Who We Are
About Honyakutori
We're a team of passionate translators, gamers, and anime fans dedicated to bringing Japanese content to the world.
The Origin
The Birth of the Translation Bird
The name "Honyakutori" (翻訳鳥) literally means "Translation Bird" in Japanese - a combination of "honyaku" (翻訳, translation) and "tori" (鳥, bird). But the story behind it runs deeper than a simple name.
Legend has it, founder Mitchell Fujimoto was working late nights translating a beloved RPG. One evening, exhausted but determined, he noticed a small bird perched outside his window, illuminated by his desk lamp. Night after night, it returned - a silent companion in his work of carrying stories across languages.
That little bird became our symbol: a messenger that bridges worlds, carrying precious meaning from one language to another with care and precision. Like a bird under a lantern's glow, we bring light to stories that might otherwise remain in the dark for global audiences.
"Every translation is a small migration - carrying the soul of a story to new shores, where it can nest in new hearts."
翻訳鳥
Honyakutori
A Story’s Migration
Like a bird crossing vast oceans, a story must travel far to reach its global home. This journey spans the entire spectrum of entertainment: the complex mechanics of gaming, the visual rhythm of manga, and the emotional resonance of anime. Whether it’s a grand shonen epic or a grounded slice-of-life tale, these stories deserve to land in the hearts of fans everywhere. We believe that no barrier should stand in the way of a story worth telling.
What We Believe
The principles that guide our work every day.
Passion for Culture
We're fans first. Our team genuinely loves the content we localize, from anime to games.
Global Perspective
With team members across 8 countries, we understand cultural nuances that matter.
Quality & Speed
We never compromise on quality, but we also understand deadlines are sacred.
Collaborative Spirit
We work as an extension of your team, not just a vendor.
Meet the Team
Some talented people who make Honyakutori special.
Mitchell Fujimoto
Co-Founder & CEO
Translator, educator, and creative writer. Passionate about the industry.
Miyuki Haneda
Co-Founder, Japanese Lead
Specialized in RPG and visual novel localization.
Sarah Mueller
European Operations
Manages EFIGS localization with 12 years experience.
Min-jun Park
Korean Lead
Expert in Korean gaming culture and localization.
Ana Silva
LATAM Manager
Specializes in anime and manga for Latin America.
Michael Chen
Technical Director
Leads integration and localization tooling development.
Plus 50+ talented translators and localization specialists worldwide.
Want to join us? View open positionsOur Journey
Key milestones in the Honyakutori story.
2010
Honyakutori took flight in Seattle, founded by Mitchell Fujimoto.
2014
First major game localization project
2016
Expanded to anime and manga translation
2018
Opened European operations
2020
Reached 100+ team members globally
2022
Launched Festival Games cultural initiative
2026
Continuing the migration of stories across borders, ensuring every narrative finds a home in new hearts.
Work With Us
Ready to bring your content to global audiences? We'd love to hear about your project.