How to Become an Anime Animator

Anime is a form of Japanese animation that can be characterized by the abnormally large eyes and outlandish hairstyles of the characters . Anime, like manga, bacame increasingly popular in the 21st century and is now enjoyed by fans worldwide. There are many careers to be had in anime; perhaps the most important is that of the animator.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

1. Practice drawing anime every day. Even great artists can become better over time with daily practice. Try drawing anime characters from your favorite comics and shows as well as creating your own characters. Ask friends to model for you, and draw anime-style caricatures of them. Inspiration to draw is all around, so take your sketch pad with you everywhere you go. Even if you have time to draw for only 15 minutes each day, you will benefit from the practice.

2. Enroll in an animation degree program at a respected school such as the Art Institutes International. Although it is possible to land a great animation job with no formal training, it is rare. Programs to consider are animation and design, fine arts, graphic design and other related areas of study. Many schools also offer specialized classes in manga and anime as electives and workshops. Not only will you learn the skills necessary for a career in animation, you will be given the opportunity to network with professionals in the field.

3. Create a portfolio of drawings and demo reel of animations. Use original work, and even though you want to focus mainly on anime don't forget to include samples of other work. A good animator is skilled in many styles of animation, not just his or her specialty. Clips on the demo reel should not be more than five minutes each, and showcase a variety of skills. It also a good idea to put copies of your work on slides.

4. Send a letter of interest as well as a copy of your resume to all of the anime studios that you are interested in working for. Apply for any positions that they may have open. You may not get your dream job right out of school, but at least you will have your foot in the door. Apply for internships with anime studios. You may not get paid a lot but you will be gain valuable experience. Just about every anime studio will take on the right intern. One major publisher and distributor that is known to take on interns is Kodansha International (publishers of Sailor Moon)

Tips & Warnings

• Don't be discouraged if you do not see immediate results. Landing a career in animation can take time.

References

• How to Become an Anime Artist
• Animation School Review

Resources

• Art Institutes International
• Kodansha