This article reveals how veteran animators in the Japanese animation industry understand the technologies introduced recently regarding their occupational careers. The animation industry in Japan has promoted the digitalization of the picture drawing process. However, previous research has not mentioned how workers built their careers to introduce new technologies while working in the creative industries with precarious work conditions. Management studies on the technology introduction fail to grasp the diversity of animatorsʼ understandings. Even sociological research has not paid attention to the occupation like animators, in which workers donʼt have the rigid objection in their careers, such as becoming independent self-employment.

Based on the interview research on the animators who started their working life in the 1980 s, one of the most significant transformation periods of the animation industry, this article clarifies the narratives of technology introductions. Animators who worked at only a few firms donʼt see the technology introductions as they should deal with.

On the contrary, animators who worked at many studios interpret the technology introductions as directly affecting their career formations. Among such animators, this article compares two animatorsʼ narratives concerning turning points in careers, reference groups in the occupation, and the stance for digitalization. This analysis revealed the two has quite different understanding on new technology and artfully deal with the digitalization in their careers. Moreover, the difference in coping practice stems from the difference in the working process, skills and reference groups.

In the light of these findings, this article pointed out that the introduction of technology should also be promoted progressively, taking into account the logic of the workersʼ side.