Studio Ghibli-style AI portraits have taken the internet by storm, and OpenAI is struggling to keep up. In just 48 hours, millions of users have flooded ChatGPT 4o with requests for these beautifully animated sketches, causing the company’s GPUs to overheat—literally.
Sam Altman has now confirmed that the free version of ChatGPT 4o will not support this feature anytime soon, leaving users scrambling for alternatives. While some have relied on their premium-tier friends to generate these artworks, there are other AI tools that can produce similar Ghibli-inspired images without the hefty price tag.
The Best Free AI Tools for Ghibli-Style Portraits
If you don’t want to pay for ChatGPT 4o’s premium plan, there are several free AI tools that can generate Ghibli-style images. Here are some of the best options:
-
Google Gemini – Google's AI model is accessible for free via the Gemini app on mobile and web. You can generate Ghibli-style portraits by providing a detailed text prompt. The platform does have some limitations on free usage, but as long as you're logged in with a Google account, you can experiment without paying.
-
Grok AI – Elon Musk’s AI model, available through the Grok/X app, allows users to create anime-style images. While the tool was initially a premium feature, it is now free for all users. However, there is a limit on the number of images that can be generated per hour, so frequent users may run into restrictions.
-
Leonardo.AI – This third-party AI image generator offers a free tier, making it a great alternative to OpenAI’s tool. After signing up, users can enter a relevant prompt and get Ghibli-style artwork in seconds. While the free plan has some restrictions, it still provides high-quality results.
-
Playground AI – Another third-party AI tool that can generate Ghibli-style artwork. It works with simple text prompts and offers a free usage tier, though with some limitations on daily image generations. The results are quite similar to what OpenAI’s tool produces, making it a solid alternative.
Microsoft’s Copilot and Perplexity AI refuse to participate
While ChatGPT 4o, Gemini, Grok, and Leonardo.AI are leading the charge, not all AI models are playing along.
Microsoft’s Copilot flat-out refused to generate Ghibli-style images, even issuing a code of conduct violation warning. Perplexity AI, meanwhile, took a different approach, directing users to external AI platforms rather than generating the images itself.
The craze for Ghibli-style AI portraits isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a fascinating look at how AI models are pushing creative boundaries while grappling with copyright concerns. OpenAI has clearly trained its model to generate these lifelike anime sketches in seconds, but with that capability comes a hefty computational cost.
For now, ChatGPT 4o’s premium tier remains the most reliable way to create these viral artworks, but with so many free alternatives available, you don’t necessarily have to pay to join the trend.
