Why the Whole Internet Remembers Nano Banana

🍌 New Viral Trend

In September 2025, social networks literally «exploded» with a new craze. Users began transforming themselves, their friends, and even pets into collectible figurines using Google Gemini and the built-in Nano Banana image editor.

At first glance, it seems like real photographs of professionally made models — the results are so detailed and realistic that many users admit they seriously believed someone had ordered a figurine from a 3D-printing studio.

What is Nano Banana and Where the Name Came From

At first, the name sounds like something from the world of exotic fruits, but it actually refers to Gemini 2.5 Flash Image — Google’s new image generation model.

The story began in early August, a few weeks before the official release. On the LMArena platform, where users can test different neural networks blindly and rate their performance, a model called nano-banana appeared. It quickly rose to the top among image processing algorithms. Many suspected Google was behind it, and the suspicion was confirmed with the official announcement on August 26. However, in the final release, the product is officially called Gemini 2.5 Flash Image. Nevertheless, the internet community adopted its own nickname, and «Nano Banana» stuck.

The main advantage of Nano Banana (Gemini 2.5 Flash Image) is its ability to preserve portrait likeness during editing. The model works delicately, changing only what is necessary. It can generate images «from scratch», but its strength lies in refining existing photos.

Another important factor is accessibility. Through the Gemini bot, users can process or generate up to 100 images per day for free, making it both high-quality and practical for a wide audience.

Thus, “Nano Banana” is a successful example of how internet culture creates its own names for technologies. Behind the simple nickname lies a powerful tool from Google, capable of significantly impacting the generative graphics market.

Why Nano Banana Became a Hit

The main advantage of the model is its ability to preserve portrait likeness and fine details, carefully editing only what is necessary. If you ask it to change a cap or t-shirt in a photo, Nano Banana will modify only the cap, leaving the face, hair, and background untouched.

In essence, it’s not just a generative neural network but a “smart Photoshop” on steroids, working directly in the chat.

• The free version allows up to 100 generations per day.
• It works through Google Gemini and Google AI Studio.
• A Google account is required for authorization.
• It is important to select the 2.5 Flash model.

How to Make Your Figurine: Step-by-Step

Step 1. Prepare a Photo
Use a clear image: selfie, portrait, or full-body photo — your own or your pet’s. The higher the quality, the more details Nano Banana will capture.

Step 2. Use Google’s Prompt

“Create a 1/7 scale commercialized 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 modeling 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.”

«Create a commercial 1/7 scale figurine based on the characters in the image, in a realistic style and real environment. The figurine stands on a computer desk with a round transparent acrylic base. On the computer screen, display the 3D modeling process of the figurine. Next to it, place a collectible-style toy box with original artwork and flat illustrations.»

Step 3. Personalize
Add individuality! You can include a profession, hobby, or nickname on the box, like «UX DESIGNER Edition» or «Crypto Trader Special».

Step 4. Get the Result
Within seconds, you’ll see a realistic image where the figurine, box, and monitor look like a real photo.

Why the Effect is So Convincing

Nano Banana handles fine details:

• Glossy plastic reflections;
• Transparent acrylic base;
• Box in the style of Bandai or Good Smile Company;
• «Proof» of production via a 3D model on the monitor.

As a result, the image appears as a real product advertisement.

Other Nano Banana Capabilities

Although the “figurine” trend became the main news hook, the model can do much more:

• Precision editing (hairstyles, accessories, clothing)
• Interior design (adding furniture, rearranging)
• Clothing and accessory try-ons
• roduct photos for e-commerce (placement, packaging)
• Collages and image combination
• Restoration and colorization of old photos

🔍 Summary

Nano Banana demonstrates how AI can be both entertainment and a powerful tool. It creates viral memes like realistic figurines and provides professional tools for marketing, e-commerce, and visual content.

Today it’s a fun way to play with your image and impress friends; tomorrow, it’s a full Photoshop alternative, right in chat.