Anime fans are no strangers to the harsh working conditions that many animators endure, but a new survey suggests the problem extends to other roles in the industry as well.
The survey, conducted by Kyoto News, found that a staggering 50 percent of workers across all categories in the anime industry clock over 225 hours per month, which equates to more than 56 hours per week.
To put this in perspective, the average full-time worker in Japan works 163.5 hours per month, or roughly 41 hours per week, according to a 2023 survey by the health ministry.
This means that anime industry workers are putting in significantly longer hours than the average Japanese employee. The survey data was collected from a total of 293 individuals, including 191 animators, 44 directors, 35 producers, and 23 voice actors.
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The findings reveal a troubling reality for those working in the anime industry. Excluding voice actors, 30.4 percent of the surveyed individuals reported working 10 hours or more daily, with the longest duration being a staggering 336 hours in a single month, equivalent to 84 hours per week.
The long hours and demanding work are really tough on the employees, both physically and mentally. It also makes you wonder how the anime industry can keep going like this in the long run.
Passion for Anime Keeps Workers Going Despite Long Hours
Despite the long hours and challenging working conditions, a surprising 71.8 percent of the surveyed individuals expressed their desire to continue working in the anime industry.
However, the survey also shed light on other concerning aspects of the industry. More than half of the respondents (58.5 percent) reported having less than six days off per month on average, leaving little time for rest and recuperation.
Furthermore, 37.7 percent of the workers said their monthly income after taxes and deductions was 200,000 yen ($1,300) or lower, although the gender wage gap in the anime industry was reportedly smaller than the overall gap in Japan.
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The survey also revealed that a majority of the workers (77.6 percent) do not have other jobs to supplement their income, which may contribute to the financial strain they experience.
Scriptwriters and those working in the finishing process were found to have the lowest earnings, with over 60 percent reporting a monthly take-home pay below 200,000 yen.
Workplace harassment also emerged as a significant issue in the anime industry, with 65.8 percent of respondents saying they had experienced it, and an alarming 85.6 percent reporting that they had witnessed it.
The anime industry has long been known for its challenging working conditions, particularly for animators. Recently, the popular studio MAPPA faced criticism for requiring its animators to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that prevented them from speaking out about their working conditions while under contract.
Despite the low pay and harsh conditions, many individuals continue to work in the anime industry due to their passion for the medium.
Source: Kyoto News
