Danica Davidson
April 19, 2022 
Mistreatment of anime workers is unfortunately a very real and all too common occurrence in Japan. Right now Toei Animation, the giant studio behind hits like One Piece, Dragon Ball Z, Sailor Moon and more, is in hot water after a recent news conference where a worker laid out what she’s been through.
At the conference, the woman was joined with the General Support Union labor group. It was revealed that Toei has received a labor inspection office advisory because they didn’t pay this woman for all her overtime work.
Tokyo’s The Chuo Labor Standards Inspection Office has sent advisories to Toei several times since 2011 for breaking the Labor Standards Act and Industrial Safety and Health Act.
She started working for Toei in 2019, and is listed as being in her twenties. Her name is not given. The Japanese site The Mainichi reports that the woman had to do very long work hours (13 hours a day and more) and was not compensated.
A report from Anime News Network says the woman also experienced sexual harassment on the job.
“I hope this will create an environment where others in the industry who’ve been hurt feel they can raise their voices,” the woman said.
A representative for Toei gave the following statement: “We have already submitted a report (to the labor inspection office) on improvements. As we’re in the middle of collective bargaining talks with the union, we’d like to refrain from releasing details.”
Toei was established in 1951 and currently employs 372 people. It’s one of the largest and most successful anime companies in the world.
Animator Dormitory Project, which works to make life better for people in the anime business, has reported that 9 out of 10 animators leave the business within three years because of how they’re treated. You can learn more here.
Source: Mainichi
____
Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin. She is also the author of its upcoming sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
