While the internet is busy generating Studio Ghibli images on ChatGPT using artificial intelligence, one artist decided to ditch the trend and go back to basics. Instead of simply asking for an AI-generated image, he attempted to create a Ghibli art by himself.
Identified as Kunal Chopra, a Freelance concept artist based in Malaysia, posted his artwork on social media alongside his reference portrait. Using his pencil and artistic skills, he sketched himself in the now-viral style.
In an era where artificial intelligence is winning the hearts of internet users, especially with its recent Ghibli-style image trend, Kunal pulled out his pencil to draw. Chopra, a digital artist with a knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and its elements, shared his recent work on X. He posted the hand-drawn self-portrait in the trending Studio Ghibli style.
His tweet has since gone viral, amassing over 684.5K views within hours.
Take a look at the visuals below
Took me about 2 hours to study & draw myself in the Studio Ghibli art style because I wanted to show how easy it is to learn
Is it perfect? Nope! But I did it, and I’m proud of that!
Pick up a pencil & learn to draw. It’s not that hard. It’s so much more satisfying & fun pic.twitter.com/HyA3fWvraa
— Kunal (‼️NEW ACCOUNT‼️) (@get2dachopra) March 29, 2025
I’m hoping it’s just based off the art and not my actual face in the background but still jfc pic.twitter.com/Jo4jsX5tba
— Kunal (‼️NEW ACCOUNT‼️) (@get2dachopra) March 30, 2025
From ChatGPT to Photoshop
The artist who used his ‘pencil’, a touchscreen stylus, revealed that he initially generated a Ghibli art via AI, followed by creating it on Photoshop all by himself. In his X post, he mentioned that it took him approximately two hours to study and replicate ChatGPT-created Ghibli image on the virtual canvas.
He posted a side-by-side comparison featuring his real-life mirror selfie and the digital drawing, showcasing his transformation into an anime-like character. In another post, he also uploaded the output designed by the AI studio.
“Is it perfect? Nope! But I did it, and I’m proud of that!” Kunal wrote in his post, encouraging others to embrace drawing as an enjoyable and fulfilling skill.
Netizens react
“Pick up a pencil & learn to draw. It’s not that hard. It’s so much more satisfying & fun,” he added, sparking discussions about the value of traditional and digital hand-drawn artwork in the era of AI advancements.
AI does it faster https://t.co/FgaIV9rjuB
— ⒶND (@And_is_the) March 30, 2025
Ableism towards ai artists wont negate the fact what took you two hours took me two seconds https://t.co/RRCivjE412 pic.twitter.com/5TRZNNZjoN
— NORME ai artist (comms open) ✍️❤️ (@NormeNorme) March 30, 2025
This is real talent! https://t.co/2n6ZLCb2yJ
— Aeri (@ForeverAeri) March 30, 2025
THIS is art. Great job, Kunal https://t.co/s3pUeFNkb4
— Moaz (@moazikhlas) March 30, 2025
Might not be perfect but better than AI art. Real art can’t be compared https://t.co/NLEUbTLgeC
— S. Michael Das (@Michael_D_Best1) March 29, 2025
“Not everyone can draw” Yes everyone can draw if they want. No one can have talent without practice. Pick up ur pencil https://t.co/CrYjfqcBXy
— mel (@mell_xo15) March 30, 2025
THIS!! WE LOVE THIS!!!! WE LOVE HIM FOR THIS!!!! THIS ART IS FIRE!!!!! I’M SO PROUD!!!!! https://t.co/77M43NvAOm
— Asamichii Art (@asamichiiart) March 30, 2025
Kunal’s posts received mixed reactions.
People praised his artwork and called him the “Real artist”, but they also acknowledged the power and swiftness of AI noting the human artist took hours together to create something what artificial intelligence could generate in seconds.
