Creative Gameplay Techniques with Nano Banana (Part 2): Advanced Viral Techniques

Welcome to Part 2 of our advanced techniques series. This tutorial covers the latest viral trends and cutting-edge techniques that have taken the AI image generation community by storm.

This is Part 2. If you haven't read Part 1: Core Creative Techniques, we recommend starting there for foundational knowledge on character consistency, multi-image composition, and conversational editing.

1. Doodle/Scribble Editing (Inpainting)

One of Nano Banana's most powerful features is the ability to edit images by simply drawing or scribbling on them. This intuitive approach lets you indicate exactly where you want changes.

How Inpainting Works

When you brush over an area, Nano Banana performs a 4-step reasoning sequence:

Shape - Understanding the masked region's boundaries
Edges - Detecting where the edit should blend
Geometry - Maintaining 3D consistency
Texture - Matching surrounding textures seamlessly

Everything outside the mask is protected with pixel-level precision.

Inpainting Use Cases

Task	How to Do It
Remove objects	Brush over unwanted items; AI fills with matching background
Replace elements	Mask an object, describe the replacement in your prompt
Change lighting	Select shadow/highlight areas, describe desired lighting
Edit text/signs	Mask existing text, specify new text in prompt
Fix flaws	Brush over blemishes or errors for automatic correction
Add new details	Mark empty areas, describe what to add

Pro Tips for Inpainting

Be precise with masks: The cleaner your mask edges, the better the blend
One change at a time: Stack edits sequentially rather than all at once
Use Thinking Mode: Enable for complex edits that require reasoning
Specify context: Mention surrounding elements for better integration

Common Inpainting Prompts

Remove the person in the background and fill with the beach scenery

Replace the coffee mug with a glass of orange juice,
maintain the same lighting and shadow direction

Change the wall color from white to sage green,
keep the furniture and artwork unchanged

2. Ghibli-Style Transformation

The Ghibli-style transformation trend went viral, turning ordinary photos into dreamy Studio Ghibli-inspired artwork.

Basic Ghibli Transformation

Transform this photo into Studio Ghibli anime style,
soft watercolor textures, warm nostalgic lighting,
hand-painted background details, Miyazaki-inspired aesthetic

Advanced Ghibli Techniques

Portrait to Ghibli Character

Convert this portrait into a Studio Ghibli character,
maintain facial features and expression, add characteristic
large expressive eyes, soft cel-shading, pastel color palette,
background of rolling green hills and fluffy clouds

Landscape to Ghibli Scene

Transform this landscape into a Ghibli movie scene,
add whimsical details like floating islands or distant castles,
soft golden hour lighting, painterly clouds,
"Howl's Moving Castle" or "Spirited Away" atmosphere

Pet to Ghibli Companion

Convert this pet photo into a Ghibli spirit companion,
slightly stylized proportions, expressive eyes,
surrounded by forest spirits or magical elements,
"My Neighbor Totoro" aesthetic

Style Variations

Film Reference	Key Elements
Spirited Away	Mysterious, bathhouse aesthetics, spirit world
Howl's Moving Castle	Steampunk elements, European architecture
My Neighbor Totoro	Rural Japan, nature spirits, childhood wonder
Princess Mononoke	Forest settings, ancient spirits, dramatic
Kiki's Delivery Service	Coastal European town, cozy, whimsical

3. Viral Action Figure Box Packaging

This viral trend creates photorealistic collectible figure packaging. Google even released an official prompt for this technique.

Google's Official Action Figure Prompt

Generate a photo of an action figure of [SUBJECT DESCRIPTION] still
in its box, displayed against a neutral background. The action
figure is [SUBJECT DESCRIPTION] as if frozen mid-action. Render
the figure in glossy plastic with a matte finish, capturing both
the figure's dynamic pose and the original photograph's details.
The box is white with a bold, minimalistic design. Include a clear
window in the box that reveals the figure on a matching base.
The figure is held in place by a plastic support structure inside
the box, adding to the realistic collectible presentation.

Enhanced Packaging Variations

Deluxe Edition with Accessories

Generate a premium collector's edition action figure of [SUBJECT],
displayed in original packaging with accessories visible:
- Main figure in dynamic pose on branded base
- 2-3 interchangeable accessories in separate compartments
- Certificate of authenticity visible through window
- Gold foil "Limited Edition" badge on box
- Holographic sticker seal
Premium matte black box with spot UV details

Transparent Acrylic Display

Action figure of [SUBJECT] displayed in premium transparent
acrylic case, museum-quality presentation, LED-lit base with
brand logo, 360-degree visibility, floating mount system,
dust-proof sealed case, collector's placard with edition number

Themed Packaging Styles

Retro Arcade Theme

Vintage 1980s arcade game style action figure packaging of [SUBJECT],
neon pink and cyan color scheme, pixel art graphics on box,
"INSERT COIN" text, scanline effects, CRT monitor aesthetic,
8-bit styled character portrait, retro toy packaging design

Fantasy RPG Theme

Fantasy RPG action figure of [SUBJECT] as a legendary hero,
ornate packaging with faux leather texture and gold embossing,
character stat card visible (STR, DEX, INT, etc.),
"Legendary Rare" holographic badge, medieval scroll design elements,
epic fantasy artwork on box back

Cyberpunk Theme

Cyberpunk 2077-style action figure of [SUBJECT],
holographic packaging with circuit board patterns,
neon accent lighting effects, tech specs readout on box,
"NETRUNNER EDITION" branding, dystopian cityscape backdrop,
chrome and matte black figure finish

Anime/Manga Theme

Japanese anime figure packaging of [SUBJECT],
vibrant manga-style box art, Japanese text accents,
dynamic speed lines and sparkle effects,
clear blister pack showing figure on illustrated base,
collector's trading card included

4. Outpainting: Extending Image Boundaries

Outpainting lets you expand images beyond their original borders, creating larger compositions or revealing "hidden" context.

