It is undeniable that the anime industry is currently at an all-time high. However, the road to this success has generally been difficult for many animators, who have worked for weeks without a break, as was the case with the biggest hit on television in 2023, Jujutsu Kaisen.
Mr. has spoken on this topic Keirou Itsumigeneral director of Pierrot Studio, responsible for animating series such as Naruto, Black Clover o Bleach. During an interview with Borderlessthe Japanese commented that the main goal of the studio now is to increase anime production and, at the same time, take better care of the workers involved.
“We have to create higher quality works than ever before that can compete on a global scale. This comes with several costs. In the past, in the anime industry, creatives might have the impression that the work environment was about making small profits and quick profits and were expected to work in a way that ignored the Labor Standards Act. However, in modern times, work management must also be done correctly. The idea of ’doing your best with guts’ that existed in the Showa era is no longer valid.
“Anime is made by people, not computers. Therefore, if that person runs out, there is nothing to do. This way of producing will not last long. That is why, since I joined Pierrot, we have done a major review of our wages, including retroactively increasing overtime pay by 20%. I think we have made a lot of progress in improving the work environment.”
Mr. Itsumi is aware that times have changed and, with it, the way work is done within the anime industry. Before its global expansion, the work environment was much more hostile due to the worse conditions in which workers found themselves.
Furthermore, the Japanese director recognizes the achievements of MAP in the industry, especially in the creation of hype among the public through community events and the internationalization of its most ambitious projects such as Chainsaw Man o Jujutsu Kaisen.
He has also recognized the enormous success that the last season of Bleach and how this change in the way the studio works has had a positive impact. Pierrot has gone from producing weekly animes like Naruto, Black Clover o Bleach, to focus on seasonal productions. Currently, Pierrot is focused on two of her most important projects: the end of Ichigo’s story and the four-chapter remake of Naruto, the Konoha Ninja.
A iGamesNews |
A iGamesNews |
