Shogakukan’s New App Sparks Controversy Over AI Translations and Fan Concerns!

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Summary

  • Shogakukan launched Novelous app with manga titles on Android and iOS.
  • App uses AI-assisted translations partnership to cut costs in half.
  • Fans have mixed feelings about app, concern over translation accuracy.

Shogakukan, a significant Japanese publishing house, has introduced a fresh novel and manga application in the United States and Canada. This app can be accessed on Android and iOS devices.

Shogakukan serves as the publisher for magazines including CoroCoro Comic (where the majority of Pokémon manga are published), Shonen Sunday (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and Case Closed/Detective Conan), among many others. Interestingly, Shogakukan was the one who established Shueisha; however, they primarily operate as separate entities within a larger conglomerate.

It seems that Shogakukan has just launched Novelous, an application offering approximately 80 different titles such as Kengan Ashura and Witch and Hound, which are currently only manga. However, they’ve mentioned plans to incorporate light novels into the platform in the future. Users can purchase coins or gather them for free to read chapters on this app.

A.I-Assisted Translations Controversy

As per a report from Nikkei published in July, the app known as Novelous is said to offer AI-aided translations between Japanese and English, in collaboration with Mantra’s translation system. Mantra is a startup firm that has received investment from Shogakukan. This partnership reportedly allows Novelous to expand its collection of novels while reducing translation expenses by approximately half.

I’ve been thrilled to discover that Mantra, the same innovative company behind the AI-aided translation of the English version of the captivating manga, The Ancient Magus’ Bride, is currently seeking applicants for “Translation Post-Editor” roles on their site. This suggests that while AI might be involved in the initial stages, human oversight and finesse are crucial to ensure a flawless translation experience!

On the contrary, several proficient translators have asserted that revising content translated by AI may occasionally demand more time than initiating a fresh translation, due to its tendency for inaccuracies. This necessitates referring back to the original material for corrections.

Fan Reaction to the Novelous App

The news elicited a hesitant response from fans on Reddit, with several expressing apprehension about potential translation issues. Furthermore, some are concerned that numerous novels previously licensed by other companies may now be exclusive to the app. Numerous users also noted Shogakukan’s reluctance in licensing digital content to foreign publishers.

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Fans on Reddit received the news with a cautious reception, expressing worries about potential translation flaws and the exclusivity of novels that were previously licensed by other companies within the app. Additionally, it was pointed out that Shogakukan has been hesitant to license digital content to foreign publishers.

Some argue that AI translations aren’t inherently poor, as certain individuals suggest that AI offers “impartial” translations. They believe this is because human translators may inadvertently insert their personal beliefs or ideologies into the text.

Novelous is only available in the US and Canada.

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2025-01-25 11:03