Applications

Free Studio Ghibli Filter: Your Photo as an Anime Scene

The Studio Ghibli filter has taken over social media with its magical and nostalgic look. Discover the free apps that bring this effect to your photos.

The best apps to give your photos the unique charm of Studio Ghibli classics

The Studio Ghibli filter went viral when it transformed photos into anime scenes with delicate and magical features, inspired by the classic works of the Japanese studio.

While the effect was free on ChatGPT for a while, it is now paid. So we looked for free alternatives that offer the same results.

Below, you can check out the best AI-powered editing apps to recreate the Ghibli style in your photos — for free!

CapCut: Edit videos and recreate the Ghibli look with anime effects

First, download CapCut on Android or iOS and tap “New Project” to get started.

Choose a photo or video from the gallery that you want to transform.

Go to the “Effects” tab and select “Video Effects” or “AI Style”.

So, look for effects like “Anime”, “Cartoon”, “Animated film” or similar to the Ghibli look.

Adjust the filter intensity and duration time in the video.

Add instrumental music or soft sounds to complete the Ghibli style.

Finally, export the video in high quality and share it on social media with an artistic touch.

APPLICATION

CapCut

ANDROID IOS

Powerful video editor that lets you create content with Ghibli aesthetics

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Fotor: artistic editing with freedom of adjustments

Download the Fotor app on your phone (available for Android and iOS).

Open the app and tap “Edit”.

Then select a photo from the gallery.

Then, go to the “Effects” tab or use the search to type “anime”.

Choose the Ghibli style filter from the available options.

Adjust brightness, contrast and color if you want to refine the result.

Finally, tap “Save” to save the edited image on your phone.

APPLICATION

Fotor

ANDROID IOS

Complete editor with artistic filters that recreate the Ghibli style

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AIEase: Transform your photo with AI in seconds

First, install AIEase on your mobile device.

When you open the app, tap on “AI Art Generator”.

Upload a photo from the gallery (preferably with good lighting).

Select the “Anime” style or available variations.

The Studio Ghibli filter will be applied automatically.

Then, wait for the image to be generated and tap “Download” to save it.

APPLICATION

AIEase

ANDROID IOS

Ideal for those who want to quickly transform photos into anime

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BeautyPlus: ideal for anime-style selfies

Download BeautyPlus on Android or iPhone.

Tap “Edit Photo” and select an image from the gallery.

Go to the “Filters” or “Effects” tab, depending on the version.

Type “Ghibli” or “Anime” in the search bar.

Choose the filter you want and adjust the intensity if you prefer.

Finally, save or share directly with one tap.

APPLICATION

BeautyPlus

ANDROID IOS

Focused on selfies, it offers delicate filters with an anime-inspired finish

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Toongineer Cartoonizer: quick effect in Ghibli cartoon style

Download and open the Toongineer Cartoonizer app.

Then, tap “Cartoonize” on the home screen.

Choose the photo you want to transform.

Select “Anime” or “Cartoon soft” style from the menu.

The app will automatically apply the Studio Ghibli-inspired effect.

Tap “Save” to save your new animated image.

APPLICATION

Toongineer Cartoonizer

ANDROID IOS

Simple and straightforward, it applies cartoon effects with a visual touch reminiscent of Studio Ghibli

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Practical tips for getting the most out of Studio Ghibli filter apps

Firstly, before applying the Studio Ghibli filter, it is worth following some simple tips that guarantee more beautiful, safer and more faithful results to the anime style.

Use well-lit photos: Opt for natural light and frame your face centered for softer, more detailed results.

Choose clean backgrounds: Simple environments like light walls or sky help the AI apply the effect more accurately.

Test angles and expressions: A slight smile or different look can make your photo look even more like an anime character.

Check app permissions: Choose trusted apps and avoid sending sensitive photos on unknown platforms.

Try different filters: Save multiple versions and see which style suits you best before sharing.

Where can I find the Studio Ghibli filter on social media? Get your questions answered here!

If you're looking for ways to use the Studio Ghibli filter without downloading anything, you might be wondering if this feature is available directly on social media.

Below, we answer the most common questions — with tips that involve both online image editing and practical alternatives with artificial intelligence for photos.

Is the Studio Ghibli filter available on Instagram?
Not officially. Some content creators offer anime-inspired Instagram filters, but the original AI effect isn't native to the platform.

Can I use the Studio Ghibli filter on TikTok?
Although it is not a native filter, many videos on TikTok use photo editing apps to create the effect and then share the result there.

Can I still use the Studio Ghibli filter through ChatGPT?
Currently, no. The AI effect that was previously free on ChatGPT is now exclusive to paid users, limiting direct access.

Are there any free options on social media?
Yes. Some Instagram and Snapchat accounts share similar versions. However, for a more accurate look, online image editing apps are still the best choice.

What you need to know about safety and responsibility when using AI filters

While entertaining, AI filters raise important questions about privacy, data usage, and the impacts of this technology on the environment.

Director Hayao Miyazaki, creator of Studio Ghibli, has already spoken out against the use of artificial intelligence in art, calling it inhumane and empty.

Furthermore, AI image generation demands large computational capacity, which implies high energy consumption and increasing environmental impact.

Many free apps ask for extensive permissions and may store, use, or share your photos with third parties, especially in versions with online AI.

Therefore, it is important to read the terms of use, avoid sending sensitive images and always look for reliable applications, with a good reputation and transparency.

Transform not only your photos, but also your videos with creativity and professional quality

Now that you know how to use the Studio Ghibli filter on photos, how about going a step further and using it for your videos too?

Many people feel they have good ideas, but they don't know how to edit them. They lack the time, practice or accessible tools that deliver real results on their cell phones.

So, if you get frustrated trying to put together videos that look professional, but end up giving up because you don't know where to start, know that you are not alone.

Therefore, in the article below we have selected the best applications for editing videos with practicality, ready-made effects, music and incredible features — all free and easy to use!