Bibury Animation founder and CEO Motoki Tanaka recently spoke to people interested in the animation industry on social media X and shared his views on the current situation of the industry. Working conditions and pay levels, especially for animators and production coordinators, have improved significantly over the past few years, he said.
As examples, he cited increases in wages (employers raising wages and paying them on time), as well as reductions in the amount of overtime and the number of employees having to sleep at work.
The days when low pay and forced overtime were considered the norm in the anime industry are over.
The stigma of working in animation being considered shameful or “only for otakus” is also disappearing, Tanaka said. The industry has become Japan’s most important cultural asset, and professionals working in the industry can be proud of their careers. He adds that while animation work isn’t easy (low pay, unpaid wages and overtime still exist), it can be extremely rewarding.
In recent years, there have been frequent reports of poor working conditions for Japanese animators. Therefore, in July 2023, Oricon News published a document stating that the fruits of the animation industry’s global economic success are often enjoyed only by experienced professionals. New immigrants are paid about 50,000 yen ($350) a month and are encouraged to hone their skills in their spare time, making it impossible for them to work part-time to make ends meet.
In March 2024, a Japanese animator stated on social networks that he received the equivalent of US$132 in his first month of working at the studio, which resonated widely.
In 2025, a report by the United Nations Human Rights Council highlighted deep-rooted problems in Japan’s animation industry, raising concerns about the country’s ability to complete production schedules and maintain the industry’s viability. The survey found that more than 30% of animators working as freelancers or on contract regularly faced long working hours and unfair terms of collaboration. It has also been pointed out that contracts with animators often do not protect their intellectual property rights.
