I prefer to take the path less traveled, in case some people aren't really aware of it. And we had a really big Christmas release, which generally brings in lots of new helpers (and this year is no exception)... and I have lots of possible editors and not enough translators to keep them busy.

I've got a ton of stuff that I want to work on... dozens of projects are floating around in my head as 'oh man, I wanna do that', and most of them are... different. I'm hoping to find some translators with similar interests and a good working knowledge of the Japanese language (I'll define this later).

Project examples:
Relatively easy:
Slaughter Magic Girl Belial Strawberry
Mitsudo Moe

Harder (kanji knowledge required... fairly extensive kanji knowledge):
RED
Koukoku no Shugosha
Kanojo wo Mamoru 51 no Houhou

Of course, I have lots more... I actually prefer to keep my future project list private, so drop me a line if you're interested and I'll give you some that you may like.



Requirements:
For the easier stuff:
I've had lots of 'trainee' translators over the years, and I'm willing to take on another if they've got spunk and a willingness to work on their weaknesses. All translations go through quality check from either me or a senior translator in the group and are usually picked to pieces for at least 4 or 5 months until you get the nuances correct. If you let us, we can teach you through the school of hard knocks, if you're against constructive criticism, you'll quit.

Harder stuff:
For most projects, I actually require a good kanji knowledge. At least 3 years of college-level classes (or maybe... 7 years of high school? I don't think you can actually get to that level in high school...), but preferably more. I'm sure that everyone looking at this reads raw manga scans and you know if you have 80%+ comprehension for furigana-free manga without looking things up (this means 'I know exactly what they're saying', not 'I can summarize this chapter' ). If you fall into that category, then I'll love you long time.

Experience isn't a requirement... nor do I specify a translation style as long as it's consistent throughout the manga. I don't even usually have translation tests... I trust people when they say that they can or cannot translate something. If you have the schooling (or are a native speaker), I'll give you the first chapter of your new project to do as a "test", and hopefully you'll pass. Keep in mind that there's really no point in fibbing about your schooling or experience and that there's no shame in saying 'this is totally over my head, do you have anything easier?', because the translation checker will figure you out without much trouble.

Anyway, if you're a translator interested in a smooth group with regular releases, lots of great people, and off the beaten path projects, then I think that you'd like it with us.

i can only do chinese to english translations. i'm not good in japanese. i quite keen though

I gotta say... this is very tempting...though I barely have time to read anything nowadays. What would be the turnaround time for the translations?

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I'm sorry, no Chinese to English. We don't work on anything except for original Japanese language publications, and I don't much trust the Jap to Chi translations (I'd have to be really careful on translation checks looking for changes that I'd normally not be looking for, and that would eat up way too much of my own translation time).

I ask that translators give me at least one chapter a week (if you have to skip a week every once in a while, that's cool, but making a habit of it kind of ruins the flow of the group). Normally we're a pretty laid back 'get it to me when it's done and I'll release it' group, but every once in a while we decide to make a push on a project where I'll ask for a volume or two over a month or less... usually on holidays... but when I do that I offer additional translation help as well, so it's a little less stressful than it might be otherwise, but big releases are always down to the last second.

Really, if someone wanted to translate RED, I'd have to ask for about a volume every month, since the series is like 19 volumes long, and if we're going 1 chapter a week, it would take us years upon years to actually finish it. Something short (2 to 6 volumes) can go slower without bothering me in the least.