However, the glittering numbers hide a labor crisis. Animators, the monks of this art form, often earn below minimum wage. The infamous "anime sweatshops" have led to a generation of burnout. Yet, paradoxically, the cultural prestige of working on a hit series like Jujutsu Kaisen keeps the pipeline flowing. The industry is slowly pivoting, with new unions forming and studios like Kyoto Animation (post-tragedy) championing salaried positions over per-draw pay.