Digital animation studio OLM, known for its work on Pokémon and Yo-kai Watch, has announced its intention to use generative artificial intelligence to support anime production. The company is looking to integrate this technology to optimize processes without replacing artists, in a move that reignites the debate about AI in the industry.
OLM studio relies on AI to optimize anime production
OLM Digital, the renowned Japanese animation studio responsible for franchises such as Pokémon and Inazuma Eleven, has announced an ambitious plan to incorporate generative artificial intelligence into its workflow. Through the ANIMINS (ANIMe INSight) project, the company seeks to develop tools that optimize anime production without replacing human creativity. This initiative has raised both expectations and concerns within the industry, as AI poses technical, ethical and cultural challenges.
In a recent interview published by IMAGICA GROUP, Tatsuo Yotsukura, director and R&D supervisor at OLM Digital, explained the vision behind ANIMINS. According to Yotsukura, AI has the potential to improve efficiency in anime production, allowing artists to focus on more creative tasks. The idea is similar to the evolution of technology in other fields: just as personal computers and smartphones went from disruptive innovations to indispensable tools, AI could become an everyday resource for animation studios.
The ANIMINS project, launched in December 2024, will run for 15 months and seeks to develop a workflow model in which AI acts as a support in anime production. This model will be presented at conferences, research institutes and start-ups specializing in animation.
Despite the potential benefits, AI integration in the anime industry faces several hurdles. OLM Digital has identified four main challenges:
- Copyright issues: There is great concern about how generative AI could infringe on the rights of authors and artists.
- Public rejection: Many anime fans have expressed a strong rejection of AI-generated creations, which could affect the reception of productions using this technology.
- Lack of time for experimentation: Strict anime production schedules make it difficult to test new technologies without compromising deadlines.
- Technical limitations: The anime industry has fewer R&D teams and engineers compared to other sectors, which slows down the development of AI-based tools.
Despite these challenges, OLM Digital has begun to implement AI tools into its workflow, most notably software that automates the coloring of certain sections (example). This technology has reduced work time by approximately 30% in some cases, freeing artists from repetitive tasks so they can focus on more creative aspects of production.
OLM Digital has identified three areas where AI could be particularly useful:
- Character drawing support: The anime industry faces a shortage of key animators, increasing the workload of animation directors. An AI tool to assist in drawing correction could improve efficiency without compromising artistic quality.
- Generation of tween frames: Intermediate animators are responsible for stitching together key animations by creating intermediate frames. AI could assist in this task, ensuring smoother transitions and reducing the team’s workload.
- Image search for visual consistency: In long-running series such as Pokémon and Beyblade, maintaining consistency in character and stage design is crucial. An AI capable of searching for visual references within a database could help animators maintain uniformity in their designs.
OLM Digital emphasizes that its goal is not to replace artists, but to provide them with tools that facilitate their work. In its statement, the company makes it clear that generative AI will be used as a mere support in the creative process and not as a substitute for human creators.
The fear of AI replacing jobs is a common concern in the anime industry, especially considering the precarious employment many animators face. However, OLM Digital argues that its approach seeks precisely to improve working conditions by reducing mechanical tasks and allowing artists to focus on more expressive and creative aspects.
More than 10 anime studios and artificial intelligence software companies have agreed to participate in testing ANIMINS’ findings. Technology companies such as NEDO, AI Mages and EQUES will contribute to the development of the tools, while OLM Digital will validate their usefulness in real production environments. Anime studios that join the project will be able to access these tools free of charge to test their implementation.
As the anime industry evolves, the incorporation of AI seems inevitable. Although there are technical and cultural hurdles, projects like ANIMINS seek to strike a balance between automation and human creativity. If the initiative is successful, it could mark a before and after in the way anime is produced, providing greater efficiency without compromising the artistic essence of this form of entertainment.
