“No AI Was Used”: Kodansha Editor Talks Translation for K MANGA & Young Magazine

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In terms of manga, not many names resonate as profoundly as Kodansha does. With timeless works such as AKIRA, Ghost in the Shell, and Initial D under its belt, this company has been instrumental in molding the international manga community for years. Now, it’s poised to venture into uncharted waters with its U.S. branch. Kodansha recently announced the debut of an English-language version of Young Magazine USA. This new version will showcase approximately 20 manga titles, some of which will be standalone stories and others completely new series.

In the American adaptation, celebrated artists like Hiroshi Takashige, famous for creating Spriggan, and Robico, who brought My Little Monster to life, are included. Despite the thrill of this expansion, there’s a significant concern among fans: Will Kodansha manage to preserve cultural nuances during interpretation? Given the prevalence of AI tools, many worry about such details being overlooked. To alleviate these concerns, Hidemi Shiraki, Editor-in-Chief for Young Magazine USA, spoke openly with J.R. Waugh from egmr.ru about the process.

Young Magazine USA Editor Stresses No AI in Their Manga Localization Process

In spite of a demanding publication timeline, Shiraki emphasized that artificial intelligence is not involved in Manga production. He specifically stated that human translators and editors were responsible for the work, with no AI being utilized. The Editor-in-Chief further noted that, in addition to the standard proofreading process, extra time was allocated for translation, which required approximately two months to complete 1,000 pages.

Shiraki ensured that the process was managed by a dedicated team of experienced translators and editors at Kodansha. He emphasized that this team was chosen from the International Rights Department, with criteria being their ability to convey ideas in English and an understanding of the subtle nuances of Japanese language.

The Editor-in-Chief emphasized the importance of preserving the original work’s tone as much as possible. He explained that instead of a word-for-word translation, the goal was to capture the author’s unique voice and rhythm accurately. He added that close collaboration with the translation team was crucial, including in-depth discussions to maintain cultural and contextual sensitivity. The main aim of the translation process was to improve the accuracy of meaning and subtlety, rather than making significant changes to the content itself.

In simpler terms, according to Shiraki, it’s crucial that a story isn’t spoiled by a poor adaptation. Longtime manga enthusiasts are aware that localization involves more than just translating words directly. It’s about preserving the author’s unique style and the heart of the story so that readers from different regions can grasp and engage with the story as if they were originally intended, ensuring an authentic experience with manga for non-native audiences.

Adopting a “No AI” approach underscores Kodansha’s commitment to upholding its esteemed reputation. As a prominent publishing house, resorting to shortcuts was unthinkable. This mindset mirrors renowned manga artist Hayao Miyazaki’s criticism of AI, who contends that genuine creativity requires the human touch, even when the process is challenging.

In summary, it’s worth mentioning that Young Magazine USA stands out significantly among American readers due to its focus on mature themes and stories in genres such as sci-fi, horror, crime, politics, dystopias, and cyberpunk. Unlike the mainstream market which often gravitates towards shonen manga like My Hero Academia and Naruto, Young Magazine USA is unique in its promotion of seinen manga. Notably, this publication is accessible via Kodansha’s KManga app, a digital platform offering English translations with early access to chapters.

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2025-09-01 17:47