The world of social media is buzzing with a new trend that’s sweeping across Instagram, Twitter, and other platforms: Ghibli portraits. These anime-inspired works of art, which evoke the enchanting styles of Studio Ghibli films, are gaining viral momentum at an unprecedented rate. But with all the hype, many users are left wondering, are these portraits easy to create, and is it possible to do so for free?

The answer lies in a new feature introduced by OpenAI's ChatGPT-4.0. This revolutionary update not only allows users to generate images but also to transform their existing photos into Japanese anime-style artwork. However, this feature is currently exclusive to premium ChatGPT users, including those with ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Team, and Select subscriptions. As a result, many people are questioning whether it's worth upgrading to a premium plan just to hop on the trend.

The good news is that there are free alternatives to join the Ghibli portrait craze. While ChatGPT allows free users to generate up to three animated images, there are third-party platforms that also offer similar services. Websites such as DeepAI, Craiyon, and Playground AI have emerged as accessible tools for those eager to try their hand at creating their own anime-inspired art without breaking the bank.

For those looking to dive into the trend, here’s how you can create your own Ghibli portrait:

Using Gemini AI
Gemini AI makes the process simple. All you need to do is open the platform, enter a brief description of the image you want to generate in the chat box, and submit your prompt. Within moments, Gemini will generate a stunning anime-style portrait, bringing your ideas to life.

Grok’s Ghiblify feature
Another free option is Grok, an easy-to-use platform that offers an innovative feature called "Ghiblify." To start, simply upload an image via the platform’s paper clip icon. From there, ask Grok to "Ghiblify" your image, and voilà! Your photo will be transformed into an anime masterpiece, ready to share with your followers.