Want to Build Your Own Ghibli-Style Animation App? Here's What You Need to Study and Learn

Ghibli-inspired animation has taken the internet by storm, with apps that transform real-life photos into magical cartoon-style visuals reminiscent of old-school comics. If you've been wondering how to build such an app—or even create your own animation software—this guide is for you.

Creating something like this involves more than just coding. It blends technical skills with artistic vision, just like the creators at Studio Ghibli, known for their emotional and visually stunning films.

Let’s explore the courses, skills, and tools you need to develop your own Ghibli-style animation app.

🎨 Start with a Solid Foundation in Animation and Art

To build animation tools or apps, you need a deep understanding of animation principles and fine arts. It’s not just about drawing characters—it’s about storytelling through visuals.

Recommended Degrees & Certifications:

• BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) – with a focus on Animation or Illustration

• Diploma in 2D/3D Animation

• Online Courses (Highly Recommended):

  • Coursera: Animation and design fundamentals

  • Udemy: Build your own animation software

  • Animation Mentor: Industry-level animation training

Essential Creative Skills:

• Storyboarding and Visual Storytelling

• Character Design and Background Art

• Scene Composition and Color Theory

👨💻 Learn the Programming Side – Build the App

A great animation app like the one making waves on social media combines creativity with code. You’ll need a background in computer science and strong software development skills.

Ideal Education Path:

• B.Tech / B.Sc in Computer Science

• Bootcamps or Online Coding Courses (if you're switching careers)

Programming Languages to Learn:

• C++ – for high-performance graphics applications

• Python – for AI, ML, and automation

• JavaScript – for web-based or mobile animation apps

Important Frameworks & Tools:

• OpenGL – for 2D/3D rendering

• Unity (2D) – to build interactive, real-time animations

• TensorFlow / PyTorch – for implementing AI/ML in image transformation

🤖 Add Magic with AI & Machine Learning

What makes these Ghibli-style apps so special? AI algorithms that convert real images into stylized, animated versions. This requires knowledge of computer vision, style transfer, and deep learning.

Suggested Topics to Explore:

• Image Style Transfer Techniques

• Neural Networks for Image Generation

• Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs)

💡 Don’t Forget Design & User Experience (UX)

Even the most powerful app can fail without good design. Learn the basics of UI/UX design to ensure your app is user-friendly, intuitive, and visually appealing.

Tools to Learn:

• Figma / Adobe XD – for interface design

• Canva / Adobe Illustrator – for graphic elements

🧠 Final Thoughts: Creativity + Code = Your Ghibli-Style App

If you dream of building the next big thing in creative animation apps, now’s the time to dive in. Combine your love for animation with coding, and you could be on your way to developing a tool that blends emotion, nostalgia, and art—just like Ghibli.