Studio Ghibli-inspired AI images have taken over Indian politics, with top leaders sharing animated versions of themselves online—from Modi to Ajit Pawar.
March 29, 2025: Swapping their usual serious personas for whimsical charm, Indian politicians have jumped aboard the viral Ghibli trend, sharing AI-generated avatars styled after the beloved Japanese animation house Studio Ghibli.
The internet’s latest creative wave—powered by OpenAI’s updated image generator on ChatGPT-4o—has now reached the political corridors of India. From Prime Minister Narendra Modi to opposition leaders like Shashi Tharoor and Maharashtra’s Ajit Pawar, many public figures are being “Spirited Away” into anime-style makeovers.
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Modi, Shah, and the BJP’s Anime Play
Leading the pack, MyGov India shared a carousel of 15 Ghibli-style illustrations of PM Modi on Instagram, captioned:
“Main character? No. He’s the whole storyline. Swipe through New India in Studio Ghibli strokes.”
The AI-generated images showed the PM in various settings—holding the Indian flag, meeting former US President Donald Trump, speaking on national issues, and bowing at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
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Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) posted a Ghibli-style portrait of Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament, with the caption:
“PoK is ours, and we will take it back.”
PoK हमारा है और हम इसे लेकर रहेंगे… #Ghibli pic.twitter.com/XFbsKyzLUM
— BJP (@BJP4India) March 29, 2025
Tharoor Spirited Away
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also embraced the trend, sharing his anime-style avatar with trademark wit:
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“I’ve been assimilated into the Ghibli trend! Didn’t even know what Ghibli was till now, but consider me officially Spirited Away by this newfound revelation!”
I’ve been assimilated into the Ghibli trend! These are pics sent by my supporters and well-wishers. Didn’t even know what Ghibli was till now, but consider me officially Spirited Away by this newfound revelation! pic.twitter.com/teoIhC1p69
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) March 28, 2025
He added that fans and supporters had sent him the images.
Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar Join In
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis shared a stylized photo with PM Modi, commenting:
“That’s my Ghibli-style entry. Technology just doesn’t stop surprising us pleasantly!”
That’s my #ghibli style entry 😀
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) March 27, 2025
Technology just doesn’t stop surprising us pleasantly ! @narendramodi @fadnavis_amruta pic.twitter.com/r2vTqj61vO
Deputy CM Ajit Pawar followed suit with a touching AI illustration featuring his mother:
“Aai and Me decided that Ghibli is one trend worth a shot! Have to say, it is super cool!”
Aai and Me decided that #Ghibli is one trend worth a shot!
— Ajit Pawar (@AjitPawarSpeaks) March 28, 2025
Have to say, it is super cool! pic.twitter.com/YgAQ1glNdY
What is the Ghibli Trend?
The Ghibli trend is powered by OpenAI’s image tool on ChatGPT-4o, which creates visuals mimicking Hayao Miyazaki’s iconic hand-drawn animation style. Users input text prompts—or upload personal images—to generate anime-style portraits reminiscent of Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and Howl’s Moving Castle.
Free users can generate up to three images, while paid users get more flexibility. The trend has exploded across platforms like X, Instagram, and Reddit.
With AI artistry now influencing political PR, it seems even politicians can’t resist the charm of looking like they walked straight out of a Ghibli film.
Tags:
Ghibli trend, AI avatars, Narendra Modi, Shashi Tharoor, Ajit Pawar, Devendra Fadnavis, Amit Shah, anime trend, ChatGPT-4o, Studio Ghibli style, OpenAI image generator, political social media trends, AI in politics, Indian politicians Ghibli