How to Apply to Toei Company

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

Key Takeaways

  • Toei Company (TYO: 9605) and Toei Animation (TYO: 4816) are separate listed entities with overlapping ownership but distinct hiring pipelines — pick the right one before you apply.
  • There is no English-language unified careers portal. New-grad hiring runs through Mynavi and Rikunabi; mid-career hiring runs through Japanese job boards and recruiters.
  • Japanese language at business level is essential for nearly all roles. JLPT N1 is the practical standard; N2 is the bare minimum.
  • Animator and contractor pay in Japan is structurally low and widely documented. Verify rates and IP terms in writing before signing anything.
  • Toei Animation's franchise portfolio (Dragon Ball, One Piece, Sailor Moon, Pretty Cure, Saint Seiya) is a long-term asset but creates franchise dependency risk that hiring managers think about.
  • Competition from MAPPA, ufotable, CloverWorks, and overseas studios — plus generative AI pressure — shapes the strategic conversation in interviews. Be ready to discuss it honestly.
  • Interview culture is formal, Japanese-language, and hierarchical. Keigo, conservative dress, and respectful follow-up are non-negotiable.
  • Toei Uzumasa Eigamura in Kyoto is part of the company. Roles in theme park operations, jidaigeki production, and tourist programming are often overlooked entry points.

About Toei Company

Toei Company, Ltd. (東映株式会社, TYO: 9605) is one of Japan's oldest and most influential entertainment conglomerates, headquartered in Ginza, Tokyo. Founded in 1949 and operating under its current name since 1951, Toei has grown from a postwar film studio into a diversified producer of live-action films, television dramas, theme park experiences, and (through its majority-owned subsidiary Toei Animation) a globally significant anime catalogue. The parent company employs roughly 3,000 people, with another ~500 at Toei Animation Co., Ltd. (TYO: 4816), which is separately listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Leadership has historically rotated within the founding family and senior film executives; verify the current president (recent records list Toshihiro Tashiro) and chairman (Tetsumitsu Shimba) directly with Toei's IR materials before applying. Understanding the dual-entity structure matters more than most candidates realize. Toei Company itself focuses on live-action film and television production — including a long heritage in jidaigeki (period drama), Kamen Rider and Super Sentai tokusatsu (in partnership with Bandai), the Kindaichi Case Files and Goemon franchises, and increasingly international co-productions such as Karate Kid Legends (2024, with Sony). Toei Company also operates Toei Uzumasa Eigamura, the working-set theme park in Kyoto that doubles as a tourist attraction and active filming location. Toei Animation is the household name abroad: it produces Dragon Ball (Z, GT, Super, Daima — under license from Shueisha and Bird Studio), One Piece (1,100+ TV episodes adapting Eiichiro Oda's manga since 1999), Sailor Moon, Saint Seiya, Digimon, Pretty Cure, Galaxy Express 999, Mazinger Z, Slam Dunk adaptations, and recent originals such as Skip and Loafer and Suicide Squad ISEKAI. Crunchyroll (Sony Pictures, post-Funimation merger), Netflix, and regional broadcasters have become major distribution partners as the global anime market expands. Two strategic dynamics shape hiring today. First, Toei Animation faces intense competition from MAPPA (Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man), ufotable (Demon Slayer), Wit Studio/CloverWorks (Spy x Family), and Studio Ghibli, plus accelerating pressure from generative AI tools and overseas studios. Second, the company's hiring is deeply Japanese in structure: spring shinsotsu (新卒) graduate recruiting through Mynavi and Rikunabi dominates entry-level intake, mid-career hiring (中途採用) leans on industry referrals and specialist agents, and there is no formal English-language careers portal. Working in Japanese — including business-level keigo — is non-negotiable for the vast majority of roles.

Application Process

  1. 1
    Identify which entity matches your goal: Toei Company (live-action film, TV dram

    Identify which entity matches your goal: Toei Company (live-action film, TV drama, tokusatsu, theme park) or Toei Animation (anime production, international licensing). They hire separately and have distinct culture.

  2. 2
    For new graduates: register with Mynavi (マイナビ) and Rikunabi (リクナビ) for the sprin

    For new graduates: register with Mynavi (マイナビ) and Rikunabi (リクナビ) for the spring shinsotsu cycle. Toei runs a structured process with company seminars (会社説明会), entry sheets (ES), aptitude tests (SPI), and multiple interview rounds, typically March through summer of the year before graduation.

  3. 3
    For mid-career applicants: there is no public English careers portal

    For mid-career applicants: there is no public English careers portal. Search Mynavi Tenshoku, Rikunabi NEXT, doda, BizReach, and animation-specific boards (アニメ業界専門) for posted roles, or work with bilingual industry recruiters who place into Japanese entertainment.

