How to Apply to Sunrise (Bandai Namco Filmworks)

8 min read Last updated April 20, 2026 7 open positions
Blake Crosley
Blake Crosley Researched using publicly available information, hiring data, and ATS analysis.

Key Takeaways

  • Bandai Namco Filmworks (formerly Sunrise) is the Gundam studio — corporate name changed April 2022 but the Sunrise brand remains in use for Gundam and core animation.
  • It is a subsidiary of Bandai Namco Holdings (TYO: 7832), so corporate functions get conglomerate-level pay and stability while creative animation roles follow the brutal industry-standard scale.
  • Japanese animator pay is genuinely low (entry roles ¥150,000-300,000/month, mid-career ¥3-5M/year) — this is industry-wide, not a Bandai Namco anomaly.
  • Hiring runs on the Japanese spring shinsotsu calendar via Mynavi and Rikunabi for new grads, plus year-round mid-career postings on the company portal.
  • Japanese language ability is required for nearly every role; non-Japanese applicants need realistic visa and language plans.
  • Genuine Gundam fandom is a meaningful signal — interviewers ask, and they can tell when you are bluffing.
  • AI and offshoring pressure on the animation industry is real; the company is investing in IP monetization and global distribution to offset margin compression.
  • Apply through recruit.bandainamcofilmworks.co.jp and the Bandai Namco Group portal; mid-career specialists can also use doda, BizReach, and Green.

About Sunrise (Bandai Namco Filmworks)

Bandai Namco Filmworks Inc. (株式会社バンダイナムコフィルムワークス), formerly Sunrise Inc. (サンライズ), is one of Japan's most influential anime studios. The company was renamed from Sunrise to Bandai Namco Filmworks on April 1, 2022, as part of a Bandai Namco Group restructuring that consolidated film and animation operations under a single banner. The Sunrise sub-brand is preserved for the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise and core animation production lines, so you will still see 'Sunrise' on credits and merchandise even though the corporate name has changed. Headquartered in Suginami, Tokyo, the company employs roughly 600 people on staff and works with a much larger network of freelance animators, key animators, and production assistants who form the backbone of any Japanese anime studio. Filmworks is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bandai Namco Holdings (TYO: 7832), one of the largest entertainment conglomerates in Japan, which also owns Bandai (toys and Gunpla), Bandai Spirits (figures and model kits), Bandai Namco Entertainment (games including the Tekken series and Elden Ring publishing), and Bandai Namco Pictures (a separate animation studio that was spun off from the original Sunrise to handle non-Gundam properties such as Love Live!, Aikatsu!, and Tiger & Bunny continuations). This corporate structure matters: when you apply to Bandai Namco Filmworks you are joining a publicly traded conglomerate with deep pockets, but the unit you join is a creative studio with traditional Japanese animation production culture. The IP catalogue is extraordinary. Mobile Suit Gundam, created by Yoshiyuki Tomino in 1979, remains the franchise tentpole. Recent productions include Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury (2022-2023), Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom (2024 theatrical), Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance (2024 Netflix), and Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX (2025). The studio's broader catalogue includes Cowboy Bebop (Shinichirō Watanabe), Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, Inuyasha (Rumiko Takahashi adaptation), Tiger & Bunny, the Love Live! franchise (with Lantis), and numerous Macross co-productions with Big West. The production environment in 2025 is shaped by three pressures: a global push to monetize Gundam beyond Japan (live-action collaborations, English-dubbed simulcasts, international streaming deals), the dual-development trend of pairing anime with live-action, and the industry-wide pressure of generative AI on traditional animation labor. Be honest with yourself about what working here looks like before applying.

Application Process

  1. 1
    Open the careers portal at recruit

    Open the careers portal at recruit.bandainamcofilmworks.co.jp — the primary new-graduate (新卒) and mid-career (中途) listings live there, with Bandai Namco Group cross-postings at career.bandainamco.co.jp.

  2. 2
    Decide which track applies: shinsotsu (新卒, fresh graduate) hiring runs annually

    Decide which track applies: shinsotsu (新卒, fresh graduate) hiring runs annually on the Japanese spring schedule via Mynavi and Rikunabi, with applications opening around March of your final university year for an April start the following year.

  3. 3
    Mid-career (中途採用) roles are posted role-by-role year-round and target experience

    Mid-career (中途採用) roles are posted role-by-role year-round and target experienced animators, production managers, IP licensing staff, marketing, sound, and corporate functions.

