Studios Fire & Switch To AI
Fans of Western television and anime have recently raised concerns about the injection of "woke" language into English dubs of Japanese works. This has prompted some companies to turn to AI technology in order to limit human intervention or remove it entirely from the translation process.
The use of AI in the industry is not new and has been gaining traction in recent years. In December, the official X account for "The Ancient Magus' Bride" manga announced that they will be using AI translation to simultaneously release the work in English. This will be done by the Japanese company Mantra.
Funimation, an American subscription video-on-demand service for anime, which recently merged with Crunchyroll, a streaming service under the Sony Group Corporation, has also indicated its plans to use a "hybrid" AI localization system. This will involve human review and editing of the translated content.
However, fans have been divided on the use of AI in anime localization. Some have welcomed the move, citing numerous examples of inaccurate translations and expressing their concern about localizers injecting their personal political beliefs into their work. Others have argued that AI translations lack the authenticity and nuance that only human translators can provide.
Max Maybury, a tech enthusiast and co-owner of Ai-Product Reviews, believes that the use of AI in anime localization can make the translation process more efficient and accurate. However, he also notes that it has sparked controversy among creators who fear that AI may tamper with the original intent of the Japanese texts and compromise their cultural integrity.
One of the major criticisms against human translators is their alleged insertion of progressive viewpoints into translations, often deviating from the original artists' intent. Katrina Leonoudakis, a professional translator and localization expert who has previously worked for SEGA and Funimation, has expressed her disappointment over the adoption of AI in localization. She believes that it reflects the low regard that companies have for English-speaking audiences and translation as a profession.
Leonoudakis also argues that machine translation is not yet advanced enough to handle the complex nuances of television and movies. She also highlights the issue of low pay for audiovisual translators, who are already being underpaid for their work. While salaries for this field can range from $20,000 to $100,000, there is a limited number of positions available.
In recent weeks, fans have taken to social media to express their joy at the thought of AI taking over the role of localizers. They have cited instances of language changes that deviate from the source material, accusing human translators of inserting their political biases into their translations. Some have also accused localizers of pushing a particular agenda, often disregarding the original artists' intent.
However, not all examples of inaccurate translations can be attributed to human translators. In February, fans noticed several alterations to the English version of "My Life as Inukai-san's Dog," where language and slang not present in the original Japanese work were added. The original translator responsible for this, Katrina Leonoudakis, had been a vocal defender of Seven Seas Entertainment's decision to change the gender of a character in "I Think I Turned My Childhood Friend Into a Girl." This controversy highlights the need for transparency and sensitivity in the localization process.
One of the most talked-about instances of English dubs altering the original Japanese work occurred in the series "Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid." Here, the English dub was significantly altered from the source material, with the localization scriptwriter Jamie Marchi accused of injecting her feminist ideology into the translation. She has defended her work and claimed that all lines inevitably change during translation. Marchi has also responded to criticism by calling her detractors "misogynists" and "Nazis."
With the rise of AI in anime localization, there is a need to strike a delicate balance between efficiency and preserving cultural nuances. Vipin Nayar, the founder of Aviv Digital and a marketing consultant, points out that while automation can streamline processes, it is essential to avoid imposing biases and maintain authenticity. As digital platforms continue to evolve, companies must navigate these controversies with a commitment to transparency and respect for diverse perspectives.
The controversies surrounding AI in anime localization have brought to the forefront the debate on the role and impact of human translators, the potential biases of AI algorithms, and the implications of injecting political opinions into translations. While AI can be effective, it also puts cultural authenticity at risk. The online outcry against localizers accused of inserting their political beliefs into translations highlights the need to balance AI and human expertise to ensure accurate and culturally relevant translations.