Shogakukan to Release AI Translated Light Novel Reading App

Shogakukan will release an app in North America called Novelous (the actual release version may have a different translated name) that uses AI to translate light novels from Japanese to English. This will, according to Shogakukan, allow it to ramp up production while cutting costs by half. [Thanks, Nikkei!]

Currently, it plans on featuring popular titles like the Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End spinoff. However, it aims to increase its library to 400 works within two years. Like some ebook services, readers will be able to leave comments and impressions on works. As well, like how some manga artists may include a little picture of a speaking character either for clarity or comedic effect, the app will feature word balloons with character icons in them. In the Nikkei article, Shogakukan explained this is due to feedback from those who had trouble keeping track of and remembering Japanese names.

The app will utilize Mantra, which is the same AI translation system as what Bushiroad used for The Ancient Magus’ Bride back in December 2023. At the time, many readers and professional translators were against the usage of AI. JAT (Japan Association of Translators) is also against the usage of AI translation since it cannot translate “high-context, story-centric” writing. The example picture of the app shows several mistakes and errors in a single, short sentence. So normal sentences also prove difficult for the machine.

In the press release, Shogakukan states that it wants to have a million users by the end of the fiscal year in 2027. Its sales goals are also in the billions of yen in that same amount of time. As a note, scanlation or fan translation groups usually post their translations for free. It is also possible for someone to use services like Google Translate or DeepL to translate works without paying corporations a single cent.

Novelous, the Shogakukan AI-translated light novel reading service, will come out in North America some time in 2024. More information on it, such as its library at launch and its pricing, will appear later.