Depending on how you interpret it, the manga is about to change dramatically. Well-known companies, such as manga publisher Shogakukan , are teaming up to invest in a startup aiming to bring approximately 50,000 manga translated by artificial intelligence (AI) to foreign markets .
- Tip from the creator of Vinland Saga, this manga shows the journey of revenge against the Vikings
- This manga with only 1 volume has surpassed 100 thousand copies
According to a new report from Nikkei, a consortium comprised of Shogakukan (Detective Conan and Sousou no Frieren), the Japanese government's Japan Industrial Innovation Investment Corporation, and eight other companies will invest about 2.92 billion yen ($19 million) in an AI company that plans to translate more than 50,000 manga titles over the next five years.
About manga translated with artificial intelligence (AI):
The startup detailing the investment is Orange , created in 2021, and has a diverse team, including editors, AI experts, game developers, among others.
Orange claims its AI can translate manga in a fraction of the time required by traditional methods, describing its process as involving initial translation by the AI, followed by corrections by a human translator. The company claims it could complete the translation of an entire volume in a matter of days. Furthermore, Orange collaborates with other publishers, and its AI-translated works will be available in the United States this summer via an app. This offering will include manga for all ages, from children to adults, and there are plans to expand into Spanish-speaking markets and India.
Naturally, Orange's claims and methods will be subject to a vote. The industry's focus on AI, with Crunchyroll experimenting with anime subtitles, is generating strong backlash from fans and translators. With the introduction of AI, translators are being laid off and rehired under precarious conditions, despite their translations often being considered of inferior quality.
However, the Nikkei makes a different argument. The Japanese group CODA estimates that publishing piracy will cost between $2.57 and $5.40 billion. One of the main reasons for piracy is the delay in manga releases compared to Japan and Western regions.
Finally, AI translations can reduce piracy by making translated manga sites (Scanlation) less attractive to impatient fans.
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