  4. 4
    Tailor materials in Japanese: rirekisho (履歴書) and shokumu keirekisho (職務経歴書) fol

    Tailor materials in Japanese: rirekisho (履歴書) and shokumu keirekisho (職務経歴書) following the standard JIS format. Foreign-style resumes are accepted only for explicit English-language roles in international sales or licensing.

  5. 5
    Animators, directors, and designers must submit a portfolio

    Animators, directors, and designers must submit a portfolio. Include both finished work and process samples (genga, douga, layout, storyboards). Originality and Toei-style sensibility matter as much as technical skill.

  6. 6
    Production, planning, and corporate roles screen heavily for company knowledge

    Production, planning, and corporate roles screen heavily for company knowledge. Be ready to discuss specific Toei franchises, recent box office performance, the animation industry's structural challenges, and your personal motivation (志望動機) in detail.

  7. 7
    Expect multiple in-person interview rounds at the Ginza headquarters or Toei Ani

    Expect multiple in-person interview rounds at the Ginza headquarters or Toei Animation's Oizumi studio in Nerima, Tokyo. Final rounds often include senior executives. Travel within Japan is expected and rarely reimbursed for early rounds.

  8. 8
    Background and reference checks are common, especially for IP-handling roles

    Background and reference checks are common, especially for IP-handling roles. Be transparent about prior employers, NDAs, and any side work involving competing studios or fan content.

  9. 9
    If hired as a freelance animator or contractor (the dominant model for in-betwee

    If hired as a freelance animator or contractor (the dominant model for in-between and key animation work), clarify rate per cut, payment cadence, IP assignment, and credit terms in writing before starting. Industry norms favor the studio.

  10. 10
    Offers are typically made by phone followed by formal naitei (内定) paperwork

    Offers are typically made by phone followed by formal naitei (内定) paperwork. Standard new-grad start date is April 1; mid-career start dates are negotiated case by case.

Resume Tips for Toei Company

recommended

Use a Japanese rirekisho (JIS-format) for nearly all roles

Use a Japanese rirekisho (JIS-format) for nearly all roles. Foreign-style resumes signal you have not done your homework on Japanese hiring norms.

recommended

State your Japanese language level explicitly (JLPT N1 strongly preferred for mo

State your Japanese language level explicitly (JLPT N1 strongly preferred for most roles; N2 minimum for production-adjacent roles). For English-bilingual roles, also list TOEIC score.

recommended

Quantify involvement on past projects with episodes worked, cuts produced, budge

Quantify involvement on past projects with episodes worked, cuts produced, budget responsibility, or box office contribution where appropriate.

recommended

Name the specific Toei franchise or sister studio you most want to contribute to

Name the specific Toei franchise or sister studio you most want to contribute to, and explain why. Generic 'I love anime' framing is screened out fast.

recommended

For animator roles, link to a portfolio that includes raw genga and douga, not j

For animator roles, link to a portfolio that includes raw genga and douga, not just polished compilation reels. Hiring leads judge fundamentals.

recommended

For production (制作) and planning (企画) roles, highlight schedule management, vend

For production (制作) and planning (企画) roles, highlight schedule management, vendor coordination, IP holder communication, and cross-functional teamwork in concrete terms.

recommended

List any prior experience with Japanese broadcasters (NHK, NTV, TBS, Fuji TV, TV

List any prior experience with Japanese broadcasters (NHK, NTV, TBS, Fuji TV, TV Asahi, TV Tokyo), distributors (Toho, Shochiku, Kadokawa), or licensing partners (Bandai, Shueisha, Kodansha, Shogakukan).

recommended

Be specific about software fluency: Toon Boom Harmony, Adobe After Effects, Phot

Be specific about software fluency: Toon Boom Harmony, Adobe After Effects, Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, RETAS STUDIO, Maya, Blender, and proprietary Toei pipelines where relevant.

recommended

Avoid criticism of competitors, of the wider industry's pay structure, or of pas

Avoid criticism of competitors, of the wider industry's pay structure, or of past employers. Tone in Japanese hiring documents is reserved and respectful.

recommended

Proofread for keigo and standard business Japanese

Proofread for keigo and standard business Japanese. Have a native speaker review your shokumu keirekisho before submitting; small errors signal lack of preparation.

ATS System: Mynavi / Rikunabi (新卒採用) and direct application (中途採用)

Toei Company does not operate a unified external careers portal. New graduate hiring runs through Mynavi (マイナビ) and Rikunabi (リクナビ), the two dominant Japanese shinsotsu platforms, with company-specific entry sheets and aptitude tests. Mid-career hiring is handled through Mynavi Tenshoku, Rikunabi NEXT, doda, BizReach, animation industry boards, and direct introductions via specialist recruiters. There is no public ATS for international applicants outside these channels.

