Science & Tech · AI · 18 hrs ago
OLM Develops Anime Coloring AI That Learns a Show From Three Frames
Japanese animation studio OLM has developed an AI coloring tool for anime production.
OLM, which makes the “Pokemon” anime series and films, says the tool can learn a show’s line style and colors from just three hand-painted frames.
It takes about 90 seconds to learn the style, then colors each remaining frame in around 15 seconds.
At proof-of-concept stage, OLM estimates the tool has cut painting workload by about 30%, although reviewers have more work checking the colored frames.
The system is trained on frames from the production it is helping, and OLM says this means other works are not used.
The tool came from a 15-month research project under Japan’s government-backed GENIAC program, which examined how AI could be used in anime and wrapped in February.
OLM is also exploring AI agents to support production teams, but says it is proceeding carefully in sensitive areas such as approvals and licensing.
OLM has developed an AI coloring tool that learns an anime show’s visual style from three hand-painted frames.
The system learns a show’s line shapes and color palette in about 90 seconds, then colors each remaining frame in around 15 seconds.
The tool was developed through ANIMINS, a 15-month research project under Japan’s government-backed GENIAC program.
At proof-of-concept stage, OLM estimates the tool has reduced painting workload by around 30%.
OLM Digital board director Yotsukura Tatsuo said the tool is designed to fit into existing anime workflows.
- Who
- OLM, the Japanese animation group behind the “Pokemon” anime series and films.
- What
- It developed an AI tool that learns a show’s look from three hand-painted frames and colors the remaining frames.
- When
- Yotsukura discussed the tool at the Taiwan Creative Content Fest on Nov. 7, 2026. The research project wrapped in February.
- Where
- The tool was presented at the Taiwan Creative Content Fest in Taipei. OLM is based in Japan and has staff across Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and the U.S.
- Why
- The ANIMINS project examined how anime creators could use AI. OLM’s tool is intended to reduce painting work while fitting into existing production workflows.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The 15-month ANIMINS research project wrapped.
Yotsukura discussed OLM’s AI coloring tool at the Taiwan Creative Content Fest in Taipei.
- Training frames
- Three hand-painted frames
- Style-learning time
- About 90 seconds
- Time per remaining frame
- Around 15 seconds
- Estimated painting-workload reduction
- Around 30% at proof-of-concept stage
- Research project
- ANIMINS, a 15-month project under GENIAC
What people are saying
Strictly speaking, it isn’t generative AI
The point OLM most wanted to stress, he said, is that it fits into existing anime workflows without disrupting them.
As you probably saw passing through the first floor, we make the ‘Pokemon’ anime – not the games – including the TV series and the theatrical films