Viz Media's official English dub of the Jujutsu Kaisen manga continues to thrive, but not without controversy. An official English voice actor for the anime has joined the Jujutsu Kaisen fan community to condemn the questionable manga translation for North American readers.
Adam McArthur, the American voice actor for Yuji Itadori in Jujutsu Kaisen, posted an gif from the anime to express his confusion about the English translation of Chapter 267. He simply captioned it “John Wery [sic]”McArthur's gif is an intentionally humorous scene from the anime in which Yuji says, “I get it. I don't get it,” with a serious expression. John Werry is the credited translator of the Jujutsu Kaisen manga for Viz Media, taking over the role from Stefan Koza after he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for possession of child pornography. While Koza's expulsion was justified, many in the fan community have criticized Werry's work on Jujutsu Kaisen and other series like One-Punch Man. However, McArthur's post on X (formerly Twitter) is the first time someone officially affiliated with the franchise has criticized Viz Media's translation.
Jujutsu Kaisen's Yuji Voice Actor Sides With Many Fans On Manga Translation Issue
Previously, English translations of the Jujutsu Kaisen manga have been criticized for being unclear and inaccurate compared to the original Japanese material. The first viral example was Chapter 220, where Shoko Ieiri declares that she has no interest in Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto. However, the English translation makes it seem like she has feelings for her former classmates—a claim that has been refuted by her official character profile. The wording of Shoko's statement has also been confusing in other languages, with the Spanish version being closest to the original meaning.
However, the biggest issue with the English translation that many fans have had is the change of Gojo's iconic line “Nah, I'd win” to a simple “No” in Chapter 221. The backlash to this confusing change was so strong that Viz Media updated Chapter 221 to now include Gojo's correct words. Chapter 267, the latest digital release in the Jujutsu Kaisen manga series, has another translation error, where Yuta Okkotsu talks about eating Yuji's finger to copy Sukuna's Cursed Technique Temple. However, the English translation reads this as the Shrine of Malice, which is Sukuna's Domain Expansion—a technique that Yuta is incapable of copying. While this error can be explained as a mistake, it's one of many that may have been too much for Yuji's English voice actor to handle.
While the Jujutsu Kaisen fandom has long had issues with Viz Media's recent English translation, they remain divided over Yuji's voice actor calling out the translator himself. Some believe it was an inappropriate move by McArthur, despite how harmless his X-post was, as it could be seen as confirmation of Werry's harassment, given the weight McArthur's claim carries as the official voice actor for the series. Others, however, believe that McArthur has the right to criticize Viz Media's translation just like any other reader.
There are only a few more chapters left until Gege Akutami's Jujutsu Kaisen manga comes to an end. New and previous chapters can be read on Viz Media and the Manga Plus app.
Jujutsu Kaisen
A boy swallows a cursed talisman – the finger of a demon – and is cursed himself. The boy enters wizard school so he can locate the demon's other body parts and thus exorcise himself.
Author Gege Akutami
Artist Gege Akutami
Release date March 5, 2018 Category Adventure, Fantasy, Supernatural
Chapter 221
Book 22
Adaptation Jujutsu Kaisen
Publishing house Shueisha, Viz Media
Extend
Source: X (formerly Twitter)
