#Japan #Chiyoda #Yoyogi Animation Academy #Draft Audition 2025 #animation school

A Closer Look at the Draft Audition 2025

Yoyogi Animation Academy, based in Chiyoda, Tokyo, has recently unveiled a documentary that captures the behind-the-scenes moments of its unique "Draft Audition 2025." This event enables aspiring voice actors and actors to take their first step towards professional status by directly auditioning for production companies.

What is the Draft Audition?

The Draft Audition is an annual talent search exclusive to Yoyogi Animation Academy students aiming to become professionals in the voice acting and acting field. Unlike traditional auditions where candidates must first qualify through training institutes, this audition uniquely allows students to receive direct invitations to join major production companies, bypassing the conventional process. This provides them with a significant advantage and recognizes their potential from the outset.

Purpose and Structure

The documentary released reflects the core ideas of the audition while documenting the students' challenges and their remarkable efforts to succeed. Participants learn from evaluations and feedback during the selection process, understanding better what qualities and skills are currently sought by the industry, which aids in shaping their future career paths.

For those interested, the documentary can be viewed in two segments on YouTube: the first part here and the second part here.

Highlights of 2025

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Draft Audition. In response to feedback from past participating companies, which expressed a desire to see group performances as well, the audition incorporated ensemble presentations alongside individual acts. This allowed for a broader showcase of student talents including singing, dancing, and voice drama, emphasizing teamwork and creativity.

In an impressive turn of events, every finalist who advanced to the final selection stage received invitations from production companies, achieving a 100% selection rate. Notably, one remarkable student attracted offers from 29 different companies, a historic first in the Draft Audition's timeline.

Special Guest Appearances

The documentary also features a groundbreaking studio talk segment, showcasing discussions with notable alumni of Yoyogi Animation Academy. This addition offers viewers unique insights into the audition process through humorous and heartfelt exchanges alongside personal stories of the students. Special guests include:

• - Gou☆Jas (Space Pirate)
• - Marika Takano (Voice Actress)
• - Yui Hanase (Voice Actress and Draft Audition 2023 Finalist)

About Yoyogi Animation Academy

Founded in 1978, Yoyogi Animation Academy has been instrumental in forming over 120,000 talents in the anime and entertainment industry through its nine campuses across Japan. Providing a variety of learning methods, including full-time, evening classes, remote education, and high school and university programs, the institution is dedicated to fostering the next generation of artists. It also actively engages in the entertainment sector, managing talent and applying the latest industry trends to its educational curriculum.

To learn more about Yoyogi Animation Academy, visit the official website.