U.S. culture wars reach anime with targeting of translators

Critics embrace AI as solution to embedding of 'woke' agenda

20240328 manga

"I Think I Turned My Childhood Friend into a Girl" was criticized for how a gender identity was translated, while "Twin Star Exorcists" was slammed by some for using the word "mansplainers" in a chapter. (Source photos by Gad Onyeneho)

GAD ONYENEHO, Nikkei staff writer

NEW YORK -- The official X account of the manga series "The Ancient Magus' Bride" posted in December what was supposed to be an exciting announcement: The next chapter would be published in English simultaneously with the Japanese version, thanks to an AI translation.

This set off a firestorm of protest from some fans, but a vocal minority offered unqualified support for the move toward AI, seeing it as a way to remove those they see as "left-wing localizers" ruining their favorite series with a "woke" agenda.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.