As one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the modern world, anime has become something of a domineering force over the last few years, both in Japan and many other countries. It’s a fairly popular profession within Japan itself, and those within the country are usually able to try and find jobs from the many anime studios that can be found around their cities.
Things are a bit different in the western world, and it can be much more difficult to break into the world of anime. Here, an artist that’s interested in creating anime may have to focus on freelance work rather than joining a studio.
1. Create A Portfolio
Like with any profession, the only way to catch the interest of potential clients or employers is by having some work ready and available for them to look at, which is where a portfolio comes in. This will be a showcase of an artist’s best works, allowing their clients to see just what they’re capable of, and whether the art style in question is what they are looking for.
A good way of going about this is by building a simple but attractive website that has a display of all of the artist’s works, which works better than simply emailing pictures to someone that might be interested.
2. Networking Is Important
In a sector of an industry where studios are just about non-existent, the next best step is to build a wide-reaching network that increases the chances of finding real work. A good idea to start with is by doing some simple research online and finding out where all the local anime conventions are held.
Setting up a stand at the conventions in question and putting the work on display means giving visitors the opportunity to see what’s on offer, and to even pick up some clients along the way.
3. Be Patient
It’s always worth keeping in mind that anime tends to be much more popular in Japan than other countries, like the United States. It’s much easier to make it as an artist within Japan, especially considering there are so many facilities available to give rising artists a chance to find employment.
In the United States, these facilities are few and far between, and it can take years for an artist to really start bringing in a decent income while still being able to enjoy their favourite hobbies, like real money Blackjack. If it’s their passion and they are willing to stick with it for as long as possible, it will eventually begin to pay off, especially once the client base begins to grow larger.
4. Consider Studying
While it isn’t really necessary to receive tertiary education in order to draw anime, studying can be a big help to those wanting to further their careers. Animation has become more commonplace in recent years, and many tertiary institutions will offer it as a selectable course, and even a bachelor’s in graphic design might be a great way to break into the field as well as develop some useful skills.