by Kirk Bangstad
kirk.bangstad@animationschoolreview.com
Animation School Review Columnist

Japanese anime and manga are all the rage with kids these days. This interest has created a strong market for trained animators. If you’re an anime and manga fan, consider pursuing a career in animation.

Japanese anime is a style of animation that developed an underground following thirty years ago. Manga is the name of the comic book genre that incorporates the stylized drawing techniques characteristic of anime. Today anime and manga have grown into household names throughout the U.S. Kids from Baltimore to San Francisco and beyond have decided it’s pretty cool to be anime and manga fanatics.

Anime Events Nurture Artistic Side

The Baltimore Sun recently covered a costume making and drawing event at the public library centered on anime and manga. The event attracted a number of children who were all interested in learning how to draw in the style of anime. Many of these teens have submitted anime drawings to art contests and art compilations, and attribute their interest in drawing to the anime subculture. When asked what they want to do when they grow up, many wanted careers in animation.

Drawing Main Component to Successful Animation Career

Drawing is the most important skill needed to become a good animator, and kids who get into drawing at an early age can get a jumpstart on a future animation career. Animation has evolved into a lucrative career path. With more and more computer animated films being released each year, the demand for good animators has increased—as have animation salaries.

Students who can demonstrate drawing talent can gain admittance to top animation schools. This, in turn, can give them an edge in the job market upon graduation.

Source

Anime Craze in Baltimore

About the Author

Kirk Bangstad is a singer living in Chicago, IL. He received his B.A. in Government at Harvard. Kirk previously worked as a management consultant.