Anime enthusiasts are no strangers to the realm of subbed versus dubbed debates. But recently, Crunchyroll, one of the leading names in the English-speaking anime world, stirred up a new kind of controversy. Many fans suspect the localization company of utilizing AI for its anime subtitles, especially after some questionable translations made it to their platform.
A Dubious Discovery on Crunchyroll
When Twitter user @LossThief started watching the freshly premiered “The Yuzuki Family’s Four Sons” on Crunchyroll, they didn’t expect to be flummoxed by the subtitles. Riddled with grammar errors and out-of-context sentences, it felt like watching a machine’s interpretation rather than a human’s.
“Although life without parents feels lonely, But [sic] there is nothing we can do, after all, there is no resurrection,”
is just a glimpse of the many odd translations that perplexed viewers.
Furthermore, The Mary Sue, a reputable media critique site, also found blunders within the first few minutes. When Yuzuki Hayato uttered,
“You going to be late,”
and Uta Kirishima’s dialogue read,
“What’s the matter? I’m in a bad mood early in the morning”
instead of inquiring if Yuzuki Minato was upset, it further fanned the flames of suspicion.
Fans Voice Their Concerns
Given that Crunchyroll’s platform had over 200 comments from viewers pointing out these obvious errors, it’s no surprise that @LossThief’s observations went viral. Many echoed the sentiment that the subtitles seemed “computer-generated,” with some lines even appearing as if they were directly piped through a translation program.
Twitter user @fspls expressed their disappointment with Crunchyroll, saying, “They finally said ‘fuck it’ and shat out a straight-up [machine translated] anime episode on their service that they charge money for.”
The general consensus was clear: the quality of the subtitles was far below what fans expected from a premium platform like Crunchyroll.
The AI Angle
While the exact cause remains a mystery, many speculate about Crunchyroll‘s inclination towards AI and machine learning. The platform has previously boasted about its use of machine learning, particularly for video upscaling to enhance viewer experience. Moreover, their partnership with Google in 2022 hinted at utilizing AI and machine learning for “product and content innovation.”
Woof, not sure what happened here but Crunchyroll's subtitles for The Yuzuki Family's Four Sons are straight-up unprofessional. 4 out of 5 sentences don't have punctuation, overly literal translation that mixes up possessives. It's a mess. pic.twitter.com/0aM3zmfHq3
— Yami ReiRei, JK (@LossThief) October 5, 2023
This inclination towards AI, paired with the erratic quality of “The Yuzuki Family’s Four Sons” subtitles, has led many to believe that Crunchyroll might be attempting to cut costs using AI for translations. As anime fan @XyzStriker lamented, paying for a Crunchyroll subscription promises support for the industry, but such quality lapses feel like a betrayal.
Crunchyroll Responds
In light of the uproar, a Crunchyroll spokesperson addressed the quality concerns, stating,
“Crunchyroll is working with the licensor of the series The Yuzuki Family’s Four Sons for updated subtitles, and we hope to have that version on our platform soon.”
It’s essential to note that while AI translations have made tremendous strides, they’re not foolproof. The debacle highlights the importance of human touch in ensuring quality, especially in a nuanced field like anime translation. Whether it was AI’s doing or not, one thing is sure: Crunchyroll’s reputation has taken a hit, and fans will be watching their next move closely.
