Following the publication of our piece on the use of AI lettering in their manga, MANGA Plus has since updated the lettering on the first chapter of Rugby Rumble.
Many of the criticisms addressed by comics professionals and fans – such as font sizing, font choice, and text placement – have been updated throughout each page. Additionally, translator Mei Amaki (Mugen Creations LLC) has been added to the credits as having lettered and edited the chapter alongside Orange Inc. and Media Do Co. Ltd.
https://twitter.com/debaoki/status/1708120146731303342
It’s not clear whether additional chapters of Rugby Rumble or other Manga PLUS simulpubs will continue to employ Orange Inc.’s AI lettering technology with additional touch-ups by freelance letterers or editors, but the quality of the updated lettering is more inline with what would be expected from manga fans and comics professionals.
Rugby Rumble by Daisuke Miyata launched on MANGA Plus on September 28th, 2023. MANGA Plus describes the series as follows:
“The Japan under-15 rugby team—nicknamed the Perfect Squad—shattered the power balance of high school rugby after sweeping the world cup. With so many former Perfect Squad members in their home prefecture, Rikuzen High’s rugby team has given up all hope of victory and now takes a laid-back approach to training. Enter first-year and rugby novice Kinzan Yamada. He may be new, but he’s ready for the world of rugby. The question is whether they’re ready for him…”
The first chapter is currently available to read, with additional chapters arriving each Thursday on the platform. It is currently published simultaneously with its Japanese release, which is currently serialized on Shueisha’s Shonen Jump+ online magazine website and app.
