Key animator Katsunori Shibata (Yuri Kuma Arashi, 91 Days, Flip Flappers, A Certain Magical Index) launched a Campfire crowdfunding campaign to support animators in Japan on August 14. In just one week, the campaign has become a huge success, and the project still has 24 days left. As of the posting of this article, the campaign has raised 981,000 yen (about US$9,000) of its 110,000-yen (US$1,000) goal.

The campaign's initial goal was to use the 110,000 yen to award money to three animators and cover campaign costs. Animators who contact Shibata will be eligible for a lottery that will determine the animators to receive the raised money.

Shibata noted that many freelance animators earn less than 1,060,000 yen (US$9,700) per year despite working 11 hours a day, six days a week. He said that no corrective actions have been taken to improve the conditions for freelance animators. Shibata also said that the current environment is devastating and there is no room to nurture talent in animators. He hopes that the project will open communication on how to better the animation industry in Japan.

In addition to the crowdfunding campaign, Animator Dormitory and Young Animators NPO are combating low wages among Japan's animators with help from donations.

Animators in Japan are usually freelance, work long hours, and are burdened with high living expenses due to the areas where most animation studios are located. An NHK program discussed financial and working-condition problems in the anime industry in June. Mobile Suit Gundam Wing director Shinji Takamatsu responded to the program by criticizing some views the show expressed.

[Via Nijimen]