Crunchyroll's Exploration of AI for Anime Subtitling
Discover how Crunchyroll is delving into the realm of artificial intelligence for subtitling and closed captioning of anime episodes. Dive into the details shared by Crunchyroll President Rahul Purini in a recent podcast, outlining the company's innovative testing of AI technology in enhancing viewer experience.
On Monday, February 27, 2024, Crunchyroll President Rahul Purini revealed in a podcast that the company is currently experimenting with the use of AI (artificial intelligence) for subtitling and closed captioning in their anime content. This initiative is part of their efforts to enhance and streamline their processes.
Crunchyroll, known as an anime streaming service, offers anime content through both free ad-supported and premium membership options. The company has a global presence, reaching over 200 countries and territories, and boasts the largest collection of licensed anime content available in various languages with simulcast capabilities.
Crunchyroll President confirms AI testing for anime subtitles
Twitter article posted by Anime News And Facts
Crunchyroll President Rahul Purini announced on The Verge's Decoder podcast on Monday, February 27, 2024, that the company is experimenting with generative AI technology to develop subtitles and closed captions for anime content.
The main objective of this testing is to enhance the efficiency of the company's operations, enabling the streaming platform to deliver subtitles in a wider range of languages much sooner to the release of seasonal Japanese anime episodes.
Crunchyroll President Rahul Purini (Image via Sony)
Crunchyroll President Rahul Purini (Image via Sony)
The company is currently exploring the use of AI to enhance user experience in discovering titles, as well as testing the technology in various workflows.
In October 2023, the anime streaming website faced criticism for releasing low-quality subtitles for the first episode of an anime series, resulting in backlash from fans. As a response, the company decided to remove the first episode.
Poor-quality subtitles seen in The Yuzuki Family's Four Sons (Image via Shuka)
Poor-quality subtitles seen in The Yuzuki Family's Four Sons (Image via Shuka)
Fans' Response to the News
Fans were relieved to hear that the anime streaming website had reuploaded the episode with updated subtitles. The company's explanation that they had collaborated with the licensor of the series for the updated subtitles was met with appreciation from fans.
Many anime fans believed that the anime streaming website's collaboration with AI was solely driven by a desire to increase market reach at a minimal expense, rather than a genuine effort to enhance accessibility.
Fans expressing their opinions on the streaming website's use of AI (Image via Sportskeeda/X)
Some fans expressed their opinions on the streaming website's use of AI for subtitles. Despite the streaming website's history of releasing poor subtitles for The Yuzuki Family's Four Sons and anime, some fans actually supported the use of AI. They believed that the AI could potentially do a better job than the company's human translators, who had previously left a poor impression on fans.
Some fans were pleased to see the company utilizing AI technology, as it would eliminate low-quality translators and prevent localizers from distorting the original source material to make it more appealing to local audiences.
Editor's P/S:
The use of AI in subtitling and closed captioning by Crunchyroll, as discussed in the article, presents a fascinating opportunity to improve the accessibility and efficiency of anime streaming. However, it is crucial that Crunchyroll addresses the concerns raised by some fans regarding the potential impact on translation quality and authenticity. By involving the community in the testing process and ensuring transparency in the use of AI, Crunchyroll can mitigate these concerns and demonstrate its commitment to delivering a superior user experience.
While AI has the potential to streamline and enhance the subtitling process, it is important for Crunchyroll to maintain a balance between automation and human involvement. AI should be used as a tool to assist human translators rather than replace them entirely. By leveraging the strengths of both humans and AI, Crunchyroll can create high-quality subtitles that accurately convey the intended meaning of the anime content while also meeting the diverse needs of its global audience.
