For decades, OLM Digital has been known for its work on iconic franchises like The Apothecary Diaries, and now, the studio is looking to AI for its future. OLM is at the forefront of anime production, which has dealt with advancing technology the same way many other industries have. Among these technologies is AI, which has been an especially controversial development.

While AI can certainly be useful in specific situations, the speed at which its use has increased has caused alarm for some, especially those working in creative fields. Along those lines, AI's role in anime production has been met with skepticism, largely due to concerns over copyright, job displacement, and ethical considerations.

The Potential Of AI In Animation Production

How OLM Digital Plans To Use AI In Animation

However, according to a new Imagica Group interview with Tatsuo Yotsukura, the director and R&D supervisor of OLM Digital (via animecorner.me), OLM is taking a different stance. It argues that AI, when used responsibly, can reduce repetitive tasks and animators rather than threaten their roles. Through its research initiative, ANIMINS, the studio is actively developing AI applications tailored to anime production. This project, running for 15 months, seeks to create AI-assisted workflows that help creative integrity while improving productivity.

OLM Digital has identified three key areas where AI can play a big role, and these are character drawing assistance, in-between animation, and image search technology. One of the major challenges in anime production is the shortage of experienced key animators. The workload on animation directors to correct inconsistencies is huge, which can slow down production. OLM Digital is developing a character drawing tool that can refine rough sketches and bring them closer to official character designs. This AI-powered tool could act as a virtual assistant, helping animation directors maintain consistency.

Another big aspect of animation is the in-between process, where animators create transitional frames to make movement appear fluid. The more in-between frames there are, the smoother the animation looks. AI could assist in generating these frames, reducing the burden on human animators. By automating this time-consuming task, studios can give more resources to detailed key-frame animation, ultimately improving the final product’s quality. AI, when used like this, could function as a helping tool rather than a replacement for human animators.

The third area of AI used at OLM is image search technology. For long-running series like Pokémon, ensuring consistency in character designs and backgrounds can be challenging, especially as new staff projects. AI-driven image search can help animators quickly locate past references, such as a character’s room design or specific running animation. This technology would allow teams to keep up with visual continuity without relying solely on veteran animators’ knowledge, making the workflow more efficient.

Challenges Of AI Integration In Anime

OLM Could Face Backlash From Fans & Industry Professionals Alike

Despite its potential, AI implementation in anime production has a lot of hurdles. OLM Digital has highlighted four major concerns about copyright infringement, AI backlash from fans, time constraints, and limited research resources in the anime industry. Copyright concerns stem from the use of existing artwork to train AI models. Without proper regulation, AI-generated content could unintentionally replicate copyrighted material, leading to legal disputes. OLM Digital aims to prevent this issue by making sure AI tools are designed for their specific internal rather than content generation.

To help with these concerns, OLM Digital emphasizes that AI will be used as a ive tool instead of replacing human creativity.

A big cultural challenge is the backlash from fans and industry professionals. Many anime fans do not like AI involvement, fearing that it might take over the human animation that makes anime unique. The controversy surrounding AI-generated trailers and AI-assisted artwork from popular creators like Hayao Miyazaki has fueled skepticism, with some projects facing public criticism. To help with these concerns, OLM Digital emphasizes that AI will be used as a ive tool instead of replacing human creativity. By clearly using AI as an assistant and not an artist, the studio hopes to ease fears and encourage other studios to do the same.

Another challenge is the intense production schedules in the anime industry. Studios often work under tight deadlines, leaving little room to experiment with new technologies. Animators and directors may struggle to incorporate AI tools into their workflows when they are already overburdened with projects. To address this, OLM Digital is doing research through ANIMINS, aiming to create an AI model that integrates seamlessly into current production processes without disrupting schedules.

The Future Of AI In Anime Production

How AI Is Shaping What's To Come For Anime Studios

OLM Digital's AI programs are part of a larger industry movement toward technological innovation. Over 10 major anime studios have expressed interest in testing AI-driven production tools. These developments are being funded by NEDO’s Generative AI Accelerator Challenge (GENIAC) project, with AI Mages and EQUES contributing to technology development. Universities involved in the ANIMINS project are working on prototypes to refine AI applications in anime. By working with many different companies, OLM Digital is setting itself up to be at the forefront of AI within the anime industry.

One of the most successful AI applications in OLM Digital’s workflow so far is AI-assisted coloring. The studio has already started using a tool that automates certain coloring processes, reducing work hours by nearly 30%. This has allowed artists to focus on more complex parts of anime rather than repetitive tasks. While AI-generated animation and images are very controversial, simple automation tools like AI-assisted coloring have been received more positively within the industry. By using AI in areas that can alleviate artists' workloads without taking away their artistic integrity, AI use may be able to gain wider acceptance.

If handled responsibly, AI has the potential to the anime industry rather than disrupt it.

Looking ahead, the role of AI in anime production is likely to expand. As more studios recognize the benefits of automation, AI tools could become industry standards for streamlining animation processes. However, successful integration will depend on balancing efficiency with creative authenticity. If handled responsibly, AI has the potential to the anime industry rather than disrupt it. OLM Digital’s cautious but proactive approach may set a precedent for how technology and artistry can coexist in the future of anime production, especially if they integrate it into their most popular series, like Pokémon and The Apothecary Diaries.

Source: Imagica Group (via animecorner.me)