Twitter account “Hexagon Hill” has sparked a social media frenzy by sharing an intriguing job offer from the studios MAPPAbased in Tokyo, Japan. This offer has caused a stir due to its unusual nature and the implications it has brought with it.
What initially seemed like a call for aspiring animators from the renowned animation company, actually turned out to be a job opportunity for management roles within it. While this could have been a simple misunderstanding, the fact that user “Hexagon Hill” left out this crucial detail has given way to a number of misinterpretations.
This job posting, aimed at individuals with no prior experience in the entertainment industry, has drawn attention for its focus on versatility and willingness to adapt to various responsibilities. The key requirement is the ability to use office software such as Word and Excel, along with the ability to meet any challenge that comes your way.
The exact roles listed in the offer cover a wide range of tasks, from preparing manuals and managing teams to gathering materials and assisting with pre-production projects. In addition, the selected candidate will also provide support in interdepartmental communication and assistance management, as well as in the preparation and aggregation of budgets for each production. The offer also highlights the importance of controlling invoices, managing the work of the entertainers employed and assisting in organizational management, among other responsibilities.
Perhaps one of the highlights of this offer is the mentioned salary. With a monthly salary that exceeds 240,000 yen (approximately $1,650), and with 37,985 yen corresponding to twenty hours of overtime included, the base salary is set at 202,105 yen (approximately $1,390). These numbers are striking, as they are above the average entry fee for jobs in Japan, which is 206,250 yen.
An interesting feature about this salary is that the mentioned overtime is guaranteed even if you don’t get to work (although they will always make you work it, obviously). In the case of exceeding the monthly overtime limit, each additional hour worked is compensated. This salary is reported to be one of the highest within the anime industry in Japan, falling behind only offers from Toei Animation and TMS Entertainment.
However, an important question arises: Is this salary enough to live comfortably in Tokyo? Although these numbers may seem tempting, the reality is that the costs of living in the Japanese metropolis are considerable. Comparatively, the salary offered by CloverWorksanother animation company, is 219,000 yen a month (a little over $1,500), and with almost double the overtime included.
A key concern that has been raised on social media is whether this same salary will be offered to newly hired animators. Will they be offered more? Will they be offered less? Will your agreed overtime be more? Or will they be fewer? Since the offer is for those interested in management, the relationship between these two labor groups has become a matter of discussion. It is essential to consider that overtime is an integral part of this salary, even if it is not met. In case of exceeding this limit, the additional hours worked are financially rewarded (or so it is assumed, many times Japanese workers end up doing overtime without pay, something they call “free overtime”). If you watched the first episode of Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, you probably understand what we mean.
That said, this offer raises a number of questions. Is this salary competitive in the anime industry? How does it affect those who do not have a university education and have a technical background? Variation in salary based on education and experience is a reality, with college graduates receiving the maximum salary mentioned, while those with a technical or high school education (the case for most animators) will see reductions in their monthly salaries.
In conclusion, the job offer from MAPPA studios has sparked a debate on social media about the anime industry in Japan. Conversations range from the appropriateness of the proposed salary, its comparison with other animation companies, and the feasibility of living in Tokyo with this income. Questions about subsistence in the Japanese capital and the ability to support a family are central themes in these online discussions.
