AnimeJapan 2024 marked its tenth anniversary with over 130,000 visitors. VoicePing provided real-time AI translation for Business Day seminars, enabling international participants to access content despite language barriers.
About AnimeJapan 2024 and Business Day
AnimeJapan 2024 marked its tenth anniversary with significant attendance, drawing over 130,000 visitors. The event featured more than 50 company booths and attracted international participants from China, the US, Europe, and Hong Kong.
The Business Day component was held at Tokyo Dome City Prism Hall across two days, designed specifically for industry professionals. Key features included:
- 50+ exhibition booths showcasing latest projects and technologies
- Seminars covering international market expansion, particularly Middle Eastern anime markets
- Panels on licensing, merchandising, and industry trends
Primary Challenge: Seminars were conducted entirely in Japanese, yet approximately half the audience comprised non-Japanese-speaking international participants. Technical anime industry terminology complicated real-time interpretation.
Interview with Sony Music Solutions Inc.
Interviewee: Ms. Magdalena Kanska, Event Organizer Company Role: Sony Music Solutions managed the entire AnimeJapan 2024 event, with Kanska overseeing Business Day operations.
Why VoicePing Was Selected
What factors led you to choose VoicePing for this event?
Three critical factors influenced the decision:
- Budget efficiency compared to professional interpreters
- Demonstrated translation accuracy during product demonstrations
- Capability to detect and properly translate pre-registered technical terms (anime titles, character names)
As Kanska noted, traditional interpretation would have been “cost-prohibitive for multiple programs across two days.”
VoicePing’s solution cost less than half the price of hiring professional interpreters proficient in anime industry terminology.
System Performance and Feedback
How did VoicePing perform during the actual event?
Observed Strengths:
- Performed excellently with organized, well-structured speaker content
- Successfully handled specialized anime industry vocabulary
- Real-time subtitle display in both Japanese and English
Performance Limitations: Kanska indicated the system faced challenges with improvisational speech patterns. Speakers delivering “free talk” with extremely long sentences created difficulties. Organized presentations with clear sentence structures yielded superior results.
What was the participant feedback?
Feedback was generally positive, with international attendees expressing appreciation for the translation feature. Kanska noted this technology remains relatively uncommon in the anime industry.
QR Code Translation Innovation
VoicePing’s distinctive approach utilizes QR codes for scalable, accessible translations:
Key Features:
- Participants scan QR codes with smartphones
- Immediate language selection without app downloads
- Adjustable text size and audio playback options
- Event organizers can expand language options without additional costs
This methodology addresses limitations of traditional large-screen displays that show only one or two languages and present legibility issues for distant viewers.
Implementation Details
Setup requirements were minimal:
- Internet-connected PC
- Integration with existing audio systems
- No complex technical installation needed
The system was ready to use within minutes of setup, requiring no specialized technical expertise from event staff.
Conclusion
The partnership demonstrated successful integration of AI translation technology at a major international event. The system effectively bridged linguistic gaps for international attendees while maintaining cost efficiency.
Success at AnimeJapan 2024 suggests expanded potential for technology-enabled inclusive global participation in future industry events.
Interested in event translation services? Contact VoicePing through our demo booking form to learn how we can support your next international event.
