Japan is making strides in expanding its manga reach abroad with the help of AI translation technology. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, the goal is to speed up the translation process, aiming for a tenfold increase in manga exports and a boost to Japan’s content industry.
A joint effort between the government and private sector has kicked off, with major players like Shogakukan and the Japan Innovation Corporation investing in a startup called Orange. This startup is focused on revolutionizing manga translation through AI.
Orange, established in 2021, brings together a team of manga experts, AI specialists, and game developers. Their AI technology promises to translate manga ten times faster than traditional methods, potentially churning out a full volume in just days.
This rapid translation pace aims to triple manga exports within the next five years, with an estimated capacity of 500 manga volumes per month translated from Japanese to English alone – a significant leap from current industry standards.
Furthermore, Orange plans to extend its services to other languages, breaking down barriers for manga fans. This move addresses a key challenge in manga’s global reach: limited availability of translations.
Currently, only a small fraction of Japan’s annual manga releases reach English-speaking audiences due to slow translation processes and a shortage of skilled translators. By leveraging AI, Orange not only aims to increase manga exports but also combat the rampant piracy market, safeguarding creators’ rights.
To enhance manga consumption in the US, Orange will launch its digital manga store, “emaqi,” this summer. This platform will offer AI-translated titles alongside recommendations from both AI and manga influencers, promising an immersive experience for American manga enthusiasts.
