The Sad Truth of Being A Japanese Animator

Summary

This video delves into the harsh realities faced by Japanese animators, highlighting the severe working conditions behind anime's growing global popularity. Despite the industry's $21 billion revenue in 2019, many animators struggle with low wages, long hours, and burnout. Top animators earn significantly less than their Western counterparts, and entry-level animators often make below living wages in Tokyo. The video explores systemic issues like overwork culture, production budgets, and passionate young workers accepting these conditions to pursue their dreams. The video invites viewers to discuss and reflect on these challenges.

Takeaways

• 📺 The pandemic led to a massive increase in TV watching, with a reported 61% rise in streaming video consumption.
• 🚀 Anime saw a huge surge in popularity during the pandemic, with 'Attack on Titan' becoming the most in-demand show in the U.S., marking a significant milestone for Japanese media.
• 💼 Despite anime's global success, the working conditions for Japanese animators remain harsh, with long hours and low pay.
• 💸 Many animators work 12-hour days, with over half reporting insufficient wages, and entry-level animators earning as little as $10,000 annually.
• 🏙️ Most animators live in Tokyo, one of the most expensive cities in the world, making it difficult to survive on such low salaries.
• 🎨 Freelance animators, who often work without contracts, face additional challenges, including a lack of health insurance.
• 📉 The supply of aspiring animators is so high that companies can keep wages low, contributing to the industry's systemic issues.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Japan's cultural emphasis on hard work and avoiding confrontation prevents many animators from speaking out about poor working conditions.
• 🏭 Some studios, like MAPPA, have faced accusations of 'factory-like' working conditions, though there are exceptions like Kyoto Animation, which is known for better pay and conditions.
• ⚖️ The industry struggles with restrictive budgets, cultural norms of overwork, and a passion among animators that keeps the cycle of exploitation going.

Q & A

How did the pandemic affect television watching habits?

The pandemic forced people into their homes, leading to an increase in television watching. Comcast reported that the average household watched over 8 hours more per week during the first spike of COVID-19, and Nielsen found an average increase of 61% in streaming video from TV.

What was the impact of the pandemic on the anime industry?

The popularity of anime soared to new heights during the pandemic, with Attack on Titan becoming the most in-demand show in the United States, which was an unprecedented feat for anime and international Japanese media.

How does the anime industry's financial success compare to the wages of its workers?

Despite the anime industry bringing in over $21 billion in 2019, many workers and animators are worse off than ever before, with a widening gap between company profits and worker wages.

What is the average workday like for an animator?

According to a poll by The Association of Japanese Animations, on average, animators work 12-hour workdays, with 50% feeling that their wages are insufficient compared to the work they put in.

What is the salary range for a top animator in Japan?

Tetsuya Akutsu, a head animator on shows like Darling in the Franxx and Made in Abyss, earns about 1400-3800 a month, or approximately 17k to 46k a year.

How does the salary of Japanese animators compare to their American counterparts?

While a top Japanese animator might earn up to 46k a year, American animators on average earn 65000 a year or more.

What is the difference between a 'genga man' and a 'douga man' in the anime industry?

A 'genga man' is a more renowned, generally freelance animator who works on key episodes or scenes, while a 'douga man' is a more common entry-level animator who works frame by frame to connect key illustrations to create animation.

What are the average annual earnings for the majority of animators according to the poll?

27% of animators in the poll earned less than 1 million yen (about 10,000 dollars) annually, with the average salary being around 12,000 a year.

How does living in Tokyo affect the financial situation of animators?

Since the majority of animators live in Tokyo, one of the most expensive cities in the world, earning around 12,000 a year makes living in Japan very challenging.

What are some of the issues faced by animators除了低工资之外?

Besides low wages, animators face issues like burnout, overexhaustion, and long work hours, with over 50% having 4 or fewer days off a month, including weekends.

Why do conditions and wages for animators not improve despite the industry's success?

The supply of aspiring animators is relatively inelastic, meaning companies can keep wages low and still receive a stable supply of workers due to the passion of young animators who are willing to accept most costs to work in the industry.

What role does Japanese culture play in the working conditions of animators?

Japanese culture cultivates an environment of avoiding direct confrontation and working hard no matter what, which contributes to the persistence of the grueling working conditions and low wages for animators.

Are there any examples of studios that treat their animators better?

Yes, Kyoto Animation is known for giving employees favored salaries instead of outsourcing to freelancers, which is the cheaper and more common option.