Animator (Gameplay / Character)
Design / Tokyo, Japan
Experience Level
Must have contributed to at least one shipped game title as a Gameplay Animator (multiplayer experience strongly preferred)
About the Role
As an Animator at Savage Astronaut, you will help define how our characters move, fight, and express themselves. Your work will shape the feel of combat, the readability of gameplay, and the personality of the world.
We are looking for an animator who understands the balance between grounded and stylized actions. Someone who can create animations that feel expressive and memorable without sacrificing responsiveness, clarity, or competitive readability.
This role requires a strong understanding of gameplay-driven animation. You will work closely with design, art, engineering, and VFX to create animations that not only look great, but communicate intent, timing, and emotion to the player.
You Will
Create high-quality gameplay and character animations for combat, traversal, and interactive gameplay systems
Collaborate closely with design to ensure animations support gameplay readability, responsiveness, and player decision-making
Work with creative direction to establish a grounded yet stylized animation language for the project
Create animations that communicate character personality, emotion, and narrative through movement
Collaborate with VFX, sound, and engineering to deliver cohesive gameplay feedback
Iterate on animations through playtesting and feedback to improve game feel and player experience
Help establish animation standards, workflows, and best practices for the project
We’re Looking For Someone Who
Has strong animation fundamentals, including timing, spacing, weight, anticipation, and posing
Understands the difference between animation that looks good and animation that plays well
Can find the balance between grounded realism and stylized expression
Thinks deeply about how animation communicates intent and supports gameplay
Has a strong sense of character acting and personality through motion
Can communicate character, intent, and emotion within the timing constraints of competitive gameplay
Brings ideas and creative vision, not just execution
Is proactive, communicative, and comfortable taking ownership
Bonus Points
Experience animating combat-heavy action games
Experience working on multiplayer titles
Experience with anime-inspired or stylized animation
Experience working closely with gameplay designers
Experience with motion capture cleanup and enhancement
Experience creating animation blueprints and gameplay animation systems in Unreal Engine
Traditional animation background or strong understanding of 2D animation principles
Required Documents
CV
Portfolio (must include design work and process)
Work Samples
CV should include:
Projects you have worked on, with your specific animation contributions clearly described
Experience with gameplay, combat, traversal, or cinematic animation
Tools and engines used, and how you used them
Experience collaborating with design, engineering, VFX, and art teams
Please also include (if available):
Gameplay footage showing your animation work in context
Animation breakdowns demonstrating your process
Examples showing both stylized and grounded animation work
Employment Status
Contract Employee (possibility of promotion to Permanent Employee)
Location
Hybrid / Tokyo, Japan
Work Hours
10:00 – 19:00 or Discretionary Labor System
Standard hours begin at 10:00, but exact working style will be discussed individually
Salary
Annual Salary (Negotiable)
Compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, and our internal salary framework
Benefits
Social Insurance
Transportation Expenses Covered
Salary Review System
Annual Health Checkups
Corporate Defined Contribution Pension Plan (for permanent employees)
Interested in this role and think you’re a good fit? Apply below!