  • Create complete profiles on both Mynavi and Rikunabi well before the official hiring season (March 1 of the year before graduation for the standard cycle).
  • Submit entry sheets in Japanese, by hand if requested. Online ES forms still expect handwritten upload for some divisions.
  • Prepare for SPI or similar aptitude testing — verbal, non-verbal, and personality sections in Japanese.
  • For mid-career, expect to apply via email or recruiter introduction with a Japanese rirekisho and shokumu keirekisho attached as PDF.
  • Treat any English-only application channel as exceptional, usually for international sales, licensing, or specific co-production roles only.
  • Follow up appropriately: in Japanese hiring culture, polite written follow-up after interviews is expected, but excessive contact is read as pushy.

Interview Culture

Toei interviews follow Japanese corporate convention with an entertainment-industry overlay.

Expect three to five rounds for new-grad roles and two to four for mid-career, conducted almost entirely in Japanese. Early rounds focus on motivation (志望動機), self-introduction (自己紹介), and your understanding of Toei's specific position in the film and animation market. Hiring managers want to hear that you can articulate why Toei rather than Toho, MAPPA, ufotable, or Studio Ghibli. Mid rounds dig into craft fundamentals and prior work. For animators, expect technical drawing tests and discussion of specific scenes you have worked on. For production roles, expect scenario questions about schedule slippage, vendor disputes, IP holder pushback, and managing creative talent under deadline pressure. For corporate roles in licensing, distribution, or theme park operations, expect to be tested on knowledge of Toei's franchise portfolio and recent business news. Final rounds typically include a senior executive — sometimes a board member at Toei Company or a studio chief at Toei Animation. Tone is formal: keigo is mandatory, business attire is expected (dark suit, white shirt, conservative shoes), and arrival 10 to 15 minutes early is standard. Bring a printed rirekisho even if you submitted one online. Compensation is generally not negotiated until after the offer. New-grad starting salaries follow industry norms (often ¥220,000 to ¥260,000/month base); mid-career salaries vary by role. Animator pay in particular sits well below other Japanese white-collar work and is widely documented as a structural industry problem — go in with eyes open.

