Being an Animator in Japan | THE VOICELESS #23 

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It hurts to know that the people who make you happy are really poor

Honestly, Japanese animators need a worker's union. This is just harsh

Huge respect for her. Just like her favourite character, she never gives up.

Everyone is saying toxic AoT fans should watch this, but every one who's disrespectful and toxic to any anime animation should watch this.

Anime fans who keep pushing for new seasons quickly should watch this

This make me feel guilty for watching anime for free..

im a digital artist and sketching something already takes the life outta me i can't even imagine how difficult drawing each movement for a 30 minute video would be for me. God knows how much trouble these animators have gone through

If Ayane has patreon, I would love to support her. She’s so genuine and passionate.

Anime is so big yet people don’t give credit to the artist

Bless that man who opened that dormitory to support animators. Animators deserve so much better, they contribute so much to exporting Japanese media abroad and help bring in so much attention and tourism to Japan.

Animes: 1 year of making 30+ episodes Disney: 4 years of making frozen 2 And yeah, american animators are richer

Such a kind, sweet, talented and humble young lady. So sad that she doesn't earn enough to live normally, despite working so much. Also, Hiroko did an amazing job, anyways!

"Well, I always just ignore my hunger, so I'm okay." A person shouldn't live this way. The industry truly needs to pay those hard-working animators more. Kudos to you raising awareness to their poor work conditions.

She chose this job not because of money, but because of her happiness, I admire her for that.

Although some animators don’t mind being underpaid since they’re doing what they love, I think animators should still get higher pay regardless, depending on the work they do. The fact that animation takes so much time and effort, as well as trying to satisfy fans of that anime/animation, and then seeing animators being underpaid is just not right in my eyes.

As an American illustrator, that salary, OMG... I thought I was being taken to the cleaners here in the US. I couldn't imagine living on so little and working so constantly. My background was mostly in comics and storyboarding for games and commercials but I have also done background design for animation. I eventually stopped drawing and went to other creative outlets because I felt the stress, lack of exercise, lack of social stimulation and overall lack of interaction with the world was unhealthy. Much kudos to this young woman. But I'm wondering, with the passage of time and experience, if her opinion of her working situation will change. It's one thing when you're young, hungry and getting started but it's another when you've been in the game for a while. Especially having to deal with constant change and technological advancements that changes your job over time.

Her posture is so bent over. Really shows the effect of being overworked.

After watching so many videos about Japan, I can only say... *"Incredible as a nation, Harsh as a society."*

So sick of hearing about how talented, skilled people are being overworked and underpaid by greedy organisations! This has to stop! Without these people we wouldn't buy your anime films and shows! Pay these creatives a fair salary/rate! They have to live! And this hurts the economy overall as they don't have the extra Cashflow to spend their money in the market! Stop the greed! We are in the creative economy, these people are more valuable than ever! I want to build a media business that pays these highly skilled creatives well! Keep up the good work, but you deserve better!

She animates even after getting underpaid but that what makes her happy. She have my respect. Every ounce of it

Wow hearing she said “as long as I can draw, money is the last thing” really get me respect for her

bruh you know theres a problem when a high school student working part time makes more money than a full time animator that works 15 hrs a day

I just feel sad for the animator that they got underpaid and worked soo hard to bring a project to life. This is why I want to learn animation, and change history forever

"Even in Japan, this industry is very unique with unusual business practices." I'm pretty sure that's called exploitation. I wonder how many other industries in Japan have "unusual business practices."

I am so shocked that till now Attack on titan was animated by wit studios , which only has 20-30 animators!!!! Imagine the PRESSURE on these people.

This is why we need more studios like Kyoto animation. The animators get paid a good amount and the animation looks insanely good.

Thank you to all animators for making my life not boring. I really appreciate your effort. And I know how hard you work. Thank you so much.

She got a portrait for free. She shouldve paid! Portraits realistic / anime style doesnt matter art is art. "Can uu draw me for free" is something an artist should never do😭 she was so NICE to accept omg

"I always just ignore my hunger" *I feel sad for her* . Man these artists need more recognition and respect for their hard work.

She works in animation because of Naruto. Mad respect.

I learn the struggle of animators in Japan from my first 2d animation class and seeing how hard they work for less than an average animator makes in the states is insane! When She said that a teenager with a part time makes more than her is just crazy man.

First of all, judging by me being an illustrator/graphic designer, she has tremendous skills, her works are so good, which bugs me even more when I know how much she is making.

Really hope that the girl don´t lose her job because of this interview.

AoT toxic fans who keeps complaining about every little detail should watch this.

