The producers of Dahlia in Bloom -- an upcoming isekai romance anime -- have released a statement following a bombshell report that North Korean animation studio Sek Studio/April 26 Animation Studio worked on the series.
Following an investigation, Dahlia in Bloom's producers could not deny the possibility that North Korean animators were used in the series' production. Via the official Dahlia in Bloom X (formerly Twitter) account, they apologized for the disturbance caused and set out their sequence of events. First, they commissioned Typhoon Graphics (Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion) to produce the anime, which then outsourced parts to Chinese production companies. One of these companies is suspected of further outsourcing this to a North Korean studio. Following the allegations, the producers requested a list of every animation studio used.
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Japan's entertainment industry has set...
Following an investigation, Dahlia in Bloom's producers could not deny the possibility that North Korean animators were used in the series' production. Via the official Dahlia in Bloom X (formerly Twitter) account, they apologized for the disturbance caused and set out their sequence of events. First, they commissioned Typhoon Graphics (Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion) to produce the anime, which then outsourced parts to Chinese production companies. One of these companies is suspected of further outsourcing this to a North Korean studio. Following the allegations, the producers requested a list of every animation studio used.
Related $129 Billion: Japan Sets Massive New Goal for Overseas Anime & Game Sales
Japan's entertainment industry has set...
- 6/7/2024
- by Chike Nwaenie
- CBR
While recent events have made fans more aware of poor animator conditions, anime staff more generally are suffering, with a new report by the Nippon Anime Film Culture Association (Nafca) revealing average hourly payments of just $7.
Nafca surveyed 323 anime staff, of which 191 (59%) were animators, with 44 unit directors (13.6%), the latter responsible for a divisible unit of production, such as an opening or ending song, or an entire episode/part of a film. The number also included 35 production staff (10.8%), 27 character/mechanical designers (8.4%), 23 voice actors (7.1%), 20 directors, 15 working in coloring, 14 in art, 14 in cinematography, 11 in CG, 10 in sound and 4 screenwriters. Nafca's data concluded that the overall median hourly wage was 1,111 yen (US$7.33 per hour), with 14% making around only $5.23 hourly. The income report excluded voice actors for this segment, adding that how voice actors work in the anime industry sets them apart from other professions. The report organizers plan a future survey specific to voice actors in the future.
Nafca surveyed 323 anime staff, of which 191 (59%) were animators, with 44 unit directors (13.6%), the latter responsible for a divisible unit of production, such as an opening or ending song, or an entire episode/part of a film. The number also included 35 production staff (10.8%), 27 character/mechanical designers (8.4%), 23 voice actors (7.1%), 20 directors, 15 working in coloring, 14 in art, 14 in cinematography, 11 in CG, 10 in sound and 4 screenwriters. Nafca's data concluded that the overall median hourly wage was 1,111 yen (US$7.33 per hour), with 14% making around only $5.23 hourly. The income report excluded voice actors for this segment, adding that how voice actors work in the anime industry sets them apart from other professions. The report organizers plan a future survey specific to voice actors in the future.
- 4/6/2024
- by Chike Nwaenie
- CBR
A recent anime industry report by JAniCA (Japanese Animation Creators Association) has revealed a major issue surrounding contracts for new animators entering the industry.
JAniCA's anime report for the year 2023 surveyed animators, asking them how much choice they had in their first employment contracts upon starting work in the industry. The data revealed that of the 428 animators surveyed, a massive one in five animators (21.7%) weren't explained the terms of their contracts when joining the industry, leaving them unaware of their rights and open to possible exploitation. This formed the largest percentage of animators.
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The data also highlighted the relative lack of permanent job opportunities.
JAniCA's anime report for the year 2023 surveyed animators, asking them how much choice they had in their first employment contracts upon starting work in the industry. The data revealed that of the 428 animators surveyed, a massive one in five animators (21.7%) weren't explained the terms of their contracts when joining the industry, leaving them unaware of their rights and open to possible exploitation. This formed the largest percentage of animators.
Related Official One Piece Animator Slams AI Art Comment With the Best Possible Comeback An animator for the official One Piece anime has the perfect response to the creator of a viral AI art thread on social media website X (Twitter). The Anime Industry Lacks Permanent Job Opportunities for Its Animators
The data also highlighted the relative lack of permanent job opportunities.
- 3/18/2024
- by Chike Nwaenie
- CBR
Senior anime professionals like the animation directors of Kingdom, Bleach and Jujutsu Kaisen 0 have exposed how the industry gets away with paying below minimum wage to its workers.
