AI Manga is Here, and it's BAD....REALLY BAD...
Film & Animation
Introduction
The recent release of "Rugby Rumble" on Manga Plus has sparked intense discussion among fans, and not for the reasons one might expect. While the translation of chapter one was largely smooth, it was the lettering that puzzled readers and sparked controversy. Instead of the professional typesetting typically expected in manga, fans were greeted with a disjointed and unsightly font, reminiscent of amateur work with all text presented in caps. Many have described the result as ugly, falling far below the standards Manga Plus users are accustomed to.
What's behind this unusual presentation? The lettering for "Rugby Rumble" was handled not by a well-regarded professional but by Orange Incorporated, a firm specializing in AI technology. Orange claims to revolutionize the manga localization process using their systems to automatically localize manga, effectively taking over the roles of human professionals. They aim to leverage deep learning to train AI to replicate the typesetting styles of experienced letterers, thereby simplifying the localization workflow.
Previously, Orange had primarily worked on a free Twitter manga called "Neko Oji: The Guy That Got Reincarnated as a Cat," a proof of concept for their technology. However, "Rugby Rumble" marked their first attempt at applying their AI for a professional release, and the results have been disastrous. Readers expressed outrage over the poor quality of the lettering, feeling it was a significant downgrade compared to even typical fan translations. The clumsy placement of text, with some words spilling outside of their designated boxes, made the work appear unprofessional and unacceptable.
In response to the backlash, publisher Shueisha re-uploaded the chapter with corrected text and included additional lettering and editing credits for the translator, Misamaki, who has now stepped in to save the integrity of the project. It’s hoped that she received appropriate compensation for her additional work.
Despite their rocky start, Orange Incorporated remains resolute in its mission. They plan to have their AI handle all aspects of localization, including translation. In marketing their technology to potential investors, Orange insists that they can reduce localization costs by up to 90%, ignoring the concerns about quality and professionalism that surfaced during the release of "Rugby Rumble."
As this pattern continues, fans are left to worry about how future manga releases might be affected. The potential for AI-created lettering to overshadow the artistry and storytelling could ruin iconic scenes, much like the infamous reveal of Boruto’s new Rasengan obscured by lackluster typesetting.
Keyword
AI, Manga, Rugby Rumble, Orange Incorporated, Translation, Localization, Lettering, Misamaki, Shueisha, Deep Learning, Professionalism.
FAQ
Q: What was the issue with the "Rugby Rumble" release on Manga Plus?
A: The lettering was poorly executed, looking unprofessional and amateurish, which frustrated fans and led to criticism of the quality.
Q: Who handled the typesetting for "Rugby Rumble"?
A: The typesetting was managed by Orange Incorporated, an AI company specializing in automated localization.
Q: What is Orange Incorporated's primary goal?
A: Orange aims to use AI technology to automate the manga localization process, claiming it can reduce costs significantly while replicating the work done by human professionals.
Q: How did Shueisha respond to the backlash?
A: Shueisha re-uploaded the chapter with corrected lettering and credited translator Misamaki for her edits.
Q: Is this the end of AI involvement in manga?
A: No, Orange plans to continue pursuing AI localization, potentially leading to more issues if quality does not improve.
