Talk:Saitama/@comment-176.54.117.235-20190601214256/@comment-2A00:23C5:11A1:3900:D51B:61B1:53C:3C5B-20190815125300

I think it's kind of unfair to blame the animators themselves and instead consider the kind of pressured environment they work in. Animators are paid by their work output, so those with drawing ability and speed can make earnings of five to six million yen (about US$40,000-50,000) in their 20s. However, this comes at the expense of a social life, or really much of any life, given the long hours animators must put in (over 10 hours a day). It isn't uncommon for animators to scrape by with less than a million yen (US$8,500) a year. The first three years, when animators must develop their skills as in-betweeners, are the hardest, and many burn out and quit before finishing.

Also, in some cases, a lot of the money that goes to the companies from the sale and promotion of works is funneled upwards instead of going to the people who need it.

Having said this, there are efforts by some studios to improve conditions.

The below links may be interesting for you to read:

1) https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1386/cij.3.3.261_1

2) https://blog.sakugabooru.com/2018/05/16/toei-animations-mismanaged-attempt-to-improve-animes-working-conditions/

3) https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2017-01-04/director-osamu-yamasaki-discusses-anime-industry-working-conditions/.110623

4) https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/7/2/20677237/anime-industry-japan-artists-pay-labor-abuse-neon-genesis-evangelion-netflix