September 12, 2025
Delhi, India
The “Nano Banana” trend has exploded across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X in September 2025, turning everyday users into digital artists overnight. Powered by Google’s Gemini 2.5 Flash Image model—nicknamed “Nano Banana” due to playful teasers from Google execs—this AI tool lets anyone create hyper-realistic 3D figurines from a simple photo and prompt. What started as an anonymous high-performer on AI benchmarks like LMArena has become a global sensation, with over 200 million images generated or edited since its launch in early September. Users are crafting miniature versions of themselves, celebrities, pets, and even family photos as collectible-style figures, complete with acrylic bases and mock packaging. The trend’s appeal lies in its accessibility: no design skills or costs required, just the free Gemini app. Even high-profile figures like Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma have joined in, sharing his figurine after encouragement from younger followers. As Google notes, “Image creation and editing is free for everyone in the Gemini app,” making it a game-changer for casual creators.
Key Points:
- Launched in August 2025 as an upgrade to Gemini’s image editing, Nano Banana excels at maintaining character likeness while blending elements like outfits or scenes.
- Viral since early September, with the Gemini app hitting 10 million downloads and users experimenting with prompts for action figures, retro styles, or artistic integrations.
- Outputs include visible watermarks and SynthID for easy identification as AI-generated content, ensuring transparency.
- Popularity boosted by social sharing: Posts on X show users creating everything from pet figurines to cyberpunk-inspired minis, with hashtags like #NanoBanana trending.
What Powers Nano Banana: Google’s Gemini 2.5 Flash Image Explained
At its core, Nano Banana refers to the image generation and editing capabilities of Gemini 2.5 Flash Image, Google’s state-of-the-art AI model from DeepMind. Released in late August 2025, this tool outperforms rivals like ChatGPT and Midjourney in speed and accuracy, particularly for preserving facial details and consistency across edits. It allows users to upload a photo and describe changes—such as turning a selfie into a 1/7-scale figurine on a desk with a 3D modeling preview and toy packaging. The result? A photorealistic scene mimicking high-end collectibles, like those from brands such as Funko or Sideshow. Google’s focus on “contextual awareness” ensures the AI handles complex prompts without losing the subject’s essence, making it ideal for fun, personalized creations. Early testers on platforms like LMArena praised its “bananas” performance, leading to the quirky name. While some reviews note occasional slip-ups like distorted reflections or text, the overall hype stems from its ease and impressive outputs.
Key Points:
- Model Strengths: Excels in blending photos (e.g., adding outfits or scenes) while keeping likeness intact; generates in seconds with high detail.
- Free Access: Available via the Gemini app or Google AI Studio; no subscriptions needed, unlike some competitors.
- Technical Edge: Tops benchmarks for image editing; integrates native tools for precise tweaks, like removing backgrounds or applying styles.
- Limitations: May struggle with complex reflections or multi-element prompts, leading to minor artifacts in advanced edits.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Create Your Own Nano Banana 3D Figurine
Creating a Nano Banana figurine is straightforward and takes just minutes. Start with the Gemini app (available on Android/iOS or via web at gemini.google.com) or Google AI Studio. The key is using a detailed prompt to guide the AI—copy-paste the one below for best results. Upload a clear, well-lit photo for optimal likeness. Once generated, you can refine with follow-up prompts like “add a cyberpunk background” or “change the outfit to vintage.” Google’s community examples on X show everything from family portraits to pet action figures, proving its versatility.
Key Points:
- Step 1: Open Gemini app or AI Studio and sign in with your Google account.
- Step 2: Upload a photo (selfie, pet, or group shot works best; ensure good lighting and focus).
- Step 3: Paste this viral prompt: “Create a 1/7 scale commercialised figurine of the characters in the picture, in a realistic style, in a real environment. The figurine is placed on a computer desk. The figurine has a round transparent acrylic base, with no text on the base. The content on the computer screen is a 3D modelling process of this figurine. Next to the computer screen is a toy packaging box, designed in a style reminiscent of high-quality collectible figures, printed with original artwork. The packaging features two-dimensional flat illustrations.”
- Step 4: Hit “Generate” and wait 5-10 seconds; download or share the result.
- Step 5: Experiment—tweak for variations like “in a sci-fi setting” or use prompt-only mode for original ideas.
Viral Prompts to Try: Elevate Your Nano Banana Creations
Beyond the basic figurine prompt, users are sharing creative variations to push the AI’s limits. These have gone viral on X and TikTok, with examples turning photos into retro action heroes or artistic masterpieces. For instance, one popular twist integrates users into famous paintings, while another creates “decade-hopping” versions. Japanese users on X are even building apps around it, like Qt-based banana chats. Hindi media highlights its appeal in India, with tutorials for local creators. Remember, specificity in prompts yields better results—include details like lighting, style, and elements.
Key Points:
- Action Figure Variant: “Transform this photo into a superhero figurine on a desk, with comic book packaging and a glowing base.”
- Retro Style: “Create a 1980s toy figurine of the subject in neon attire, displayed in a vintage store setting with original box art.”
- Art Integration: “Place the figurine version of this photo inside Van Gogh’s Starry Night, with a custom easel base and gallery packaging.”
- Pet Edition: “Generate a cute animal figurine from this pet photo, in a playful park scene with toy store box.”
- Advanced Prompt Example: For structured tests, users compare Nano Banana with rivals like Seedream, noting its edge in consistency.
Why Nano Banana is Winning Hearts: Impact and Future of AI Creativity
The trend’s rapid rise—fueled by shareable, impressive results—highlights AI’s shift toward fun, democratized tools. With over 10 million app downloads and millions of creations, Nano Banana edges out competitors by prioritizing likeness and speed, though it occasionally falters on intricate details like text mirroring. In India, it’s resonating with diverse users, from politicians to tech enthusiasts, inspiring tutorials and contests. Globally, it’s sparking discussions on AI ethics, with watermarks promoting responsible use. As Google continues updates, expect more trends like travel integrations or app-based extensions. This craze not only entertains but also showcases AI’s potential for accessible creativity, potentially influencing future tools in design and entertainment.
Key Points:
- Social Impact: Boosts engagement on X with user comparisons and Hindi adaptations; seen as a “proof of AI’s fun side.”
- Comparisons: Outperforms in benchmarks but needs refinement for perfect edits; rivals like Seedream excel in vibrancy.
- Future Potential: Google plans ongoing improvements; could expand to video or AR integrations.
- Ethical Note: Always check for watermarks; promotes transparency in AI-generated content.
