Unable to Use ChatGPT Plus to Make Ghibli Images? Try These Free Alternatives
If, for any reason, your ChatGPT isn’t working, and the worst part about it is missing out on its newer and improved DALL·E features, don’t worry. There’s a trending feature going around where people are turning their photos into Studio Ghibli-style art. And even if you can’t access it directly through ChatGPT, don’t feel bummed out — there are still other ways to create Ghibli-inspired images.
1. What Makes Ghibli Art So Unique?
Ghibli movies and shows have a knack for delivering a far more immersive, dream-like experience compared to your typical anime. While anime has its own undeniable charm with its bold outfit choices, expressive hairstyles, and distinct animation styles, Ghibli stands in a league of its own. It’s not just the softness, the enigmatic characters, or the ethereal, almost otherworldly visuals that set it apart. The storytelling itself plays a huge role in defining Ghibli’s genre. Silent scenes carry massive emotional weight, and the slow, richly detailed magical atmosphere pulls you in completely—and that’s the beauty of Ghibli. Studio Ghibli has gifted us some of the most imaginative experiences in animation, and now, you can experience the beauty of Ghibli, reimagined just for you.
2. Free Alternatives for Creating Ghibli-Style Images
You’ve probably seen the Ghibli trend that’s blowing up on TikTok and Instagram—everyone’s hopping on it! All you do is upload your picture to ChatGPT and follow it up with a simple prompt like “Turn this into a Ghibli Studio-style image”, and in just a short time, it does exactly that.
Thanks to DALL·E Advanced (now integrated directly into ChatGPT), people can create rich, visually detailed Ghibli-style versions of themselves. The best part is that it’s really easy to use and since most people are already using ChatGPT already, jumping on the trend feels natural and effortless.
The only catch is that you’ll need access to GPT-4 Turbo, which comes with ChatGPT Plus (the $20/month version). There’s a dynamic cap which is usually around 40–50 messages every 3 hours, and it resets automatically. If you hit the limit, just wait it out or upgrade.
But the good part is that even if you’re not on Pro, you still have a chance to get your Ghibli-style portrait for free. Some alternative tools and platforms also offer similar Studio Ghibli filter without the subscription. Below are a few that can help you try the trend without spending a dime.
a. BeautyPlus
BeautyPlus is both an online tool and a mobile application available on Android and iOS devices, so there’s really no excuse not to benefit from its extremely optimized and advanced features. One of its standout tools is the photo-to-anime converter, which has been available for quite some time and is easily accessible on the web version.
Unlike many other platforms that claim to have photo-to-anime converters—but only offer one generic anime style—BeautyPlus provides several anime versions to choose from. Among them are filters like photo to pencil sketch and Ghibli-style converter, which transforms your image into a Studio Ghibli-inspired look with just one click. The results are as whimsical and magical as you’d expect from something inspired by Ghibli.
- Offers a dedicated Ghibli-style anime converter
- Multiple anime styles available including Ghibli
- One-click image transformation
- Higher accuracy in facial detail preservation
- Ghibli effect can be applied directly from the web version
- Also supports portrait beautification alongside Studio Ghibli filter
Studio Ghibli Filter
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Photo to Pencil Sketch
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b. Remaker AI
Remaker AI is another AI-powered tool that focuses on smart, automatic photo editing. Whether you’re going for a light retouch or a full transformation, the tool ensures high-quality results.
As for the Ghibli filter, it detects the person in the image upon upload and converts them into a more anime-inspired version. It features an “anime strength” slider, which you can adjust—higher levels result in a more distinctly anime appearance.
That said, while it markets itself with Ghibli-inspired branding, the output tends to lean more toward general anime styles rather than capturing the unique softness and storytelling aesthetic of Studio Ghibli.
- Promotes an anime-style filter with a Ghibli tag
- Detects face and auto-converts to an animated version
- Includes an adjustable “anime strength” slider
- Leans more toward generic anime style than true Ghibli
- Simple upload and generate process with quick output
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c. Fotor
Fotor comes with not just one, but two Ghibli filters. Right off the bat, the first filter stands out—it does a much better job of preserving photo details and capturing facial expressions. The second one offers a lighter transformation, almost like a watercolor version.
While Fotor’s Ghibli filters don’t produce highly realistic anime art, they do a good job mimicking the clothing style and character outlines typical of Studio Ghibli. The overall aesthetic is charming and upload-worthy, especially for social media. And although it occasionally misinterprets background objects—as most AI tools do—it performs more consistently than many of its competitors.
- Includes two Ghibli-inspired filters
- The first filter captures detailed facial features better
- The second filter offers a lighter, sketch-like effect
- Applies stylized outlines to clothing and background
- Mimics Ghibli aesthetics with soft colors and dreamy themes
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Bottom Line
Transforming your personal photos into Ghibli-style art isn’t just cute. It’s iconic. Be it that you’re capturing heartfelt moments with friends and family or just feeling whimsical, turning those snapshots into dreamy visuals adds a whole new level of charm. It’s not only a wholesome way to preserve memories, but also a clever move if you’re aiming for a display picture that says mysterious main character energy—all while still keeping just enough of you in the frame.