A post on X (formerly Twitter) stirred controversy after stating that given the large number of anime productions, it's only natural that animator pay goes down. The post also added, "Moreover, poorly executed works are unbearable to watch, so it’s understandable that their compensation rates would decline. It’s a matter of 'personal responsibility,' don’t you think?" This caught the attention of Kingdom animation director Jun Arai, who responded, "Given that cases where animators are receiving rates below the minimum hourly wage set by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government are prevalent, entertaining thoughts that disregard the laws of such a country would likely earn you the label of a 'human rights-disregarding' individual, don’t you think?"
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A post on X (formerly Twitter) stirred controversy after stating that given the large number of anime productions, it's only natural that animator pay goes down. The post also added, "Moreover, poorly executed works are unbearable to watch, so it’s understandable that their compensation rates would decline. It’s a matter of 'personal responsibility,' don’t you think?" This caught the attention of Kingdom animation director Jun Arai, who responded, "Given that cases where animators are receiving rates below the minimum hourly wage set by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government are prevalent, entertaining thoughts that disregard the laws of such a country would likely earn you the label of a 'human rights-disregarding' individual, don’t you think?"
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- 2/21/2024
- by Chike Nwaenie
- CBR
Jujutsu Kaisen 0 chief animation director Terumi Nishii -- also known for her animation work on the likes of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable, Mawaru Penguindrum and Servant × Service -- has called the latest Mappa criticism by a fellow Jjk animator "refreshing."
Nishii's comments come days after the popular French Jujutsu Kaisen and One Piece animator Chansard Vincent shared why he would never work with Mappa again, citing not wanting to "support a company that ideologically doesn't care about working conditions." Nishii called the remarks refreshing in her own post to X (formerly Twitter). "'Ideologically' is very refreshing," she said. "I think if there were more people like this in the anime industry, the working environment would be a little more comfortable."
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Nishii's comments come days after the popular French Jujutsu Kaisen and One Piece animator Chansard Vincent shared why he would never work with Mappa again, citing not wanting to "support a company that ideologically doesn't care about working conditions." Nishii called the remarks refreshing in her own post to X (formerly Twitter). "'Ideologically' is very refreshing," she said. "I think if there were more people like this in the anime industry, the working environment would be a little more comfortable."
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- 1/10/2024
- by Chike Nwaenie
- CBR
Popular One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen animator Chansard Vincent has shared why he'll never work for Mappa again via a Twitch live stream.
Chansard and fellow animator Dorian Coulon took part in KonohaTV's Twitch stream where they discussed their anime, careers and inspirations. X (formerly Twitter) user @crocodileopc translated some of their quotes as the live stream took place, revealing Chansard's reason for why he refuses to work with Mappa ever again. "I don't want to support a company that ideologically doesn't care about working conditions," he said. "[Hakuyu] Go had asked me [to help out] and I like working with him, he also doesn't want to work anymore for Mappa."
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Chansard and fellow animator Dorian Coulon took part in KonohaTV's Twitch stream where they discussed their anime, careers and inspirations. X (formerly Twitter) user @crocodileopc translated some of their quotes as the live stream took place, revealing Chansard's reason for why he refuses to work with Mappa ever again. "I don't want to support a company that ideologically doesn't care about working conditions," he said. "[Hakuyu] Go had asked me [to help out] and I like working with him, he also doesn't want to work anymore for Mappa."
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- 1/7/2024
- by Chike Nwaenie
- CBR
Kingdom animation director Jun Arai has stated that passionate anime fans, not just production studios, are likewise causing animators to suffer from some of the deep-rooted problems in the industry.
In a post to X (formerly Twitter) on Jan. 2, 2024, Arai said, "The reason there haven't been more whistleblowing exposés by active anime industry animators isn't just fear of being shut out by that company - it's the fear of also being bashed by fans who love that company's works and being crushed in two ways. Famous or not, it doesn't matter. The anime consumer sphere is that warped and sick. When people are fanatically in love, mistakes like that happen."
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In a post to X (formerly Twitter) on Jan. 2, 2024, Arai said, "The reason there haven't been more whistleblowing exposés by active anime industry animators isn't just fear of being shut out by that company - it's the fear of also being bashed by fans who love that company's works and being crushed in two ways. Famous or not, it doesn't matter. The anime consumer sphere is that warped and sick. When people are fanatically in love, mistakes like that happen."
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- 1/5/2024
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