{"id":3106,"date":"2025-02-03T19:15:01","date_gmt":"2025-02-03T19:15:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fusionmindlabs.com\/blogs\/harassment-in-the-manga-translation-industry\/"},"modified":"2025-02-03T19:15:01","modified_gmt":"2025-02-03T19:15:01","slug":"harassment-in-the-manga-translation-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fusionmindlabs.com\/blogs\/harassment-in-the-manga-translation-industry\/","title":{"rendered":"Harassment in the Manga Translation Industry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/p>\n
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While lettering often goes unnoticed by the general manga-reading audience, translations for series\u2014especially popular shonen manga\u2014are heavily scrutinized. And with good reason: how else will one know a spiky-haired protagonist\u2019s convictions, a joke\u2019s punchline, or the mechanics of a complex power system if the words are as opaque as apple cider?<\/p>\n

In step with io9\u2019s previous feature speaking to manga letterers<\/a> about the ins and outs of the profession, we spoke with professional translators Stephen Paul (One Piece, Akane-banashi, Vinland Saga)<\/em>, David Evelyn (Undead Unluck, Gokurakugai, City Hunter)<\/em>, and Casey Loe (Spy x Family, Kill Blue, Shiba Inu Rooms)<\/em> about localizing some of manga\u2019s best series as well as how they combat discourse over their translations.<\/p>\n

Manga Translators are Freelancers, Too<\/h2>\n

As the name denotes, a manga translator is in charge of localizing the language of a manga from its native tongue into a different one. In this case, translators change the Japanese text of weekly and monthly published manga series into English. By and large, manga translators work on the same schedule as letterers about a month in advance. While rates depend on the publisher, weekly schedules are often being developed technology that will allow them to save money on future translation by cutting out human employees.<\/p>\n

While many of the solutions translators suggested echo Paul, Loe, and Evelyn\u2019s sentiments, Loe went a step further to suggest a way that Japanese publishers can make the job easier for everyone.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne simple change the Japanese side of the manga industry could implement that would make everyone\u2019s life easier is to simply roll back the schedule so manga creators are submitting their work two or three weeks before it gets published,\u201d Loe said. \u201cThat would allow everyone on the localization line to schedule their work efficiently and do a better job with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel<\/a>, Star Wars<\/a>, and Star Trek<\/a> releases, what\u2019s next for the DC Universe on film and TV<\/a>, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n