UN warns anime industry may “collapse” if issues aren’t addressed

As a lifelong anime enthusiast who has witnessed the evolution of this captivating art form, it is disheartening to learn about the grim realities faced by the talented individuals behind our beloved shows. I’ve spent countless hours immersed in various worlds created by these artists, and now I can’t help but worry about their well-being.


According to a recent UN report, the anime industry may face potential risks if substandard work environments persist within studios.

It’s unfortunate that numerous high-quality anime films and series often come from challenging circumstances for the animators. They frequently work long hours and receive meager compensation within Japan, which creates ongoing stress and makes the entire industry more vulnerable over time.

According to a UN report released in May 2024, several challenges are highlighted within the Japanese animation industry. If these concerns remain unaddressed, the report’s conclusions suggest a possible industry “collapse” in the future.

Based on the report, approximately one-third of the anime industry workforce face “extremely long work hours” and “unequal” working conditions because they are hired as freelancers or contractors rather than full-time employees. This implies that these hiring companies aren’t obligated to provide as many employment benefits as they would for permanent staff members.

Entry-level salaries typically hover around $10,000 or roughly 1.5 million yen. This relatively small figure makes it challenging for many animators to live solely off their work, compelling them to take on additional jobs to make ends meet. To add to these hardships, the current intellectual property agreements fail to provide sufficient protection for new creatives, exacerbating the existing imbalances and fostering an unhealthy environment.

In tandem with ongoing labor shortages, the UN’s findings underscore the urgent need to address these deep-seated issues promptly, lest disaster ensues. This aligns with statistics from the NAACP, which revealed a significant number of anime industry workers have either experienced or witnessed harassment or abuse in their workplaces.

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but notice that the quality of some shows I’ve been following has taken a significant dip over the past year. Case in point: Uzumaki and Blue Lock Season 2. Both have faced harsh criticism for their inconsistent quality between episodes, leaving many viewers like myself feeling disappointed.

It seems that production teams are overextended and are compromising on quality, which could potentially lead to negative consequences for the entire medium.

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2024-10-19 14:48