So, you’re an anime fan who is interested in making the leap into the anime industry. You’ve probably read my first blog: Want to work in the anime industry? Perhaps you still don’t have a definite idea of which roles you wish to pursue. I’ve selected some jobs that are crucial to talk about in this blog that may help spark some ideas. There are many roles in the industry aside from animation. I will not be touching base on animation because the work is primarily done in Japanese studios. I’m not discouraging anyone from pursuing animation if they wish, but just know that the chances are very slim unless you start your own animation studio. Let’s dive right in!
Audio Engineer
According to careerexplorer.com, an audio engineer is a person who works with the mechanics of sound recording, mixing, and reproducing (CareerExplorer, 2021). They are not the same as music producers, performers, or writers. Their job is to keep the production going smoothly. They’re responsible for making sure that every line is recorded in the right program, and then recording each take in an organized way so that they can be edited later. Basically, they are the quiet geniuses behind clean and crisp English anime dubs. Audio Engineers in the United States make anywhere from $30,000 to $82,000 a year, depending on their experience (Dark Horse, 2020).
Japanese to English Translator
Translating is a hard process, it involves having a good understanding of both the culture and the target audience that you’re trying to reach. Doing it right can be challenging, especially since it involves making subtle changes to make the content more authentic. Few people realize that translating anime to English is a bit harder than translating text in English. In addition, the Japanese language doesn’t use articles or specific words. It relies on the context of a situation and is difficult to adapt to when speaking to someone who is different from you. On the plus side, translators have the flexibility to work in either the manga industry or the anime industry.
Check out Reina Scully, a Japanese to English translator AND voice actress who expands more on the complexity of translating anime.
According to talent.com, the average salary for a Japanese to English translator in the United States is approximately $58,750 per year. More experienced translators can make up to $101,950 per year (Talent.com, 2021).
Licensing & Merchandise Managers
This particular role comes with an abundance of responsibilities and must be handled with care. Unlike other forms of media, licensing an anime series is not an easy process. This process is typically done in a time-delicate manner, and it involves a lot of legalese and case law. A licensing manager is primarily responsible for overseeing the IP licensing duties of a particular anime. They also have responsibilities that include overseeing and managing license administrators. However, licensing can be fun, especially when collaborating with other brands for cross-overs, collaboration, and other types of sub-licensing partnerships. According to Glassdoor.com, the national average salary for a Licensing Manager is approximately $83,633 per year in the United States.
Voice Acting
This role is probably one of the more popular jobs available in the industry. It is also the most highly competitive role and requires experienced actors. Voice acting is an art form that requires a lot of practice and effort to master. Doing voice acting is not about making fun of others, it is about honing your skills and communicating what the production needs and expects for you to deliver for your corresponding character. These days, voice actors can work in diverse sectors such as radio shows, video games, audiobook narrations, and stage performances. They can also be used in video game characters and in advertisements. So even if you don’t land a voice acting role in anime, target other areas to gain experience! Voice actors are typically contractors and are paid by the hour. Their rates may range from $60 – $300 per hour. Of course, more experienced voice actors will get paid more.
Voice acting is a lot of fun! Check out this behind-the-scenes video of Olivia Swasey preparing for her role in Vinland Saga, while some of my coworkers fully embrace the Viking experience.
Do any of these roles spark your interest? If not, there are many additional roles that are also crucial to the industry such as marketing, accounting, production and so much more! I hope this blog gets you closer to initializing your career path. Ganbatte!
References
Bogna, J. (2019, February 19). Nerdy jobs: The artist who translates anime for an American audience. SYFY WIRE. Retrieved September 21, 2021, from https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/nerdy-jobs-translating-anime-for-crunchyroll-and-an-american-audience.
Dark Horse (2020, December 4). Audio engineer salaries – what you can expect to earn. Dark Horse Institute – Audio Engineering & Music Business School. Retrieved September 21, 2021, from https://darkhorseinstitute.com/audio-engineering-salaries/.
CareerExplorer. (2021, January 27). What does an audio engineer do? CareerExplorer. Retrieved September 21, 2021, from https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/audio-engineer/.
Japanese+English+translator salary in USA – average salary. Talent.com. (n.d.). Retrieved September 21, 2021, from https://www.talent.com/salary?job=japanese%2Benglish%2Btranslator.