The year 2025 will be remembered as the moment AI image generation truly exploded into the mainstream. While the craze began with styles like ChatGPT's Ghibli mode, Google's Nano Banana and later Nano Banana Pro models built a significant lead by year's end. The tech giant has now unveiled the most popular creative trends that captivated users worldwide.
Top Viral Trends Powered by Nano Banana
From precise photo manipulations to whimsical artistic creations, users pushed the boundaries of AI-assisted creativity. Here is a detailed look at the top trends that defined the year, complete with the prompts to recreate them yourself.
Precision Edits and Creative Transformations
General photo edits emerged as a cornerstone use case. Nano Banana Pro's ability to make detailed alterations allowed users to seamlessly remove people from pictures or even insert celebrities. Transforming entire photo scenarios also became a hit. Google shared a popular prompt: “Turn this into a night scene, lit by the moon, with dramatic shadows and moody overall lighting.”
The figurine trend took a creative twist, with users generating realistic 3D models of their pets or themselves. A standout prompt was: “Create a realistic-looking small 3D model of this dog. Place the model on a desk next to birthday packaging that makes it look like someone unwrapped the model as a gift.”
One of the most heartwarming trends was creating photos with a younger self. This Gemini-powered trend flooded social media as people visualized poignant reunions. The prompt to try is: “This is a photo of my younger self and a photo of myself today. Create an image that looks like it was taken with an instant photo camera, showing my older self hugging my younger self. Don't change the faces.”
Storytelling and Artistic Exploration
AI-generated comics and cartoons simplified storytelling. Users crafted instant comic strips with prompts like: “Make a 3-panel comic strip about a baby who becomes a superhero and saves a city from a big piece of evil broccoli.”
Nano Banana also became a digital art studio. Experimenting with artistic styles like oil paintings and watercolors was hugely popular. For example: “Create a watercolor-style painting of a gingerbread house that feels cozy and warm.”
In a fun, personal twist, virtual hairstyle experiments went viral. Users tested drastic new looks without visiting a salon using prompts such as: “Show what I'd look like blonde with bangs.”
Advanced Applications and Niche Trends
A major technical leap was in complex infographics. Nano Banana Pro tackled text rendering issues, allowing users to generate accurate infographics, even pulling data from Google Search. Try: “Create an infographic about this plant focusing on interesting information.”
Seasonal holiday edits replaced generic WhatsApp wishes. People created custom festive portraits with prompts like: “This is a photo of me and my dog. Transform this photo into a realistic holiday portrait where I am sitting in front of a Christmas tree, and my dog is sitting next to me...”
Other notable trends included clean isometric images of fantastical worlds, game inspiration by turning real landscapes into photorealistic game boards, virtual fashion experimentation with outfits, and sophisticated photo restoration of old Polaroids. For pet lovers, the “puppies galore” trend, surrounding oneself with fluffy Shih Tzus in high-fashion settings, was a clear favorite.
The diversity of these trends underscores how AI image generation in 2025 moved beyond novelty to become a versatile tool for personal expression, professional editing, and pure entertainment, with Google's Nano Banana series at the forefront of this creative revolution.
