There's strength in a union

by Chris MaGee

Had a bit of hellish weekend, but I'm back in the saddle with updates...

Friday Anime News Network reported that the Japan Animation Creators Association (JAniCA) had legally incorporated in their ongoing effort to improve the working conditions and compensation for their members. Formed last October the organization is headed up by "Vampire Hunter D" director Toyoo Ashida with Satoshi Kon (Paprika) and Tomoki Kyoda (Eureka Seven) both sitting on the 15 member steering committee.

Now, I had known that Japanese animators work under an immense amount of pressure, suffer through long working hours, etc, but I wasn't aware of the abysmal pay they take home: veteran animators whose yearly salary amounts to $30,000 per year! The hope is that this new incorporation will give the organization more leverage at the bargaining table with the Japanese government to rectify this situation.

Well good luck all you JAniCA members! Keep on fighting the good fight!