  4. 4
    Prepare a Japanese rirekisho (履歴書) and shokumukeirekisho (職務経歴書)

    Prepare a Japanese rirekisho (履歴書) and shokumukeirekisho (職務経歴書) — Japanese resume formats are mandatory; an English CV alone will not be accepted for most roles.

  5. 5
    For creative roles (animation, design, storyboard) prepare a portfolio (ポートフォリオ)

    For creative roles (animation, design, storyboard) prepare a portfolio (ポートフォリオ) with original work, fan-art clearly labelled as such, and any production credits; PDF or personal site links are accepted.

  6. 6
    Submit through the company portal or via Mynavi/Rikunabi for new grads; mid-care

    Submit through the company portal or via Mynavi/Rikunabi for new grads; mid-career applicants can also be referred through industry agents like Creativex or Gakken.

  7. 7
    Document screening (書類選考) is followed by 2-4 interview rounds, often including a

    Document screening (書類選考) is followed by 2-4 interview rounds, often including a creative test (作画試験) for animator and design roles.

  8. 8
    Final interview (最終面接) is typically with a producer or department head; expect q

    Final interview (最終面接) is typically with a producer or department head; expect questions about your favorite Gundam series, your animation philosophy, and your stamina for the production schedule.

  9. 9
    Offers (内定) are issued in writing; new grad offers are typically extended in sum

    Offers (内定) are issued in writing; new grad offers are typically extended in summer/fall for the following April start (April 2027 for current applications submitted in 2026).

  10. 10
    Onboarding for shinsotsu hires includes a Bandai Namco Group orientation, then d

    Onboarding for shinsotsu hires includes a Bandai Namco Group orientation, then department-specific training; mid-career hires are typically embedded directly into a production line.

Resume Tips for Sunrise (Bandai Namco Filmworks)

recommended

Write your rirekisho in Japanese using the standard JIS Z 8303 format — handwrit

Write your rirekisho in Japanese using the standard JIS Z 8303 format — handwritten was traditional but typed is now widely accepted; use the Mynavi or doda template if you need a starting point.

recommended

On the shokumukeirekisho, list specific anime titles, episodes, and your exact r

On the shokumukeirekisho, list specific anime titles, episodes, and your exact role (in-between animator 動画, key animator 原画, production assistant 制作進行, etc.) — credit specificity is the currency of this industry.

recommended

If you have non-anime production experience (games, film, advertising), translat

If you have non-anime production experience (games, film, advertising), translate it into Japanese animation pipeline vocabulary so reviewers can place you on the production chart.

recommended

Include a portfolio link prominently — for animator roles a single strong reel o

Include a portfolio link prominently — for animator roles a single strong reel or sakuga sample matters more than a long list of credits.

recommended

List Japanese language proficiency honestly using the JLPT scale (N1-N5); for no

List Japanese language proficiency honestly using the JLPT scale (N1-N5); for non-creative corporate roles N1 or near-N1 is usually expected.

recommended

If you are a non-Japanese applicant, state your visa status clearly — Bandai Nam

If you are a non-Japanese applicant, state your visa status clearly — Bandai Namco Filmworks can sponsor Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visas for qualifying roles, but cannot sponsor for entry-level animation work in most cases.

recommended

Highlight any Gunpla, mecha-design, or licensing-side experience for Gundam-adja

Highlight any Gunpla, mecha-design, or licensing-side experience for Gundam-adjacent roles — this is the single fastest pattern-match for hiring managers.

recommended

For licensing, marketing, and global business roles, English fluency is a meanin

For licensing, marketing, and global business roles, English fluency is a meaningful differentiator; list TOEIC scores (800+ is the unofficial bar) or equivalent evidence.

recommended

Avoid Western resume tropes like 'results-oriented professional' — Japanese resu

Avoid Western resume tropes like 'results-oriented professional' — Japanese resumes are factual and chronological, not narrative.

recommended

Proofread your Japanese with a native speaker; typos in a rirekisho are treated

Proofread your Japanese with a native speaker; typos in a rirekisho are treated as a serious signal of carelessness.

