Mito Digital College to Establish Ibaraki Prefecture's First Animation Talent Development Course in April 2027: Redesigning Learning Structure from "Lectures" to "Project-Based"

Mito Digital College (formerly Mito Denshi College), operated by Hachimoji Gakuen, will establish an "Animation Talent Development Course" in April 2027. This course is designed to address the significant talent gap in the growing animation industry. It will be the first animation talent development course in Ibaraki Prefecture. The curriculum, led by active professionals, reverses the traditional "learn then create" approach, implementing "project-based education" where students begin creating works immediately upon enrollment. This model aims to cultivate practical professionals highly sought after by the industry. The course features four key aspects: project-based learning from day one, experience with up to 12 production projects (8 for two-year programs), role rotation for aptitude discovery (planning, drawing, direction, production management, editing), and diverse production methods (traditional animation, live-action, photography, CG, AI). The goal is to develop individuals who can think independently, lead teams, and act proactively in the workplace, acquiring skills applicable across various creative fields. Two course options are available: Animation Design (3-year program, covering all production stages) and Animation Illustration (2-year program, focusing on specialized skills like character design and drawing).