F*ck, as a anime fan, I started crying watching this

As a struggling animator myself. Seeing this really puts life into perspective. I've been so depressed just trying to get a job in this industry following art school. I can't imagine working long shifts and not making a living from it. Really humbling to see.

Toxic aot fans this is what you need to watch

Sad to see that the anime industry is just a straight up exploitation of passion

Even though she has less money in hand, she is happy and doesn't regret her decisions because she loves what she does and does what she loves. We can definitely learn something from her and many animators like her.

animators do amazing and impressive work, THEY DESERVE THE WORLD

Her only reason was because she loved Naruto very much... *I like her already*

Why do such passionate and talented people get robbed in this world while fraud people are successful?

Aman Agrawal 25 seconds ago I have been very much inspired by the passion she have for the work and it has given me hope to do my work and not lose our dream. Thank you @Asian Boss for bringing such beautiful story. All the very best Ms. Nakamura Ayano. You are my inspiration.!!

They make us: Happy Have something to talk in the conversation Enjoy our life in the same boring routine But they got: Hate speech Low paid works 😔

Even though she said she doesn’t worry about the money, she really deserves a huge pay raise😔😔

And kids are complaining about bad animation when they watched it illegally for free, smh

This animator broke my heart not having enough money to buy an eye mask or any simple product is seriousily heartbreaking

One of the very few professions left where people do it for passion and not money. Big respect to these artists.

"I'm underpaid and overworked" "Sugoi, btw can you draw me real quick?"

Japanese animators need to come together and form a union. They need to realise that there's no anime industry without them. As long as they keep continuing with the way things are, they'll continue to be taken advantage of.

And yet I have side job online and I could like finish it in like 2 or 3 hours and get paid $600 monthly. This is just insane. No wonder animators working in the anime industry is decreasing. I think piracy plays a big role in this also if the company makes more money they'll probably increase the animators salary. Crunchyroll doesn't have all the Anime and OVAs we want to watch and to some countries it will require them a VPN, many of these anime streaming platforms are not that good. The Anime Industry should invest and make a good Anime Streaming Platform with subscriptions this way they will be able to make much more money and increase their workers salary.

I really admire the animators for I know how difficult it is to be an artist. You're ideas, your hardwork and sleepless nights

After the tragic Kyoto animation situation I'm glad more light is being shone on this sad topic, like these astoundingly talented people are worked to the bone with the smallest pay for it their entire lives. I mean for me it's just cruel and it doesn't seem right yet it's still happening.

Talented artists and animators: *exists* The Anime industry: *it's free real estate*

Aw, I love her. Such a sincere and sweet person. This hit home for me because I relate to putting money & everything else aside, just to do it because you love it so much. She, and so many others deserve a lot better 💙

I am Japanese👍🖖🙌 The work site of the Japanese animation industry is exactly this. If you want to help animators, Please donate from the crowdfunding link in the description column🙇‍♂️

This made me cry, especially when she said she ignores hunger. 😭😭😭

"About Naruto's son?" Thats the perfect *I only know Naruto* phrase. Badass.

If I've ever crtiticised any animation studio for delaying something. "I AM SORRY" I feel so awful. 😭 Forgive me🙏

40 dollars per cut!? That’s atrocious, what the hell. Yet animators here in the US create projects nowhere near as beautifully drawn and they’re millionaires. If Japan won’t take care of their animators, which it isn’t like they can’t take care of them (merch, toys, conventions, movie deals, clothing, restaurants, amusement parks, even heard of a museum opening for AoT) then I wish they’d allow the fans to take care of them. After seeing this and the conditions MAPPA has its workers in… I would be happy to donate money to them.

The fact that she never thought about quitting is mind blowing 🤯 *RESPECT*

shes actually one of the first artists that accepted“can you draw me?”

I don't understand why she keeps continuing her job as an animator and she only barely got paid :( not only her but to all animator, This is why I love those people who want to make people happy but they're barely living :( I hope someone would help that kind of people :( I respect you! 100%!

Tbh honest I didn't know animators struggle, but since I was a teen I understood animating is a really a tough job, drawing for every frame, that's when I started watching more n more anime and still I'm hooked up to it... These ppl struggle more than real actors. RESPECT .

You’d think these animators are swimming in money. The reality is truly upsetting

I just can't believe how people diss Mappa for using CGI Titans.

This feels like a personal attack to me cause I started enjoying the new animation of One piece on whole cake and Wano and I wanted it to be consistent. But always the old one is goated and my favourite. Also salute to Oda along with the animators , respect doubled

This is so sad but they seem to love what they do. This is truly amazing

Honestly, working as a RU-vid animator would probably be more profitable than as a professional animator.

she'd make more money receiving commissions from people who want personalised drawings on fiverr

They get underpaid because the companies know its their passion so they do not care about monetary compensation.

