Ghibli Trend Dilemma:- The last few days on social media have been flooded with the Ghiblified images

The last few days on social media have been flooded with the Ghiblified images created using Open AI's GPT-4o model.

The last few days on social media have seen an influx of images being Ghiblified using Open AI’s GPT-4o model.

The 1985-founded Japanese animation studio of Hayao Miyazaki is beautifully transitioning users’ normal images into Ghibli films’ aesthetics and art styles in a matter of few minutes. However, this new trend has raised certain questions on the future of the creative art. It is being exploited freely with the accelerating trend, without any IP restrictions. There are many users who are questioning and expresssing their frustration at this growing trend and exploitation, with some calling it “depressing.”

Perhaps coming as a saviour in the miserably growing trend, the SBI Group-backed gaming-focused Oasys Blockchain has today announced its strategic partnership with AnimeChain. The partnership aims to develop blockchain solutions for intellectual property (IP) protection of anime content in the AI era, particularly against AI-generated content that mimics existing art styles—such as the Ghibli Trend.

Though not announcing any direct connection with the Ghibli trend, the timing for the arrival of partnership couldn’t be more suitable.

Notably, this trend has also generated a memecoins frezy in the market with the GHIBLI anime themed Doge surging 4% and the GHIBLI token reaching a market cap of c. $28.3 million within a day. There was notable surge witnessed in other Solana memecoins too.

It's profoundly depressing seeing all the Studio Ghibli-styled AI output tacitly being used to promote OpenAI's latest product. Miyazaki famously called AI-produced art "an insult to life itself"—and this in turn is an insult to one of our greatest-ever animators and artists.

Can the partnership provide protection in times of Ghibli Trend

The partnership will strategically work to address the challenges posed by AI-generated content, such as the “Ghibli trend,” by enhancing intellectual property (IP) protection mechanisms.

In order to ensure the transparency and legitimacy of the generative AI, Japan-based AnimeChain aims to record the development process of anime using AI on the blockchain. The decentralised approach will provides creators with more control over how their content is used in AI-generated works.

Further, Anime Chain in its white paper has highlighted its goal is “to create an environment where quality content can be produced more swiftly, even with limited personnel”. It aims to provide blockchain and AI-powered solutions for the fast production of anime content. This is to prevent potential industry stagnation due to labor shortages in Japan and growing exploitations of creators and artists at the hand of AI.

The partnership besides working for streamlining the anime production process, will enable creators to register, track, and authenticate their works on the blockchain. This will help in preventing the unauthorized AI-generated replicas by ensuring verifiable ownership.

It will leverage Oasys’ smart contracts for automated licensing with which creators can set conditions for how their work can be used. Further, automated licensing agreements can help in ensuring fair use and compensation for original creators.

"With AI revolutionizing creative production, IP protection has never been more important," stated Oasys. "This is why we're partnering with AnimeChain to explore blockchain-powered copyright solutions."

Oasys & @anime_chain: Protecting IPs in the AI Era!https://t.co/CdLeIHY1k2

— Oasys Blockchain (@oasyschain) March 28, 2025

How will Oasys help

Oasys provides a high-performance blockchain infrastructure with fast transaction speeds and low latency. This makes it ideal for managing large-scale IP registrations which the AnimeChain is aiming to record.

Moreover, Oasys is backed by prominent gaming and blockchain companies, including SEGA, Ubisoft, and Yield Guild Games, who serve as initial validators for the platform. They also bring experience for the partnership in working with already IP-focused industries. This will provide a robust and secure network for the partnership’s aim while fostering innovation within the industry.

Embracing Creativity with Artistic Integrity

With blockchain and AI both evolving rapidly, the Oasys-AnimeChain partnership could set a new industry standard for IP security and monetization in digital content.

As AI-generated anime gains popularity — exemplified by Ghibli Trend — protecting original creators has never been more crucial.

Miyazaki spent his entire life building one of the most expansive and imaginative bodies of work, all so you could rip it off and use it as a filter for your vacation photos.

Not into this one bit. Protect artists.

— Robbie Shilstone (@shilstone_arts) March 26, 2025

More such efforts must be made in the line to ensure that anime artists and studios can look forward to a more secure, fair, and innovative future in the unprecedented digital era.