A batch of fan-made Marvel images show what several MCU heroes would look like in a Studio Ghibli movie. Marvel Studios first ventured into animation with Marvel’s What If…? season 1 in 2021, followed by Marvel’s What If…? season 2 in 2023, the upcoming Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man in 2024 and Marvel Zombies, the latter of which still doesn’t have a confirmed release date. Animation and the concept of the multiverse allow Marvel Studios to explore new stories outside the mainline MCU, with new timelines presenting brand-new versions of known Marvel characters.
On Reddit’s r/Midjourney subreddit, user u/EMC676 shares seven AI images depicting seven MCU characters in Studio Ghibli’s iconic 2D-animated style: a scarred Punisher wearing a cape, Daredevil sitting atop a tower, Ant-Man controlling wasps as he meditates, Bruce Banner and Hulk standing next to each other, Steve Rogers wielding his Captain America shield, Evan Peters’ Quicksilver running across a canyon, and Spider-Man walking in a forest. Check out all images below:
What The MCU Studio Ghibli Art Means
Marvel Studios Is Yet To Explore All Animation Styles
Although Marvel Studios’ animated projects have provided a breath of fresh air in terms of format, the franchise still has an untapped opportunity to explore other animation styles. Marvel’s What If…? seasons 1 and 2 follow various different timelines, yet all of them feature the same visual style. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man presents the MCU’s first 2D-animated project, but this could be the beginning of something greater. One of the countless references Marvel Studios can use as inspiration is Studio Ghibli’s animation, which has been a key reason behind the success of movies such as My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, and Princess Mononoke.
Our Take On The MCU Studio Ghibli Art
Many MCU Characters Fit Studio Ghibli’s Animation Style
Studio Ghibli’s distinctive animation style would fit several MCU characters neatly. For instance, Wakandan heroes like Okoye and Shuri could star in a Studio Ghibli-inspired animated movie or show that explores Wakanda’s vibrant landscapes and follows a less hectic story than the usual MCU fare. Likewise, an anime project set in the MCU’s Talocan, Kamar Taj, Ta-Lo, or a brand-new MCU timeline could please those viewers who love Studio Ghibli as much as the MCU.
A new animated MCU project could also draw inspiration from Studio Ghibli‘s successful films, not only in terms of visual style, but also in terms of narrative. Studio Ghibli movies often focus on intimate character arcs that contrast with fantastical settings. So, instead of larger-than-life characters like Doctor Strange and Captain America, a standalone anime-inspired MCU movie or show could introduce lesser-known heroes such as Squirrel Girl, Firebird, or Pixie.
Source: u/EMC676 / Reddit
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