Japanese-to-English Translation

I'm a Japan-based American freelance Japanese-to-English translator specializing in anime, manga, video game, film, and other dialogue-heavy translations.I have translated (i.e., produced English-subtitle text for) well over 200 episodes of anime across several different TV series as well as several films. I also have experience translating and adapting manga.In addition to majoring in Japanese at the University of Michigan, I have passed the highest level (i.e., level 1) of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) and have completed a course in Japanese-to-English translation. I take pride in my ability to write natural-sounding translations. I have been a full-time translator since 2010.As of 2022, I am a contracted instructor for the anime translation class within the Professional J-to-E Visualmedia Translation Course at the Japan Visualmedia Translation Academy (JVTA).For more information, please see my résumé. You can also consult my profile on the Japan Association of Translators (JAT) website or my profile on ProZ.com

I have translated (i.e., produced English-subtitle text for) a number of anime TV shows and films for Sentai Filmworks, done (additional) translation on major anime films for GKIDS, and translated and adapted manga for Seven Seas Entertainment.For more insight into my work as an anime translator, check out the interviews I did with Tokyo Weekender and Lost in Anime, the podcast episodes I did with the official Sentai Podcast and the Translator Tea Times Two Podcast, and the Ask Me Anything I held on Reddit's /r/anime.


Anime

Anime I have translated (credited)


Made in Abyss (TV - 2017)

Note: Made in Abyss won Anime of the Year at the 2018 Crunchyroll Anime Awards and was called "an absolute masterpiece" in a review by Anime News Network. Regarding my translation, the Japanese pop-culture site OTAQUEST said, "English translator Jake Jung handled some tricky issues surrounding a character's gender." They also remarked that the anime features "amazing production work in both the music and translation departments."

Made in Abyss

I also translated a 74-page booklet included with the limited edition Blu-ray that features interviews with the creators and much more.


Made in Abyss: Journey's Dawn (Film - 2019)

Note: This compilation film covers the first half of season 1 of Made in Abyss while also adding in new scenes and narration. The English-subtitled version of the film premiered at Regal Cinema (L.A. LIVE) in downtown Los Angeles in March 2019, and I had the great privilege of walking the red carpet.

Made in Abyss: Journey's Dawn

Made in Abyss: Wandering Twilight (Film - 2019)

Note: This compilation film covers the second half of season 1 of Made in Abyss while also adding in new scenes and narration.

Made in Abyss: Wandering Twilight

Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul (Film - 2020)

Note: This film continues the story after the end of season 1.

Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul

Made in Abyss: Marulk's Daily Life (Short Films - 2020)

Note: Four shorts that accompanied the film Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul

Made in Abyss: Marulk's Daily Life

Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun (TV - 2022)

Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun

Ya Boy Kongming! (TV - 2022)

Note: Episode 6 features a 192-bar rap battle, and I made every effort to preserve the meaning while also matching the Japanese rhyming scheme. You can read more about my English translation in this We Got This Covered article.

Ya Boy Kongming!

Oshi no Ko Season 1 (TV - 2023)

Oshi no Ko

Vinland Saga Season 1 (TV - 2019)

Vinland Saga

I also translated the 176-page booklet included with the limited edition Blu-ray that features interviews with the creators and much more.


Future Boy Conan (TV - 1978 - Ep. 1)

Future Boy Conan

Chiikawa (TV - 2022 - select episodes)

Chiikawa

Atom the Beginning (TV - 2017)

Atom the Beginning

Release the Spyce (TV - 2018)

Release the Spyce

I also translated a 104-page booklet included with the limited edition Blu-ray that features interviews with the creators and much more.


Flying Witch (TV - 2016)

Flying Witch

I also translated a 111-page booklet included with the limited edition Blu-ray that features interviews with the creators and much more.


Twittering Birds Never Fly: The Clouds Gather (Film - 2020)

Twittering Birds Never Fly: The Clouds Gather

Why the Hell are You Here, Teacher!? (TV + OVA - 2019)

Why the Hell are You Here, Teacher!?

Ane Log: Big Sister Moyako's Never-ending Monologue (OVA - 2014–2015)

Ane Log: Big Sister Moyako's Never-ending Monologue

Assassins Pride (TV - 2019)

Assassins Pride

Grimms Notes the Animation (TV - 2019)

Grimms Notes the Animation

Future Folktales (TV - 2020)

Future Folktales

ClassicaLoid Season 1 (TV - 2016–2017)

ClassicaLoid (Season 1)

ClassicaLoid Season 2 (TV - 2017–2018)

ClassicaLoid (Season 2)

Hozuki's Coolheadedness Season 2: Part II (TV - 2018)

Hozuki's Coolheadedness (Season 2: Part II)

Xabungle (TV - 1982–1983 - eps. 1–25)

Xabungle

Xabungle Graffiti (Film - 1983)

Note: This is a compilation film for the TV anime Xabungle that features an alternative ending.

Xabungle Graffiti

Anime

Anime for which I have done Additional Translation (credited)

Note: While the scope of work depends upon the particular project, generally this entails going over the existing translation done by another translator line by line and offering any improvements/revisions I can in order to bring the subtitles to an even higher level of quality.


Weathering With You (Film - 2019)

Weathering With You

Belle (Film - 2021)

Belle

Lupin III: The First (Film - 2019)

Lupin III: The First

The Deer King (Film - 2021)

The Deer King

Anime

Anime for which I have done Translation Quality Assurance (credited)

Note: While the scope of work depends upon the particular project, generally this is a more limited role than Additional Translation that entails going over the existing translation done by another translator and offering revisions/corrections only for any lines that may fall short of quality standards.


On-Gaku: Our Sound (Film - 2019)

On-Gaku: Our Sound

Pompo: The Cinéphile (Film - 2021)

Pompo: The Cinéphile

Blue Giant (Film - 2023)

Blue Giant

Goodbye, Don Glees! (Film - 2022)

Goodbye, Don Glees!

Giovanni's Island (Film - 2014)

Giovanni's Island

Manga

Manga I have translated (credited)


From Star Strings (2017)

From Star Strings

Manga

Manga I have adapted (credited)


Made in Abyss (Vol. 1–12 - 2013–ongoing)

Made in Abyss

Made in Abyss Official Anthology (Vol. 1–5 - 2017–ongoing)

Made in Abyss Official Anthology