ATS System: Generic Careers Portal (recruit.bandainamcofilmworks.co.jp + Bandai Namco Group)

Bandai Namco Filmworks does not use a global SaaS ATS like Workday or Greenhouse. Applications flow through a company-built portal at recruit.bandainamcofilmworks.co.jp, with cross-postings on the Bandai Namco Group corporate careers site (career.bandainamco.co.jp) and on Mynavi (新卒) and Rikunabi for new graduate hiring. Mid-career roles are also posted on doda, BizReach, and Green for specialist functions.

  • Register on Mynavi and Rikunabi early in your job-hunt year — many entries open through these aggregators before appearing on the company site.
  • Use the Bandai Namco Group portal account to apply across multiple subsidiaries (Filmworks, Pictures, Entertainment, Spirits) with a single profile.
  • Upload your rirekisho and portfolio as PDFs; attachments over 10MB are rejected by the portal.
  • Japanese-language UI only on the recruit subdomain — use a translation extension if you cannot read it natively, but final submissions must be in Japanese.
  • Avoid generic mass-apply templates; Bandai Namco recruiters openly say they discard scripted applications.
  • For creative roles, the portfolio link goes in a free-text field — make sure the link does not require login (Google Drive set to anyone-with-link, personal site, or ArtStation public).

Interview Culture

Interviews at Bandai Namco Filmworks blend traditional Japanese big-company formality with anime-studio creative directness.

Expect to wear a recruit suit (リクルートスーツ) for early rounds — even creative candidates are judged on whether they understand basic business etiquette. The interview itself typically opens with self-introduction (自己紹介) of about one minute, followed by structured questions about your motivation for applying (志望動機) and your career vision (キャリアビジョン). For creative roles, expect deep technical questions about your portfolio: which scenes you animated, how many corrections you received, how you handled a tight deadline. For Gundam-related roles, interviewers will absolutely ask which series you love and why — being unable to articulate a specific favorite is a red flag, but feigning fandom is worse. Be honest about which entries you have actually watched. Production manager (制作進行) interviews focus on stress tolerance, scheduling skills, and willingness to work long hours — this role is the entry point for many production careers but is famously demanding. Final interviews include a producer or department head and are conducted in Japanese; bring printed copies of your portfolio and CV even if you submitted them digitally. Decisions are typically communicated within two weeks, with offer letters following formally. Respond to all communication promptly and in keigo (敬語, polite Japanese).

