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If you, like me, grew up enchanted by Studio Ghibli films, you'll go crazy with this new release.

You can turn your own photos into Ghibli-style drawings with the help of artificial intelligence.

When I discovered this, I ran to test it, and today I'm going to tell you about my experience and, of course, teach you how to do it too.

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You know that magical style, full of cute details and a nostalgic vibe that only Ghibli has?

So, you can apply this aesthetic to your selfies, landscape photos or even your pets. And look… the result is BEAUTIFUL! 😍

Where did this idea come from?

I saw a photo on Twitter that looked like a scene from “Spirited Away,” but with a real person in the middle of the image.

At first I thought it was some kind of professional montage, but then I realized it was an AI-made filter.

I started researching and found several tools that exactly mimic the soft and charming strokes of Ghibli studios.

Right away, I uploaded a selfie just to test it out. When I saw the result, I was amazed.

It was literally me in an anime world, with soft colors, bucolic scenery and all that charm that we only see in Miyazaki films.

And the best part? All done in less than 1 minute.

Tools I used (and highly recommend)

1. Studio Ghibli Filter on Playground AI

First of all, this was the first one I tested. Playground AI has several AI models based on art styles, and one of them is precisely Ghibli.

You upload your image, select the style and that's it: AI transforms your photo into art.

Pros:

  • Simple interface;
  • Fast results;
  • Several style options to match.

Cons:

  • In some photos, the face can look a little “strange” if there is too much shadow.

2. Fotor AI – Anime Style

Secondly, although it's not a 100% Ghibli, this one also delivers a very close look, especially if you choose the options with pastel tones and nature background.

So, I used it with a photo of me on the balcony and it looked like a scene from “My Neighbor Totoro”.

3. DeepAI and Artguru AI

Third, these two are great alternatives if you want to test different variations and compare the results.

They are simple, free and of good quality, although they do not have “Ghibli” in the name, you can achieve a very similar look by changing the style options.

How to do it step by step

To make things easier, I'll leave a mini tutorial here based on Playground AI:

1. Choose a good photo

First, choose well-lit photos with a clean background. This could be a portrait, a standing pose, or even a landscape that you like.

2. Access the AI Playground

Go to playgroundai.com and create a free account.

3. Select AI model

Once logged in, go to “Create” and choose the art or anime-based template. Some already have the “Ghibli-inspired” style.

4. Upload the image

Drag your photo or click “Upload”.

5. Adjust the prompt

Here's the trick: write a prompt that helps the AI understand that you want something in the Studio Ghibli style. Example:

“A dreamy portrait in the style of Studio Ghibli, soft colors, nature background, anime aesthetic, magical realism”

6. Generate the image

Click “Generate” and wait a few seconds. The result will appear right there on the screen, ready to download.

Tips to make it look even more like Ghibli

  • Wear simple clothes: Photos with more neutral clothing work best.
  • Add natural scenery: If possible, choose an outdoor photo or one with a tree, flower or green background.
  • Avoid taking photos in very modern places: Ghibli has a more retro and bucolic vibe, so the “simpler” the background, the better.
  • If you want to exaggerate the magic: Add words like “spirit world,” “floating lanterns,” or “forest spirits” to the prompt — it gives it a very Spirited Away feel.

How I'm Using My Ghibli Drawings

Once I made the first image, I couldn't stop.

I transformed several photos of myself, my dog, my mother's house and even my breakfast.

I started using these images as:

  • Featured covers on Instagram stories;
  • Wallpaper on your cell phone;
  • Illustration in blog post;
  • And even avatar on my profiles.

Also, I'm thinking about setting up a mini gallery on Pinterest just with these pieces of art. It's so charming!

It is worth it?

Awesome! Especially if you like art, anime and that dreamy look that only Studio Ghibli has.

And the best part: you don't need to know how to draw, nor do you need to pay a lot for it. Most of these tools have free versions and are super intuitive.

Let's test it?

So, if you want to see your Ghibli version, take a cool photo and run over there to play.

Then, if you want, send me your creation! I'd love to see how it turns out — and I can even help you tweak the prompt if you want an even more magical result.

Tools I recommend:

Finally, transform your photos into art and dive into this enchanting experience. Trust me: it's impossible to do just one!