Making a Career of Anime
The Wallstreet Journal interviews our very own Adam Sheehan about what anime fans might consider a dream job.
I’m sure you blog readers already have a good idea of what Adam does at FUNimation, but you can read up a bit to know how he got here. Now purveyors of the largest newspaper in the U.S. also have some understanding of what it takes to be events manager. Apparently, you’ve gotta be blingin’ hard and ballin’ outta control to hang with the bad boys of anime. ‘Cause that’s how we roll.
Click here to read the article.
So if you had your choice of anime-related occupations, what job would you want?
42 Responses to “Making a Career of Anime”
Cathy on November 4th, 2009 at 4:02 pm says:
I’d like to design the art for anime DVD boxes. or make anime trailers.
Agent Hazel on November 4th, 2009 at 4:17 pm says:
Woo hoo! Go Adam! I’d love to be part of the Graphic Design team at FUNi! It would be really cool to get to know people on that side of the industry.
Also, I’d love to be part of the convention team. Hopefully I’ll get picked to be one of the volunteers at a con booth one day 
dragon0 on November 4th, 2009 at 5:05 pm says:
Tyrenol serious shut up. I don’t even like rap music, personaly I’m a country music guy. Ands was so wrong of me to say to them that the best thing is to ignore your “hate” of lolli and moe. So forgive me for trying to basiclly help you a bit, it won’t happen again.
Tyrenol on November 4th, 2009 at 5:25 pm says:
Not everyone’s into loli and moe, dragon0. To simply use the word “hate” on someone is to miss that point and cement into everyone else’s minds how close-minded anime fans really are.
Because “being close-minded” is not true, right? 
jmfsilenthill on November 4th, 2009 at 5:58 pm says:
Ok guys I don’t think this is the best place to have these discussions.
I apologize to the moderators of these comment sections (Rojas) for having been involved in this crap. I sure as hell wouldn’t want to have to look at these arguments every day. And I’m not sucking up to the mods because I’d love to argue about this, but in a more appropriate area. This post doesn’t really have anything to do with the arguement against moe or loli anime.
Just sayin’
dragon0 on November 4th, 2009 at 6:06 pm says:
Tryenol, your entitled to your own taste, but seriously just because you don’t like dosn’t mean others don’t. All I’m saying is just let it go. Supprot the anime you like, and just ignore the others you don’t. Haven’t you gotten sick and tired of constantly arguing this with us. Quiet frankly I’m board of it. I’ve accepted how you feel on this matter even if I don’t agree with you. So please I’m begging you just let it go. Ok, my head is killing me right now so can we please end this. Please.
mckg1 on November 4th, 2009 at 6:44 pm says:
My dream job….. director of dubbing animes, licensing, distributing anime, and working on ads for anime. Voice acting sound cool too, its just that i dont think ill be that good at it. Hey Rojas what kind of jobs can a major in computer science get me in Funi?
vilapupu on November 4th, 2009 at 7:33 pm says:
great article on what he said about how Adam got started. It’s pretty cool to know how you get started to work with an anime company.
Anyways, for me, I actually have big plans on working in the anime industry. I’m not talking into taking over FUNi or anything like that but to actually help out it by having more anime in tv (and I am not talking about silly edits and all in tv). I don’t think of putting it 24 hour anime but surelly more than what it is now in tv.
Like everyone else, I am also interested into VA but not that much. I do know many friends that fandubbing and a VA that I have talked to the past via Internet (yes, it’s Cristina vee. i’m sure many people knows her).
Momo on November 4th, 2009 at 9:21 pm says:
My dream career would be to be a Graphic Artist for FUNimation, not only because I love anime and I love art so why not combine the too.
and its hard to put into words what my other reason is……but I would be serious about my work.
Tyrenol on November 4th, 2009 at 9:47 pm says:
* Japan’s anime industry must stop focusing on loli, moe, and the harsh treatment of shounen.
