Why Voice Acting in Japan is a Terrible Job

[@lewisdogdson416]

Honestly it sounds like being an actor or an actress in the USA. You see the names of the folks that made it big and you don’t hear about the ones that are struggling. Well, I’d like them all to know I greatly enjoy their work and appreciate them. All of them.

[@residentfortress420]

I'd argue it's even more corrupt and shady outside Japan. Over there you NEED to have connections. Like, it doesn't matter if you're a good voice actor or not, If you don't know a producer, you won't even be able to audition. It's like that one guy from trash taste, he's not a voice actor but gets voice acting roles solely due to connections.

[@aslamnurfikri7640]

Motorsport too. For every Michael Schumacher, Max Verstappen, Marc Marquez there are countless racers who never make it big or having their career cut short by injury or death

[@JuanLopez-xh4vy]

@@aslamnurfikri7640 The barrier of entry financially is so high for motorsport too. Even looking at getting your foot in the door through pro sim racing you'd need to be driving on average of 8 hours a day on the sim to be good enough. And if you're a top guy maybe getting like $1k a month for like 1000s of hours of work and stress.

[@sadgekyat]

the line between seiyuu and idol is way too blurry, being a rookie seiyuu most of the time is pretty much just being an underground idol but with extra work and usually less pay, i guess selling your voice isn't enough and the industry demands selling yourself and your body at times too

[@jellyface401]

Only in Japan would rhey mix these things. I rather prefer the mexican dubbing mafia.

[@returnedtomonkey8886]

What art oriented job isn't terrible in japan?!

[@lewisdogdson416]

What art oriented job isn’t terrible in every country?

[@fdevaa]

​@@lewisdogdson416furry artists

[@TapaniLastellar]

finally someone covers more of the dark side of the seiyuu industry 🙏

[@genshinislife5432]

Dark side of entertainment industry ( including VA) Oshi no ko, Sister all u need : are we a joke?

[@NavistonCromwell]

This is prevalent in the entire entertainment industry and it’s run by nothing but a bunch of malefactors.

[@TapaniLastellar]

@@genshinislife5432 of course they're not a joke. there was a recent anime focusing on VA and it was more on the CGDCT side

[@salahdeanclemens2226]

@@TapaniLastellar what it’s called?

[@TapaniLastellar]

@@salahdeanclemens2226 Seiyuu Radio no Uraomote

[@residentfortress420]

As someone who attends a voice acting vocational school in Japan, you forgot the part where you're expected to know how to sing, dance, and act too, because that bolsters your profile. Yeah, I'm not kidding, alongside voice acting, they highly recommend you learn to sing as well, bonus if you can act so that you can "get in character"

[@Rio-chii]

Many anime characters have their character songs, so maybe that's why.

[@residentfortress420]

@Rio-chii Well, sometimes characters sing in anime even if it's brief. That reminds me of the attack on titan junior high ending/credits, where the song is composed of the voice actors who sung it, yeah alot of people don't realize that's the voice cast who sung the outro that plays every episode. Singing is almost a necessity. Hero Academia's Jiro actually sung "Hero too" Many voice actors crossed over to live action (which isn't my cup of tea) but that's why they recommend you learn to act as well.

[@lewisdogdson416]

And not to mention looking good, too.

[@lloydlego6088]

Voice actors are expected to be able to act? Yeah. It is in the name. You are acting, but using your voice and expression to do it.

[@residentfortress420]

@lloydlego6088 We got a genius over here! You know exactly what I mean, don't play smart. Voice acting, and body acting is not the same.

[@KillMarnoc]

Damn. Here I was just assuming that Rie Takahashi must be minted for having such a unique and charming voice.

[@mojhito5]

such a wonderful channel. keep it up, bro, your content is amazing

[@lucasandino1280]

Some seiyuus like Atsuko Enomoto and Yurina Hase also had experiences of harassment in the industry. It's really sad that this happened after all their endeavor their put to get the job.

[@erusha]

Wow, this is the first time I’ve seen an English video explaining the truth behind the seiyuu industry so well! As someone who moved to Japan to go to voice acting school, it always concerns me when I see people who are unaware of how brutal the Japanese voice acting industry is. I recently left voice acting school to focus on my already established career as a freelance voice actress, and this video reminded me of why I made that decision. Thanks for informing the English speaking audience about the harsh reality of the seiyuu industry!

[@redjoker]

@@erusha that's so cool! There just aren't many sources I could find in English talking about these topics so I can understand why most stay unaware. Good luck to all your future voice acting! It's such a cool career to me!