What Sunrise (Bandai Namco Filmworks) Looks For

  • Genuine fandom and knowledge of the studio's catalogue — Gundam fluency is effectively required for any production-side role.
  • Japanese-language proficiency at business level (JLPT N2 minimum, N1 strongly preferred for corporate roles).
  • Production stamina — Japanese animation studios run on tight schedules and overtime is normalized; honesty about your willingness to work hard is expected.
  • Specific craft skills for creative roles: clean line work, understanding of timing and spacing, ability to draw mecha and human figures from any angle.
  • For management roles, evidence of running productions on schedule and budget — anime production is a logistics business as much as a creative one.
  • Cultural fit with Japanese big-company hierarchy — respect for senior staff, willingness to follow instructions, and patience with traditional decision-making cycles.
  • For licensing and global business roles: English fluency and experience working with international partners (Netflix, Crunchyroll, Bandai Namco Entertainment America).
  • Long-term commitment — Japanese employers favor candidates who plan to stay; high-frequency job changes on your resume can be viewed skeptically.
  • Original creative voice for design and direction roles — the company recruits successors to legends like Tomino and Watanabe, not just executors.
  • Resilience to industry pressures including AI disruption, low entry-level pay, and the freelance-heavy structure of the animation pipeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sunrise still a company, or has it been completely replaced by Bandai Namco Filmworks?
Sunrise as a corporate entity was renamed to Bandai Namco Filmworks on April 1, 2022. The Sunrise name is preserved as a sub-brand specifically for Mobile Suit Gundam and core animation production credits. So when you see 'Sunrise' on a 2025 Gundam show, that is Bandai Namco Filmworks operating under its legacy brand.
Is Bandai Namco Pictures the same company?
No. Bandai Namco Pictures was spun off from the original Sunrise in 2015 to handle non-Gundam properties such as Love Live!, Aikatsu!, and Tiger & Bunny continuations. They are sibling subsidiaries under Bandai Namco Holdings, with separate hiring portals and separate productions.
Do I need to speak Japanese to work there?
For nearly all production, animation, and corporate roles, yes — at business level (JLPT N2 minimum, N1 strongly preferred). A small number of global licensing, international marketing, and overseas distribution roles can accommodate English-dominant candidates, but they are exceptions and competitive.
What is the realistic salary for an entry-level animator at Bandai Namco Filmworks?
Industry-standard entry pay for in-between animators (動画) in Japan is roughly ¥150,000-300,000 per month, often on freelance or per-cut piece-rate contracts. Salaried staff positions at Filmworks pay better than the worst of the industry but still well below Bandai Namco corporate-level salaries. This is a long-known structural problem in Japanese animation.
Can Bandai Namco Filmworks sponsor a working visa for non-Japanese applicants?
Yes for qualifying corporate, licensing, and senior creative roles under the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa, or for highly skilled professional visas. Entry-level animator roles are generally not sponsored — the pay floor is too low to clear the visa minimum income threshold reliably.
How do I apply as a new graduate?
Register on Mynavi (mynavi.jp) and Rikunabi (rikunabi.com) at the start of your job-hunt year (typically March of your third university year). The company posts new-grad listings (新卒採用) during that cycle. You will submit an Entry Sheet (ES), then proceed through document screening, written tests, group discussions, and individual interviews.
Do I need to be a Gundam fan to work there?
For Gundam-related roles, yes — and interviewers will test this. For non-Gundam creative work or pure corporate functions you can get by without it, but a baseline familiarity with the studio's catalogue is expected. Pretending to be a fan is worse than honestly admitting you have not seen many entries.
What ATS or applicant tracking system does Bandai Namco Filmworks use?
There is no global SaaS ATS. Applications flow through the company-built portal at recruit.bandainamcofilmworks.co.jp, the Bandai Namco Group portal at career.bandainamco.co.jp, and through Mynavi/Rikunabi for new grads. Mid-career roles also appear on doda, BizReach, and Green.
How much overtime should I expect?
Anime production is famously demanding, especially around episode delivery deadlines. Production manager (制作進行) and animator roles regularly involve long hours. The Bandai Namco Group has worked to improve labor compliance in recent years, but the structural pressure of weekly TV deadlines remains. Be honest with yourself before signing on.
Is generative AI threatening jobs at Bandai Namco Filmworks?
AI is a real industry pressure but the company has not announced layoffs tied to AI as of 2026. Studios across Japan are evaluating AI for in-between work, layout assistance, and pre-visualization. The most exposed roles industry-wide are entry-level in-between animation; senior key animators, directors, and IP-side staff are less directly threatened in the near term.
How does Bandai Namco Filmworks compare to MAPPA, Toei Animation, or Studio Ghibli for an animator?
Filmworks offers conglomerate stability (Bandai Namco backing), a flagship franchise (Gundam), and a broader IP catalogue than most independents. Toei Animation is the other major IP-rich studio (One Piece, Dragon Ball). MAPPA is known for high-profile but punishing productions. Ghibli operates on a fundamentally different cadence with much smaller intake. None of them solve the industry pay problem.
What roles are most often open?
Production manager (制作進行), animator (アニメーター — both 動画 and 原画), 3DCG artist, color designer (色彩設計), background artist (美術), IP licensing staff, marketing, sound production coordinator, and corporate functions (legal, finance, HR). Specific openings rotate; check the recruit portal directly.

Open Positions

Sunrise (Bandai Namco Filmworks) currently has 7 open positions.

Check Your Resume Before Applying → View 7 open positions at Sunrise (Bandai Namco Filmworks)

Related Resources

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Sources

  1. Bandai Namco Filmworks Official Recruitment Site —
  2. Bandai Namco Filmworks Corporate Site —
  3. Bandai Namco Holdings Investor Relations (TYO: 7832) —
  4. Bandai Namco Group Careers Portal —
  5. Sunrise to Bandai Namco Filmworks Rebrand Announcement (April 2022) —
  6. Mynavi 新卒採用 Job Hunt Portal —
  7. Rikunabi 新卒 Job Hunt Portal —
  8. doda Mid-Career Job Portal —
  9. Mobile Suit Gundam Official Franchise Site —
  10. JAniCA Animator Working Conditions Survey (Japan Animation Creators Association) —
  11. Anime News Network — Bandai Namco Filmworks Encyclopedia Entry —
  12. Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX Production Announcement (2025) —