iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Jumping on the bandwagon once more (this is so hard to choose)

Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

It’s that time of year again… Crafting Halloween costumes for the kids while going through my “to watch” list. So far: -Inept Villainess -A Witch’s Life in Mongol -Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju -Odd Taxi

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

What a busy Tuesday. Love, That's an Understatement 7 (Zen and Risa continue to be solid, which I love) is out, as well as the first Sheltering Eaves volume in a long while, delivering some much needed hope after the rough events of the last volume.

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Sweet new series that I was a huge fan of during the original serialization! It's particularly good for anyone with a passion for creating (or reading) fanmade work and I'm so happy I get to translate it now.

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Somehow missed this thoughtful review of That's Not Love 2 by @reporterdem.bsky.social! The subtle and not so subtle ways in which a female vicitm's distress gets dismissed is brutal but realistic. I particularly loathe the convo with the first lawyer, and I hope the condescending tone comes across.

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Really thoughtful article on the significance of the American Manga Awards that celebrates its worth while also pointing out some issues with grace, framing them as an institutional problem that really needs to be addressed. With a deserved highlight of the amazing speech by @jmitsu.bsky.social

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Ben Applegate @benapplegate.com · 17/07/2026

If you are interested in the intersection between art and power and patriarchy (inc. the internalized variety), this interview, and this manga, is seriously worth your time.

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Alyssa Weldon @alyssaweldon.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Andria and her husband suffered a terrible loss last night as their house burned down. They both made it out, but lost all of their things and three beloved cats in the fire. Please consider donating/sharing with others. Andria is such a kind person and amazing translator. gofund.me/b49a76f41

gofund.me

Donate to Help Andria and Nik Recover from House Fire, organized by Alyssa Weldon

Andria McKnight, a veteran translator, is facing a heartbreaking loss afte… Alyssa Weldon needs your support for Help Andria and Nik Recover from House Fire

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Square Enix Manga & Books @square-enix-books.com · 18/08/2026

If you were just wondering how you’ve made it halfway through August without learning a new cleaning technique or meeting your quota of cute alien boys, do we have a treat for you! Wash it All Away, vol. 9 and Tokyo Aliens, vol. 11 are ON SALE TODAY! 👇

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Loving the outpour of love (and happy disbelief) from the fan community. Slightly devastated to know I missed the chance to translate an ultimate dream title, but I’m way more happy that a Shinji Wada title is finally getting an official English release!

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

At what point does gaining inspiration from a "muse" become non-consensual exploitation? Peko Watanabe reflects on systematic exploitation in art, the #MeToo movement, and how romantic feelings are sometimes used as an excuse for abuse. Check out the interview and hopefully the manga too!

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Kodansha USA @kodansha.us · 17/07/2026

In celebration of the release of the first volume of #ThatsNotLove, we're sharing an interview with author Peko Watanabe! It's an incredibly interesting and eye-opening interview - check it out here: kodansha.us/2026/07/17/thats-not-lo…

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

My lovely editor Kiara. It's been wonderful working with her!

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Unbelievably honored to announce that I am translating for Ikoku Nikki (with Inklore). I think I must be dreaming. Tomoko Yamashita’s word choices are delightful and carry so much weight. It’s a challenge I don’t take lightly, and I will do my absolute best to do this brilliant series justice.

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Honored to get my first ever Screentoney Awards (not one but three!) . Thank you to the lovely people I work with who thought to include me, and of course to the committee for their tireless efforts in putting this together in a year with a record-breaking number of nominations.

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Jocelyne Allen @brainvsbook.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

Why do none of these doofuses realize a) there are *plenty* of translators, they just have to actually pay us, and b) the manga market outside Japan is very different and you can't release every manga ever made without cratering sales and destroying reader trust??

Hiroshi Korenaga, an official from the Cultural Affairs Agency, said only about 5% to 10% of manga released in Japan is currently translated.

“There simply are not enough translators,” Korenaga said. AI is being

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

A great review of That’s Not Love, once again by the lovely @reporterdem.bsky.social. “It’s raw rather than going for shock value or being constantly miserable” felt very apt. The subject matter is heavy, but the work does a thoughtful, honest job that I think speaks to anyone with past regrets.

