When you used to pay translators $90 ($3.5 a minute) an episode when the standard was at least $230 ($10 a minute).

You finally increased everyone's rates only to fire a bunch of people and start experimenting with AI.

BUT it also hurts the publishers because finding new freelancers is so much more work than having someone trusted on hand.

It's mutually beneficial to pay your contractors a reasonable rate and treat them like humans. Happy freelancers, good quality work, long-term collaboration and mutual trust.

So why the heck is the pay for media localization SO badly?!

It's hard to negotiate better rates without having a backup income because clients can easily just cut you off. There will always be people willing to work for less.

They also make it very difficult for people who don't speak Japanese to raise concerns directly, but they do have a contact page at least.
form.id.shogakukan.co.jp/forms/sol

It's not just Viz, but Shogakukan who think it's OK to use slop for their translations. They've been convinced by slop companies like Mantra and Orange that AI is "good quality" and "helps translators", but don't see articles like this or how bad it is because they don't speak other languages.

AI profile pics and banners are more stupid.

It's wild hearing these profit-oriented execs try to frame the use of MTPE as "good for everyone, actually", when really, it's only good for their pockets.

Filmmakers, writers, artists, translators, dubbing experts, all agree: translation needs a human touch.