...And She Admits It On Camera.
Some People Aren’t Meant for Translation Positions.
The Case of Katrina Leonoudakis...
Translation is an 'art' that requires a nuanced understanding of not only languages but also cultural contexts and the integrity of the original work.. and with any art, certain 'activists' will use the cracks to squeeze in personal agendas. Increasingly it feels like those entrusted with the 'craft' of localization are actually doing far more harm than good. This is clearly the case with Katrina Leonoudakis, a notorious figure in the anime, manga, and video game localization industry, who's been caught on camera admitting to changing the meanings of words, while simultaneously being condescending to those who challenge her practices.
Her words here reveal that some people simply aren’t meant for translation work... and in fact, based on the direction of the industry - because of people like her and this attitude, will soon be replaced by A.I. anyways...
The Admission: “I’m Not Sorry for What I Did”
On January 16th, Katrina Leonoudakis tweeted her unapologetic confession: "I’m not sorry for what I did to Inukai 3."
The reference is to her work on My Life as Inukai-san's Dog, which she proudly claimed as her "finest work yet." Rather than adhering to a faithful representation of the original, Katrina took plenty of creative 'liberties'—infusing her localization with inappropriate slang and altering the tone to suit her personal narrative.
The alterations she made weren’t just stylistic adjustments—they fundamentally changed the nature of the content.
Examples included lines like, “I-I’m sorry I yeeted you okay?” and “Nekotani looks like she needs eye bleach.”
Such slang-laden dialogues in My Life as Inukai-san's Dog not only changed the tone but also undermined the intended authenticity of the story, directly misrepresenting the characters and their relationships. Leonoudakis herself boasted about these changes, seemingly aware of how far removed they were from a true representation, while insulting those who preferred accuracy... Because she knows she has power to control a narrative.
Condescension Toward Critics
In response to a fellow translator's question on why she chose to alter the translation, Leonoudakis replied, "This may surprise you, but I love the material. The translation is not for you. (Translation: You are not the intended audience)."
This sentiment is troubling, particularly coming from a so-called "professional" in a role of significant responsibility in entertainment. Her statement directly implies that her work is only meant for a narrow audience that aligns with her preferences, disregarding the source material’s integrity and alienating the very fans who want a faithful translation.
Leonoudakis continued, stating that her goal as a translator was to “identify the target audience and translate with them in mind.”
She rationalized her actions by referencing “equivalent experience,” a concept in translation theory.
However, her logic becomes inherently flawed when this "equivalent experience" results in major deviations from the original message, showing a strong disconnect between maintaining authorial intent and tailoring content for an audience. It’s one thing to adapt humor or cultural references for better understanding, but quite another to transform an entire message until it no longer resembles the original.
A Long Path, but the Wrong One
Leonoudakis’ background reveals a lifelong passion for Japanese culture and language, starting from her teenage years and culminating in professional training in translation and localization. She pursued Japanese as a double major at UC Irvine, participated in the JET program, earned her master's degree in Translation at Kent State University, and worked extensively within the gaming industry, including stints at SEGA of America and Deluxe. It’s evident that she has both the experience and knowledge needed to translate accurately—yet her approach reveals deeper issues.
Her admission of altering content, as in the case of My Life as Inukai-san's Dog, demonstrates that all her "academic" and "professional background" may not have provided her with the key aspect that should govern everything she does in the field of translation: respect for the original creator's intent. There’s a sense of cockiness in her remarks that exposes a belief that she, rather than the author, knows best what the audience needs. This isn’t just a failure of translation but a failure of ethics—a disregard for the original work and the creator's vision.
Translation or Personal Agenda?
In a professional field where maintaining cultural and thematic fidelity is of utmost importance, such practices are harmful. They risk misleading audiences, distorting original messages, and, ultimately, failing in the translator’s duty to serve as a bridge between languages and cultures.
The Broader Implications
Translation is not just about words; it’s about conveying culture, emotion, and the original creator's intent to a new audience. The type of localization practices adopted by Leonoudakis and her admitted disdain for those who are fluent in Japanese or have learned the language demonstrates a troubling trend among certain translators who feel entitled to shape narratives to fit their personal perspective.
It is a reminder that not everyone is suited for translation work—especially those who view the material with disdain or those who prioritize their agenda over the work they are entrusted to deliver.
The role of a translator is not to change but to convey, and that requires humility and a deep respect for the source material.
Katrina Leonoudakis is also pro-union for the AEGIS. Wonder why. Perhaps she sees the writing on the wall that she is not long for her job, and feels that a union could stave off losing the job... at least for the moment?
She may have the resume and qualifications of a seasoned translator, but her actions make it clear that her understanding of the responsibility involved is lacking. If anything, this is proof positive that some people simply aren’t meant for the critical role of bringing another culture's stories to the world—because to do so effectively, one must first respect and preserve the authenticity of the original work, not twist it into something else entirely.
~Smash
(Src/Thx: Twitter, BoundingToComics!)
Given the degenerate nature of the original work, I can't say it matters whether she translates it correctly or not. But it definitely reads like the kind of material a rainbow-colored weirdo would be into. 🙄
Isn't that a kind of plagiarism mis translating someone else's work to push her beliefs onto people
The original author needs to insist that all translation work needs to be peer reviewed and signed off by a third party. If conflicts are noted, it shouldn’t be published.
lol, look at the picture of this land whale, no respect given.