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Demelza Ward @reporterdem.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

1122: For A Happy Marriage was a series I always greatly enjoyed, so I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to review Watanabe’s latest work. This is a serous subject matter, but I trust it will be done justice as the story goes on.

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Sheltering Eaves recommended as a must-shelve manga for libraries in Publisher’s Weekly! (by Jillian Rudes, a school librarian who founded the Manga in Libraries organization) I hope more readers discover the series because it’s so heartbreakingly good. www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

publishersweekly.com

Librarians Picks for Must-Shelve Manga Series

We asked five manga-fan librarians to recommend two series, one new release and another that’s either an older classic or an under-the-radar favorite.

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N🌿 @minyankosensei.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

“That’s Not Love” was pretty good and also pretty heavy to be honest. I like that it shows that you carry trauma even as you grow older into a place where you are supposed to have everything figured out and are expected to just quietly accept your pain.

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Kodansha USA @kodansha.us · 31/05/2026

#ThatsNotLove Vol 1 is now available in print & digital! After noticing a sculpture at an exhibit by her former teacher bears a striking resemblance to her middle school best friend Yukari, Akane reaches out to her, wondering what it could mean... ow.ly/X2LA50Z4Q7e

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

That’s Not Love by Peko Watanabe is finally out in English! An intimate look at some very difficult topics, including grooming, consent, PTSD, past and present regrets, and things that are tolerated in the name of “art.” It’s a difficult read but an important one done with⬇️

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Introduce yourself with 10 bands/musicians you’ve seen live James Taylor Idina Menzel Fuyumi Sakamoto Ado The Gospellers Jacob Collier Ryuichi Sakamoto Flight of the Conchords Fat Freddy’s Drop The Longest Johns

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Pygmalio by Shinji Wada, but if that is too long, Alisa With Silver Hair (super gritty revenge story. Lots of drama and years of training in a pitch-black underground cavern with only salamanders as friends)

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Another nice review of Drawing From You Memory, this one by @reporterdem.bsky.social whose reviews always feel encouraging but fair. She apparently also read some of the Japanese original and watched the live action series, so you know she’s offering good insight

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Hampshire College in MA is closing, and staff and faculty are facing job loss with no severance pay. Staff have set up an emergency relief fund to directly help those with immediate needs. It's a real shame that it's closing to begin with, but hopefully enough word gets out to get

helphampshireworkers.com

Help Hampshire Workers | Support Hampshire Workers Today

Support Hampshire College staff and faculty facing job loss with emergency relief funds for essential needs. Contributions and support help provide immediate assistance during this critical time.

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

Some nice reviews of Drawing from Your Memory from the lovely team at ANN. It even got a little trophy icon on the thumbnail, which I think means it got rated well? Their new-ish seasonal manga guide format is really accessible and such a great way to explore new releases.

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

I find it hard to express how much I LOATHE that Chat GPT has a cutesy nickname back home in Japan. Making it sound like it’s supposed to be a yuruchara-type friend just makes it infinitely worse.

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Kodansha USA @kodansha.us · 17/04/2026

Vol 1 of #DrawingFromYourMemory is now available in print & digital! Award-winning pro Mahoro stole the ideas for her manga from the notebook her classmate Yukishima left behind when he died... but fate might just give her an opportunity at redemption! ow.ly/oQP750YLn9g

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Drawing From Your Memory 1 is out! A story with a time-travel element that’s also a mystery is so down my alley, I’m beyond excited to be translating this. The mystery only ramps up from here, with some really sweet moments to ease the sometimes heavy themes. Stay tuned!

Cover for Drawing From Your Memory volume 1 by Shiki Kawabata

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Figured I should bring this pinned post from the other place. I know with how long most of Wada’s series are it’s a long shot, but one can dream.

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

My ultimate dream project is to bring the criminally underrated works of Shinji Wada to English readers. An outlier in shojo, his works are full of gritty action, intrigue, kick-ass female leads, and side characters with so much depth some had several short manga worth of backstory🧵

Color illustration from Sukeban Deka, with Saki on a motorcycle with Part I antagonist Remi Mizuchi pointing menacingly

A page from Phantom Thief Amarillys, where Amaryllis makes an acrobatic escape from some guard dogs.

Cover from the Shinji Wada short story collection The Hourglass Smells of Blood.

