2D Character Animator for Narrative Mystery Game

About LunaMi Games and the Project

LunaMi Games is a small independent game studio currently developing a narrative-driven mystery and simulation game for PC.

During the day, players run a magical cafe in a cosy fantasy town. At night, they enter surreal dream worlds, uncover memories and solve mysteries connected to the people they meet.

Through character-driven storytelling and magical realism, the game explores pressures experienced by women, including body image, social expectations, family relationships and self-acceptance.

We are looking for an animator who enjoys expressive character performance and would like to help shape the movement, emotions and visual identity of this world.

What You May Work On

• Collaborate with the Game Director and Lead Artist to design and refine the main character’s animation language
• Help design core gameplay states, including idle animations, movement, interactions, spellcasting, coffee-making and transitions between actions
• Ensure the main character’s movements are expressive, readable and consistent with her personality
• Contribute ideas for character actions and performances, rather than only following completed storyboards or existing references
• Design and animate key gameplay actions for the player character
• Create subtle character acting through facial expressions, micro-expressions, body language and emotional performance
• Animate NPC idle loops, small gestures, reactions and emotional moments within the cafe and other gameplay scenes
• Produce story cutscenes, cinematic sequences and important narrative moments
• Create the opening surreal dream sequence and other hand-drawn narrative animations
• Animate dream transitions, magical effects, spellcasting sequences and stylised visual storytelling
• Create environmental animation such as magical plants, lighting effects, smoke, butterflies, particles and other ambient elements
• Produce polished frame-by-frame animation that remains consistent with the project’s established visual style

We’re Looking for Someone Who

• Has strong 2D animation fundamentals and a solid understanding of timing, spacing, weight, movement and character acting.
• Has good drawing skills and can independently draw, clean up, correct and refine animation frames when required.
• Is capable of designing character actions and performances, rather than only executing finished storyboards.
• Understands how animation supports characterisation, storytelling, gameplay readability and the overall player experience.
• Has a strong eye for subtle facial expressions, micro-expressions, body language and emotional detail.
• Has experience working on indie games, animation productions or commercial projects.
• Communicates clearly, provides regular progress updates and raises potential risks or production issues early.
• Has good time-management skills and can complete agreed deliverables within schedule.
• Is comfortable working remotely and collaborating with a small development team.

Bonus Skills

• Experienced with Spine animation.
• Basic experience with Unity 2D.
• Experience preparing or integrating 2D animation assets in Unity and collaborating smoothly with programmers.
• Familiarity with game animation delivery requirements, including transparent PNG sequences, sprite sheets, pivots, naming conventions and animation states.
• Experience working on narrative games, visual novels, side-scrollers, RPGs, simulation games or puzzle games.
• Experience creating cinematics, story-driven animation, music videos or animated short films.
• Experience with Spine animation.
• An interest in female-focused games, emotional storytelling, magical themes, cosy games or dark fairy-tale settings.

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Working Arrangement

• Fully remote.
• Open to applicants from any country or region.
• Some availability to communicate during UK working hours is required.
• Expected start date: 25 July–1 August, with some flexibility.
• Demo production is expected to continue until approximately mid-November.
• The role may be structured as a short-term freelance or contract collaboration, depending on availability and scope.
• The project has an established production budget.
• Compensation will be discussed based on experience, responsibilities, availability and the agreed scope of work.

How to Apply

Please send us:

• Your portfolio or showreel.
• A brief introduction to your experience.
• Your availability between August and mid-November.
• Your preferred rate or project quotation.
• A note explaining which parts of the role interest you most, such as gameplay animation, character acting, cinematics, dream sequences or Spine animation.

Contact email address: [email protected]