The anime community has been buzzing with controversy after AI-generated Studio Ghibli-style images went viral. This debate has drawn strong reactions from industry professionals, including Megumi Ishitani, a One Piece director known for some of the series’ most beloved episodes. She recently expressed her frustration on social media, stating that she couldn’t stand seeing the iconic studio being “treated so cheaply.”
Ishitani even went as far as to say she hopes for legal action to be taken against those responsible. Her statement quickly gained traction, earning hundreds of interactions online. Many anime fans and artists share her concerns, worried about how AI-generated art could undermine the creativity and labor of human artists in the industry.
The AI Art Debate and Ghibli’s Silence
The Boy and the Heron (Credits: Studio Ghibli)
The controversy began when a user asked ChatGPT to generate images in Studio Ghibli’s signature style and shared the results online. This quickly snowballed into a viral trend, with thousands of AI-generated Ghibli-style images circulating. Even government agencies and celebrities joined in, further fueling the debate over AI’s role in creative industries.
Will Ghibli Take Legal Action?
One Piece Egghead Arc Part 2
Despite the growing backlash, Studio Ghibli has not officially responded to the AI-generated images. There have been no cease-and-desist letters, lawsuits, or public statements condemning the trend. The only clarification they made was denying reports that they had issued warnings to AI users.
The fate of Dragon Ball Super has been a major talking point among fans since Akira Toriyama’s passing in 2024. However, a new message from series artist Toyotarou has sparked hope for its return. In the postscript of Dragon Ball Super Volume 24, Toyotarou urges fans to “Look forward to future developments!” Though vague, this suggests the manga has not reached its conclusion.
With the anime’s future uncertain, the manga appears to be the primary hope for continuing the story. Fans are eager to see how Toyotarou handles unresolved elements, such as Black Frieza’s rise in power and Vegeta’s Ultra Ego transformation. The recent volume also highlights Frieza on its back cover, reinforcing his significance in future storylines.
Unresolved Storylines That Could Shape the Future
Beast Gohan (Credits: Akira Toriyama)
The Dragon Ball Super manga has left several key storylines unfinished, making its continuation all the more necessary. The Granolah arc concluded with the shocking debut of Black Frieza, who effortlessly defeated Goku and Vegeta in their most powerful forms. This leaves room for a major rematch and a deeper exploration of Frieza’s newfound strength.
Dragon Ball Super Afterword from Vol. 24! Toyotaro reveals some SH arc insights and confirms the arc is officially over. Translations: @SupaChronicles pic.twitter.com/T3oQLIWnqG — Hype (@DbsHype) April 3, 2025
Additionally, Vegeta’s Ultra Ego form has yet to reach its full potential, and Broly’s inclusion in the main cast raises questions about his role moving forward. Another unresolved storyline is Goku’s ongoing rivalry with Beerus, which could lead to a long-anticipated final battle between the two.
How Dragon Ball Daima Could Influence Super’s Future
Goku and Gohan (Credits: Akira Toriyama, Art: Toyotaro)
Another interesting factor is the introduction of Dragon Ball Daima, a new series that takes place before Dragon Ball Super. While Daima is not officially tied to the manga’s timeline, its impact on the franchise could influence Super’s eventual return. Some fans speculate that Toyotarou might integrate elements from Daima, potentially connecting it to Super in a meaningful way.
Despite no official confirmation, Toyotarou’s enthusiasm and ongoing involvement with the series suggest Dragon Ball Super is far from over. His message in Volume 24 offers fans a reason to remain hopeful as they await further updates on the manga’s return.
