Ghibli Co-Founder Toshio Suzuki Addresses 'Ghibli-Style' AI Images for 1st Time

The Asahi Shimbun newspaper posted an interview about AI and other topics with Studio Ghibli co-founder and producer Toshio Suzuki on Sunday. Asahi asked Suzuki about his thoughts on generative AI, "Ghibli-style" AI images, artistic expression, and whether studio co-founder Hayao Miyazaki will make another feature film.

Suzuki noted the animation studio had received many press inquiries about the trend of "Ghibli-style" AI images, but declined to provide a response to any of them until now. The producer explained he thought people would get bored of those images, and added, "As expected, they did." Suzuki said that generative AI can produce certain types of animation, but those with some know-how of animation can discern if the imagery is generative AI or not.

When asked if AI can mimic a Studio Ghibli work, Suzuki flatly stated, “No.” The producer elaborated that he frankly thought AI could do more artistically. He pointed to My Neighbor Totoro 's title character as an example, saying when Miyazaki draws someone pressing To toro's stomach, he makes sure there's a depression. Suzuki said that action may seem simple, but CGI and AI cannot replicate it.

Suzuki also said Miyazaki does not know that generative AI exists at all. Earlier in the interview, Suzuki had noted the legendary animator had shut himself from news and information while working on the 2023 Academy Award-winning film The Boy and the Heron . During that time, Miyazaki did not use his smartphone, read the newspaper, or watch TV, and he even stopped socializing. Suzuki observed that AI is essentially the gathering of information, but Miyazaki's modus operandi is the very opposite of that.

When asked if Miyazaki will make another feature film, Suzuki candidly observed Miyazaki does have the desire to make more — but whether he (and his body) can make more is a different question. Despite this, Suzuki noted Miyazaki still has several unusual conceptual ideas, such as the Panorama Box exhibition at the Ghibli Park.

Suzuki is a co-founder and long-time producer at Studio Ghibl. He was initially credited as a production committee member, planner, and assistant producer on the studio's early films from Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind to Kiki's Delivery Service . Suzuki formally served as a producer for Only Yesterday , Porco Rosso , Pom Poko , Whisper of the Heart , Princess Mononoke , My Neighbors the Yamadas , Spirited Away , The Cat Returns , Howl's Moving Castle , Tales from Earthsea , Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea , Arrietty , From Up On Poppy Hill , The Wind Rises , Earwig and the Witch , and The Boy and the Heron .

In 2023, Suzuki replaced Koji Hoshino as Studio Ghibli 's president for his second term in the position. Nippon Television Holdings' Hiroyuki Fukuda took over presidential duties later that year, and Kenichi Yoda assumed the role this past June.

Sources: Asahi Shimbun ( link 2 ) via Hachima Kikō