Animation specialist Animax said on the 22nd that it is recruiting the second class for the "Japanese content translation academy." The program offers training in translating video content with a focus on animation.
Animax emphasized that translating video content cannot rely solely on artificial intelligence (AI) technology because it must comprehensively account for the combination of narrative, imagery and sound amid rapid scene changes, as well as the characteristics of media such as TV and OTT. It said the field requires professional translators with strong grounding in the humanities, a rich vocabulary and a high level of understanding of cultural context.
Animax's translation academy was planned to cultivate professionals who can raise the quality of content translation. It offers one-on-one coaching by "writer Lee Sun-hee," the top expert in Japanese content translation, and an opportunity to debut as an actual professional translator.
Four people who completed the first class through the final intensive track of the translation academy took part in the joint translation of ANIPLUS's broadcast title "Working!!". They later handled translations for "Reincarnated as a Dragon Egg," "Magician Kunon Can See," and "Do Androids Count as Experienced?". These works are currently streaming on the animation-focused OTT Laftel.
The translation academy consists of an introductory course (13 weeks) to build fundamentals and a practical advanced course (12 weeks) for on-the-job deployment. Outstanding students who pass internal screening can additionally complete a four-week intensive course for field placement. Applications will be accepted until the 8th of next month.
Applicants to the academy must have a certain level of Japanese proficiency (JPT 850 or higher, or N1 level or higher).
An Animax official said, "Last year was a year in which hit titles such as 'Attack on Titan,' 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba,' and 'Chainsaw Man' appeared one after another, driving unprecedented popularity for Japanese animation in Korea," adding, "Accordingly, interest is growing among aspiring talents who dream of becoming professional translators of Japanese animation."