Artificial intelligence is evolving faster than ever, transforming industries worldwide. While AI has proven useful in certain fields, its impact on the manga industry—especially in translation—has been overwhelmingly negative.
Professional manga translators, as highlighted in a Gizmodo interview, have voiced strong concerns over AI’s ability to accurately translate Japanese comic into English. Despite AI’s advancements, it struggles with the complexities of language, cultural nuances, and creative expression essential for preserving a manga’s original meaning. While automation may offer speed, experts agree that AI-generated translations often miss context, tone, and emotional depth, making them unreliable. Until AI can properly grasp these elements, it remains an ineffective tool for translating manga, leaving the industry with more challenges than solutions.
“AI Fails at Manga Translation—Why Human Touch Is Irreplaceable”
Many assume translating comic is as simple as swapping words from one language to another, but the reality is far more complex. The process requires deep understanding, cultural awareness, and creativity—qualities AI struggles to replicate.
Professional translators like Stephen Paul, David Evelyn, and Casey Loe emphasize that AI lacks the ability to interpret puns, humor, and character-specific speech patterns. Unlike human translators, who carefully preserve a character’s personality and intent, AI often delivers literal, emotionless translations that strip manga of its charm. Certain Japanese words have no direct English equivalent, requiring human translators to make nuanced choices that stay true to the original meaning while resonating with English-speaking readers. As of now, and perhaps indefinitely, AI remains an unreliable tool for manga translation, unable to capture the depth and artistry required to bring these stories to life.
“Manga Fans Reject AI Translations—Why Novelous Is Failing Readers”
AI-powered translations are becoming more common as publishers seek faster ways to bring comic to international audiences. However, the results have been far from impressive. Shogakukan’s new app, Novelous, uses AI to translate comic and light novels, but readers have criticized the translations for lacking the depth and nuance of the original Japanese versions. The backlash highlights the ongoing limitations of AI in handling the complexities of manga translation.
Translator David Evelyn, known for his work on Undead Unluck, Gokurakugai, and City Hunter, has dismissed AI as ineffective, stating that current technology fails to capture character personalities, cultural references, and wordplay. Readers agree, pointing out that AI-driven translations feel robotic and inconsistent. The overwhelmingly negative response to Novelous serves as yet another reminder that human expertise remains essential for preserving the heart and authenticity of comic storytelling.
“AI Threatens Manga’s Heart—Why Creators Are Pushing Back”
Translating manga is a meticulous process that requires skill, creativity, and deep cultural understanding—qualities that AI struggles to replicate. Professional translators like David Evelyn, Stephen Paul, and Casey Loe have spent years refining their craft, ensuring that every word captures the original intent, emotion, and nuances of the story. In contrast, AI-driven translations often feel lifeless and inaccurate, failing to resonate with readers in the same way. Unfortunately, some translators have even faced backlash from readers, despite their dedication to preserving the authenticity of manga.
Even renowned creators like JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure author Hirohiko Araki have raised concerns. Araki has criticized AI for not only producing poor translations but also enabling the unauthorized recreation of artwork, calling it a major threat to manga artists. With AI increasingly disrupting the industry, editors, translators, and artists are speaking out to protect the craftsmanship and human touch that make manga a beloved storytelling medium.