Anime fans are most likely aware of the huge controversy surrounding AI and Studio Ghibli that has dominated social media and news in the past week or so, and it seems aOne Piecedirector is unhappy with the situation as well. She is one of many fans incensed by the situation, and one of those who are most frustrated by the controversy based on her new comments.

Megumi Ishitani, is theOne Piecedirectorbehind some of the best episodes in recent memory such asFan Letterand episode #1015. She recently shared on her X (formerly Twitter) account that she couldn’t stand to see what was happening to the most famous anime studio in the world.

My Neighbor Totoro Spirited Away Howl’s Moving Castle custom cover image by Lauren Kells

I want legal action to be taken… I can’t stand seeing Ghibli treated so cheaply.

The big shock, however, is Ishitani stating thatshe hopes that legal action will be taken against those responsible. No doubt her comments went viral, with close to 1000 likes and 128 reposts, as she is one of the biggest names in the anime industry to weigh in on the matter.

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Ishitani Goes Viral For Her Stand Against AI

For those unfamiliar with the Studio Ghibli controversy, the issue started when auser asked ChatGPT to reproduce images in the Ghibli style, and shared them online. This started a fierce wave of thousands doing the same, with even government agencies and celebrities participating in the trend. This revived the heated conversation about the role of AI in creative spaces, specifically about and how generative AI could threaten the livelihood of many while commercializing and mass-producing art without meaning behind it.

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Comments from Hayao Miyazaki himself about such technologyre-emerged, where he he expressed a deep mistrust at the prospect of using such things in art, wondering if humanity had lost faith in itself. GKids, the official distributors of Ghibli movies in Western territories, also made a comment that celebrated human-created art in the face of AI, in their promotion for the re-run ofPrincess Mononokein theaters.Princess Mononoke’srerelease did amazing, and went on to sell millions.

The Studio Has Not Taken To The Law

Studio Ghibli itself has yet to acknowledge the situation, as well as send out cease-and-desist letters or lawsuits. The closest it did was whenGhibli denied it sent a letter sent to a user participating in the trend, saying"There have in fact been no warnings issued."

While Ishitani’s wishes for legal action might not come to fruition, it is very refreshing to know that some of the industry’s most famous are taking a stand against AI. Ishitani certainly speaks for many fans ofStudio Ghibliwhen she airs her frustration at the recent AI art trend.