---
title: 'Leftists are Upset They Can''t Butcher Manga Translations with Politics Exclusively'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=dnlY1_-EElo'
video_id: 'dnlY1_-EElo'
date: 2026-06-20
duration_sec: 385
---

# Leftists are Upset They Can't Butcher Manga Translations with Politics Exclusively

> Source: [Leftists are Upset They Can't Butcher Manga Translations with Politics Exclusively](https://youtube.com/watch?v=dnlY1_-EElo)

## Summary

The video discusses a controversial fan translation of the manga 'Half is More' that intentionally uses AAVE (African American Vernacular English) and crude language, sparking accusations of hypocrisy in the anime/manga translation community. The creator argues that those who previously defended politically or ideologically motivated translations are now upset because this translation doesn't align with their agenda, highlighting a double standard.

### Key Points

- **Translation controversy overview** [0:00] — Thousands of people are upset about a specific manga translation, calling out perceived hypocrisy in the anime/manga translation community. The translation in question uses AAVE and crude language, deviating from literal accuracy.
- **Example of the translation** [0:29] — The creator reads a sample translation: 'Sorry, I'm such a country bumpkin... our mom's Japanese and our pop's French... dim sum folks refer to us as half...' This intentionally inaccurate translation is presented as a real fan version.
- **Hypocrisy highlighted** [1:48] — The creator notes that people now criticizing this translation are often the same individuals who previously defended 'butchering' translations for political or progressive agendas (e.g., inserting gender politics, 'patriarchy' criticism). They claim this shows selective outrage.
- **Creator's stance on translations** [2:04] — The creator states they dislike this translation too, preferring accurate, one-to-one translations that respect the author's intent, regardless of political leanings.
- **Masks off moment** [3:54] — The creator finds humor in how this translation exposes everyone's true priorities: 'now you care about accurate translations' only when it opposes your ideology.
- **Manga context** [4:04] — The manga is 'Half is More' (not officially translated yet). The translation is a fan-made 'post sub' (likely a joke/parody), not an official release. The creator clarifies it's not a real official translation.
- **Reaction to hypocrisy** [5:24] — The creator cites a comment: 'Absolutely hilarious how suddenly a certain group of people really care about proper localization.' They hope this opens eyes among those who previously defended ideologically motivated butchery, but doubt it will.

### Conclusion

The video argues that the outrage over this fan translation exposes a double standard in the manga/anime community: many who previously defended politically motivated alterations now demand accuracy only when it serves their own agenda. The creator hopes this 'masks off' moment prompts reflection, but remains skeptical.

