Showcasing, creating, 3D designing, voice-over acting, coding, brainstorming: whatever ignites your passion, an expansive realm of industries awaits to utilize your talents and aspirations! The journey towards realizing your dreams is seldom straightforward, filled with obstacles, demanding persistence, but those daring enough to navigate such paths will discover satisfaction, as long as they continue doing what inspires them. These anime portray such journeys!
These shows, whether they depict the genesis (and flaws) of chasing a dream in a humorous context or offer a raw look at the production process, often expose the hard work, emotional moments, and humor involved in making these characters’ aspirations a reality. Some of them also portray struggles remarkably similar to those encountered in their respective fields, making their experiences strikingly relatable due to the familiarity of their challenges.
1) Bakuman
Tarou Kawaguchi, a renowned humor comic artist, was Moritaka Mashiro’s uncle and an inspiration for him to pursue a career as a mangaka. However, when his uncle passed away, so did Moritaka’s aspirations of becoming a mangaka, choosing instead to become an ordinary office worker. But after Akito Takagi, a classmate, spotted drawings in Moritaka’s notebook, he revealed his own dream of being a manga author. Proposing they collaborate, Akito mentioned the possibility that Moritaka’s crush, Miho Azuki, could voice act for the potential anime adaptation of their joint work. This suggestion sparked Moritaka’s renewed passion for creating manga. Thus, with the ambition to be Japan’s best mangaka, Moritaka and Akito embark on their creative journey under the pseudonym Muto Ashirogi.
To achieve significant success within your chosen field, it’s essential to harbor a deep-seated enthusiasm for your work. Starting early can give you an advantage, but regardless of when you begin, if you aspire to enter the industry – like aiming to become a mangaka similar to Moritaka – remember Shia LaBeouf’s advice: “Make your dreams more than just dreams. Just do it!
Bakuman can be streamed on Hulu, Peacock, or Tubi where available.
2) Shirobako
A close-knit group of five friends from Kaminoyama High School – Aoi Miyamori, Ema Yasuhara, Midori Imai, Shizuka Sakaki, and Misa Toudou – all passionate about anime, decide to form their own animation club and produce their initial amateur anime for display at the school’s cultural festival. They aim not only to create this project but also to build careers in the industry and eventually collaborate on a professional level to create their own full-fledged anime. Fast forward two and a half years, Aoi and Ema successfully break into the industry; however, Shizuka faces challenges as a voice actor, Misa designs 3D models for a car company, Midori is attending university to become a story writer, and they all find the path to success in their dreams difficult. Despite these hurdles, they remain steadfast in their pursuit of achieving their aspirations through perseverance and creativity.
Entering the field may require dedication and genuine effort, much like the journey these five companions experience. Yet, remember that nothing is unattainable! Regardless if your dream lies in drawing, animation, 3D modeling, voice acting, scriptwriting, or another area, persist in your passion until you reach your goal!
Shirobako can be streamed on HIDIVE.
3) Seiyu’s Life!
Eager about voice acting, or commonly known as “seiyu”, Futaba Ichinose persistently hunts for auditions and performance opportunities in her quest to launch her career and make a mark in the industry. Along her journey, she encounters two other voice actors – Rin Kohana, a young actress juggling her profession and schoolwork, and Ichigo Moesaki, an idol-aspirant who claims to be a princess from Strawberry Planet. As they navigate through the trials of showbiz, they refine their individual voices and styles.
Experiencing “Seiyu’s Life!” offers a fascinating insider view into the ups and downs of chasing a career as a voice actor, complete with an educational twist. As you watch, you’ll learn about various terms and production processes while being entertained by the characters’ own quests to become voice actors – quite a meta journey for the voice actors themselves!
4) Look Back
Despite receiving accolades for her hand-drawn comic strips in the fourth grade, Ayumu Fujino felt inadequate when classmate Kyoumoto was also given a chance to showcase art in the school newspaper alongside hers. This was the first time she felt overshadowed by an anonymous competitor. In an attempt to surpass her artistic rival, Fujino devoted herself entirely to drawing and learning manga creation, becoming increasingly withdrawn for a year. Eventually, she gave up. A year later, on graduation day, Fujino met her unknown rival, Kyoumoto – a quiet, unkempt girl who was actually a fervent admirer of Fujino’s work. This encounter reignited Fujino’s passion for manga, and the two bonded over their shared interest, eventually becoming close friends.
Achieving mastery in a particular field may present numerous obstacles. Although competition can occasionally fuel determination, it might also lead to feelings of inadequacy or despair at other times. However, despite the difficulties, if your passion and resilience remain strong, never abandon your pursuit of what brings you joy!
Look Back can be streamed on Prime.
5) Zenshu
Natsuko Hirose begins her animation career with great success, becoming a highly respected director in the industry. In her subsequent project, a romantic comedy focusing on first love, she encounters an unfamiliar challenge: she doesn’t fully grasp the concept herself. Struggling to start storyboarding, tragedy strikes and Natsuko’s life ends. However, when she regains consciousness, she discovers that her life has been reborn not in any world, but within the universe of her beloved childhood anime film, “A Tale of Perishing.
