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Animators Launch Crowdfund Campaign for Animator Dorms

Animators Naoyuki Asano (The Tatami Galaxy) and Shingo Yamashita (Gatchaman Crowds) and NPO Animator Supporters founder Jun Sugawara launched an IndieGoGo campaign to establish dormitory housing for low-income animators. The campaign launched on April 24 and is looking to raise US$10,000 to ease the financial burden of entry-level animation staff.

According to the campaign, the average Japanese animator starts at US$10,000 a year salary compared to the average US$40,000 salary. Animators are usually freelance, work long hours, and are saddled with high-cost of living expenses due the areas where most animation studios are located. The group has successfully funded a single dorm in Tokyo that currently houses two animators and are moving forward with additional dorms to open in 2015 and 2016.

Tenants would also have access to established animators for workshops to improve their abilities. Asano and Yamashita are currently working together on an animation project.

The campaign has raised US$2,095 as of May 19 and will end on June 9. Support rewards include specially designed thank-you cards, an art book, production materials, and DVD of the "Kimisora" (Kimi ga Sora Koso Kanashi Kere) music video, and supporter portraits drawn by Asano. The music video is a collaboration between the Animator Supporters and Vocaloid composer unit HoneyWorks.

The stress and overwork was cited by government officials in the recent suicide of an A-1 Pictures animator.

Thanks to Vito Plahuta and klopoon for the news tips