Sawa Matsueda Savage
@sawamsavage.bsky.social
J-E translator of anime (Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night, Akiba Maid War, Call of the Night), manga (Sheltering Eaves, Is Love the Answer?, Wotakoi), art-related stuff, etc.
sound of her crying at key points. The character development throughout was great as well, with a shoutout to all the comedic moments, the ever-stunning nightscape, and the surprisingly funny Kabura-Nazuna dynamic once you see the latter as a rebellious teenage daughter.
September 23, 2025 at 11:44 AM
sound of her crying at key points. The character development throughout was great as well, with a shoutout to all the comedic moments, the ever-stunning nightscape, and the surprisingly funny Kabura-Nazuna dynamic once you see the latter as a rebellious teenage daughter.
Call of the Night S2 far exceeded my already high expectations, leaving a hole in my heart with no more weekly episodes to translate. Hopefully there'll be a S3? Please? Miyuki Sawashiro's top-notch voice acting absolutely stole the show, from Anko's unhinged banter to the heart-wrenching
September 23, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Call of the Night S2 far exceeded my already high expectations, leaving a hole in my heart with no more weekly episodes to translate. Hopefully there'll be a S3? Please? Miyuki Sawashiro's top-notch voice acting absolutely stole the show, from Anko's unhinged banter to the heart-wrenching
It took a lot of listening to rap, seeing how lyrics worked, thinking about vocab the hip-hop artist character might use…
August 26, 2025 at 2:23 PM
It took a lot of listening to rap, seeing how lyrics worked, thinking about vocab the hip-hop artist character might use…
The translation obviously had to retain all the right keywords, BUT ALSO rhyme and have some sort of rhythm that’s believable as rap. And believe me, I am no rapper. (some excerpts below)
#AmTranslating
#AmTranslating
August 26, 2025 at 2:23 PM
The translation obviously had to retain all the right keywords, BUT ALSO rhyme and have some sort of rhythm that’s believable as rap. And believe me, I am no rapper. (some excerpts below)
#AmTranslating
#AmTranslating
Sheltering Eaves 4 is out, and in addition to the heart-wrenching-to-hopeful turn the story takes, it includes what might have been the most challenging translation task I’ve ever taken on—a rap with meaning so integral to the plot, the story can’t move forward without it 🧵
August 26, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Sheltering Eaves 4 is out, and in addition to the heart-wrenching-to-hopeful turn the story takes, it includes what might have been the most challenging translation task I’ve ever taken on—a rap with meaning so integral to the plot, the story can’t move forward without it 🧵
When a guy was called out for always “doing ore TSUEEE” when gaming with his friends, the one calling him out is not a gamer and knows the term but is not very savvy with the usage. I went with “Yeah, you always ask who our daddies are.” Also got to add a volume-end note to explain Ore TSUEEE
June 12, 2025 at 1:24 PM
When a guy was called out for always “doing ore TSUEEE” when gaming with his friends, the one calling him out is not a gamer and knows the term but is not very savvy with the usage. I went with “Yeah, you always ask who our daddies are.” Also got to add a volume-end note to explain Ore TSUEEE
Can’t believe I got to see Ado live. Her voice is insane and oh my gosh I love her
May 27, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Can’t believe I got to see Ado live. Her voice is insane and oh my gosh I love her
It’s tonight!! Ahhhh
May 26, 2025 at 11:38 PM
It’s tonight!! Ahhhh
You can play this as long as you buy the kit and have internet access. Compared to other SCRAP games, it was less about doing puzzles and more about logically figuring out what steps you need to take to save your career. Not as hard as some others. Still highly recommend.
May 25, 2025 at 1:52 PM
You can play this as long as you buy the kit and have internet access. Compared to other SCRAP games, it was less about doing puzzles and more about logically figuring out what steps you need to take to save your career. Not as hard as some others. Still highly recommend.
I really have to visit Shikoku sometime. For the udon! (not just the udon, of course)
May 21, 2025 at 10:32 PM
I really have to visit Shikoku sometime. For the udon! (not just the udon, of course)
The final episode of Flower and Asura is coming out very soon!
Musshu, who does the art for the original manga, wonders if Hana will intrude on the wedding to speak now instead of forever holding her peace. Stay tuned!
Musshu, who does the art for the original manga, wonders if Hana will intrude on the wedding to speak now instead of forever holding her peace. Stay tuned!
March 25, 2025 at 11:28 AM
The final episode of Flower and Asura is coming out very soon!
Musshu, who does the art for the original manga, wonders if Hana will intrude on the wedding to speak now instead of forever holding her peace. Stay tuned!
Musshu, who does the art for the original manga, wonders if Hana will intrude on the wedding to speak now instead of forever holding her peace. Stay tuned!
This is eerily close to what I had just the other day… (I wish I had a photo of the one where just one eye was left!!! Alas…)
March 13, 2025 at 8:28 PM
This is eerily close to what I had just the other day… (I wish I had a photo of the one where just one eye was left!!! Alas…)
On a completely different note, I loved my editor's choice to include drawings with the wagashi (Japanese confection) notes in Something’s Wrong With Us. The author Natsumi Ando’s wagashi art is so beautiful, and the visuals along with the explanations was an excellent way to go.
March 4, 2025 at 6:32 PM
On a completely different note, I loved my editor's choice to include drawings with the wagashi (Japanese confection) notes in Something’s Wrong With Us. The author Natsumi Ando’s wagashi art is so beautiful, and the visuals along with the explanations was an excellent way to go.
