by Japanese anime has never been more popular around the world. Hit series dominate global streaming platforms, anime films regularly break box-office records, and international fan communities continue to grow every year. Yet behind this worldwide success lies a troubling reality: Japan’s anime industry is struggling with a severe shortage of animators and production staff.
A recent feature by the British publication 1843 Magazine explores this contradiction, asking a simple but important question: If anime is thriving globally, why is the industry itself facing a labor crisis?
To answer this, the magazine’s reporter traveled across Japan, speaking with people from every generation of the animation industry—from legendary veterans who worked at Studio Ghibli and other renowned studios to rising talents like Look Back director Kiyotaka Oshiyama, as well as aspiring young artists hoping to turn their passion into a career.
The investigation reveals that while global demand for anime has reached unprecedented levels, the number of people entering—and remaining in—the profession has not kept pace.
Anime’s Worldwide Popularity Continues to Grow
Over the past decade, Japanese anime has evolved from a niche hobby into a mainstream form of entertainment enjoyed by millions across the globe.
Streaming services have made anime more accessible than ever, allowing audiences to watch new episodes simultaneously with Japan. Franchises spanning action, romance, fantasy, science fiction, and slice-of-life continue to attract viewers of all ages.
At the same time, anime conventions, merchandise sales, theatrical releases, and international collaborations have expanded significantly, helping the industry reach record-breaking audiences.
Despite this remarkable growth, the people responsible for creating these beloved series often face difficult working conditions behind the scenes.
A Reporter Investigates the Reality Behind the Industry
To better understand the challenges facing Japanese animation, 1843 Magazine conducted extensive on-the-ground reporting throughout Japan.
Rather than relying solely on industry statistics, the publication interviewed professionals from different generations, including:
- Veteran animators with decades of experience.
- Creators who worked on internationally acclaimed productions.
- Film director Kiyotaka Oshiyama, known for the critically acclaimed animated film Look Back.
- Young artists attempting to begin careers in animation.
Their stories paint a complex picture of an industry driven by creativity but burdened by structural challenges.
A Dream That Began with Flipbooks
One of the people featured in the report is Mizuki Endo, a young aspiring animator whose story reflects the determination shared by many newcomers.
From an early age, Endo loved watching his own drawings come to life.
As a child, he spent countless hours creating flipbooks, drawing dinosaurs, stick figures, and characters inspired by animated films such as Toy Story. Seeing his sketches transform into moving images sparked a fascination that would shape his future ambitions.
By the time he reached middle school, Endo had already decided he wanted to become a professional animator.
However, he also understood that breaking into Japan’s animation industry would be extremely difficult.
Preparing a Backup Plan
Recognizing the uncertainty of an animation career, Endo chose a practical path alongside his artistic ambitions.
At the age of 16, he enrolled in a technical high school where he studied computer programming, believing it could provide a stable alternative if his dream proved impossible.
Even while attending school, he rarely spoke about his desire to become an animator.
When the reporter met him in Tokyo during the autumn of 2024, Endo reflected on that period:
“Even if I told my classmates, I didn’t think they would understand.”
Despite keeping his dream largely to himself, he never stopped improving his artistic skills.
Teaching Himself Animation
After graduating in 2021, Endo chose an unconventional path.
Instead of immediately pursuing a full-time office job, he worked part-time as a cashier at a supermarket. The flexible schedule allowed him to dedicate more time to drawing and studying animation.
Much of his education came through self-study.
He watched instructional videos on YouTube, carefully analyzed scenes from his favorite anime, and practiced every day.
One of the series that inspired him most was Love Live! Superstar!!, particularly the work of acclaimed animator and character designer Atsushi Saito.
By closely observing professional animation techniques, Endo gradually refined his own artistic style.
Drawing for the Joy of Creating
When meeting with the reporter, Endo shared several of his personal illustrations.
Among them were:
- A high school girl with green hair gazing up at the sky.
- A young woman with striking purple eyes opening a freezer door to cool herself on a hot day.
Each illustration reflected careful observation, expressive character poses, and attention to detail.
Rather than creating artwork solely to build a portfolio, Endo explained that he simply enjoyed drawing whatever interested him.
“I drew whatever I wanted, and once I felt satisfied, I moved on to the next piece.”
For him, the happiness of creating art outweighed the uncertainty surrounding his future career.
Why Isn’t the Number of Animators Increasing?
One of the report’s central questions is why Japan continues to experience a shortage of animators despite anime’s global success.
Several long-standing challenges contribute to the issue:
Low Starting Pay
Many entry-level animators earn relatively modest incomes, especially during their first few years in the industry. Because beginners are often paid by the number of drawings they complete, building a stable income can take time.
Long Working Hours
Animation production frequently involves demanding schedules, particularly when television series face tight deadlines. Artists may spend long hours completing detailed drawings while balancing multiple production responsibilities.
Intense Competition
Breaking into professional animation is highly competitive. Aspiring animators must continually improve their technical abilities while competing with thousands of equally passionate artists.
High Skill Requirements
Producing professional-quality animation requires years of practice in anatomy, movement, perspective, timing, acting, and visual storytelling. Many newcomers spend years refining these skills before securing stable work.
Career Uncertainty
Freelance contracts and project-based employment remain common within the industry, making long-term career stability difficult for many young creators.
Passion Keeps Many Artists Going
Despite these obstacles, many aspiring animators continue pursuing their dreams because of their love for the medium.
For creators like Endo, the opportunity to bring drawings to life remains deeply rewarding.
Many professionals interviewed by the magazine described animation not simply as a job, but as a lifelong passion that allows them to inspire audiences around the world.
That dedication continues to fuel one of Japan’s most influential creative industries.
Growing Global Demand Brings New Challenges
The international popularity of anime has created enormous demand for new series, films, and streaming exclusives.
While this expansion has opened exciting opportunities for studios, it has also increased pressure on production teams to deliver more content within limited schedules.
As a result, discussions about improving working conditions, supporting young talent, and making animation careers more sustainable have become increasingly important throughout the industry.
Many studios, educators, and creators are now exploring ways to train the next generation of animators while preserving the high artistic standards that have made Japanese anime famous worldwide.
Final Thoughts
The story of Mizuki Endo illustrates both the passion and the uncertainty experienced by countless aspiring animators in Japan. His dedication—from creating childhood flipbooks to studying animation independently while working part-time—reflects the commitment required to pursue a career in one of the world’s most admired creative industries.
As highlighted in 1843 Magazine’s investigation, the global success of Japanese anime has not automatically translated into an expanding workforce. Instead, the industry faces the ongoing challenge of attracting, training, and retaining talented artists capable of meeting ever-growing international demand.
Addressing issues such as career stability, training opportunities, and sustainable working conditions will be essential if Japan’s animation industry hopes to continue producing the world-class anime that has captivated audiences for generations.
