One Piece Director SLAMS Ghibli AI Trend

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These days, it’s hard to find an ardent One Piece anime enthusiast who isn’t familiar with Megumi Ishitani’s name. This esteemed director stands out in the realm of anime like no one else, and whatever she touches turns into a work of art, showcasing her exceptional directing skills.

Megumi Ishitani, renowned for directing some unforgettable episodes in the popular series “One Piece”, has made these episodes as memorable as they are today, with episode 1015 often cited by fans as the finest of them all. Lately, she shared her thoughts on the current Studio Ghibli trend circulating on social media, and it seems she isn’t particularly fond of this movement.

Megumi Ishitani Responds To Studio Ghibli AI Trend

Megumi Ishitani Was Not Happy With This Trend

Lately, I’ve been captivated by an exciting phenomenon sweeping social media – the adoration for Studio Ghibli, the legendary Japanese film studio! Known for masterpieces like Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke, these movies are not just iconic in Japanese cinema but have left a lasting impact worldwide. What’s truly fascinating is that this studio’s unique art style, evident across their diverse collection of films, remains instantly recognizable and iconic!

This particular artistic approach, reminiscent of Studio Ghibli’s style, has gained significant traction on social media platforms. However, it seems that not everyone is enamored or finds value in this trend. The novelty lies in the use of AI to produce images mimicking the distinctive Ghibli art style. Numerous individuals, including high-profile celebrities, have jumped on board with this trending phenomenon.

Renowned animator and creator Hayao Miyazaki, a key figure in Studio Ghibli’s massive popularity, has openly voiced his strong disdain for artificial intelligence. In one instance, he made the following statement regarding AI:

This is an insult to life itself — Hayao Miyazaki

Lately, a well-recognized figure within the “One Piece” community, Megumi Ishitani, has expressed her thoughts on a particular topic. On her Twitter feed, Megumi shared posts critical of AI, and she also made similar comments of her own.

“You’ve tarnished Ghibli… I’ll never forgive you…” — Megumi Ishitani

Fans can check out this tweet of hers here:

It’s not surprising that Megumi Ishitani might not have a particular affection for AI, considering her profession revolves around transforming art into animation. Since her work is imbued with her heart and energy, the emotional depth that AI lacks makes it impossible to emulate the same level of passion she brings to her craft.

It’s likely that Megumi Ishitani might find it troubling because some individuals are employing AI while utilizing Studio Ghibli’s artwork without authorization. AI relies on pre-existing art to function, which Studio Ghibli has not granted permission for others to use. This act would undoubtedly disturb her if it were applied to her own work, but unfortunately, it appears that this is happening with Ghibli’s artwork as well.

Where To Watch Megumi Ishitani’s Work?

Available on Crunchyroll

In essence, Megumi Ishitani has only been involved in a few episodes of the sprawling “One Piece” anime series compared to its total output. Yet, each episode she takes charge of turns into a truly memorable journey. Specifically, she directed episodes 957, 982, and 1015 of “One Piece”. She’s also contributed to the show’s openings and recently worked on “One Piece Fan Letter”, an anime special that currently holds the top spot among all time-ranked special episodes. You can catch her works streaming on Crunchyroll.

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2025-04-02 04:34