In a dedicated effort to accelerate, automate, and make the translation of manga from its original Japanese language into other languages more cost-effective, a visionary Japanese startup, Orange, is integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to simplify the more intricate aspects of distribution and localization. This emerging trend is breaking down barriers, and making manga and anime more accessible to a global audience. However, as we move forward, translators and localizers are taking to social media to voice their concerns about potential job displacement.
Founded in 2021, Orange has gained prominence in Japan for its groundbreaking “manga AI localization,” securing $1.8 million from individual investors. Shoko Ugaki, the creator and CEO of Orange, envisions a future where people worldwide can read every Japanese masterpiece manga in their native languages, stating, “In 10 years, I would like to realize a world where people all over the world can read ‘every’ Japanese masterpiece manga in their native languages.”
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While it is currently feasible to employ localizers, translators, and letter writers to translate manga, provided there is sufficient financial support and customer interest, Orange’s “Manga AI localization” claims to offer a faster and more cost-effective alternative. The company emphasizes that the “guaranteed translation quality assurance” is overseen by a “human professional,” who double-checks the AI’s output.
Orange believes that its AI localization can translate manga into other languages “much more quickly and inexpensively,” making it an attractive option for companies aiming to reach a larger audience with reduced costs. This approach aligns with the rapid dissemination of Japanese media globally, starting with anime simulcasts and followed by simulpubs and simuldubs of manga.
All of this is coming to a head as, a few days ago, an AI translation of The Ancient Magus’ Bride manga was released with social media exploding with responses to how the world would take in the evitable future of AI replacing localizers.
This development raises two primary concerns: the potential for lower translation quality and the gradual replacement of human translators. Advocates of AI argue that additional data can enhance its intelligence and improve task performance. However, skeptics question the need for translators to be replaced, advocating for hiring individuals who invest time and effort to ensure accurate, nuanced, and culturally sensitive translations.
Unfortunately, localization of anime and video games has been terribly subpar over the last ten years, with terrible translations rampant with non-understood phrases and clichés. Furthermore, it frequently happens that American localizers have changed lines or added political elements that weren’t in the original Japanese for the sole purpose of “being funny” or advancing a cultural agenda. Gender-specific terms have been completely removed from localizations in more recent times (mostly in remakes of older games). Japanese studios have also started implementing these adjustments to make up for how Americans interpret their media. These modifications are undoubtedly due to the “rise” of Western-influenced feminism, which labels criticism of female characters as “offensive” and eliminates any criticism of them. Below are a few examples; an 8-years worth of complication can be found at NicheGamer:
Orange asserts that its existing system translates 100 volumes of manga from Japanese to English monthly, with plans to grow exponentially, aiming to translate, localize, and re-letter “more than 1,000 manga books per month within a few years.” Notably, Orange is engaged in discussions with manga publishers and rights holders to expand its AI-powered translation service to other manga.
Orange’s debut manga utilizing its “Manga AI localization” technology, Kenji Yajima’s Neko Oji: The Guy Who Got Reincarnated as a Cat, has been translated into English and re-lettered. This manga is now accessible in English on platforms like TikTok and X, formerly known as Twitter, showcasing Orange’s innovative approach to manga translation and localization.
What do you think about AI translating your favorite anime and manga? Do you think localizer political beliefs ruined the interpretation of the creator’s work? Let us know with a comment!
Do it. Let this localizers lose their jobs. They refuse to adopt properly, and rather inject partisan politics or social media trends.