u/UnitedBed3710

I apologize this is long! (note my mother will be paying for part of it. We both have to agree 💫)

I want to move to Japan. So so bad. Ever since i was about 13… Or anywhere but the USA. I love my fam, but gods… USA. I’m 17f, homeschooled. I want to do art I want to work in art. Ideally I’d like to do character design or write for film/animation, although I’m willing to consider animation or other related work if that gives me a more realistic path. Basically, I want to make things. I want to create characters and stories and actually work in that world…

Please, if possible, channel your inner Mr. Rogers here and don't be cruel. I'm genuinely overwhelmed. I'm not asking anyone to tell me that everything will magically work out. Pros and cons are better than saying: look kid you have a loss cause. I know that… I tell myself that every day I Google how to get to Japan (new immigration laws pushed me over the edge…)

The problem is that I have absolutely no idea what the most sensible route is. I know I need n2… and… a visa.. or something? 

(Ages 13-15) My original plan was to learn n2 here. Did Duolingo (mistake! Dont do it!) and realized that will never get me to n2. Then I moved to renshuu last year and wanikani, but I knew by the time it was too close to collage age, I wouldn’t be at n2. 

(15-16) So next idea was: MEXT! Nope, the risk to reward seems to be too high right I started thinking about MEXT? I still may try for it, but the more I read, the more complicated it seems, and I don't understand the application process or how realistic it would be for someone pursuing art!

(17 now) 2 years here at a school that partners in Japan, then language school (tls) in Japan. (Stressed as no one talks about this at all!) Then into the work field (I want to be in Japan and working by (26 hopefully married by 28-30 dead my 80. A basic boring life). 

But even this plan feels incredibly uncertain…

Should I be looking at an exchange program? Art school? A trade/vocational school? University? Language school? Some combination of those? What would actually give me the best chance of eventually being able to live and work in Japan?! It’s eating my confidence!

And then I started researching all of this and got completely overwhelmed, and panicking… and crying. Lots of crying.

I keep hearing things like:

• Housing in Japan is difficult for foreigners.
• Some employers don't want foreign workers.
• The art industry is extremely competitive and doesn't pay well.
• You need an amazing portfolio. (Like… god himself)
• Japanese companies may expect very high Japanese proficiency.
• Even if you speak Japanese well, you may still encounter discrimination.
• I keep hearing scary things about dating, marriage rates, and whether I'd actually be able to build a life there.
• I've seen people being told to "stay out of our country," including some pretty horrible language.
• Getting a visa isn't as simple as "learn Japanese and move there." (Well duh, but still)
• I keep hearing "Are you passing?" and other things that make me wonder wether I’d actually be accepted there…
• The Japanese animation/art industry can have terrible working conditions.
• There are already plenty of talented Japanese artists competing for these jobs.
• They hate dogs (big ones. How do you survive!?)

its now difficult to work towards my goal (which is…. Somewhere?) if it keeps moving and kicking you at the same time!!

Why try if every saving grace turns out to be slashed claws tossing mufasa off a cliff?!

And then there's the portfolio issue And new laws?! Since when?!

I want to be living in Japan by around 26, working in or around art/animation/writing, and hopefully have a normal, quiet life there, preferably married, maybe a dog, dead by 80 or after, or when life strikes me dow.

I have until roughly June 2028 before I need to make some major education decisions.

So, please: what would you do if you were in my position?