[@jellyface401]

The Chad Mexican Dubbing Mafia Vs. The Virging Japanese Voice Acting Industry.

[@dylandang7365]

I still say voice actors in Japan gets better treatment the voice actors in the U.S. Big budget animated movies are usually not done by voice actors but are done by like action Hollywood actors. Voice actors in the U.S. are dedicated to anime dubs, smaller tv shows and video games (but even sometimes video games are done by live action actors depending on the series). Even the most famous voice actors are struggling to pay rent while living in L.A. and that’s why they are on strike.

[@kingleeks2111]

I mean honestly everything you that you said is bad is literally worse in most places outside Japan. The thing really dragging Japan down is the payment system and Agency system.

[@zeldarian5339]

After get certified in Voice Actor School, it's gonna gamble fate after you get Agency.. The Competition is need more than solid mental

[@eyaldl]

Next ark of ohshi no ko be like

[@scanialover]

surprise: the manga ended lol

[@JesterKingZant]

​@@scanialoverIt's time to make a fanfic sequel

[@sadgekyat]

it would have been a great exploration especially since the manga industry is closely tied and working with the anime industry, unfortunately aka chose to end it on a shit note because he wants to move on from the series already

[@d4c_reznor470]

I’ve been training as a voice actor here in the US, and just like Japan, unless you’re a Hollywood or Broadway actor (or west end in England), you will need a second “survival job” to even sustain yourself. That’s why I’m keeping my expectations realistic, voicing in indie games and animation, then *maybe* an anime dub if I meet the right people, while my other career as a civil service worker finances it and all other expenses

[@morgydev]

The casting couch/body selling is soooo revolting 😖 I can't believe it's industry standard.

[@TalkingAboutGames]

I hope that many of them also consider going independent on KZbin as vtubers, streamers, indie manga and anime voice actors, variety commentators, etc. Beats flipping burgers at McDonalds, at least they are putting their talent to good use. They probably won't get rich (at least not yet!), but there are several who are making a decent income.

[@RaykinaBreaker]

pretty sure the gurl that crying is an underground idol that get little wage from her agency not a voice actress.

[@lewisdogdson416]

Not even underground. She was part of NMB48, which is one of the big groups.

[@hollowficate]

Oh yeah I remembered that scandal. Asakawa Yu made a brief comment about it and being silent about the topic to avoid being blacklisted.

[@toomanyinterests2271]

This video earned you a sub. I am happy someone made this the anime/manga industry is hell if you want to enter it, you either truly love it or you are dreaming of something that doesn't exist.

[@AdGarden7438]

Didn't even start watching, first sentence is "do you hate your life?" And the answer is "yes." Now time to watch the video.

[@Hagaren333]

4:35 I think the comparison here is inaccurate and even ridiculous between animators and voice actors, animators work full time, they can't have extra work like voice actors can, what's more, voice actors also work on other projects like drama CDs, songs, and even live performances to promote the series they appear in.

[@residentfortress420]

Yup, don't forget games, voice actors LOVE when a series they worked on gets a mobile game or something. Because it means more lines to voice. Especially when it's an ongoing game like Gacha, because with every new character, means more interactions, and even more lines to voice. Even crossovers with other games (as long as you voice the main characters)

[@Hagaren333]

@@residentfortress420 I think you know that in Japan there are something like series stations if they are popular, acting as the characters and receiving messages from the public, something like vtubers but only audio.

[@squalleonkeneddyheart4191]

Man and here I thought Idols have it rough lol

[@AdGarden7438]

VAs are "idols" on their own tho.

[@adoroselatte]

@@AdGarden7438facts

[@nox_tech_]

there's idols who graduate to become seiyuu, so there's some ways that seiyuu can be a step up.

[@hmmdoh7835]

IMO being a star in USA even worse... connection is everything (including u have to attend to someone's parties n get..... well overall entertainment industry just suck....

[@kolapsg7748]

there is a VA I like, unlike hanae natsuki or kaji yuki, he is not that popular even he is smart and talented he don't have that much role but he still do other job like live reading and other variety show I really like his stream in youtube he is Komatsu Shouhei I know him bc he is gaming from genshin

[@mar-je9ir]

i love following seiyuus but im always worried for my favs that don’t get constant roles 😢

[@Qualtz]

Good documentary, I legit didn't know some of the stuff in the vid.

