Renowned animator Terumi Nishii (Jujutsu Kaisen) is fighting for improvements in working conditions in the anime , arguing that full-time professionals are facing challenges similar to being overworked.
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Jujutsu Kaisen animator claims 'terrible working conditions' these days
With over two decades of experience in the anime scene, Nishii has played a key role in creating successful series such as “JoJo's Bizarre Adventure”, “Jujutsu Kaisen”, “Mawaru Penguindrum” and “Rurouni Kenshin” . But in a recent interview with AnimeNewsNetwork , Nishii highlighted a number of critical issues affecting anime studios in general, including a lack of union support, the frequent hiring of unqualified animators, and the grueling schedules imposed on full-time employees.
Nishii is currently collaborating with NAFCA (Japan Anime and Film Association) to address these challenges and others plaguing the industry. He noted that the main problems are pushing animators to the limits of their physical and mental capabilities . He shared that overtime is often excessive, making it impossible to meet tight deadlines, resulting in long working hours. Several big-name studios, including MAPPA (responsible for “Jujutsu Kaisen” and “Attack on Titan”), have faced similar concerns.
Nishii explained that these conditions are the inevitable development of an industry that has historically required grueling work hours to meet production demands.
“Japanese companies have been operating in an environment where full-time employees are subjected to long hours of work for 20 or 30 years, but instead of benefiting from 'full-time employee' status, they end up feeling more like slaves… Only in the last five years have people started to recognize that something is fundamentally wrong with the structure of the industry, where if you are inexperienced, your more senior co-workers are expected to abuse you… I get the impression that who are looking for ways to maintain the quality of anime while reshaping the structures of the past.”
The presence of amateur animators compounds workers' challenges as studios recruit them due to a shortage of skilled labor. Although they often hire freelance animators without the necessary qualifications, more experienced professionals end up having to dedicate more time and effort to correct errors.
The lack of animator unions limits studio employees' ability to negotiate salaries and voice concerns, complicating the situation. “It’s a disadvantageous situation not to be affiliated with a union,” Nishii said.
“ I think you're at a disadvantage if you're not in one ,” Nishii said. “ After all, unless you negotiate as a group, you can't win, and even if one person's situation improves a little, that doesn't mean everyone's situation will .”
Nishii and NAFCA are collaborating to conduct a comprehensive survey of animators across the industry. Therefore the objective is that we provide the Japanese government with concrete data on the situation of the anime industry, thus facilitating the implementation of practical solutions. However, NAFCA develops an “Animator Competency Test”, improving the assessment of candidates and skills of freelance animators with specialized training.
Synopsis:
Ever since Yuji Itadori, a high school student, became involved with the secret society of sorcerers called Jujutsu Kaisen, he has been training to face curses, evil beings that haunt the world of the living. Therefore, to protect his friends and innocent people, Yuji decides to join the jujutsu sorcerers as a student in training under the guardianship of Satoru Gojo, the strongest sorcerer of all.
The 2nd season of “Jujutsu Kaisen” has finally arrived, fans can rest assured that MAPPA Studios has already announced that the third season is underway, promising more emotions.
Source: ANN
