Legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki has long been an outspoken critic of war, technology’s unchecked power, and the use of artificial intelligence in creative work. Unfortunately, his deeply anti-war philosophy is now being undermined by AI-generated imagery that repurposes the distinct Studio Ghibli art style for pro-military propaganda by Israeli soldiers. Read more inside.
AI-Generated Ghibli Imagery Misused
According to a post from AJ Plus, Israeli soldiers and their supporters have used AI tools to create Studio Ghibli-style images of soldiers, positioning them within the soft, dreamlike aesthetic made famous by films like My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, and Princess Mononoke. The move directly contradicts Miyazaki’s core beliefs and the foundational themes of his work, which often critique militarism and advocate for peace.
As the co-founder of Studio Ghibli, Miyazaki has spent decades crafting stories that challenge war and its devastating consequences. His 1997 masterpiece Princess Mononoke highlights the destruction caused by human greed and conflict, while The Wind Rises (2013) tells the story of an aeronautical engineer grappling with the moral weight of designing warplanes. Miyazaki even boycotted the 2003 Academy Awards in protest of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, refusing to attend the ceremony where Spirited Away won Best Animated Feature.
Miyazaki’s Hatred for AI in Art
Beyond his anti-war stance, Miyazaki has made it clear that he despises AI-generated art. In a now-famous 2016 documentary clip, he watched an AI-generated animation and called it an “insult to life itself,” rejecting the idea that computers could replace human creativity. His vision of animation is deeply personal, rooted in traditional hand-drawn techniques and storytelling that captures the soul of human experience.
Despite his strong stance, AI image generators now allow users to mimic Ghibli’s iconic hand-drawn aesthetic in seconds. This misuse of his style to craft pro-military messaging not only distorts his work but also fuels a larger conversation about how AI is weaponized to reshape narratives, especially in times of war.
The Danger of AI in Propaganda
The use of AI-generated Ghibli-style imagery by Israeli soldiers comes as Israel faces accusations of genocide in Gaza, with at least 50,000 Palestinians reported killed. AI technology has been increasingly used to distort reality, manipulate public perception, and cleanse the horrors of war.
For fans of Miyazaki, the co-opting of his artistic legacy for militaristic purposes is a disgusting misrepresentation of everything his films stand for: peace, humanity, and resistance against war-driven destruction.
Tsk, tsk, tsk.
