ChatGPT Hits 1 Million Users In Just 1 Hour As Ghibli-Inspired AI Art Sparks Internet Frenzy
While the wave of AI-generated Ghibli-inspired images continues to capture hearts, it has also ignited a debate on the role of AI in creative industries.
OpenAI's recent rollout of its native image generation feature for free ChatGPT users has sparked a viral frenzy, drawing a record one million users within just one hour. This meteoric rise in engagement mirrors the platform’s earlier explosive growth, which took five days to reach the same milestone.
In an announcement on X, CEO Sam Altman shared the jaw-dropping numbers: “We added one million users in the last hour.”
the chatgpt launch 26 months ago was one of the craziest viral moments i'd ever seen, and we added one million users in five days.
— Sam Altman (@sama) March 31, 2025
we added one million users in the last hour.
This surge in activity was largely driven by the introduction of AI-generated images, specifically those inspired by Studio Ghibli’s iconic art style, which has set social media ablaze.
Ghibli Fever Grips Social Media
On March 26, OpenAI made its new image generation feature available to all ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and Team users, but the most buzzworthy update arrived shortly after: free users gained access to the tool. With the ability to create Ghibli-esque images, the internet was soon flooded with renditions of anime-style art, sparking a global creative wave.
Despite the excitement, OpenAI faced the challenge of demand outpacing supply, with CEO Sam Altman noting that the platform’s GPUs were struggling to keep up with the massive load. In a post on X, Altman explained, “It's super fun seeing people love images in ChatGPT. But our GPUs are melting. We are going to temporarily introduce some rate limits while we work on making it more efficient. Hopefully, it won’t be long! ChatGPT free tier will get 3 generations per day soon.”
A Cultural Clash Over AI Art
While the wave of AI-generated Ghibli-inspired images continues to capture hearts, it has also ignited a debate on the role of AI in creative industries. A resurfaced video featuring Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki offered a striking counterpoint to the online fervor.
In the video, Miyazaki and producer Toshio Suzuki were shown reacting to an AI-generated animation that featured grotesque, zombie-like figures. The developers proudly touted the limitless potential of AI, boasting that it could create movements beyond human imagination. However, Miyazaki’s reaction was far from impressed.
“I can't watch this stuff and find [it] interesting,” Miyazaki remarked, “Whoever creates this stuff has no idea what pain is whatsoever. I am utterly disgusted. If you really want to make creepy stuff, you can go ahead and do it. I would never wish to incorporate this technology into my work at all.” He concluded with a powerful statement: “I strongly feel that this is an insult to life itself.”
As AI art continues to evolve, it’s clear that its influence on the world of animation and creative expression remains a subject of fierce debate. While some embrace its potential, others, like Miyazaki, see it as a dangerous detour from the soul of traditional art.
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