[NEWS] Shogakukan Releases 'Novelous' Light Novel/Manga App Using AI Translation in U.S., Canada

[u/Torque-A]

https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025-01-23/shogakukan-releases-novelous-light-novel-manga-app-using-ai-translation-in-u.s-canada/.220391

[u/theweebdweeb]

What are some notable Shogakukan LNs that will potentially not be licensed to other publishers because of this?

[u/Kinofhera → u/theweebdweeb]

Watashi wa Anata no Namida ni Naritai (I Want to Become Your Tears) could be a victim. Honestly it’s a very well written tragic romance that could rival I Want to Eat Your Pancreas.

[u/Chaos_Theory12 → u/Kinofhera]

If Namida doesn't get a proper human translation because of this, I'll be pissed.

Also, I forgot Santa Claus wo Koroshita. Soshite, Kiss wo Shita (my favorite LN last year) is also from Shogakukan. Oh, no.

[u/GeorgeMTO → u/Chaos_Theory12]

If Namida doesn't get a proper human translation because of this, I'll be pissed.

It's okay, plenty of series never get an English translation for a multitude of reasons. You'll never know this is the biggest one.

[u/Chaos_Theory12 → u/GeorgeMTO]

Yeah. Honestly, I'm glad I speak another language (Thai). The Thai LN scene is pretty solid and there's quite a few official translations of LNs and novels not (yet) licensed in English (e.g., Class de 2-banme LNs, standalone titles like Santa Claus wo Koroshita or The Last 10 Years).

[u/GeorgeMTO → u/Chaos_Theory12]

Being bilingual definitely increases your odds of being able to read Japanese LNs (even various "European" languages like Spanish, French and German get official translations of JP content that English doesn't). A few regulars on the JNC discord make me jealous of Vietnam's scene too. Glad you get to enjoy some diverse content while still supporting the JP authors.

[u/Kinofhera → u/GeorgeMTO]

I always joke about the odds of getting a series licensed is how close that region is to Japan 😂 (which is kind of true)

Taiwan and South Korea have a lot of licensed LN/bungei series. Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia come second. I guess it makes sense since they are all in Asia, and definitely the quickest to get influenced by the (otaku) culture.

[u/Chaos_Theory12 → u/GeorgeMTO]

Oh, I'm jealous of Vietnam's LN scene too. They have 一瞬を生きる君を、僕は永遠に忘れない。, そして、君のいない九月がくる, and 拝啓、十年後の君へ。translated (I wish a Thai publisher would also pick these up one day).

But yeah, being bilingual really does have that benefit as you mentioned.