Short answers, pulled from the story.
OLM was founded on the 3rd of October 1990 by nine people: Toshiaki Okuno, Shukichi Kanda, Shoji Ota, Kunihiko Yuyama, Naohito Takahashi, Yuriko Chiba, Nobuyuki Wasaki, Tsukasa Koitabashi, and Takaya Mizutani. All nine were formerly affiliated with Studio Gallop or OB Planning. The studio was originally named Oriental Light and Magic, Inc.
OLM is best known for producing the Pokémon anime series, which began on the 1st of April 1997 and has run for more than 1,300 episodes. The studio is also known for Yo-kai Watch, Beyblade Burst, Berserk, Odd Taxi, and The Apothecary Diaries.
OLM Digital is a subsidiary founded in 1995 by Toshiaki Okuno, who also led the parent company. It serves as the main CG and computer graphics production arm for a majority of OLM's projects. OLM Digital also produces its own distinct works, including original 3DCG series and live-action VFX, under the direction of Takashi Miike.
OLM is divided into separate production lines, each named after the Animation Producer leading it. As of 2025, six teams are active. Several original teams have disbanded over the years, with some spinning off to form independent studios; TEAM IWASA became White Fox in 2007 and TEAM KOJIMA founded Bug Films in 2022.
On the 1st of April 2024, Hideki Kama, who had been vice president, was named successor as representative director of the main studio, while Misako Saka became representative director of OLM Digital. Okuno stepped down from both roles but remained with the company as a member of the board of directors.
The name OLM is derived from Industrial Light and Magic, the American special effects studio. The company was originally called Oriental Light and Magic, Inc. when it was founded on the 3rd of October 1990.