Diverse Roles in the Anime Industry

At anime production companies, beyond animators drawing the visuals, there are several roles. Among them, there are production assistants who oversee the overall progress without necessarily creating artwork. They manage which animators or studios receive orders for key frames or animations, ensuring the timely collection of completed work and overseeing the entire production to meet deadlines. Irregular work hours and late-night overtime are common due to coordination with other staff like animators and producers.

Voice acting is a highly sought-after job. Anime comes to life not just through visuals but also by voice actors breathing personality into characters. It requires not just a good voice but also the ability to emote through voice alone, a wide range of vocal variations, and above all, individuality. Voice acting schools offer foundational learning, and direct mentorship from professionals can often lead to job opportunities. Auditions are a common way even for renowned voice actors to secure roles.

3. Character Merchandise Manufacturer Employee
Anime adaptations often lead to merchandise releases, proving to be highly profitable. Various companies plan and sell character merchandise tied to anime productions. Staff in the planning department need not draw but are responsible for deciding which merchandise to produce, conducting meetings with animation studios, and brainstorming ideas. Effective communication and strong planning skills are crucial.

Most anime is based on popular manga. If drawing isn't your strong suit, becoming an editor at a publishing house for manga is possible. Editors need a keen eye for manga, offering support to mangakas for better storytelling. They contribute ideas and discussions that often lead to the creation of engaging stories. Their primary role is to judge the entertainment value of finished manga objectively.

Late-night anime often originates from light novels. If storytelling is your strength, pursuing a career as a light novel author could be a great choice. Many publishing houses host contests where submitting works could lead to recognition and a professional debut. Additionally, online platforms offer opportunities to showcase original stories.

Popular anime often gets adapted into games. There are various roles in game development, such as illustrators or CG designers, but it's also possible to be involved as a game planner or programmer without strong drawing skills. Planning involves creating specifications for the game, managing the project's progress, and collaborating with designers and programmers.