How to learn Japanese

[AnimeLover1997]

This might sound a bit whacked but when I'm older I want to move to Japan and become an animator. It's because I don't wanna just watch these animes I wanna MAKE them. So I talked to my parents and they think it's a good idea. But before I go there I'm gonna have to learn Japanese. I'm learning more and more about Japanese culture by watching these animes but I still don't know how to speak the language. Are there any programs that can help me learn it, should I watch more subbed anime? The reason I'm asking this so early is because I wanna start now so that when school is over I don't have to rush through it.

[eaper]

Originally Posted by AnimeLover1997

This might sound a bit whacked but when I'm older I want to move to Japan and become an animator. It's because I don't wanna just watch these animes I wanna MAKE them. So I talked to my parents and they think it's a good idea. But before I go there I'm gonna have to learn Japanese. I'm learning more and more about Japanese culture by watching these animes but I still don't know how to speak the language. Are there any programs that can help me learn it, should I watch more subbed anime? The reason I'm asking this so early is because I wanna start now so that when school is over I don't have to rush through it.

Take a course at a university. That is, hands down, the best way to learn the language while staying in your native country. Anyways, not to rain on your parade, but you may want to do some research about being an anime animator. They work long hours for next to nothing. Anyways, if you don't want to go to a university and have some money, look into rosseta stone.

[Korath]

Really serious and can spare a few years then Uni is the answer... if not then you like the rest of us and make do with whatever works best for you in your spare time.

Rosetta Stone is alright, I used it for a bit. Now I more or less exclusively use TextFugu and Anki Flashcards.

[eaper]

Originally Posted by Korath

Really serious and can spare a few years then Uni is the answer... if not then you like the rest of us and make do with whatever works best for you in your spare time.

Rosetta Stone is alright, I used it for a bit. Now I more or less exclusively use TextFugu and Anki Flashcards.

Some schools allow you take the class without being a student, as well.

[hoffstyle]

Don't bother, top end animators in Japan make less than 3 million yen a year. That's like 25k US and in their economy that's not near enough to pay rent. A lot of them still live at home. That's just a reality check for you. Sorry.

[eaper]

Originally Posted by hoffstyle

Don't bother, top end animators in Japan make less than 3 million yen a year. That's like 25k US and in their economy that's not near enough to pay rent. A lot of them still live at home. That's just a reality check for you. Sorry.

3 Million yen is like 38k a year, tbf. If you are a TOP END animator, you can live like someone that makes about 10 dollars an hour, just with 5 times the stress.

[Garyuu]

I've heard of some animators getting payed about $3 an hour. There was also a survey, which showed that the average annual salary for an animator is about $14,000 (¥1,100,000).

[Raven]

Originally Posted by hoffstyle

Don't bother, top end animators in Japan make less than 3 million yen a year. That's like 25k US and in their economy that's not near enough to pay rent. A lot of them still live at home. That's just a reality check for you. Sorry.

I agree, I honestly think this career path is worthless. I've researched it before and I've read the same thing. Many animators live with their parents. They are even worried that people will stop going into the field, because it's pay is poor and work laborious.

It's basically a labor of love. Top end animators for their skill and dedication should be making at least 65k a year.....AT LEAST. And it's not even half of that.

I'd say go for being an animator in the US at a company. It might be competitive, but the pay would be much better I'm sure.

[hoffstyle]

Originally Posted by eaper

3 Million yen is like 38k a year, tbf. If you are a TOP END animator, you can live like someone that makes about 10 dollars an hour, just with 5 times the stress.

Yes, current exchange rate makes it 37,803 US but again that is top tier. No one is going to break in to that market from another country and make top end pay. Given the current anime market situation and the fact that Companies are contracting their animation work out to other countries (Korea etc) it's a fruitless exercise.

Other things to realize is that you don't just get a work visa, and go to work in Japan. There's a process there too. You have to have a degree and take work in wanted fields. You also don't just find an apartment, turn on utilities and go to work and everything will be butter..there's a process to that too.

Needless to say, as much as I love Japan, there is no real way I would ever be convinced to work there. It's a job getting a place to even stay. Lot's of factors involved.

But hey: They're not screwing over game designers and artists yet. Think about that.

[r-18]

step one ...be born in japan...