Rising global interest in anime brought many fans to the AnimeJapan 2026 expo in March, Tokyo.
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The anime production industry has long been associated with brutal or exploitative working conditions, but efforts are now underway to change that. Studios are moving quickly to attract talent by improving pay and benefits and by building stronger education and training programs, reflecting Japan's shifting workplace expectations.
The anime market has already surpassed ¥6 trillion, with some forecasts projecting it could double within a decade. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration is working to strengthen the broader content industry, including anime, while keeping a close eye on labor improvements as a necessary foundation for that growth.
Studios Expand Recruitment Efforts
In late March, media conglomerate KADOKAWA Group held a recruitment briefing for its affiliated anime production studios. It expects to hire 60 people, about 1.3 times last year's intake.
"We're offering eight-hour workdays with 1.5 hours of breaks, resulting in 6.5 hours of actual work. It's a merit-based world, so we expect people to work hard," a representative said.
Companies spent time not only explaining the appeal of the work itself, but also highlighting concrete initiatives such as shorter, focused work schedules that allow time for skill development, as well as robust training programs for new hires.
High Turnover
Chief Studio Officer Tsuyoshi Kikuchi said the company aims to "respond to a younger generation with new values regarding work."
The main reason for these efforts is the high turnover rate in the anime industry. According to a survey by the Japan Research Institute, turnover reaches about 25% within four years and rises to 68% within eight years. The main causes are chronic long working hours, low wages, and insufficient technical skills.
At the same time, a survey released in March by the Japan Animation Creators Association showed significant improvement in average annual income, which rose to ¥4.446 million (about $28,000) from ¥3.328 million ($21,000) 11 years ago. Average working hours have also fallen from 11 hours per day to 8.9 hours.
However, according to Teikoku Databank, eight anime production companies went bankrupt or ceased operations between January and September 2025. Smaller firms that cannot pass rising production costs on to clients are becoming trapped in a cycle of heavy workloads and thin profits.
The report suggests that more production companies, including subcontractors and freelancers, are exiting the market. Improving productivity and building a more profitable business structure has become an urgent issue.
Training the Next Generation
In March, KADOKAWA Group established a studio dedicated to training young creators and handling commissions from within the group. General Manager Junichiro Tamura emphasized that even as generative AI evolves, demand remains for works drawn by human hands, stressing the importance of foundational training for young creators.
Anime studio DLE, a pioneer in web animation, has gained attention for its efficient production methods aimed at mass-producing "mid-quality" works using digital software. While retaining hand-drawn elements, a single creator may handle multiple stages such as drawing, coloring, and animation. Projects that would normally take several years are completed in about a year and a half, allowing studios to capitalize on the rising popularity of source material before interest fades.
According to Indian research firm Value Market Research, the global anime market in 2025 is worth approximately $40 billion and is expected to double by 2034.
The Takaichi government has positioned the content industry as one of 17 strategic growth sectors. Alongside investment for growth, it is also promoting policies aimed at talent development and improved working conditions.
(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: Katsutoshi Takagi, The Sankei Shimbun
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