How to Create Ghibli-Style Photos with Neural Networks

Studio Ghibli gave the world a unique aesthetic: soft lines, warm colors, and soulful characters. Now anyone can touch this style by turning their photos or drawings into works of art with neural networks. Social media is seeing a trend for generating photos in the style of Ghibli and Miyazaki. In this article, we’ll explain how to join the trend and get your own avatar in the style of your favorite anime.

Choosing a neural network for stylization

A dedicated Ghibli neural network for processing photos in an anime style does not yet exist. You can edit photos and images using other chatbots and generative models.

Not all algorithms capture the Ghibli aesthetic equally well, but several free solutions handle this task:

ChatGPT – the best option: simply upload a photo to the chat and ask it to render it in the Ghibli style.

Grok – works the same way as ChatGPT, but creates two images to choose from based on a single photo.

Artbreeder – lets you mix styles and adjust parameters manually.

NightCafe – uses Stable Diffusion with preset styles.

Deep Dream Generator – supports fine-tuning of effects.

Stable Diffusion Web (via Google Colab) – the most flexible option for advanced users.

For beginners, NightCafe or Artbreeder is a good fit, since they don’t require an understanding of complex settings.

Optimal prompts for neural networks

If you work with text-based generators (for example, Stable Diffusion), it is important to write the prompt correctly. Examples of effective prompts:

“Ghibli-style portrait, soft watercolor lighting, dreamy background, detailed expressive eyes, Studio Ghibli aesthetic”.

“Anime portrait, Miyazaki art style, pastel colors, whimsical atmosphere”.

Adding clarifications like “no harsh lines, muted palette” will help avoid excessive contrast.

Preparing the source image

Neural networks process clear photos with easily distinguishable facial features better. Recommendations:

Use portraits with a neutral background.

Avoid complex angles and shadows.

For drawings: the outlines should be clear, but not rough.

Some services (for example, Img2Img in Stable Diffusion) allow you to upload sketches and refine them in the Ghibli style.

Refining the results

Even the best neural networks sometimes produce artifacts. You can improve the result with:

Retouching in Photoshop/GIMP – softening the background and correcting color.

Filters (for example, Gaussian Blur to give a “watercolor” feel).

Texture overlays – light grain will add the analog warmth characteristic of Ghibli anime.

ChatGPT did the best job of turning a photo into a Ghibli-style image. The chatbot from OpenAI was able to reproduce Hayao Miyazaki’s style as closely as possible.

Grok handled the task slightly worse. But unlike its competitors, Elon Musk’s chatbot is the only one that creates two Ghibli-style processing options from a single photo at once.

Alternatives: neural networks with ready-made styles

If you don’t have time to experiment, try specialized models:

Ghibli Diffusion (for Stable Diffusion) – trained specifically on frames from Studio Ghibli films.

AI Ghibli Art Generator (in some online galleries) – instantly applies stylization.

Creating Ghibli-style portraits with neural networks is an engaging process that is accessible even without drawing skills. The key is to choose the right tool, formulate the prompt, and refine the result a little. Try different services and find the Ghibli neural network that best turns a photo into an anime-style image and conveys the magic of your favorite animation.