Instead of perceiving being “isakai’d” into their preferred anime as a dream fulfilled, Zenshu highlights the repercussions that could become just as tangible as the animated worlds. As an animator herself, Natsuko might believe she has a unique insight into her favorite animation, but is she genuinely aware of the intricacies of the depicted world?
Zenshu can be streamed on Crunchyroll.
6) New Game!
Following her high school graduation, Aoba Suzukaze lands a job at Eagle Jump as a character designer for a new installment in her beloved series, Fairies Story. With lead character designer Kou Yagami overseeing, Aoba encounters and establishes relationships with various office colleagues: monster creator Yun Iijima; reserved Hifumi Takimoto, who grapples with face-to-face interaction; animation team member Hajime Shinoda, a figurine collector; art director Rin Tooyama; game director Shizuku Hazuki and her feline companion; and Umiko Ahagon, a somewhat volatile head programmer. The team unites in their efforts to conquer the challenges of video game production while fostering strong professional relationships and friendships along the way.
In contrast to most anime in the genre of “Cute Girls Doing Cute Things,” which typically focus on schoolgirls, the series New Game! offers a delightful twist by showcasing the same charm among adults, specifically colleagues working in the video game industry.
New Game! can be streamed on Crunchyroll.
7) Kakushigoto
As a well-known mangaka, famous for my works with adult content, when my little princess Hime was born, I, Kakushi Gotou, made a solemn promise to keep my profession hidden from her. Being a single father, I’ve been on a constant mission to maintain this secret, which often leads to me living an elaborate charade as a salaryman every day to prevent her from being tainted by my world. However, despite my best efforts to preserve the status quo, I can feel the time ticking away until Hime uncovers my hidden identity and learns the truth about her upbringing.
At work, it’s not just about the job or the industry, but rather the dedicated individuals who strive to sustain themselves and their loved ones. And just like in the series Kakushigoto, we see a mangaka father’s struggle to provide for his cherished daughter while navigating through various mishaps and escapades.
Kakushigoto can be streamed on Crunchyroll.
8) Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!
Midori Asakusa finds inspiration for her vivid sketches of fantastical landscapes and backgrounds from both anime and everyday life. Her friend, Sayaka Kanamori, isn’t particularly into anime, but when they meet Tsubame Misuzaki, a young model who loves drawing and aspires to be an animator despite her parents’ opposition, Asakusa and Misuzaki quickly bond over their shared creativity. Asakusa specializes in concept art for backgrounds and settings while Misuzaki focuses on character sketches. While Kanamori isn’t as passionate about anime as the others, she sees a potential business opportunity and suggests they start an animation club under the pretense of a motion picture club.
Some otaku, who are known for their intense interest in consuming media, might also develop a deep-seated desire to produce it. The allure of anime can be so captivating for certain fans that they feel driven to craft their own enchanting realms and characters, similar to Asakusa and Misuzaki.
Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! can be streamed on Crunchyroll.
9) 16bit Sensation: Another Layer
Despite the fact that Konoha Akisato cherishes bishoujo games and aspires to be a celebrated artist within the field, in 2023, the industry encounters an issue: the prevalence of low-quality, inexpensive, and monotonous games. The very company, Blue Bell, where Konoha secured her initial job as a sub-illustrator, contributes significantly to this predicament. However, when Konoha discovers a vintage game store that reminds her of the innovative titles from days gone by, she is mysteriously transported back to 1992, marking the start of the bishoujo game golden era. She then joins a small game company, Alcohol Soft, as an illustrator. Despite her conviction that her advanced technical skills would prove invaluable, Konoha soon realizes how challenging it is to adjust her talents to the rudimentary, antiquated technology of the past.
Today’s industry may come with its unique hurdles, but keep in mind that every great beginning had humble origins! Moreover, as we look back at the technological landscape of the past, particularly during the 90s when it was still finding its feet, it can be both awe-inspiring and humbling to witness the challenges overcome and accomplishments achieved by pioneers from times gone by.
16bit Sensation: Another Layer is available to stream on Crunchyroll.
10) Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun
he is none other than renowned shoujo manga artist, Sakiko Yumeno! Intriguingly, she already owned some of his published works. As a series of amusing mix-ups unfold, Chiyo finds herself becoming Nozaki’s assistant on his manga projects and forming friendships with the boisterous Mikoto Mikoshiba and popular student, Yuu Kashima. Despite Nozaki’s obliviousness to her feelings, Chiyo continues to assist him in his manga, hoping that one day he might acknowledge her true feelings amidst all the humorous blunders and escapades.
It’s often advised to write about what you’re familiar with, but Natsuko in the story of Zenshu, being unacquainted with love, struggles to represent it in her work. However, Nozaki manages to convincingly portray romance in his creations, even though he himself has never experienced romantic feelings.
Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun can be streamed on Netflix or HIDIVE where available.
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2025-08-02 06:11