Hey hey,
Another week, another viral feature with a tricky tradeoff.
Last week, we saw how Netflix stopped people from sharing passwords.
This week, we are jumping into something very different - Ghibli-style AI images.
Everyone Wants Ghibli AI Selfies, But Few Pay
Studio Ghibli-style AI images are all over X, Reddit, and Instagram right now.
People are uploading selfies to ChatGPT and asking it to turn them into stunning, animated movie posters using the new GPT-4o model.
It blew up online, and everyone wanted to try it.
However, this feature isn't available for everyone. And that’s where users are drawing the line. They love the results but not enough to upgrade to the paid tier.
So, other platforms are offering the same features for free.
And people are jumping to use them.
Share this with someone who would look good in a Ghibli-style image.
Here’s What We Know
The tool is only available on ChatGPT’s $20/month paid plan.
Apps like ToonMe and others now offer similar tools at no cost.
Ghibli’s co-founder, Hayao Miyazaki, has called AI art “an insult to life itself.”
Think Like A PM
The feature went viral, but users didn’t want to pay. How would you fix that?
If you were in charge, would you paywall the feature or give it to free users, too?
How do you decide what’s fair when using another artist’s style in your product?
Drop your thoughts in the comments — the best replies get featured next week!
Thoughts From The JAPM Team
Last week we spoke Netflix’s crackdown on password sharing, and here are our thoughts on that.
The new move isn’t just about stopping freeloaders. It’s about protecting future revenue. Growth is slowing. Competition is rising.
And Netflix needs more paying users now, not later.
But strict rules come with risks. Push too hard, and you lose loyal users. Go soft, and nothing changes. The trick is to drive conversions without breaking trust.
Instead of hard blocks, Netflix could have tried:
A low-cost “shared account” plan
Smart limits (e.g., 2 out-of-home streams per month)
Usage-based nudges before blocking
The group watch pricing or roommate bundles
It's about charging for value without killing the vibe.
See you in the comments.—Sid