Selling well in Japan is the first step to reaching overseas markets.
That is common sense for selling manga internationally.
But, if it were possible to translate manga quickly and inexpensively,
a greater number of works could be directly brought to international audiences.
That is why we founded our company.
We began by launching an AI-based machine translation service.
Our service provides automatic translation into a variety of languages, with the ability to handle the distinctive expressions and turns of phrase used in manga.
Its innovations are made possible by cutting-edge technologies.
We are working with manga artists and publishers to overcome language barriers at unprecedented speed.
SERVICES
Mantra has been developing machine learning technologies specifically for the entertainment industry.
Here are two services that use the technologies.
SERVICES
Mantra has been developing machine learning technologies specifically for the entertainment industry. Here are two services that use the technologies.
a translation support platform for businesses
MANTRA ENGINE
For publishers and distribution services,
we provide a multilingual translation engine developed for manga&webtoon.
By integrating most steps of the translation workflow,
this unique solution enables simultaneous distribution worldwide.
For publishers and distribution services, we provide a multilingual translation engine developed for manga&webtoon.
By integrating most steps of the translation workflow, this unique solution enables simultaneous distribution worldwide.
Langaku helps learners improve their English by reading Manga. With features to make learning easier such as the ability to dynamically adjust difficulty, hear text read aloud, and read in multiple languages, Langaku brings the joy of Manga to English language learners.
Langaku helps learners improve their English by reading Manga. With features to make learning easier such as the ability to dynamically adjust difficulty, hear text read aloud, and read in multiple languages, Langaku brings the joy of Manga to English language learners.
Trusted by Publishers, Distributors, and Translation Companies
As of 25th December, 2023
TECHNOLOGY
Mantra's machine translation engine consists of our computer vision / natural language processing technologies for manga.
Mantra's machine translation engine consists of our computer vision / natural language processing technologies for manga.
STEP 1
Automatic detection of speech bubbles
The manga image is thoroughly scanned for regions of text to be translated.
STEP 2
Accurate recognition of detected words
Characters in the detected text are recognized correctly, even distorted fonts often used in manga.
STEP 3
Machine translation into a different language
The text is automatically translated while taking into account the surrounding context. Lastly, the text in the speech bubbles are replaced to complete the translated manga.
MEMBERS
Our vision is to create a society where technology has eliminated language barriers and everyone involved in manga can achieve happiness.
Our vision is to create a society where technology has eliminated language barriers and everyone involved in manga can achieve happiness.
Co-Founder & CEO
Shonosuke Ishiwatari, Ph.D.
Shonosuke graduated from the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Information Science and Technology.
Prior to founding Mantra Inc. in 2020, he served as a post-doc researcher at the University of Tokyo, where he earned his Ph.D.
He is engaged in research and development in the field of natural language processing, including machine translation and dictionary generation.
Shonosuke graduated from the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Information Science and Technology.
Prior to founding Mantra Inc. in 2020, he served as a post-doc researcher at the University of Tokyo, where he earned his Ph.D.
He is engaged in research and development in the field of natural language processing, including machine translation and dictionary generation.
Co-Founder & CTO
Ryota Hinami, Ph.D.
Ryota graduated from the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Information Science and Technology.
Prior to founding Mantra Inc. in 2020, he served as a research fellow (DC2) at the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. He has also served as a project researcher at the National Institute of Informatics, among other roles.
His research focuses on image recognition.
Ryota graduated from the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Information Science and Technology.
Prior to founding Mantra Inc. in 2020, he served as a research fellow (DC2) at the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. He has also served as a project researcher at the National Institute of Informatics, among other roles.
His research focuses on image recognition.
Planner / Editor
Takeshi Yamanaka
Before joining Mantra in 2019, Takeshi had worked at a publishing house and an advertising agency specializing in games.
Among other duties, he was responsible for editing "Izana" (Daruma Matsuura) and "Learning with Manga! Fate/Grand Order" (Riyo/TYPE-MOON).
Before joining Mantra in 2019, Takeshi had worked at a publishing house and an advertising agency specializing in games.
Among other duties, he was responsible for editing "Izana" (Daruma Matsuura) and "Learning with Manga! Fate/Grand Order" (Riyo/TYPE-MOON).
Finance / Customer Success
Ryohei Sekino
Before joining Mantra in 2020, Ryohei worked at a bank and was in charge of dealing with overseas companies on a number of duties, including planning, calculation/credit management and overseas bankruptcy claim sales.He has qualifications as a USCPA.
Before joining Mantra in 2020, Ryohei worked at a bank and was in charge of dealing with overseas companies on a number of duties, including planning, calculation/credit management and overseas bankruptcy claim sales. He has qualifications as a USCPA.
Software Engineer
Kazuhiko Yasuda
Before joining Mantra in 2021, Kazuhiko worked at Yahoo! Japan and engaged in developing and maintaining a data analysis platform. In Mantra, Kazuhiko engages in software development in general.
Before joining Mantra in 2021, Kazuhiko worked at Yahoo! Japan and engaged in developing and maintaining a data analysis platform. In Mantra, Kazuhiko engages in software development in general.
Software Engineer
Joshua Tanner
Josh worked as a software engineer at eBay with a focus on backend and distributed systems before acquiring his MS in computational linguistics from the University of Washington. He joined Mantra in 2021, where he works on full-stack development and natural language processing.
Josh worked as a software engineer at eBay with a focus on backend and distributed systems before acquiring his MS in computational linguistics from the University of Washington. He joined Mantra in 2021, where he works on full-stack development and natural language processing.
Software Engineer
Prakhar Agarwal
Prakhar joined Mantra as a software engineer in 2022 after working as an intern at Mantra . He had worked as a freelance full-stack developer in his senior year at Indian Institute of Information Technology. He learned Web Technology through projects and internships in his junior and sophomore years.
Prakhar joined Mantra as a software engineer in 2022 after working as an intern at Mantra . He had worked as a freelance full-stack developer in his senior year at Indian Institute of Information Technology. He learned Web Technology through projects and internships in his junior and sophomore years.
PR / Customer Support
Hisako Mano
Before joining Mantra in 2022, Hisako worked in merchandising and PR in the distribution sector. In Mantra, Hisako engages in PR and Langaku customer support.
Before joining Mantra in 2022, Hisako worked in merchandising and PR in the distribution sector. In Mantra, Hisako engages in PR and Langaku customer support.
