Kojima Productions hiring 3D Animator, Japan
Kojima Productions is seeking a talented and passionate Animator to join our dedicated Art Department at Kojima Productions in Tokyo. In this role(Animator), you will be responsible for bringing our worlds to life by creating high-quality, immersive in-game and cutscene animations. Whether you are a seasoned industry veteran or a promising newcomer with a stunning portfolio, we want to hear from you. Kojima Productions offers a dynamic, flexible working environment combining a standard 10:00 AM–6:45 PM workday with a Discretionary Labor System that leaves exact daily hours to individual discretion. Job Overview : 3D Animator Quick Overview Details Company Kojima Productions Location Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan Nearest Station Shinagawa Station Employment Status Contract Employee (with potential promotion to Permanent Employee) Core Software Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, or Softimage Scope of Work & Responsibilities as an Animator As an Animator, your primary objective will be to design and execute compelling movement that enhances both gameplay feel and cinematic storytelling. Your core duties will include: In-Game Animation Production: Designing fluid, responsive player and NPC movements, combat mechanics, and environmental interactions. Cutscene Animation Production: Crafting cinematic sequences that convey deep narrative beats, character emotions, and high-impact action. Pipeline Collaboration: Working closely with technical artists, designers, and programmers to ensure assets integrate seamlessly into the game engine. Application Requirements for Animator Kojima Productions welcome applications from a diverse range of experience levels, provided you possess the core technical skills required to succeed. Core Eligibility Criteria Software Proficiency: Practical, hands-on experience executing keyframe animation utilizing industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, or Softimage. Industry Experience: Proven track record of taking at least one game title from development through to successful commercial completion. Alternative Entry Pathways For New Graduates: You do not need to meet every single eligibility requirement listed above. We heavily weigh your foundational skills, academic projects, and enthusiasm. For Candidates with No Industry Experience: A lack of professional game dev experience is not a disqualifier. However, your application and portfolio must strongly showcase alternative capabilities, self-taught mastery, or transferable skills that compensate for a lack of commercial tenure. Preferred Qualifications as Animator While not strictly mandatory, candidates who possess one or more of the following skills will be given strong preference during the selection process: Cinematic Expertise: Experience crafting dedicated cutscene motions with an advanced understanding of the fine, subtle nuances of human body mechanics. Motion Capture Mastery: Proven ability to clean, modify, adjust, and optimize raw motion capture data for seamless in-game implementation. Exceptional Hand-Keying: A strong artistic eye and technical knack for traditional hand-key animation. Advanced Toolsets: Direct experience creating animations within Maya and utilizing Motion Builder for advanced character setups. Diverse Portfolio Scope: Knowledge and practical experience animating a diverse array of subjects beyond humanoids, including vehicles, machinery, and complex monsters. Facial & Technical Animation: Experience in high-fidelity facial animation, as well as a solid understanding of character rigging principles and practices. Required Submission Documents To be considered for this position, please ensure your application includes all of the following materials. Incomplete applications may not be reviewed. Japanese CV (Rirekisho): Please include a professional photograph, if available. Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV): Your CV must explicitly outline: The specific animation tools and software you specialize in, alongside the exact number of years you have used them in practice. A comprehensive list of all past game titles you have contributed to, detailing your exact responsibilities for each project. Industry Insight & Written Responses: Please provide short, brief answers to the following three prompts: Prompt 1: List the game or video titles that you believe feature the most wonderful, high-tier animation work on the market right now. Briefly explain the reasoning behind your choice. Prompt 2: Identify one current technology trend within the animation or gaming industry that has captured your attention, and briefly explain why. Prompt 3: Name the game titles you have personally enjoyed playing the most recently, and briefly detail what made them so engaging for you. Portfolio / Work Samples: Submit a digital showreel or portfolio showcasing your best work. Note: We accept any digital format of your choosing, but all files must be viewable on a standard Windows operating system. Compensation, Benefits, & Time-Off Kojima Productions believe in taking care of our team by offering a highly competitive compensation package and a healthy work-life balance. Salary & Incentives Structure: Annual salary model, paired with a robust performance incentive system. Evaluation: Final salary offers will directly take into consideration your unique past experiences, portfolio strength, and capabilities, aligned with internal company regulations. Salary Revision: Conducted once per year to reflect performance and growth. Benefits Package Comprehensive health, social, and employment insurance. Full coverage of commuting/transportation expenses. Regular medical checkups. Congratulatory and condolence allowances. For Permanent Employees Only: Access to a corporate defined contribution pension plan and additional corporate incentives. Paid Time-Off Standard Leave: Fully enforced five-day work week (Saturdays and Sundays off) alongside all Japanese official national holidays. Seasonal Breaks: Dedicated summer vacation and End-of-Year/New Year company closures. Additional Leave: Paid annual vacation days, alongside congratulatory and bereavement leave. Crucial Application Notes International Applicants: Kojima Productions digital application system is currently unable to process overseas postal codes. If you are applying from outside of Japan, you do not need to input a postal code that matches your actual current address. However, please ensure that every other field in your address information is completely valid and accurate. Age Verification: Please note that age verification will be required as part of our standard onboarding and compliance process.