Japanese Publisher Set to Launch 'Light Novel' App with AI-Driven Translations
Shogakukan to launch Novelous app for English light novels in North America. AI-powered translations to reduce costs and increase content output. Novelous app to feature 400 titles within two years, including spinoff from "Frieren: Beyond Journey's End".
The innovative feature of this app lies in the integration of artificial intelligence to assist in translations, a move aimed at reducing costs and increasing content output.
The upcoming Novelous app is scheduled to debut in the U.S. and Canada within the current year. The AI-powered translation tools powering the app have been developed by Mantra, a Tokyo-based startup that secured funding from Shogakukan back in June.
Within a span of two years, the app's library is expected to showcase approximately 400 titles, including a spinoff light novel inspired by the anime "Frieren: Beyond Journey's End." In Japan, light novels, known as ranobe, primarily target younger audiences and often feature vivid illustrations reminiscent of anime or manga styles. These novels typically revolve around slice-of-life narratives with young protagonists or delve into fantasy realms.
The ambitious target for the Novelous app is to amass around 1 million users in North America by the fiscal year ending in February 2028, with revenue projections reaching into the billions of yen (equivalent to US$6.6 million) for that year.
To enhance the reading experience, the text will be presented in a vertical scrolling format for reader convenience, with character dialogues enclosed in speech bubbles labelled with icons representing the speaker. This layout is specifically designed to aid readers who may find it challenging to keep track of Japanese names. Additionally, the app will incorporate comment sections to foster reader engagement.
While Shogakukan currently offers English translations of light novels in the North American market through print or e-books, the limited selection of around 10 titles is largely due to translation costs and other expenses. With the introduction of this new app, Shogakukan aims to significantly broaden its catalogue and stimulate interest in physical publications. Moreover, the app will also feature works from other publishers upon request from the rights holders.
In Japan, it is estimated that over 1,500 light novel titles are published annually in compact paperback formats. Shogakukan's key competitor, Kadokawa, has been at the forefront of international expansion, particularly in North America and Asia. In a strategic move in 2021, Kadokawa acquired J-Novel Club, a U.S. company specializing in licensing and distributing translated Japanese light novels.
The surge in anime popularity has been a driving force behind the increasing demand for Japanese light novels globally. Notably, the light novel "The Apothecary Diaries" has gained significant traction in the U.S. through Japanese bookstore chain Kinokuniya. The anime adaptation of this novel premiered last year, attracting a large following at AX, North America's largest anime convention held in Los Angeles, which hosted a dedicated event for the series, drawing in approximately 3,400 enthusiasts.
Looking ahead, Shigeharu Ono, vice president at Kinokuniya, anticipates that light novels will emerge as the next focal point following the success of manga and anime. This aligns with the Japanese government's ambitious target of quadrupling content exports to 20 trillion yen by 2033, compared to 2022 levels.
Shogakukan to launch Novelous app for English light novels in North America
AI-powered translations to reduce costs and increase content output
Novelous app to feature 400 titles within two years, including spinoff from "Frieren: Beyond Journey's End"
Source: NIKKEI ASIA