Grok limits Ghibli-style AI image generation as users hit paywall, prompting push for X Premium amid growing demand

rok now restricts Ghibli-style image generation for some users as xAI faces pressure amid Studio Ghibli trend surge.

xAI’s Grok chatbot, which recently became a viral tool for generating Studio Ghibli-style AI images, is now issuing usage limit errors to some users.

Many who attempted to create “Ghiblified” images through the Grok tab on X (formerly Twitter) encountered paywalls, urging them to subscribe to X Premium or Premium+ to access the feature.

This unexpected restriction has sparked frustration among users, particularly since some reported the error during their first attempt at image generation. Despite the issue on the X platform, users noted that Grok’s dedicated app and website continued to process the same prompts without issue, suggesting that the limitations may be tied specifically to the X integration.

The surge in popularity for Ghibli-style AI art followed OpenAI’s rollout of native image generation in GPT-4o, leading to widespread sharing of whimsical, anime-inspired visuals across social media platforms. Public figures, including Elon Musk, Sam Altman, and even world leaders, joined the trend, propelling demand even higher.

However, the increased usage may be straining Grok’s resources. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman previously admitted that the trend was "melting" the company's GPUs. A similar strain could now be affecting xAI, especially after its high-profile $33 billion acquisition of X.

Elon Musk stated, “xAI and X's futures are intertwined,” highlighting the strategic alignment of data, compute power, and user base. The recent limitation, however, could indicate growing pains as the company scales its AI capabilities.

Grok’s Ghibli image generator had been a free alternative to ChatGPT’s paywalled tool, but the introduction of a paywall may signal a shift toward monetising viral AI features.