A page from Sukeban Deka during Saki's showdown with part I antagonist Remi Mizuchi. Saki attacks with her yoyo, and both pause to catch their breath.

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Anett | geekycatlady @geekycatlady.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

I'm sure this has been shared elsewhere, but having been made aware of this great article recently, I felt it needs more attention. (h/t IGDA, thanks!) Please read before writing your game script and design your UI. Actually, just read in any event! #gameloc #indiegames

lexiconista.com

Falsehoods programmers believe about languages

This is what we have to put up with in the software localization industry.

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

I didn’t even know there was new manga out by Robico. Must go find it now

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

I just finished translating my 100th volume of manga today! Celebrated with leftover pie from pi day #milestones

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Jennifer Sherman @jaasherman.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

I saw a post on another platform with someone excitedly sharing a photo of a pirated print edition of The Apothecary Diaries light novels. As someone who works on the real English print versions, it made me so sad. If you like something, please make sure you support the official release.

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

The 9 Manga That Shaped Who I Am 私を構成する9つのマンガ足りなーい！『ベルバラ』『すごいよマサルさん！』『7Seeds』『あめのち晴れ（杉原涼子）』『ガラスの仮面』も入れたかった #9koma

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

Name the first 5 manga you have ever read 1. Doraemon 2. Chibimaruko-chan 3. The Rose of Versailles 4. The Hamster Research Reports 5. Akachan to Boku (Baby and Me) My memory is seriously hazy, but this seems about right? #manga

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

The Slayers, on a dojinshi I mail-ordered (where you sent a pre-stamped envelope to the group making the fanfic) through a fan magazine called Fanroad (it listed a whole bunch of fanfic people were looking to sell), age 16

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Mythic 🦊 @mythicalredfox.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Thinking about this quote from Persepolis creator Marjane Satrapi again.

Picture of Marjane Satrapi alongside a quote from her. The quote reads:

The world is not divided into countries. The world is not divided between East and West. You are American, I am Iranian, we don't know each other, but we talk together and we understand each other perfectly. The difference between you and your government is much bigger than the difference between you and me. And the difference between me and my government is much bigger than the difference between me and you.

And our governments are very much the same...

- Marjane Satrapi, Iranian-French graphic novelist

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

When you’re stuck on a translation and your spouse constantly quoting The Wire saves your ass

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

This a CAT checkpoint. Show me the most recent cat image on your phone.

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Jenn Odd @jentranslations.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Interviews with Localizers is back (again)!!! This time with an interview with Japanese to English video game translator and project manager @japantaloons.bsky.social! #InterviewswithLoc j-entranslations.com/carrick-loma...

j-entranslations.com

Carrick Lomas - Video Game Translator

Carrick Lomas - video game translator is a talented and passionate localizer from the UK who juggles freelance work and game publishing.

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Gili Bar-Hillel @gilibug.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

The thing that depresses me in the whole AI revolution in my industry (I’m a literary translator and publisher) is that the question is not whether machines can replace human translators, but how will we deal with the fallout after machines are forcibly introduced regardless.

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

It's a wrap for 2025, and here's my translation work that came out for the year (one image per series)! Sad to see the adorable glasses couple go, but also can't wait for some seriously cool projects coming out in 2026.

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

Call of the Night S2 far exceeded my already high expectations, leaving a hole in my heart with no more weekly episodes to translate. Hopefully there'll be a S3? Please? Miyuki Sawashiro's top-notch voice acting absolutely stole the show, from Anko's unhinged banter to the heart-wrenching

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

翻訳をさせていただいている『綺麗にしてもらえますか。』に関して春にBehind The Mangaさんにインタビューを受けたのですが、なんと今度は作者様ご本人のインタビューが掲載されました。アニメに向けて、ますます海外ファンが増えますように！先生の「金目さんから学んだ方法を暮らしの中で実践している」という言い回しがまるで金目さんが実在しているみたいで、しみじみいいなと思う。私も染み抜きのアドバイスなど日々活用していて、金目さんにはいつもお世話になっております。

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Sawa Matsueda Savage @sawamsavage.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

Kudos to Behind The Manga for doing an interview with Mitsuru Hattori, mangaka of Wash It All Away! I love how when he answers about incorporated cleaning techniques in his everyday life, he says he uses what he learns from Miss Kinme (in the Japanese) as if she exists, which is very sweet somehow.

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