>>280764754
Yes. Producers will even seek out artists for roles like second key animation if the demand is severe enough. They even hire non JP artists.
In creative work, generally speaking, your portfolio (the strength of your work) is everything, degree and schooling helps for networking
But more broadly speaking, artists entering the industry without going to school is not at all uncommon. Some of the luminaries of the anime industry entered after graduating high school and either learned on the job, from senior animators and through self-study. Hiroyuki Okiura, Masami Obari, Satoru Utsunomiya all come to mind. This picture too.
There are merits and demerits when it comes to pursuing an art education, especially in the 21st century.