This was a reference to a meme that's a reference to a Mobile Suit Gundam episode title that was itself a reference to an old US newspaper headline. It's like reference Inception.
March 4, 2025 at 6:32 PM
This was a reference to a meme that's a reference to a Mobile Suit Gundam episode title that was itself a reference to an old US newspaper headline. It's like reference Inception.
Here, the Japanese “dame, zettai” was a reference to an anti-drug campaign, hence Nancy Reagan’s “just say no” in the translation.
March 4, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Here, the Japanese “dame, zettai” was a reference to an anti-drug campaign, hence Nancy Reagan’s “just say no” in the translation.
I’m still happy about all the iconic otaku stuff I got to explain through the translation notes though, like 今北産業 and 俺TUEEE. Or a bizarre meme about a delinquent who’s “active for life, yo.” I’ll admit I went a bit overboard about the beloved puzzle game Puyo Puyo that was my childhood.
March 4, 2025 at 6:32 PM
I’m still happy about all the iconic otaku stuff I got to explain through the translation notes though, like 今北産業 and 俺TUEEE. Or a bizarre meme about a delinquent who’s “active for life, yo.” I’ll admit I went a bit overboard about the beloved puzzle game Puyo Puyo that was my childhood.
There was a real sense of community around it. As stated in interviews, Fujita-sensei likes games and showcasing otaku life (game references abound) so the choice to feature DBD made perfect sense. But I failed to realize that maybe it wasn’t as much of a shared experience elsewhere.
March 4, 2025 at 6:32 PM
There was a real sense of community around it. As stated in interviews, Fujita-sensei likes games and showcasing otaku life (game references abound) so the choice to feature DBD made perfect sense. But I failed to realize that maybe it wasn’t as much of a shared experience elsewhere.
While I did include notes on game mechanics and references (eg. Koyanagi teabagging killer Kabakura), the choice to feature this multiplayer survival horror game seemed so natural that I didn’t even think to explain WHY it was included in the first place.
March 4, 2025 at 6:32 PM
While I did include notes on game mechanics and references (eg. Koyanagi teabagging killer Kabakura), the choice to feature this multiplayer survival horror game seemed so natural that I didn’t even think to explain WHY it was included in the first place.
In that vein, I should have included more explanation for the Dead by Daylight chapter in the final volume. I found some reviews afterwards that were confused/didn’t like that a whole chapter was suddenly dedicated to some random horror video game.
March 4, 2025 at 6:32 PM
In that vein, I should have included more explanation for the Dead by Daylight chapter in the final volume. I found some reviews afterwards that were confused/didn’t like that a whole chapter was suddenly dedicated to some random horror video game.
You realize the author is into similar interests, hanging around the same communities as you. It becomes a shared experience with the readership as a whole. And while English readers might not get that full experience, I felt it was my job to offer a glimpse into it.
March 4, 2025 at 6:32 PM
You realize the author is into similar interests, hanging around the same communities as you. It becomes a shared experience with the readership as a whole. And while English readers might not get that full experience, I felt it was my job to offer a glimpse into it.
Many are nods to anime/games/manga or memes originating from 2ch communities or Pixiv, all serving to create a connection with readers who are otaku themselves. As a reader, these references can be very validating. They build a sense of belonging because you’re “in the know.”
March 4, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Many are nods to anime/games/manga or memes originating from 2ch communities or Pixiv, all serving to create a connection with readers who are otaku themselves. As a reader, these references can be very validating. They build a sense of belonging because you’re “in the know.”
Almost every page has a little phrase at the bottom that sums up the punchline or offers an aside, and about a quarter are a reference in some way. Not to mention the others in the panels. While other titles might have a few notes/book, Wotakoi had 30+ per volume—WAY more than the norm.
March 4, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Almost every page has a little phrase at the bottom that sums up the punchline or offers an aside, and about a quarter are a reference in some way. Not to mention the others in the panels. While other titles might have a few notes/book, Wotakoi had 30+ per volume—WAY more than the norm.
Of past jobs, Wotakoi (vol. 4-6) was by far on the batshit insane end of needing notes. If you don’t know, it’s a romcom about otaku for otaku by an otaku (though technically Fujita-sensei apparently doesn’t feel "qualified" to be an otaku), and the amount of references was next level.
March 4, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Of past jobs, Wotakoi (vol. 4-6) was by far on the batshit insane end of needing notes. If you don’t know, it’s a romcom about otaku for otaku by an otaku (though technically Fujita-sensei apparently doesn’t feel "qualified" to be an otaku), and the amount of references was next level.
Previous post from the old place: Can I say how much I like writing translation notes for the end section of manga? While onscreen notes can be distracting at times (though great when well-placed), I think volume-end notes are perfect for providing cultural context for those with extra interest.🧵
March 4, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Previous post from the old place: Can I say how much I like writing translation notes for the end section of manga? While onscreen notes can be distracting at times (though great when well-placed), I think volume-end notes are perfect for providing cultural context for those with extra interest.🧵
the buoyancy of the onomatopoeia to convey the fun, picture book feel of the two little crabs talking. Delivering the dramatic impact of Hana's chilling Spring & Asura rendition was also a challenge.
January 20, 2025 at 11:09 PM
the buoyancy of the onomatopoeia to convey the fun, picture book feel of the two little crabs talking. Delivering the dramatic impact of Hana's chilling Spring & Asura rendition was also a challenge.