Ghibli style image converter: Simple step-by-step guide to turn your Ghibli photos into an animation video

Trending

+Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

Ghibli-style photo trend has become viral on social media, inducing creators to use AI tools and hand-drawn art for enchanting visuals. This guide provides a step-by-step process for animating these images, using software such as Adobe After Effects and Procreate Dreams, to capture the Studio Ghibli magic in short video clips.

If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately –be it Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok — you would have surely noticed the Ghibli-style photo trend taking over feeds everywhere. Those dreamy, pastel-hued images of whimsical forests, wide-eyed characters, and soft golden light straight out of a Studio Ghibli film have gone viral, racking up likes, shares, and endless “how did they do that?” comments. It’s been almost a week, and this aesthetic obsession shows no signs of slowing down, with creators using AI tools, hand-drawn art, and photo edits to channel the magic of My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away. But why stop at static photos? Let’s ride this wave and turn your Ghibli-style masterpieces into an animation video that’ll have your followers hitting “replay.” Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you create a short animation video inspired by the iconic Studio Ghibli aesthetic:

Poll

What do you enjoy most about Ghibli-style animations?

The musicThe storytellingThe art style

The viral buzz started with fans and creators posting Ghibli-inspired snapshots—think lush landscapes and soulful characters, often AI-generated with tools like Midjourney or hand-drawn by digital artists. To join in, you’ll need your own photos ready.

Grab or Create Your Images: If you’ve already posted a viral Ghibli-style pic, use that! Otherwise, whip one up with a prompt like “Studio Ghibli-style sunset village, soft colors, detailed” in an AI tool, or sketch it yourself in Procreate.

Layer Like a Pro: Split your photo into parts—characters, trees, sky—for animation flexibility. Social media loves those multi-depth shots, and it’s perfect for what’s next.

Ghibli’s charm lies in its quiet, heartfelt storytelling, and your animation can capture that—even in a 15-second clip that’s perfect for TikTok’s algorithm.

Quick Sketch: Plan a mini-sequence. Maybe your character walks through a glowing forest, or a breeze scatters cherry blossoms. Keep it simple but enchanting—social media thrives on “ooh” moments.

Frame Rate Flex: Go for 24 FPS (Ghibli’s cinematic sweet spot). A 10-second viral hit needs 240 frames, but don’t sweat it—software will fill the gaps.

To animate Ghibli-style illustrations, you’ll need software that supports frame-by-frame animation, layering, and smooth transitions. Some of the best options include:

Adobe After Effects: Ideal for advanced users, offering powerful animation tools and visual effects.

Blender: A free, open-source 3D software that allows for detailed animation and rendering.

Procreate Dreams: Huge on iPad-toting artists in this trend—hand-draw frames for that authentic Ghibli feel.

RunwayML: AI fans love this for interpolating motion between images, cutting down work while keeping it share-worthy.

CapCut: Free, fast, and TikTok-friendly for quick edits if you’re new to this.

Once you’ve selected your software:

Import all your Ghibli-style images into the software.

Organize assets by layers (backgrounds, midgrounds, and foregrounds).

Group character movements or effects into separate layers for better control.

To create smooth animations:

Keyframe Animation: Set keyframes at major points to define object positions and movements.

Tweening: Fill in the frames between keyframes to achieve smooth transitions.

Parallax Effect: Create depth by animating foreground and background layers independently.

Studio Ghibli’s charm lies in its attention to environmental details. To replicate this:

Add Particle Effects: Animate rain, leaves, or fireflies to create a magical ambiance.

Adjust Lighting and Shadows: Use soft, dynamic lighting to evoke different moods.

Simulate Camera Movements: Incorporate slow pans, zooms, and tracking shots for a cinematic effect.

No Ghibli-inspired animation is complete without a captivating soundtrack.

Background Score: Choose soothing, orchestral music that evokes nostalgia and wonder.

Ambient Sounds: Add subtle environmental sounds (rustling leaves, chirping birds) for realism.

Dialogue and Foley: Sync character speech and sound effects to the animation timeline.

After perfecting your animation:

Choose the appropriate export settings for your platform.

Ensure a high-resolution export (1080p or 4K) for crisp visuals.

Test your video for any frame drops or inconsistencies before finalizing.

Users must be mindful of copyright restrictions when using AI-generated images, especially for commercial purposes as using copyrighted images as input could raise legal issues.

TOI Tech Desk

The TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India. TOI Tech Desk’s news coverage spans a wide spectrum across gadget launches, gadget reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe. Be it how-tos or the latest happenings in AI, cybersecurity, personal gadgets, platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and more; TOI Tech Desk brings the news with accuracy and authenticity.Read More

End of Article

View All