Studio Ghibli is recruiting - but you'll need to meet one condition to apply

Studio Ghibli has announced that they are recruiting, with the positions open to non-Japanese artists.

The award winning Japanese animation studio, known for its feature films such as “Spirited Away” and “My Neighbor Totoro”, has officially announced they will be producing a new anime project.

This development comes approximately two years after the release of their most recent theatrical feature “The Boy and the Heron” which was released in Japan in July 2023 and ends a period of silence regarding future productions.

Studio Ghibli is known for its deliberate approach to filmmaking, prioritizing projects driven by the creative vision of its artists rather than adhering to strict production schedules.

As of the announcement, no specific details regarding the narrative, characters, or potential involvement of key Studio Ghibli figures, such as the acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki, have been disclosed for this new short animation project.

The new film could be a short animation like “Mei and the Baby Catbus”

While it is unclear when the new film will be released, Studio Ghibli has historically shown short films at the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka and more recently at Ghibli Park in Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture.

These shorts which include The Totoro sequel “Mei and the Baby Catbus” and “The Seed and the Egg Princess” are not typically released through other distribution channels and are a major attraction at these locations.

Studio Ghibli have now posted recruitment notices on its official website, signalling the initiation of this new production.

The studio is currently seeking to hire personnel for a “short animation” project at its Tokyo-based studio.

The job postings indicate that “Japanese language capability sufficient for production work” is a requirement but full native fluency in Japanese is not explicitly mandated.

This opens the positions up to non-Japanese artists residing in Japan with a working proficiency in the language who may not be classed as having full fluency.

There is however one condition of employment – applicants must be residents of Japan by April 30th 2025.

“The Seed and the Egg Princess” is another example of the type of work the new roles could be involved with

The recruitment drive is targeting two key roles within the animation production process.

The employment terms for both positions are contract-based, rather than permanent employee positions, with the duration of the project estimated to be approximately six to seven months.

Studio Ghibli are looking for digital paint and checking artists to start work from June 2nd 2025.

Successful candidates will be responsible for the animation finishing stages, requiring proficiency in industry-standard software such as RETAS Studio and Adobe Photoshop.

The studio is also seeking background artists to work from May 16th, with a stated preference for candidates who possess prior experience in creating artwork for animation or who have demonstrable skills in Photoshop.

Studio Ghibli have stated that they intend to hire several people for each of the available roles.

The standard working hours at the Tokyo studio are Monday to Friday, from 10:00 am. to 7:00pm, including a one-hour break.

The new recruits artwork may one day feature in one of the many exhibitions about Studio Ghibli

The job postings also note that due to the studio’s location within a primarily residential area of Tokyo, late-night and weekend work is not feasible.

This may come as a relief to many applicants, as widespread issues surrounding long hours and unpaid overtime are commonly reported in the animation industry.

The listed monthly salary for both positions is 350,000 Japanese yen (approx. $2,330 USD/£1,798 GBP) or higher, with the final amount dependent on the individual’s experience and skill level.

While this salary may appear modest when converted to US dollars due to the current exchange rate, it is noted that it is competitive with or exceeds the compensation offered by many other animation studios in Japan.

In line with Studio Ghibli’s reputation for traditionalism, the application process is traditional and requires physical submission of application materials via postal mail. Digital applications will not be accepted.

To be considered, applications must be received by the studio no later than April 24th.

Source: Studio Ghibli – Digital Painting/Checking Artist, Background Artist