Crunchyroll Exposed: ChatGPT in Subtitles After Denial

Crunchyroll, the leading anime streaming service, was caught in a blunder: subtitle for one of its anime listed "ChatGPT" as part of the translation process. The incident occurred months after the platform's streaming chief publicly stated that Crunchyroll was "not considering" the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for translations. The unexpected revelation, which quickly circulated in online communities, raises questions about the company's transparency and the quality of automated translations.

The discovery that ChatGPT was used in the production of subtitles, even if accidentally listed, directly contradicts Crunchyroll's previous statements. This could affect subscribers' trust, who expect accuracy and a human touch in the translations of their favorite anime.

The image that exposed the blunder was captured from an episode of the anime Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation. In the translation credits, alongside the names of the human translators, the explicit mention of "ChatGPT" appeared, suggesting that the AI tool was used, at the very least, as an aid in the process. Crunchyroll has not made an official statement on the incident.

This episode contradicts a statement by Julian Lai-Hung, streaming chief of Crunchyroll, who in a previous interview, in February 2025, had declared: "We are not considering [the use of AI]. We want to make sure our fans know that translations are done by humans. That is most important." The discrepancy between the public statement and the evidence in the subtitles has generated skepticism and frustration among users.

The use of AI in subtitle translations has been a topic of debate in the entertainment industry. While AI can speed up the process and reduce costs, there are concerns about the loss of cultural nuances, slang, and emotional tone that only a human translator can capture. For the anime community, which values accuracy and passion in localization, the use of AI without transparency is particularly sensitive.

The controversy surrounding ChatGPT in Crunchyroll's subtitles may have implications for the platform's reputation. Subscribers may question the quality of future translations and the honesty of the company in its communications. Crunchyroll competes in a heated streaming market, and consumer trust is a valuable asset.

For the future of anime localization and other content, the incident serves as a warning. Companies that choose to integrate AI into their processes will need to be transparent with their consumers and demonstrate that the technology is being used to enhance, not replace, the quality of human work. Crunchyroll will have to reassess its communication strategy and possibly its approach to integrating AI in localization to maintain credibility with its fan base.