OLM anime business profile: Pokemon studio under IMAGICA Group
OLM is one of Japan's largest animation studios by output, operating as part of the IMAGICA Group content services conglomerate.
Published: 2026-08-19. Updated: 2026-08-19.
Short answer: OLM, Inc. is a Japanese animation studio headquartered in Setagaya, Tokyo. It was established in June 1994, has capital of JPY 100 million, and as of March 2025 employed 204 people on a standalone basis. The studio is best known for the Pokemon franchise and is a subsidiary of IMAGICA Group, which acquired a controlling stake in 2016. OLM does not publish standalone financial results, so its revenue and profit are not publicly disclosed.
What OLM is and who owns it
OLM, Inc., formerly Oriental Light and Magic, is a Japanese animation, CG animation, and VFX studio based in Setagaya, Tokyo. It was established in June 1994 and has capital of JPY 100 million. As of March 2025, the parent company OLM, Inc. employed 204 people.
OLM is a subsidiary of IMAGICA Group. In December 2015, IMAGICA Robot Holdings announced it would acquire a 51.33% controlling stake in OLM for JPY 2.858 billion, with the acquisition taking effect in April 2016. IMAGICA Group provides post-production, digital content, and media services, so OLM sits within a broader content services conglomerate rather than a pure anime holding company.
OLM's subsidiaries and global footprint
OLM operates through a parent company and several subsidiaries. OLM Digital, Inc. was established in April 1997 and had 138 employees as of March 2025. OLM Ventures, OLM Music, and overseas units Sprite Animation Studios in Los Angeles, OLM Malaysia, and OLM Thailand are also part of the group.
The studio produces animated television series, feature films, full CG works, and VFX. Its international subsidiaries handle production support and regional operations, reflecting OLM's focus on long-running series with global audiences.
How OLM makes money
OLM earns revenue primarily from animation production for television series and films, plus CG and VFX work. Long-running franchises such as Pokemon provide a stable base of production work. The studio also generates income from licensing, merchandise coordination, and production services through its subsidiaries.
Because OLM is a private subsidiary, its revenue mix is not public. Unlike rights-owning studios such as Toei Animation, OLM's public identity is that of a production house and service provider. Its parent IMAGICA Group reports consolidated results, but does not break out OLM separately.
Where public evidence stops: OLM does not publish standalone revenue or profit figures. The JPY 2.858 billion acquisition price is from the 2015 IMAGICA Robot Holdings announcement and reflects the value of a 51.33% stake at that time, not current revenue.
Ownership and corporate structure
OLM is controlled by IMAGICA Group, which acquired its majority stake in 2016. IMAGICA Group is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and provides a range of content services including post-production, digital cinema, and media technology. OLM is the animation production arm within this group.
The studio's corporate structure includes the main OLM, Inc. entity plus subsidiaries focused on digital production, music, ventures, and overseas operations. This structure allows OLM to handle different parts of the production pipeline internally.
Strategy and where OLM fits in anime
OLM's strategy centers on high-volume production of long-running children's and family anime, combined with CG and VFX capabilities. Pokemon is the flagship example, but the studio has worked on many other series across genres.
As part of IMAGICA Group, OLM benefits from access to post-production and digital media infrastructure. However, it does not appear to operate as a rights-owning IP company. Its role is closer to that of a premium production partner for broadcasters, game companies, and rights holders.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns OLM?
OLM is a subsidiary of IMAGICA Group, which acquired a 51.33% controlling stake in 2016.
Does OLM publish standalone revenue?
No. OLM is a private subsidiary and does not publish separate financial results. Its revenue and profit are included in IMAGICA Group's consolidated reporting without a separate OLM breakdown.
What is OLM best known for?
OLM is best known for producing the Pokemon anime franchise, among many other television series, films, CG works, and VFX projects.
How many employees does OLM have?
As of March 2025, OLM, Inc. had 204 employees on a standalone basis, with an additional 138 employees at subsidiary OLM Digital, Inc.
Sources and methodology
- About OLM, OLM Group. Official company profile, including establishment date, capital, president, address, employee counts as of March 2025, and subsidiary list.
- Imagica Robot To Acquire Pokemon Anime Studio OLM, Anime Herald. Report on IMAGICA Robot Holdings' 2015 announcement to acquire a 51.33% stake in OLM for JPY 2.858 billion.