Photo/Illutration From left: Naomichi Yamato, Yuko Kaida, Masuo Ueda, Masaru Kitao and Shunsuke Sakuya, board members of the Nippon Anime & Film Culture Association, hold a news conference in Tokyo's Toshima Ward on May 19. (Kenro Kuroda)

Anime studios were once perceived as places where dreams are created, but in reality, front-line artists in the expanding industry often toil under nightmarish working conditions.

Led by anime producer Masuo Ueda, the Nippon Anime & Film Culture Association (NAFCA) was formed to tackle issues that are plaguing the industry, including long working hours for low wages.

Ueda has served as a managing director of Sunrise Inc. (now Bandai Namco Filmworks Inc.) and president of both A-1 Pictures Inc. and Aniplex Inc.

He was joined by a voice actor and other founding members of the general incorporated association at a news conference in Tokyo on May 19 to explain the situation.

“Production sites are far short of factories where dreams are woven, and productions are now supported by creators who are pushed beyond their limits but still work hard because they ‘love this job,’” Ueda said. “It is safe to say that front-line workers are on the verge of burnout.”

Japan’s anime market grew to be worth 2.7 trillion yen ($19.2 billion) in 2021, according to the 2022 Anime Industry Report of the Association of Japanese Animations.

But many animators, particularly young ones, still work long hours for low pay, while small and midsized studios operate under unstable conditions.

Ueda said anime creators are expected to live in poverty before they get an opportunity to work in the industry.

He said he decided to set up NAFCA to change the environment for his profession instead of waiting for government authorities to take measures.

One of the association’s main activities is to nurture talent in the industry.

Anime director Naomichi Yamato, an NAFCA board member, said anime production techniques have been passed down from senior staff to younger colleagues for generations.

But with the sharp increase in the number of productions in recent years, it has become difficult to hand down such skills in the workplace, he said.

“Production companies facing labor shortages are recruiting animators through social media. The artists are thrown into workplaces with no training and have no idea if they are doing their job properly or not,” he said.

“With new recruits continuing to be assigned tasks meant for experienced staff, the studios are thrown into the worst vicious cycle. They lose quality, must make modifications, fall behind schedule and miss deadlines.”

Yamato said the association intends to introduce an “animator skill certification test,” which is targeted at job applicants who want to learn the basics. The program would also provide re-education opportunities to professional animators.

NAFCA also plans to make policy proposals.

“Voice-recording artists and actors tend to be reluctant to get involved in politics. But the situation has become so serious that we cannot turn a blind eye to it anymore,” said voice actress Yuko Kaida, who is also a board member.

“We want to provide an environment where we can express our thoughts and change the mindset of society. We want to deliver opinions from front-line workers to the government and contribute to the development of animation as Japan’s traditional culture.”

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