreciate an authentic cinematic experience that honors and cherishes Studio Ghibli’s heritage. As many fans of these films will attest, it’s not just about adopting a “style”; these are works with clear narratives, utilizing diverse methods to breathe life into their unique stories. Each film is distinct from the others, and despite outward appearances, no two look exactly alike.

Anime & The Rise of A.I.

Over the past few years, I’ve noticed that the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence has stirred up quite a discussion within the anime industry. In fact, the Nippon Anime and Film Culture Association took action by convening creators to address this issue, stating, “We [the NAFCA] foresee challenges in ensuring fair compensation for creators as projects are being developed using generative AI in the future.

Incidentally, should an AI construct a character sporting Doraemon’s head, Gundam’s physique, and Son Goku’s voice, it doesn’t matter if we’re given free reign to utilize it upon payment of certain fees – it’s not something that appeals to us. Even if such a character amasses vast wealth by combining traits from 100 other characters, there’s no equitable system in place for distributing profits and approval among the original creators of those 100 characters.” And while we’re on the topic of finances, there are numerous ongoing discussions about the ethical and artistic implications of this technology as well. (In first-person perspective: “When I encounter an AI-generated character that merges Doraemon’s head, Gundam’s body, and Son Goku’s voice with the expectation of unrestricted use in exchange for fees, it’s a no from me. Even if such a character becomes rich by combining traits from 100 other characters, there’s no fair system established to share profits and acknowledgment with the creators of those original characters. And this is just one aspect; there are numerous ongoing discussions about the moral and artistic ramifications of this technology.”)

HT – Variety

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2025-03-30 01:40