Studio Ghibli: Israel’s ‘hijacking’ of iconic art style ‘sugarcoats its genocide’, say critics

In recent days, social media has become flooded with AI-generated images imitating the style of legendary Japanese filmmaker, Hayao Miyazaki.

Known as the "Ghibli Trend" - named after Studio Ghibli, of which Miyazaki is a co-creator, social media users are recreating historical events, movie scenes, and personal photos in the disctinctive and dreamy style of the acclaimed animation giant.

Government administrations and personnel have joined the trend as well, sparking controversy online.

On 30 March, the official Israeli army account on X, formerly Twitter, posted four AI-generated images depicting infantry soldiers standing with their weapons at an army post, a sailor manning naval anti-aircraft guns, soldiers in an F-15, and a naval corvette, all in the Ghibli style.

Read more: Some replied with AI-rendered images of the Israeli army targeting Palestinian children in the same style