Have you ever imagined what it would be like to live in a Studio Ghibli film? Me too.
And it turns out that now it's possible to get an idea of that in a super simple way.
Today, with the help of artificial intelligence, you can transform your photos into true Ghibli-style works of art.
The first time I did it, I swear: I felt like I was in “Howl’s Moving Castle.”
The result was so magical, so different from anything I had seen before, that I immediately wanted to show it to everyone.
That's why I decided to write this text, to show you how you too can live this enchanting experience.
Why Ghibli is so special (and why it matters)
Before we get into the step-by-step process, let me tell you something: what made me fall in love with this trend wasn't just the pretty results.
It was a feeling of nostalgia. Anyone who's seen a Studio Ghibli film knows what I'm talking about.
That mix of stunning landscapes, delicate details, and charismatic characters that make you want to live in that universe.
And the best part? All of this with just a few clicks.
What you'll need
To enter this world, you need nothing more than:
- A photo of yourself (preferably well lit and with good resolution);
- A little free time to try and have fun;
- And access to some AI tool that generates Ghibli-style images.
You don't need to know how to draw or understand editing. Artificial intelligence does almost everything for you. You just have to take the first step.
The tools I used and loved
Leonardo.Ai
This was one of the first ones I tried. It has a model called “Ghibli Dreamscape” that, honestly, is mind-blowing.
The color palette, soft strokes, and backgrounds almost always filled with nature give it that “Totoro is about to arrive” vibe.
Artguru
It has a super easy-to-use interface and some styles that are very close to the aesthetics of Ghibli Studios.
Although there is no official filter by that name, you can achieve the desired look by typing certain words into the prompt.
Playground AI
Ideal if you want a little more creative control. You can type what you want in the prompt and choose the AI model that best suits your needs.
Step by step: how to transform your photo
Now let's get to the important part: how to do it quickly and easily.
I'm going to show you the process based on Leonardo.Ai, but it's very similar on other platforms as well.
- Choose a good photo
The clearer, the better. If you can, choose one where you're smiling or in a pose that matches the calmness of Ghibli films. - Access the tool site
In the case of Leonardo.Ai, you just need to log in and create an account (it's free!). You can also use Artguru, DeepAI, or Playground AI if you want more options. - Write a creative prompt
Here's the secret: the more detailed your request, the more beautiful the result will be. Example prompt:
“A soft Studio Ghibli style portrait of a young person in a peaceful village, surrounded by trees and flowers, anime aesthetic, magical atmosphere” - Generate the image
Just click "Generate" and wait. In just a few seconds, you'll have your Ghibli-style version ready.
Extra tips to make your art even more beautiful
• If possible, use an image from a natural setting. This helps the AI create a typical movie setting.
• Try different prompt variations. Add elements like “forest,” “lanterns,” “floating spirits,” or “cozy village.”
• Combine it with simple editors like Canva, if you want to create a poster or image for social media.
What did I do with my images?
After creating a few Ghibli-style versions of myself, I began using those images in various ways. I did:
- A new profile picture for my networks;
- A wallpaper for your cell phone and computer;
- A personalized cover for WhatsApp (yes, it turned out really cute!);
- And I even printed one to put on my inspirational wall.
But the most fun part was showing it to people. They were all curious and wanted to know how I did it. And of course, I showed them the way—just like I'm showing you now.
It can be done with other people and even pets!
Oh, and it doesn't have to be just a picture of you. It can be with friends or even your mom.
It looks amazing! It's a unique and creative gift for someone who loves this style.
Anyway… jump into this experience!
Transforming your photos into Studio Ghibli style is much more than just applying a pretty filter.
It's like entering a fantasy world, reliving that wonderful feeling from the movies, and keeping a little piece of it with you.
So, if you love that universe as much as I do, take a picture of yourself right now, choose one of the tools, and immerse yourself in this magical experience.
You'll be surprised by the result, and you'll surely want to make many versions.
Then tell me how it turned out, okay?
Oh, and those apps I mentioned are available for both Android as for iOS.