* Anime licensors in the West (like FUNi, unfortunately) must stop licensing the pro-moe, pro-loli animu; which inadvertantly encourages them to make more. (They only care about the money anyway.)
Until then, I refuse to be silent or silenced about this. I suggest Advil and going out for a walk, dragon0.
Mario1-7 on November 5th, 2009 at 3:28 am says:
@Tyrenol@
Dude Shut the hell up. I am trying my hardest to ignore you but I can’t. Japan is NEVER gonna stop making Loli and Moe Anime because that is what is selling Look at the Damn DVD charts. none of those ”Main Stream show are selling” Look at Phantom and Fullmetal Alchemist, K-ON is beating the hell out of those to and K-ON Vol 4 has been on that list for like 3 week and it #3. Bakemonogatari is beating the hell out of everything I haven’t finished that one yet so I am not sure what to make of it.
dragon0 on November 5th, 2009 at 7:24 am says:
Complaining here won’t do anything about what’s being done in JAPAN. If this bothers you so much why not take it up with them.
I’m board of the you should de-moe this, or the anti loli that and no weak guy this, that , this…… Seriously, find somthing else to talk about man. You sound like a broken record.
Side note. I’.ve taken tylenol, but a walk is out of the question, think I have a small cold so I’ll stay indoors.
Alexis N Vazquez on November 5th, 2009 at 7:28 am says:
well fror me that I’m studing hospitality and mangement if I work hard enough maybe I can work as manager in a anime company but that will be after many years of study and hard work
@Tyrenol@
seriusly dude you have aproblem and you are starting to get on my nervs with you coments. Just let me teld you something that I learn
japan an other conutries are not going to stop producing something just becasue someone like you is saying is not good or is just wrong, they will continue to do it untill they not gain enough money and if the people like it then theres no reason on stoping
so japan will continue to produce anime, manga loli until they wanted to and you can’t go against a country or a big company like funimation Ent just because if a small matter.
so can you please stop this you are just making a fool of your self
Momo on November 5th, 2009 at 7:36 am says:
@Tyrenol
Dude, I know that you are exercising your right to Free-speech but think about it….all of these people are annoyed with what you are saying. Here’s the deal “What sells, sells.” B**** about it all you want it won’t go away.
We know how you feel about Loli Moe and whatnot…..so you don’t need to keep saying it. Show a little respect to our opinions and if you stop shoving yours down our throughts(sp?) we might respect yours.
Hisoka-Thorongil on November 5th, 2009 at 11:52 pm says:
My apologies to the admins for my part in inadvertently causing this off-topic escapade.
Tyrenol, coming off as an arrogant elitist (read: douche bag) who purports mere opinion to be fact will win no one to your side. And neither will flinging blanket ad hominems at your opponents. Anime isn’t run by a fascist regime, despite your wet dream that it should be. It’s driven by market demand, or in other words, what the fans want. *gasp* Yes, welcome to the 21st century, friend! Don’t like moe/loli? That’s fine! But it’s just part of your taste in Japanese cartoons. Nothing more. So you can get down from your soap box now and come back to reality.
Kristian Delgado on November 12th, 2009 at 6:18 pm says:
Hello I am Trying to become a voice actor. I was wondering How can I become a voice actor to funimation?
Alyssa Kelley on January 15th, 2010 at 10:33 pm says:
I’ve been looking into a job as a voice actor since the 6th grade (I’m now in the 10th). I’ve done loads of research as well as listened to my parents over the years as they said becoming one is very hard to do. I got into anime at a very young age (at the age of 4 Sailor Moon, Yu-Yu-hakasho and Pokemon were my passions) and was always curious about dubbing anime.
My passion grew for the unique artstyle and plots that only anime could carry out when I met people with the same passion as mine, afterward I went into my 4 year research of voice acting.
I was wondering if I could get even more information about being a voice actor when I’m still in high school so I can take electives that will give me the experience I need for the job. Due to the fact that 8 years of Choir can only carry me so far in life, but I think that singing talent would work well for this job.
I’d really like to work for you and hopefully I will be able to one day.
