The Next Step After Filters is "Effects" - Google Gemini AI's New Photo Trend Takes the World by Storm: From Retro Sarees to 3D Figures

One smartphone, a few lines of prompts. Now, Google's image editing model "Gemini 2.5 Flash Image (commonly known as Nano Banana)" is transforming SNS timelines into a "photo amusement park." Centered around the frenzy originating from India, multiple trends are simultaneously going viral, including 3D figurine creation, retro sarees in a '90s Bollywood style, and Polaroids of "hugging your younger self." The Gemini app has topped the App Store/Google Play, with over 500 million images generated and edited, and a sudden increase in users reported by Google executives in recent days.TechCrunch

The Five "Waves" Happening Now

1. 3D Figurine Creation (Blister Pack Style)
   "Turn yourself into an action figure." Renderings with a "collectible feel" featuring transparent packaging and stands are popular, with posts of miniaturizing pets and favorite characters also trending. News media are spotlighting this trend, with specific prompt examples being shared and spread on X.Decrypt

2. Retro Saree (90s Bollywood Style)
   With a grainy film texture, golden light at dusk, and soft focus, this style transforms selfies into "movie stills." Tips on prompts (resolution, background specification, costume, and material details) are shared, and it is praised for its high reproducibility.The Times of India

3. "Hug My Younger Self"
   A sweet and nostalgic Polaroid of your current self hugging your childhood self. Articles explaining how to create these and examples on SNS are emerging, with reports of participation from celebrities.NDTV Profit

4. Pre-Wedding Composites
   With AI, "unreachable locations" and "unwearable outfits" become possible. Couples' "fantasy photo journeys" are realized, creating a major genre on Instagram.Hindustan Times

5. Hairstyle Try-On
   Visualizing "what suits you" before cutting. It's spreading as a safe trick to try before-and-after styles like bob or pixie cuts.NDTV Profit

Viral Evidence—Numbers and Rankings

Gemini's "Banana Craze" is clear in the numbers. Just days after its early September release,over 500 million imageswere generated and edited, reaching23 million first-time users, reported by Google's VP Josh Woodward on X. Tech media outlets are also acknowledging this rapid growth.X (formerly Twitter)

In app rankings,Gemini secured the number one spot in the free category on the US App Store. This suggests that image editing could become a "killer feature" in the competition for dominance in the chatbot domain.TechCrunch

How Did SNS React? (The Atmosphere on the Ground)

• Joy and Sharing Tips: Posts like "With this prompt, create a 1/7 scale commercial figure" and "Summary of free procedures" are rapidly increasing on X. The visualization of tips has significantly increased reproducibility.X (formerly Twitter)

• Visualized Nostalgia: "Hug My Younger Self" evokes emotional responses like "I was overwhelmed" and "a photo time machine," accelerating its spread with participation from influencers and actors.X (formerly Twitter)

• A Bit Scary, Also Debated: In some examples of retro sarees, excessive retouching or mismatches resembling "face reconstruction" are pointed out, with cautious opinions like "fun but know the boundaries" being prominent.The Times of India

• Media Also Joins In: Quick reports on how-tos and trend introductions are pouring in from various companies, and the simultaneous growth of "usage culture" is a phenomenon typical of 2025.The Indian Express

How Are Creators and Brands Using It?

From musician jacket-style mocks, "what if" book covers by publishers, to3D product modeling and package presentationby D2C, the idea of shortcutting "time, place, and budget" is spreading. Media accounts are also gaining engagement with "3D" challenges. It could be said that AI has digitally reignited the analog "collectible fever."X (formerly Twitter)

Risks and Safety—"Promises" for Enjoyment

• Beware of Fake Sites: Warnings about scam sites riding the trend. Always verify if it's theofficial Gemini.Indiatimes

• Face Data and Privacy: Experts caution, "It's fun, but be careful with face data." Considerreviewing sharing rangesandopting out of feature learning (can be disabled in settings).mint

• Watermarks and Authenticity: Gemini appliesvisible watermarks plus invisible watermarks with SynthID, designed to identify "AI origin" later. Understanding this specification, it's best to avoid misleading uses.blog.google

Tips for Creating Well (Practical Notes)

• Resolution and Facial Consistency: High-resolution original images with similar expressions and angles are stable.Maharashtra Times

• "Place" Background and Light with Words: Give directions like a cinematographer, such as "backlight at dusk" or "soft portrait look."The Times of India

• Excessive Instructions Can Backfire: Long lists can dull the model's interpretation. Stick to the main points.Maharashtra Times

Looking Ahead—"Photos" Will Become More Prototyped

This buzz won't just end asa mere filter trend.

• App Indicators: The surge in downloads and continued top chart positions indicate the vast room for users to "continuously play and try."TechCrunch

• Domain Expansion: Pre-wedding shoots, hairstyle try-ons, product mocks, fan art—acts of "trying with AI before reality" are entering the prelude of life,establishing as prototyping for decision-making.Hindustan Times

Conclusion

Gemini's editing experience simultaneously unleashed the extremes of **memory (retro) and virtual (3D)**. In an era where anyone can create decent "artwork" thanks to the "cycle of examples and verbalization" born from SNS. While enjoying, let's also update our literacy at the same pace to protecttransparency of origin and authenticity.NDTV Profit

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