Shirobako, Japaneae Anime TV Series 2014

A “shirobako” refers to the white box into which a finalized tape of a film is put, full of the effort of everyone who worked on it. Five girls have their eyes set on getting in a white box as they try to find success in the anime industry through writing, production, and voice acting.

In high school Aoi Miyamori was in the Animation Club with her friends Ema Yasuhara, Shizuka Sakaki, Misa Tōdō, and Midori Imai. After the creating an anime for the cultural festival the girls all vow to pusue careers in the animated film industry so that someday they can make a professional version of their anime together. 

After graduation Aoi goes to work for Musashino Animation, quickly learning that there is so much more to producing an anime than she had known. As she learns the ins and outs of be being a production assistant Aoi continues to keep in touch with all of her friends from the Animation Club. 

The five women support each other as they each work on their various careers as animator, prospective voice actress, 3D graphics designer, and college student/writer, struggling through setbacks, celebrating accomplishments, and nurturing their dream of one day being able to make their anime together and finally getting to see it’s name on a “shirobako” (white box).