Basic Outpainting

Extend this image [direction: left/right/up/down/all sides],
maintain consistent style, lighting, and perspective,
seamlessly blend new content with existing image

Directional Extensions

Horizontal Extension (Panoramic)

Extend this landscape image horizontally on both sides,
continue the mountain range and forest seamlessly,
maintain the same golden hour lighting and color grading,
create a panoramic 21:9 composition

Vertical Extension (Full Scene)

Extend this portrait upward to reveal the full environment,
add architectural ceiling details and ambient lighting,
maintain perspective and depth of field consistency

Contextual Extension

Extend this product photo to show the full lifestyle scene,
reveal the modern kitchen environment around the coffee maker,
add contextual elements: marble countertop, morning light through window,
fresh croissants and newspaper suggesting morning routine

Creative Outpainting Ideas

Original	Extension Idea
Close-up portrait	Reveal full body and environment
Product shot	Show lifestyle context and usage
Architectural detail	Reveal full building facade
Food close-up	Show full table setting
Landscape	Create panoramic vista

5. Advanced Style Transfer

Go beyond basic style transfer with multi-reference and semantic style applications.

Multi-Reference Style Transfer

Upload multiple reference images to combine styles:

Create an image combining:
- Subject/composition from Image 1
- Color palette from Image 2
- Texture and brush style from Image 3
- Lighting mood from Image 4

Blend these elements naturally into a cohesive artwork

Semantic Style Transfer

Apply style to specific elements while preserving others:

Apply the watercolor painting style ONLY to the background,
keep the main subject (person) photorealistic,
create a hybrid photo-illustration effect

Style Transfer by Era/Movement

Impressionist Style

Transform into Impressionist painting style,
visible brushstrokes, light dappling effects,
Monet-inspired color palette, outdoor "en plein air" feeling

Art Deco Style

Reimagine in Art Deco style,
geometric patterns, gold and black color scheme,
1920s glamour aesthetic, bold symmetrical composition

Ukiyo-e (Japanese Woodblock)

Convert to traditional Japanese Ukiyo-e woodblock print style,
flat color areas with bold outlines, limited color palette,
wave patterns and nature motifs, Hokusai-inspired composition

Synthwave/Retrowave

Transform into Synthwave aesthetic,
neon pink and cyan gradients, chrome text effects,
sunset with grid horizon, 80s retro-futurism

6. Text Localization in Images

Generate or translate text within images while maintaining visual consistency.

Adding Localized Text

Add Chinese text "欢迎光临" (Welcome) to the storefront sign,
maintain the existing neon sign style and lighting,
text should look naturally integrated with the scene

Translating Existing Text

Replace the English menu text with Japanese translation,
maintain the same handwritten chalkboard style,
keep the decorative borders and food illustrations unchanged

Multilingual Marketing Materials

Create a product packaging design with text in 3 languages:
- English: "Premium Coffee"
- Chinese: "精品咖啡"
- Japanese: "プレミアムコーヒー"

Arrange text in elegant hierarchy, maintain brand consistency

Text Style Matching

Add the text "OPEN" to the cafe window,
match the vintage gold leaf lettering style of existing signage,
slight weathering to match the aged aesthetic

7. Advanced Composition Techniques

Split-Screen Comparisons

Create a split-screen before/after image,
left side: [before state description]
right side: [after state description]
clean vertical divider line, matching lighting in both halves

Impossible Perspectives

Create an Escher-inspired impossible architecture scene,
stairs that loop infinitely, gravity-defying perspectives,
photorealistic rendering of impossible geometry,
dramatic shadows emphasizing the optical illusion

Tilt-Shift Miniature Effect

Apply tilt-shift miniature effect to this cityscape,
extreme shallow depth of field at top and bottom,
saturated colors like model photography,
make real scene look like a detailed miniature model

Forced Perspective Compositions

Create a forced perspective photo where [small object]
appears giant next to [person/landmark],
carefully matched lighting and shadows for realism,
playful optical illusion composition

Best Practices for Viral Techniques

1. Start with Quality Input

Higher resolution source images yield better results
Good lighting in source = good lighting in output
Clear subjects are easier to transform

2. Iterate Strategically

Don't expect perfection on first try
Make incremental adjustments
Save successful intermediate results

3. Combine Techniques

Ghibli style + outpainting = epic scene
Inpainting + style transfer = selective styling
Action figure + themed packaging = unique collectibles

4. Document Your Successes

Save prompts that work well
Note specific parameter combinations
Build a personal prompt library

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Style Not Applying Correctly

Be more specific about style elements
Reference well-known artists or films
Use multiple style descriptors

Inpainting Edges Visible

Expand mask slightly beyond target area
Add "seamless blend" to prompt
Use feathered/soft mask edges if available

Outpainting Inconsistent

Specify exact elements to continue
Mention lighting direction explicitly
Reference perspective and vanishing points

Text Rendering Issues

Put exact text in quotes
Specify font style clearly
For non-Latin scripts, include the translation

These advanced viral techniques represent the cutting edge of what's possible with Nano Banana. From transforming photos into Ghibli masterpieces to creating collectible figure packaging, the creative possibilities are endless.

The key to mastering these techniques is experimentation. Try combining multiple approaches, iterate on your results, and don't be afraid to push the boundaries of what you think is possible.