## Transcript

Thousands upon thousands of people are
collectively losing their [ __ ] about
this translation, but also calling out
the sheer hypocrisy that has been taking
place with translations for anime and
manga for years at this point. And so
before I got kind of dive into the
comments that people are making, I kind
of want to just showcase the translation
before I go any further. So here is the
translation in question. And I'm just
I'm going to read this word for word.
This is an actual real translation.
Okay, I this is not edited. I'm just
going to say sorry I just I'm such a
country bumpkin. I was acting like we
were back home. Most probably can tell
at a glance and [ __ ] but for my little
brother and I, our moms is Japanese and
our pops is French and [ __ ] In this
society, dim [ __ ] refer to us
type of folk as half and um
absolutely insane. Not just that, but
there's there's so much more. Like we we
just we got to pull this one up. We
stand out as it is. Look, even when we
walked in here, you could feel the
little tension between the staff and
[ __ ] huh? So, okay. So, I think at this
point you probably have realized what's
going on here. The translation is uh
Yeah, it it's definitely leaning into
the like chory.
It's It's very obvious what's going on
here. Now, there's a lot of people that
are currently laughing at this and
making fun of this. And honestly, I find
it hilarious, too, for one big reason.
It's because it showcases the sheer
hypocrisy, but also showcases that when
finally your content is messed with in
some shape or form, then you care about
translations, then you care about
localization. And let me explain. So,
basically, this individual and thousands
upon thousands of others have an issue
with this translation. Now, I'm just I'm
going to just say it right here. I want
to say my honest opinions here, jokes
and memes aside, I don't like this type
of translation either. I think it's in
poor taste, honestly, because obviously
it's not properly or accurately, you
know, depicting the manga. Like, I want
onetoone translations. I want the proper
translation and intent from the author,
and that's all I ask. And I don't care
which side you lean on, left side, right
side, in terms of politics or whatever.
I want just accurate translations. Okay,
that's how I feel about the situation.
But the big thing here is is a lot of
people are calling this out saying that
this is, you know, a very bad
translation. They don't like it.
However, the very people that are
calling this out are the same
individuals, I'm not joking, that
basically will say stuff like this about
translations. like translators that
translate manga and anime will say stuff
like this or stuff like this basically
gloating and happy that they're
butchering the Japanese text into
English and changing things putting
politics in it gender politics you know
basically putting in like you know
anything that kind of can spear men or
hate on men stuff like that the
patriarchy we have seen these type of
translations a lot and basically we have
seen for a very long time one side has
absolutely been completely fine and
happy with butchering translations.
Basically saying that, you know,
translating a manga or an anime one to
one is impossible and that there needs
to be some flexibility with the
translations. But those very same people
that were telling us the, you know, the
chuds and stuff and all that basically
for a very long time, they're straight
up now molding about the translation.
And it's just like this is the most
eyeopening and hypocritical thing. It's
like now you care. Now you care about
accurate translations. Now you care
about the art, like the artist and offer
intent. Now you care about this stuff.
Now that it is, you know, coming at you
and it's not your propaganda or anything
on your side. It's the exact opposite.
Now you care about it. And once again, I
think that translations like this are
also I'm not a big fan of, but there is
some hilariousness to this because of
just how it masks off everybody, makes
everybody exposed. I think it's just
that's the interesting part about this
whole discussion. But um I do need to
address the elephant in the room. The
translation in question for this series
called Half is More. I believe that's
what the the manga is called. Half is
More. It says it right here actually. Uh
yeah, Half is More. Um from my
understanding, this is not an official
translation because the series doesn't
actually have from my knowledge, correct
me if I'm wrong, please in the comments,
it does not have an official translation
yet. And so obviously in typical manga
translation fashion, fan translations
and stuff, people pick it up and they
can do [ __ ] post subs or translations.
And that's exactly what this is. This is
[ __ ] post here translations. And um
that's pretty much the main meat and
potatoes of it. And obviously this isn't
real translation. But now you have
people saying, "Oh, this is bad and all
that. These are fake illegal
translations." Like you can see like
this individual saying that and all
that. And you know, it's just it's very
clear what's going on here. It's just
like bro look look man.
I'm just keeping it real, dude. Seeing
these same individuals that constantly
call out like manga translate or not
call out manga translations are
completely fine with butchering now
being upset with this, it's just like,
dude, can you just like take a look in
the mirror, please? Like, please,
please, because this is this is what I
and so many others have been complaining
about for a very long time. an
absolutely insane situation. And I think
honestly rock solid here actually um
really he addressed this in a very good
way. Like absolutely hilarious how
suddenly a certain group of people
really care about proper localization. I
thought it didn't matter and Japanese is
too hard to directly translate to
English. Legitimately correct like this
is everybody's seen it. I've talked
about this in other videos showcasing
examples and stuff like this. So finally
seeing that crowd being very upset about
this is just crazy. But I will leave it
at that. I' I've set my piece on this.
Um I I think in general that hopefully
this allows people that are always pro
butchering of translations to open their
eyes up to what we've been talking
about. But will it? Probably not.
Because if it's not their type of
politics, if it's not their type of, you
know, virtue signaling and performative
stuff they want, then they um they're
upset with it. But if it had everything
they wanted, then they will defend it
even if it does destroy the the intent
of the offer. But anyways, be safe, stay
healthy, and I love you guys.