A strange intersection of AI technology and nostalgia is prompting memecoin supporters to create, hype, and sell off tokens inspired by Studio Ghibli films, sparked by a new viral trend in AI art over the past day.
This surge follows the launch of OpenAI’s latest 4o model—its most advanced image generation tool, capable of producing artwork guided by user-specific instructions and stylistic frameworks that replicate the unique aesthetic of artists and animators.
The latest online frenzy centers on AI-generated visuals that capture the whimsical, hand-drawn essence of Studio Ghibli classics, as fans rush to share selfies and landscapes that eerily reflect the iconic films My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away.
The hashtag #GhibliAI has quickly amassed millions of interactions on X and Instagram. Meanwhile, crypto investors are seizing the trend to invest in digital currencies.
It’s been just 24 hours since OpenAI made waves in the AI image space with the 4o image generation.
Here are 14 of the most astonishing examples so far (all AI-generated):
1. Studio Ghibli style memespic.twitter.com/E38mBnPnQh
— Barsee 🐶 (@heyBarsee) March 26, 2025
A surge of Ghibli-inspired cryptocurrencies is circulating on Ethereum and Solana blockchains, with “ghiblification” (GHIBLI) emerging as the most significant, boasting a market cap of $21 million as of morning hours in Asia.
Memecoins like these often go viral, drawing bets due to their appeal to the internet culture’s fondness for humor, absurdity, and communal spirit. Their low cost and erratic price movements attract speculators seeking quick profits, which amplifies excitement.
This particular token has achieved nearly $70 million in trading volume within just 24 hours of its launch, spurred by over 250,000 individual trades. The liquidity pool currently holds about $330,000 worth of Solana’s SOL, indicating the maximum that a GHIBLI holder could exchange their assets for, excluding any price declines.
Smaller tokens, like Ghilbi Doge inspired by the iconic doge meme, along with those themed around characters NoFace and Yutaro, have also emerged but haven’t garnered significant interest among traders as of the afternoon in Asia.