The non-profit organization Animator Supporters opened its latest crowdfund for the low-income Animator Dormitory project on February 1 on Ready for in hopes of raising 2,000,000 yen (US$18,300). The funds are to ensure the organization's four dormitories for low-income, freshman animators stay open through 2018.

Animator Supporters opened the first dorms in Asagaya in Tokyo's Suginama ward in 2015 after a successful crowdfunding campaign. Currently, the program has a four-person dorm in Asagaya, a two-person dorm in Ogikubo, and a two-person women's dorm in Suginami. Since it's start, a total of 25 animators have lived in Animator Supporters dorms and there are plans to open another women's dorm next month.

The dormitory provides a social environment that encourages animators to take lessons and advance their careers. It is modeled after Tokiwa-sō, a dilapidated but cheap apartment complex in Tokyo that housed numerous important manga artists in the 1960s, including Osamu Tezuka, Fujio Akatsuka, and Shotaro Ishinomori. Animators are able to live in the dorms for the comparably low-rent cost of 30,000 yen (US$290) a month, including utilities.

A lower cost of living is important for newbie animators who often rely on financial assistance from their families and wages of less than 131,330 yen (US$1,103) per month.

Since its launch, the Animator Dorm crowdfund has raised 799,000 yen (US$7,303) and ends in 83 days.

Source: Anime! Anime!