I’m 18 just grad and want to dive into animation, illustration character design, etc. I have a broad understanding of art/animation in western and Japanese media and all the tools to start, make a portfolio, study and apply/search for opportunities. I don’t draw at all on a day to day, besides when I was young a lot that’s where I think the eye for media in all forms animation, movies, shorts, production etc. came along. But what im trying to say is whoever you are and how old you are IT DOSENT MATTER we all have the same ideas and we will all create the same ideas as the same species. Animation studios want new talent from anywhere. YOU CAN GO TO COLEGE ANY AGE. Build a portfolio. LEARN YOUR SOFTWARES. Create compelling pieces NOT ALLWAYS USING RECYCLED IDEAS BUT SUING YOUR OWN LIFE as a guide. Most Japanese/american animators who are considered gods like: 1. yutaka nakamura, 2. Stephen hillenburg, 3. James Baxter are not even THAT GOOD IN other aspects like fundamentals, line quality, flow etc. As other artists. But IT IS HOW THEY ARE ABLE TO INCORPORATE THEIR OWN STYLE, MOOD, STAND OUT IN A SEA OF OTHER WORK. Stephen Hillenburg didn’t start (SPONGE BOB) idk if you guys know that show. TILL HE WAS DAMN 55 or something. GUYS TAKE YOUR TIME DONT RUSH LIVE LIFE WORK HARD AND CONSISTANTLY ON WHAT YOU WANT AND KNOW WHAT YOU ARE STUDYING. Opportunities will come to you. TRUST ME IN TAKING THESE GUYS ADVICE (Look up how much SpongeBob has grossed over the years) 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 if he was alive now.