[@faleilham8334]

Talented or Not. Connections is Number 1

[@lordtraxroy]

I mean voice actors in japan have a second job and they have to recieve money from outside

[@Dave102693]

11:10 “casting couch”

[@TheJohnblyth]

It used to be that in Canada voice actors got C$800/hr., with a minimum of C$200 per quarter-hour of recording ( which I’ve done only 3 times). Recording books, advertisements etc. can boost this, but it’s largely an invisible industry, with the top jobs going to people who are already celebrities as movie or tv actors. I think it’s only in the US that musicians can actually get genuinely rich, but it’s only a few of those, and it’s getting fewer all the time. Most of the vast amounts of money spent on the arts in every country goes to corporations and middlemen at various levels, with the majority of actual artists almost always needing to have a ‘day job’. Most people who persevere in the arts do so because they could hardly bear to do anything else, and can very easily be taken advantage of, even by those of their peers who are better hustlers or smoochers. Ugh. But we love what artists do, and the late-in-life-discovery of manga and anime especially shines for me. Your videos are great, Joker. Keep it up!

[@doodlebugfour7070]

Not to mention Canadian VAs barely ever get work Anime Dubs these days. Especially now that Crunchyroll, Sentai Filmworks, and Netflix are in control. Lone gone are the days of Black Lagoon, Inuyasha, Project ARMS, Death Note. etc.

[@TMVZA0]

Love your style bro, amazing documentary 💯💯💯

[@redjoker]

@@TMVZA0 Thanks man, really appreciate it!

[@lordtraxroy]

The takahashi rie case is an example how most acting carrer doesnt come with success from start they all start with working normal and part time jobs

[@lewisdogdson416]

That explains why a lot of female seiyuu do stuff like gravure work.

[@nox_tech_]

eh, they usually start that when they're comfortable. the gravure magazines that come out are for popular established names, otherwise idols who became seiyuu and wanna appeal to seiota quick. only time i saw straight up seiyuu *start* with gravure, japanese fans were pissed at a magazine when the magazine had rookie seiyuu do a bikini shoot for a swimming anime.

[@KingJH0510]

14:50 thats not a fair comparison Net worth =/= yearly salary And even if those numbers are true, which theyre not btw, that is purely an estimate, its still a decent amount to live off of Remember that japan's cost of living isnt as high as the US For an easier comparison, a quick search says japans average yearly salary is about 5mil yen. And that article estimates that moderately successful voice actors earn from 8mil to 15mil a year

[@redjoker]

@@KingJH0510 Thanks for the feedback, I should have shown yearly salary instead. I get what you mean, but the point I was trying to make is, the pay ceiling for being literally the top 5 in the entire country is extremely low compared to other entertainment industries. It's a good salary to live off, but the top 5 in most other entertainment industries would be making millions/10s of millions a year, even in Japan (vtubers, actors etc) I guess what I meant is for the huge risk of going this career path, the reward for succeeding is nowhere near other entertainers like actors/streamers etc. And even the ones that get paid 8-15M a year are like 100-200 people max, that's extremely high for a seiyuu.

[@Katcom111]

Imma be honest, even being on screen for TV don't make much as well in Japan as well. The Japanese media does have a darkside. It ain't rainbow and sunshine, there some people that got blacklisted on tv.

[@bacsrm6897]

i remembered tearing up when i saw the 'success' story of koga aoi after the very successful kaguya sama. no wonder this voice actors looks malnourished at the start of their careers

[@thunderboltstriker]

All showbiz pays bad at the botttomfeeder level. It’s an industry that doesnt reward you at all unless you’re the top 1%, and within that 1%, only the very top actually get financially rewarded substantially. This is not unique to Japan whatsoever.

[@gabrielkim2301]

12:48 ASHITA NO JOE

[@MagnusMegamind]

I was not able to refuse, now I'm number 1. voice actor after selling my body.

[@Player22095]

0:38 oh no not Iwata, man.

[@kametoco]

Does that mean ... new VAs have to voice hentai sometimes too?

[@siphemanana2551]

I mean…I heard Atsumi Tanezaki (the VA of Frieren) was involved once 😗

[@sentience3033]

Oshi no ko did a good job telling me about the life of idol

[@salahdeanclemens2226]

It’s sad the manga is ending isn’t great like mha or JJK.

[@genshinislife5432]

Dark side of entertainment industry Oshi no ko, Sister all u need : are we a joke? Beside your lesbi video this is great. I watch u since , Boochi va video. Keep up your work 6:15 I hope game company especially my beloved Mihoyo/ Hoyoverse pay them much better than Japan

[@jellyface401]

La mafia delbdoblaje turbo boost!

[@sendhelptotuki]

LA MAFIA DEL DOBLAJE??? OCIO FUE VENGADO

[@billythekid-bestservant1]

200 dollar/month in my country is below the minimum wage. Are you sure it's true? Cuz from the info I know before, they get 200 dollar per recording session. Plus, it's only for the newbies. The famous one would get like 5000$ per recording session.

