Translation Team Member (Manga & Light Novels - Translation & Design)

Job Description

At Mantra, our mission is simple: Delivering manga across language barriers.

With overwhelmingly positive support from your favorite Japanese publishers, our cutting-edge web-based software, the Mantra Engine, assists them in streamlining their manga localization process, bringing numerous titles across the world, and in some cases, allowing them for simultaneous release in multiple languages. We're even taking steps to expand in new directions, including light novels, anime, and other forms of Japanese entertainment! Now is your chance to join us and become a part of the localization process, working hands-on with titles for major Japanese publishers!

⭐️ Mantra Translation Team Member (Manga & Light Novels - Translation & Design)

• Review Japanese-to-English translations and design layouts
• Typesetting/lettering and tweaking images (mostly in Mantra Engine, but sometimes in Photoshop)
• Help with other translation or production tasks
• Must live in (or near) Tokyo and commute to our Iidabashi office

Great fit if you:

• Love manga and can spot awkward dialogue & translations
• Are familiar with SFX translation
• Have a good eye for layout and design (positioning text within speech bubbles, on the page, etc.)
• Wizards of Photoshop or Clip Studio tools

✨ Why Join Mantra?

• Dive into hands-on translation, typesetting/lettering, and production experience in Japanese entertainment
• Use your English and Japanese creatively
• Work with a fun collaborative team on well-known titles for some of your favorite publishers!
• Help shape the future of manga and light novel localization!

✅ What We’re Looking For

Required:

• Communicate in both Japanese and English

・Able to read and understand novels and manga in both languages

・Japanese N2 or equivalent

• Recent experience and comfortable with Photoshop or Clip Studio
• Comfortable working with occasional R18 content (sexual themes, graphic violence, etc.)
• Candidates must hold a valid visa to work in Japan (we cannot support visas for this role)
• Candidates must be available to work on-site M/W/F 10am~6pm

Nice to Have:

• Japanese-to-English translation experience
• Fluency in a third language
• Typesetting/lettering experience for manga, webtoons, or comics
• Attention to detail, even with repetitive tasks

✨ Employment Details

Hourly Wage: ¥1,250

Transportation: Fully covered

Hours: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM

• Working days (on-site) are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
• No work on Tuesdays and Thursdays during probation period (first 3 months)
• Minimum of three 5-hour shifts (Mon, Wed, & Fri) or two full shifts (Mon & Fri)

Location: On-site (You must commute to our Iidabashi, Tokyo office.)

Employment Type: Part-time (3-month probation)

Office Location

Sumitomo Fudosan Iidabashi Building 2F

2-3-21 Koraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-0004

(8 min walk from Iidabashi Station)

Perks & Benefits

• Company-sponsored team lunch (once a week on Mondays)