(formerly Oriental Light and Magic, Inc. ) is a Japanese animation studio founded in June 1994 by former Studio Pastel producers Toshiaki Okuno and Shūkichi Kanda. Headquartered in Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan,"Outlines." OLM, Inc. Retrieved on November 28, 2009. they are best known for producing children's anime series such as Pokémon, Yo-kai Watch, and Beyblade Burst. They have also produced many series for older audiences, such as Berserk, Odd Taxi, and The Apothecary Diaries.
History OLM was founded as Oriental Light and Magic, Inc. in June 1994 by Toshiaki Okuno and Shūkichi Kanda, two employees of OB Planning and its subsidiary animation studio Pastel. Several frequent collaborators of Okuno and Kanda, such as Shōji Ōta, Kunihiko Yuyama, Naohito Takahashi, Yuriko Chiba, Nobuyuki Wasaki, Tsukasa Koitabashi, and Takaya Mizutani, joined the studio upon its establishment. Their name is derived from the American special effects studio Industrial Light & Magic.
In 1995, OLM representative director Toshiaki Okuno founded OLM Digital, which became the main CG work company behind a majority of OLM's works. OLM Digital would later provide CG services to live-action films, working closely with director Takashi Miike, who would eventually become the lead director of OLM's live-action productions.
In 2016, Imagica Group acquired a majority stake in the studio, making them a wholly-owned subsidiary.
In 2017, OLM established its first international satellite studio in Cyberjaya, Malaysia. In 2024, they would establish a second international studio in Bangkok, Thailand.
In February 2024, it was announced that Toshiaki Okuno had resigned from his position as representative director. Hideki Kama, the vice president of the company at the time, was declared his successor at the main studio, while Misako Saka would succeed him as the representative director of OLM Digital. These changes took place on April 1, 2024. Okuno remains with the company as part of the board of directors.
In April 2024, OLM opened its first domestic satellite studio near Hana-Koganei Station in Kodaira, Tokyo.
Studio structure OLM's production lines are typically distinctively branded as "Teams". They are typically named after the Animation Producer leading the production. As of 2026, the studio operates six separate production lines.
Current OLM Production UnitsTeam NameLead ProducerNotesOLM TEAM INOUEEstablished by a former TEAM WASAKI member.OLM TEAM YOSHIOKAEstablished by a former TEAM WASAKI member.OLM TEAM KUMEMURAReshuffled from TEAM KATO.OLM TEAM HIKITAEstablished by a former TEAM INOUE member.OLM TEAM MASUDAFormerly a producer at MAPPA.Staff spun-off from TEAM SAKURAI.Formerly a producer at Studio Gokumi.Staff spun-off from TEAM KOJIMA and TEAM INOUE.Established by a former TEAM ABE member.Formerly a producer at Sunrise Beyond.Staff based in the satellite studio near Hana-Koganei Station.OLM TEAM MIIKEDivision of OLM Digital.Produces live-action works under the direction of Takashi Miike. Former OLM Production UnitsTeam NameLead ProducerNotesOLM TEAM KATOEstablished by a former TEAM KAMEI member. Reshuffled into TEAM KUMEMURA following the production of Pokémon Horizons: The Series episode 45. Hiroyuki Kato remains in the team as Creative Producer.OLM TEAM KOITABASHIFormerly of Gallop. One of the original production units.Last credited work was Pochitto Hatsumei: Pikachin-Kit. Due to inactivity since 2020, it is assumed this team has disbanded.OLM TEAM WASAKIFormerly of Gallop. One of the original production units.Last credited work was Kamisama Minarai: Himitsu no Cocotama.Due to inactivity since 2018, it is assumed this team has disbanded.OLM TEAM OTAFormerly of OB Planning/Pastel. One of the original production units.Disbanded in 2008 following the production of Let's Go! Tamagotchi.Currently production desk for Hanakappa.OLM TEAM IGUCHIOne of the original production units.Disbanded in 2010 following the production of Episode 2 ofPokémon: Diamond and Pearl: Sinnoh League Victors.OLM TEAM IWASADisbanded and spun off in 2007, establishing the studio White Fox following the production of Utawarerumono.OLM TEAM KOJIMAFormerly a producer at DiomedéaDisbanded and spun off in 2022, establishing the studio Bug Films following the production of Summer Time Rendering.OLM TEAM ABEFormerly a producer at SynergySP.Disbanded in 2022 following the production of Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion Z.Currently affiliated with KONAMI Animation as of 2024.OLM TEAM SAKURAIFormerly a producer at SynergySP.Disbanded in 2019 following the production of Zoids Wild.Remained as Associate Animation Producer for Beyblade Burst Surge up until episode 26.Currently affiliated with East Fish Studio as of 2024.OLM TEAM KAMEIEstablished by a former TEAM KOITABASHI member.Disbanded in 2017 following the production of 100% Pascal-sensei.OLM TEAM GOEstablished by a former TEAM KOITABASHI member.Merged into TEAM INOUE following the production of Cardfight!! Vanguard: Shinemon-hen. Remained as a production manager for TEAM INOUE.OLM TEAM KAWAKITAEstablished by a former TEAM INOUE member.Partially merged back into TEAM INOUE following the production of Inazuma Eleven: Orion no Kokuin. Remained as a production manager until 2022 when he transferred to AQUASTAR Inc.OLM TEAM MIYAGAWAFormer live-action production unit.Disbanded in 2015 and absorbed into Fuji Creative Corporation (FCC).
Works TV series