[@zeuscliff9676]

6:36 definitely make a video on it

[@furensuko]

This is not just a japan issue, this is basically every job related to art in every other country. Actor, youtuber, illustrator, singer, modeling, etc you name it. You either go big or go home with the entertainment industry, it's not like your typical 9 to 5 job.

[@Никита-ф2х]

Why Voice Acting in **any country name** is a Terrible Job🤣

[@syedshaheermohammad6918]

i d9nt regret subscring to this channel

[@RoninAquila]

You will need to adopt an “Anakin Skywalker did nothing wrong” mindset to pursue your boyhood/girlhood dreams to shine like your heroes. Be willing to literally do absolutely *anything* for your Hopes & Dreams. Thank you for this galvanizing reminder. Absolutely *anything* it is, then.

[@Scarcheeze]

If i'm become a director of animation film or show,i will only hire the underrated Voice actors because most of them has a unique charm and i will help them of their daily expenses so that they can well perform of their voice acting.

[@kato2395]

Yep that is what the worse offender to be usually say.

[@Scarcheeze]

@kato2395 dont reply in my comment if your intention are retardation.shame on you!

[@Scarcheeze]

@kato2395 if you have nothing good to say in stranger from internet,you should keep words in yourself.shame on you! And do better and mind your own business!

[@stormtrooperelite1453]

and your show will get little attention because fans often look at the cast when they decide if they want to watch it or not and if they don't recognize many names, they won't be interested

[@kato2395]

@@Scarcheeze I am gonna say what I wanna say. That is just the reality of what "nice guys" like you will end up doing. Real kind people will just be kind without the need of telling people what they are going to do. This is not kindness, this is narcissism and virtue signalling. Hipocrisy at its finest form.

[@reiiz9942]

So where can I hire and contact all these underrated and newbie voice actor? Genuine question, I have a bro who want a JP seiyuu to do a certain part for his novel as a drama CD. Dont worry about money, he can afford it and lil bro always gives a bonus if he has an extra budget anyway. Depending on the success of the CD drama, he might do it again. Might as well manipulate my bro to spend on seiyuu than him spending on gacha lmao(bro spend way too much).

[@residentfortress420]

Try the app/site CCC

[@astrea555]

I thought the seiyuus were decently payed compared to the animator.. man. ai cut those dreams short for me. only after a few years of free work to be a good artist rofl.

[@kjriwoutube]

the A list VA make Bank into the 6 figures your Hana Kanazawa your Daisuke Ono's every else not so much

[@Dave102693]

@@kjriwoutubethis

[@adoroselatte]

Not really, it depends on the luck. If you’re well-known, then yes, you got paid well. It has the idol system alike, plus if you get connections, then it may boost your voice acting morality. But yes, it really depends on your luck.

[@salahdeanclemens2226]

Funny enough I find an article about female seyiuu got fired because she had drugs.

[@pitafren]

Bro don't call me out like that

[@jellyface401]

What about internet comissions and independent projects? :V does that help?

[@aldyzero6676]

Entertainment industry have way more darker side than the brighter side

[@javi3280]

Does anybody know of some other va’s who made it but had to sell their body? Honestly It’s not even worth it if they have to do that

[@KingJH0510]

You would never because if that shit ever gets the light of day they would be instantly cancelled

[@stormtrooperelite1453]

that's probably a dark secret of many but i'm certain it happens more than we think

[@DenshaOtoko2]

Go to Seattle Voice.

[@parzivalpercival6156]

I also herd that face also plays role...upto some level beauty matters for seiyuu

[@OpsKuro]

man i luv inori and akari kito

[@Kuuga-fo1lw]

Hollywood : Hold My Beer.

[@DenshaOtoko2]

I heard that you can get paid $20 USD per hour.

[@bl0odedge]

The world economy as it is right now doens't work. This system has already failed.

[@Dave102693]

What about idol pop seiyuū?

[@jellyface401]

But is their ninja way 😅! Look naruto sounds good but following your ninja way in real life looks like this.

[@harambe2552]

And they're all getting replaced by AI in the next 5 years

[@adoroselatte]

AI doesn’t have a heart and soul compared with human voice actors.

[@Sin_Alder]

Whaaaaat? A job where you sit down in a studio for a relatively short period of time (or sometimes don't even have to go to a studio), and do something that requires very little effort (and rarely much skill), doesn't pay much? No waaaaaaaaaay.

[@aldyzero6676]

This is a prime example of bad sarcasm

[@sadgekyat]

bait used to be believable