What Toei Company Looks For

  • Native or business-level Japanese (JLPT N1 strongly preferred; N2 floor for most production work).
  • Demonstrated fit with Japanese workplace conventions: keigo, hierarchy, group decision-making, long-tenure mindset.
  • Specific knowledge of Toei's franchises and the wider Japanese entertainment landscape, not generic anime fandom.
  • Craft fundamentals for creative roles — drawing skill for animators, storytelling instinct for directors, schedule discipline for production staff.
  • Resilience and willingness to work long hours, particularly in the lead-up to broadcast deadlines and theatrical releases.
  • Track record of finishing projects, not just starting them. Toei values shippers over visionaries.
  • Cross-functional collaboration with IP holders (Shueisha, Kodansha, Bandai), broadcasters, and overseas distributors such as Crunchyroll and Netflix.
  • For corporate roles, financial literacy and an understanding of how Japanese listed companies operate (TYO disclosure, shareholder expectations, IR rhythms).
  • Cultural sensitivity for international roles — ability to translate Japanese creative norms for overseas partners without losing fidelity.
  • Discretion and trust around unreleased IP. Leak history or fan-account exposure can disqualify candidates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Toei Company and Toei Animation the same employer?
No. Toei Company, Ltd. (TYO: 9605) and Toei Animation Co., Ltd. (TYO: 4816) are separately listed Japanese companies. Toei Company is the majority shareholder of Toei Animation, but they hire on independent tracks with different studios, leadership, and culture. Toei Company focuses on live-action film, TV drama, tokusatsu, and theme park operations. Toei Animation focuses on anime production. Apply to the entity whose work matches your goal.
Do I need to speak Japanese to work at Toei?
For nearly all roles, yes — at business level. JLPT N1 is the practical standard for production, planning, animation, and corporate functions. JLPT N2 is the bare minimum for any role with internal communication. A small number of international sales, licensing, or co-production roles use English bilingually, but Japanese remains the working language of both companies.
How does Toei hire new graduates?
Through the standard Japanese shinsotsu (新卒採用) cycle. Register on Mynavi (マイナビ) and Rikunabi (リクナビ) the year before your intended April start date. The process involves company information sessions, entry sheets, SPI aptitude testing, and multiple interview rounds, typically running March through summer with naitei (内定) offers issued in autumn for an April 1 start.
Is the animator pay really as low as people say?
Yes. Industry-wide reporting from sources including Anime News Network and Japan Animation Creators Association surveys consistently puts entry-level in-between animator pay around ¥150,000 to ¥300,000 per month, with mid-career key animators often earning ¥3 to ¥5 million annually — well below comparable Japanese white-collar work. Toei is not an outlier in either direction. Most production work uses freelance contracts paid per cut. Verify your specific terms before signing.
Can foreign nationals work at Toei?
Yes, but the bar is high and the path is narrow. Foreign hires almost always require business-level Japanese, a valid working visa (typically Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services), and either rare in-demand skills or prior work with Japanese studios. International applicants are most successful in licensing, international sales, and specific co-production roles where bilingual skills are differentiated.
What franchises does Toei work on?
Toei Animation produces Dragon Ball (Z, GT, Super, Daima — under license from Shueisha and Bird Studio), One Piece (1,100+ TV episodes), Sailor Moon, Saint Seiya, Digimon, Pretty Cure, Galaxy Express 999, Mazinger Z, Slam Dunk adaptations, Skip and Loafer, and Suicide Squad ISEKAI, among others. Toei Company produces Kamen Rider and Super Sentai tokusatsu (with Bandai), Kindaichi Case Files, Goemon, jidaigeki TV dramas, and international co-productions such as Karate Kid Legends (2024).
What are Toei's biggest competitors?
In anime: MAPPA (Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man), ufotable (Demon Slayer, owned commercial rights via Aniplex/Sony), CloverWorks and Wit Studio (Spy x Family), Studio Ghibli, Bandai Namco Filmworks (Sunrise — Gundam), TRIGGER, and Kadokawa Anime. In live-action film: Toho (Japan's #1 distributor), Shochiku, Kadokawa, GAGA, and Asmik Ace. International streaming partners (Netflix, Crunchyroll/Sony, Disney+) increasingly act as both distributors and competitors for talent and IP.
Where are Toei's offices?
Toei Company is headquartered in Ginza, Tokyo. Toei Animation's main studio is in Oizumi, Nerima Ward, Tokyo. Toei also operates Toei Kyoto Studio Park (Toei Uzumasa Eigamura), the working film set and jidaigeki theme park in Kyoto. Most production work happens at the Tokyo studios; jidaigeki TV and film work is often based in Kyoto.
Does Toei offer remote or hybrid work?
Limited. Some corporate, licensing, and international roles offer hybrid arrangements, but production work — especially animation and live-action — is almost entirely on-site at Tokyo or Kyoto studios. Japanese entertainment culture remains office-centric, and presence at the studio is read as commitment.
What is the work culture like?
Family-style and hierarchical, with long tenures and strong internal loyalty. Decisions move through formal channels and consensus-building. Hours can be very long around broadcast and theatrical deadlines, particularly in production roles. Senior staff are addressed with formal titles, and keigo is the working register. Foreign hires accustomed to flatter Western studios should expect an adjustment period.
How does Toei handle generative AI in animation?
The Japanese animation industry is in active debate about generative AI. Toei has not made sweeping public commitments either way as of this writing. Verify the company's current public position via investor relations materials and recent industry coverage before discussing AI in interviews. Be honest about your own views — hiring managers value thoughtful candor over performative enthusiasm or blanket rejection.
What is the application cycle for Toei Animation specifically?
Toei Animation runs its own shinsotsu cycle aligned with the standard Japanese spring schedule, plus periodic mid-career postings. The studio also runs in-house animator training programs (養成) for selected new hires. International applicants for animator roles should expect to demonstrate fundamentals through portfolio review and may be asked to complete drawing tests in person at the Oizumi studio.
Check Your Resume Before Applying → View open positions at Toei Company

Related Resources

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Sources

  1. Toei Company, Ltd. — Investor Relations (Corporate Information) —
  2. Toei Animation Co., Ltd. — Corporate Site —
  3. Tokyo Stock Exchange — Toei Company (9605) —
  4. Tokyo Stock Exchange — Toei Animation (4816) —
  5. Toei Kyoto Studio Park (Toei Uzumasa Eigamura) — Official Site —
  6. Mynavi Shinsotsu — Toei Company Recruitment Page —
  7. Rikunabi — Japan Graduate Recruiting Platform —
  8. Anime News Network — Industry Reporting on Animator Pay and Conditions —
  9. Japan Animation Creators Association (JAniCA) — Annual Pay Survey —
  10. Toei Animation — One Piece Official Site —
  11. Toei Animation — Dragon Ball Official Site —
  12. Crunchyroll — Distribution Partnerships and Anime Industry Coverage —