Tokyo Startup Employs AI to Expand Manga Translations
Orange, a Tokyo-based startup, leverages AI technology to dramatically increase the global reach and availability of translated Japanese manga.
Tokyo-based startup Orange, backed by a notable $19 million investment, aims to revolutionize the accessibility of Japanese manga by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to significantly boost its English translations. While manga continues to capture readers worldwide and has been a popular material source in film and TV adaptation in Hollywood, the challenge of translating vast amounts of content quickly and effectively remains a barrier. Currently, only about 14,000 of the approximately 700,000 manga titles published in Japan are available in English, a gap Orange plans to narrow.
Founded in 2021 by a former game developer, Orange specializes in AI-assisted translation technologies that expedite the translation process while reducing costs by up to 90%. The startup employs a team that includes manga editors, AI engineers, and translators, who together enhance the efficiency and accuracy of manga translations.
The AI technology employed by Orange analyzes the manga images and text, translating content into English and other languages while preserving the nuances of the original language, such as wordplay. This technology can reduce the translation time for a single volume from a month to as little as two days. After the AI provides a draft translation, human translators step in to make necessary adjustments, ensuring that the final product is both accurate and culturally relevant.
This ambitious project is supported by an investment of 2.92 billion yen from a consortium of 10 investors, including major entities like Shogakukan, one of Japan's leading publishers, and JIC Venture Growth Investments, the venture capital arm of the state-backed Japan Investment Corp. Other investors include Mizuho Capital, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital, and SBI Investment. This substantial backing underscores the significant potential seen in AI-assisted translation technologies to reshape the manga industry, and potentially influence other sectors in the entertainment world.
Orange’s immediate plan is to scale up its operations to manage around 500 manga translations per month, with an eye toward distributing these translations in the U.S. through the emaqi app starting this summer. The translations will also be available on various e-book platforms, expanding the reach of Japanese manga far beyond its current scope.
The broader impact of this initiative is profound. By enabling faster and more cost-effective translations, Orange not only opens up a treasure trove of Japanese manga to a global audience but also aids in combating piracy — a significant issue where unofficial versions often outpace official translations. The quicker turnaround times can help ensure that fans are accessing legitimate copies, thereby supporting the original creators.
As Orange is also set to extend its services to Spanish-speaking countries and India, the potential for Japanese manga to influence global pop culture grows, thus contributing to the rising appeal and audience expansion of screen adaptation.