Story perspectives

Japanese Anime Studios Shift to Insourcing, Impacting Freelancers

10/30/2025

Summary

Story summary

Large Japanese anime studios are insourcing more work, expanding permanent employment and reducing the freelance share from 69.6% in 2019 to 47.3% in 2023.
In 2023, doga staff earned ¥2.63 million and genga staff nearly ¥4 million, while 47.2% of freelancers earned under ¥4 million, according to the Freelance Association.
The shift may deepen inequalities between major studios and smaller subcontractors, which remain vital for the industry's creativity.

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Story summary

Large Japanese anime studios are insourcing more work, expanding permanent employment and reducing the freelance share from 69.6% in 2019 to 47.3% in 2023.
In 2023, doga staff earned ¥2.63 million and genga staff nearly ¥4 million, while 47.2% of freelancers earned under ¥4 million, according to the Freelance Association.
The shift may deepen inequalities between major studios and smaller subcontractors, which remain vital for the industry's creativity.