Sumi
Sumi is an AI-powered manga translator that automatically translates manga, manhwa, and webtoon pages into a wide range of languages while preserving the original artwork. It detects, reads, translates, erases, and re-typesets text directly into speech bubbles, avoiding white boxes or overlays. The service supports vertical CJK text and can re-letter tall bubbles with native vertical typesetting for Japanese, Chinese, and Korean. Sumi is available as a web-based online translator, a Chrome extension, a Safari extension, and native apps for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Silicon Macs. The tool can process uploaded images, screenshots, or pages on supported websites, and it offers a free tier with no sign-up required for the first page. Paid plans unlock more pages and offline capabilities. On iPhone and iPad, Sumi can run fully offline by downloading model packs, enabling translation without an internet connection. It also includes a dictionary and flashcard feature for language learners. The app emphasizes seamless integration with official publisher sites and supports reading free chapters directly in the browser.
- Category
- Video
- Pricing
- Paid
Problem solved
Sumi solves the problem of language barriers for manga readers by automatically translating manga pages and re-lettering the translated text into the original artwork, preserving the visual style and reading experience. It removes the need for manual editing or separate text overlays, making untranslated manga accessible in the reader's preferred language.
Use cases
- Reading untranslated manga on official publisher websites
- Translating uploaded manga pages or screenshots
- Learning Japanese through side-by-side dictionary and flashcards
- Reading manga offline on iPhone or iPad
- Translating vertical-text pages from sites like pixiv
- Using the Chrome extension for instant in-browser translation
Audience
- Hobbyists
Pros
- Seamless text erasure and re-lettering preserves original artwork
- Supports native vertical CJK typesetting
- Offline translation on iPhone and iPad with on-device models
- Available as browser extensions and native Apple apps
- Free tier with no sign-up for first page
Cons
- Free tier limited to a few pages before requiring payment
- No Android app available
- Requires legally obtained pages or screenshots
- Beta features may be unstable
- AI translation may occasionally miss context or nuance
Official website: https://mangasumi.com/
Canonical LambdaBase page: https://www.lambdabase.com/tools/sumi