More than 25 years after its original release, Hayao Miyazaki’s action epic Princess Mononoke is back in theaters across North America. The movie is currently playing on more than 330 screens and earned $1.2 million in previews ahead of its official release on March 28.

That box office success led Chance Huskey, VP of distribution for GKids, to release a statement celebrating the film’s success. “In a time when technology tries to replicate humanity, we are thrilled that audiences value a theatrical experience that respects and celebrates Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli’s masterpiece in all its cinematic hand-drawn glory,” Huskey said.

PRINCESS MONONOKE Official English Trailer

The statement makes oblique reference to ChatGPT’s new image generation feature, which now allows paid subscribers to generate images in the style of Studio Ghibli animation. Those images quickly took over the internet, but many pointed out that Hiyazaki probably wouldn’t be too pleased by these images, which were created by a computer aping the style of a human.

Recommended Videos

When Miyazaki was shown a demo of AI animation back in 2016, he was pretty clear about how he felt.

“I am utterly disgusted. If you really want to make creepy stuff you can go ahead and do it. I would never wish to incorporate this technology into my work at all,” he said, adding, “I strongly feel that this is an insult to life itself.”

Miyazaki is an animator who draws much of his films himself and insists that each of his movies be hand-drawn. His films, which are about the destruction of nature and the battle for the human soul, are entirely contrary to the AI art that imitates his style.

Thanks to Gemini, you can now talk with Google Maps

Thanks to Gemini, you can now talk with Google Maps

3 open source AI apps you can use to replace your ChatGPT subscription

3 open source AI apps you can use to replace your ChatGPT subscription

Amazon’s AI agent will make it even easier for you to part with your money

Amazon’s AI agent will make it even easier for you to part with your money

OpenAI plans to make Deep Research free on ChatGPT, in response to competition

OpenAI plans to make Deep Research free on ChatGPT, in response to competition

Amazon’s AI shopper makes sure you don’t leave without spending

Amazon’s AI shopper makes sure you don’t leave without spending

Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses go high fashion with Coperni limited edition

Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses go high fashion with Coperni limited edition

Copilot for Gaming is like Xbox’s Nintendo tip line, but for AI

Copilot for Gaming is like Xbox’s Nintendo tip line, but for AI

HuggingSnap app serves Apple’s best AI tool, with a convenient twist

HuggingSnap app serves Apple’s best AI tool, with a convenient twist

Apple’s hardware can dominate in AI — so why is Siri struggling so much?

Apple’s hardware can dominate in AI — so why is Siri struggling so much?

Apple’s big AI overhaul for Siri might take until 2027 to arrive

Apple’s big AI overhaul for Siri might take until 2027 to arrive

I put Google Gemini on my iPhone. Here’s why I’ll never go back to Siri

I put Google Gemini on my iPhone. Here’s why I’ll never go back to Siri

Google AI Mode will reinvent Search. I’m worried — and you should be, too

Google AI Mode will reinvent Search. I’m worried — and you should be, too