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Japanese fans fund “Animator Dormitories” to help young anime artists working in Tokyo

Oona McGee Aug 24, 2016
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The crowdfunding project has received huge support to assist new talent, who start out in the industry on notoriously low wages.

A housing support project for young animators has reached its 1,500,000 yen (US$14,963) initial target goal for maintenance costs on Japanese crowdfunding site READYFOR, receiving 1,621,000 yen with 112 supporters and 51 days left on the campaign. Due to their success, they’re now on their way to raising 2,500,000 yen to cover additional costs, and it’s all in response to the low wage problem animators face when they start out in the industry in Tokyo.

The non-profit Animator’s Support Organisation behind the project was first established in 2010. Since then, they’ve been successfully providing housing for animators at a heavily discounted rate of 30,000 yen per month, including utility bills, with expensive outlay costs like deposits and “key money” finder’s fees waived for residents. The dormitories, located in Suginami Ward, have received so much support from anime fans that they’ve been able to expand their facilities, and are now offering accommodation to a total of six animators this year.

▼ The six rooms that animators will live in this year come in both western and traditional Japanese styles.

▼ Residents can get together in common areas of the two-storey dormitory.

The special low-rent dormitories are designed to help new animators survive in high-rent areas of Tokyo, especially those who come to the city from rural hometowns to work. According to a 2009 survey conducted by the Japanese Animator and Director’s Association, the average monthly income of animators in their 20s was approximately 90,000 yen (US$900) per month, making it difficult for them to survive in the city. University graduates work long hours, especially in their first year of work, making it impossible for them to take up part-time jobs to help them with their finances.

This project aims to reduce the stress of financial worries for working animators, leaving them with more time to concentrate on creating art and being the best animators they can be. Everyone benefits from the arrangement, as supporters who pledge funds are able to receive a number of different rewards, ranging from illustrated works to original anime video data and dinner parties with animators at the dorm.

Supporters might actually be receiving some priceless pieces, depending on the future success of the artists, which is proving to be impressive, with past residents going on to work as directors on successful anime like Gundam Reconguista in G, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, and Wish Upon the Pleiades. To find out more about the campaign, visit their official page on READYFOR, or follow the group on Facebook and Twitter for more updates.

【杉並区阿佐ヶ谷に、新人アニメーターのための寮を増設したい！】https://t.co/GozWX6GILi
【来年度の寮の増設】(２～３名程度)を目指しています。
ひとりでも多くの方に広めてください！ pic.twitter.com/hPv5TjZgRq

— NPO法人　アニメーター支援機構　菅原 (@animator_shien) August 21, 2016

Source, Images: READYFOR/AnimatorDormitory2016 via NetLab