Exploring the World of Japanese Stuudies
Talk 1: [Lancaster University] Ghibli in the Machine: AI Controversies and the Appropriation of Anime
Return to Exploring the World of Japanese StudiesWatch the talk
Talk description
Earlier this year, ChatGPT released a new Photo to Anime filter that turns user images into not just “anime” images but Hayao Miyazaki-inspired images. Controversially this filter quickly became one of ChatGPT’s most popular image generators, while also being roundly condemned for the theft of Studio Ghibli’s animation art. In this talk, we discuss how AI is currently reshaping the anime industry in Japan, and impacting upon one of Japanese animation’s best loved studios. Professor Rayna Denison and Dr Zoe Crombie consider how Japanese Studies can help us to unpack and understand this pivotal moment in Japanese animation history.
After the above talk, Dr Zoe Crombie gave 5 minutes of insight into the opportunities available in Japanese Studies or Japan-related study or research at Lancaster University.
- Date
- 4 July 2025
- Venue
- Fylde College, Lancaster University. Livestreaming available via Zoom
- With
- Dr Zoe Crombie (Associate Lecturer in Film Studies, University of Lancaster) and Professor Rayna Denison (Professor of Film and Digital Arts, University of Bristol)
Read the full report of this talk
Our write-up of the evening, from the panel discussion to the audience questions.
Speaker profiles
-
Dr Zoe Crombie
Associate Lecturer in Film Studies, Lancaster Institute for the Contemporary Arts, University of Lancaster
Zoe Crombie is an early career academic currently working on a monograph about Studio Ghibli’s transnational reinterpretations of Western literature through the Trailblazers scheme.
-
Professor Rayna Denison
Professor of Film and Digital Arts, University of Bristol
Rayna Denison teaches and researches contemporary Japanese film and animation. Her books include Anime: A Critical Introduction and Studio Ghibli: An Industrial History, along with edited collections such as Princess Mononoke: Understanding Studio Ghibli’s Monster Princess.
About Exploring the World of Japanese Studies
The Japan Foundation London’s talk series ‘Exploring the World of Japanese Studies’ aims to display the breadth and diversity within Japanese Studies, to inspire and motivate future researchers as well as to shine a light on the research being conducted at various universities around the UK.
“Japanese Studies” can be difficult to define, as it is an umbrella term that covers a variety of fields. Researchers approach Japan from many different angles, to try and understand the country on a deeper level. Through attending our Japanese Studies seminars, attendees will learn more about Japanese culture and society.
The talk series also aims to inspire sixth form students and university students who are studying Japanese language, or interested in researching Japan at undergraduate or postgraduate level, to show how fascinating Japanese Studies can be.
Each lecture will be hosted by a different university, and will include a simple introduction to Japanese Studies, or Japan-related research, at the host institution.
Explore the exciting world of Japanese Studies with us!
Please find a list of our past and upcoming talks below.