OpenAI Introduces Rate Limits After Viral ‘Ghibli-tsunami’ Overwhelms Servers

OpenAI Implements Rate Limits After ‘Ghibli-Tsunami’ Overwhelms GPUs

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has introduced rate limits for its image generation feature after a viral social media trend, dubbed the “Ghibli-tsunami,” put immense strain on the company’s infrastructure. The trend, which saw users turning nearly everything into AI-generated art in the style of the iconic Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli, quickly gained massive traction.

The trend began to spiral on March 25, 2025, when OpenAI launched an upgraded image generation feature in ChatGPT-4o allowing users to create images in the distinctive art style of Studio Ghibli’s famous anime films, including Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro. The feature quickly became a hit, with users sharing their AI-generated Ghibli-inspired portraits and scenes across social media platforms. Among the early adopters was OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who posted a Ghibli-style portrait of himself.

However, by March 27, Altman addressed the growing issue on social media, stating that the overwhelming demand for image requests was causing significant stress on OpenAI’s infrastructure. “It’s super fun seeing people love images in ChatGPT, but our GPUs are melting. We are going to temporarily introduce some rate limits while we work on making it more efficient,” Altman posted.

Altman further clarified that the rate limits were necessary to ensure consistent performance across all users and prevent server outages caused by an influx of requests. OpenAI explained that rate limits help maintain server performance when demand surges, as large volumes of requests can cause delays and disrupt service. The company has also started refusing some image generations that it had initially allowed but promised to fix these issues as quickly as possible.

Elon Musk Joins the Trend, Contributing to the Surge

The wave of Ghibli-inspired images soon spread beyond individual users, with celebrities such as Elon Musk jumping in on the fun. Musk posted an AI-generated image of a lion, mimicking a scene from The Lion King, where King Mufasa holds up a Shiba Inu dog, adding to the viral nature of the trend. The wide participation further intensified the strain on OpenAI’s servers.

Despite the fun and creativity the trend sparked, OpenAI’s decision to implement rate limits was necessary to manage the load on its infrastructure. “We are working on making it more efficient,” Altman noted, with hopes that the limits would not remain in place for long.

OpenAI’s Revenue Surge and Future Plans

In addition to the image generation service issues, OpenAI has been making headlines for its anticipated revenue growth. According to a Bloomberg report published on March 26, 2025, the company expects to triple its revenue this year to an estimated $12.7 billion. This sharp increase highlights the growing demand for OpenAI’s products and services, driven by the popularity of tools like ChatGPT and its image generation capabilities.

Altman also confirmed plans to release GPT-4.5 and GPT-5 in the near future, which could further expand the company’s reach and potential for growth. The expected release of these more advanced models will likely push the boundaries of AI capabilities even further, but OpenAI must first manage the current demand.

Looking Ahead: How OpenAI Plans to Tackle the Surge in Demand

As OpenAI continues to refine its infrastructure and work on more efficient solutions, the rate limits are likely to remain in place for a short time. Altman reassured users that the free tier of ChatGPT would soon receive three generations of images per day, a step towards balancing accessibility with the demands on OpenAI’s systems. In the coming weeks, OpenAI will likely unveil updates to ensure that its infrastructure can handle future surges in demand without compromising performance.

For now, the Ghibli-tsunami may have cooled down, but OpenAI’s image generation feature continues to be a significant draw for creative users, celebrities, and industry professionals alike.

This latest development highlights OpenAI’s ability to innovate and adapt to viral trends while managing the operational challenges of scaling AI infrastructure. The company’s rapid response to the Ghibli-tsunami shows a dedication to providing high-quality, consistent services for all users—despite the overwhelming demand.