I just noticed how her posture has greatly affected by her profession. I am a super fan of animes and I have huge respect for all the animators in the world. This is not livelihood but passion.

“Money is the last thing I worry about” wow she really proved the “if you like what you do then you never work a day in your life” motto but I do really hope she can eat well. And thank you to Asian Boss for getting her those little gifts I’m sure she appreciated it a lot!

She animated some scenes in Vinland Saga! WHEW! RESPECT!

She has my respect. Thank you Ayane and other animators who face to the same situation I hope that situation change for the best

Im respect all the animators out there cuz the effort they put in each masterpiece is amazing.

*They should be paid more* For a country that's a center of attraction for Anime This is an issue that should be addressed and taken priority to the Japanese Government. Well, after the recent Typhoon damages has been settled

the “starving artists” trope is really based from reality and it sucks

after seeing many behind the scenes videos of animators , it really inspired me to pursue this in my future career, it’s sooo amazing the amount of passion they have, and the time and effort to make the viewers satisfied, really admirable!!

This is why I always buy the manga to support the mangaka. I know how hard it is to draw thousands of pages😭

She had work on boruto, with $400 a month, that is so sad.

I knew the conditions are hard but hearing sentences like "I ignore the hunger so it's fine" makes me still sad. It's not fair and no full-time job should be like that.

It warms my heart when they did gift her in the end! Thank you asian boss for your generosity and kindness.

Watching anime was a life changing experience for me. I was able to acquire a completely different and positive perspective in life. Truth being said I don't think I would be alive right now if it wasnt for anime. And with my ways of thinking being changed into a whole different level, I was able to learn a whole a lot about life;way more than what I could have learnt after going to school. I was also able to spread my positivity to those around me and people who I find sharing their problems online. Many people have been sharing their problems with me these day.I believe that I was able to talk about people's problems and was able to provide them with the proper mental state and psychology to face their problems was because of the life lessons that I was able to gain through anime. I have also started to show my emotions and opinions towards others in a more open manner than I did before, at least through texts. I used to be an introvert you see, and now I definitely feel my self changing. I can't believe they are so underpaid ! This just proves again how unfair this world is! They deserve way more money than they receive ! But as long as their happy nothing else matters! These people have saved so many lives ,I'm telling you guys!

Bruh why there's a always a dark secret about every other amazing thing.

“Some days I have no food but I ignore the hunger.” “That’s terrible... here we got you a gift. Glasses.”

What a dignified passionate humble and hard working human soul the weight of the cruel world on her shoulders I truly wish her the best and hope her dreams come true she is so hard on herself she deserves better !!!!

The fact that these insanely talented and skilled people are so underpaid while doing so much work for a gigantic industry is still a mystery to me. I understand that a lot of anime projects have a shallow, fixed budget, but their workers' wages are beyond ridiculous. I'm happy that there are people like Jun who aim to make their situation better, and that despite harshness these animators still want to keep doing it out of passion -- it's immensely admirable and a little bit sad at the same time. Looking forward to the day when I myself have enough money to support the people who work on the products I consume. Great video, hope people keep becoming aware about this and that at least a small-scale industry change can happen soon to make animators' lives easier.

When she said "Money is the last thing I worry about” I feel that she really wants being an animator.

People who watch anime for free shouldn't complain about the animation. Ok, maybe you can complaint a little.

She deserves the best. I hope she's doing better has higher salary and is happier than ever. You can tell she's such a kind soul. Sending prayers your way nakamura ayano. Thank you.

Imagine the insane number of drawings she has to make for one episode, let alone a full series. Makes me see my complaints and struggle about 5h of drawing a day in a completely different light. Her spirit is immense, many artists can learn from her dedication!

You can see the screams of pain in her eyes when hiroko asked "Can you draw me?"

that super casual "Well, I always just ignore my hunger, so I'm okay" pulled my heart strings. Daaamn, who cutting them onions

As a viewer, i'm so excited seeing such a hard work, such love of work. Japan and it's people are so inspiring me

I want to cry! Thank you, Asian Boss! This is heart-warming!

Underpaid and Overworked seem to be the standard in Japan, regardless of profession.

When an anime is doing good and a lot of people are praising it their animators should get a raise. Animators are just as important as the voice actors too.

She must've been an really good animator for such an "Excellent" show. Vindland Saga is one of those anime that I really enjoyed and loved please keep up the good work.