About Me

Professional headshot of Rychelle Brittain, Japanese to English translator and subtitler.

Hello!
My name is Rychelle Brittain.

I am a professional Japanese-to-English translator and linguist with a deep passion for dialogue.

I specialize in the world of entertainment and audiovisual translation, helping creators take stories rooted in Japanese culture and share them with a global audience.

My path to translation wasn't a standard one. Before I began working with Japanese media, I spent years as an official court transcriptionist. In the courtroom, every word carries immense weight. That role required a sharp native ear for complex speech, such as navigating thick accents and muddled dialogue, and an absolute commitment to standardized style guides.

Why does a background in law matter for a creative film script?

Because subtitling is an "invisible art" built on rigid technical boundaries.

Whether I’m adhering to the specific character-per-second limits of the Netflix style guide or managing the rhythmic flow of a feature film, I bring that same refined attention to detail and respect for technical constraints to every frame.

Ultimately, my goal is to ensure the "heart" of your message remains intact while meeting the highest industry standards. I’m a passionate supporter of independent creators and am always happy to discuss how we can bring your project to life.

An advocate for the craft

I am deeply committed to the standards of our industry. I currently serve as the Chair of JATENT (the Japan Association of Translators’ Entertainment Group) and am a professional member of SUBTLE (The Subtitlers' Association). I’m also a graduate of the highly esteemed Japan Visualmedia Translation Academy (JVTA).

All work and no play…

When I’m not at my desk, you’ll either find me hanging out with my very spoilt cat, scouting out new lunch or matcha spots, or nerding out with any one of either FF, DND, DDR, or MTG.

So let’s connect!

Education

Japan Visual Media Academy (JVTA)

Professional J>E Media Translation Course
Graduated March 2022

University of South Australia

Bachelor of Applied Language and Intercultural Communication
January 2008 - December 2010
Double major in Japanese and Linguistics

Kansai International University

JASSO Scholarship Exchange Program (2010)

Achievements

Finalist (Top 20), 5th JLPP International Translator Competition (2020)

Finalist (Top 26), 6th JLPP International Translator Competition (2021)

Published Author, Tsuhon Journal (2024)
”An Introduction to Subtitle Translation”

Skills

  • Languages:
    Native English, Japanese (JLPT N2 certified)

  • Subtitling Software:
    Subtitle Edit / EZTitles / Canvas SST

  • CAT Tools:
    Phrase (Memsource) / SmartCAT / MemoQ

  • Specializations:
    Netflix Style Guidelines
    Creative Writing
    Proofreading/Editing
    High-speed Transcription (100 wpm)

  • General:
    Microsoft Office Suite
    Google Suite
    Basic DTP/Layouts

Services

  • Japanese to English translation services for scripts and business by Rychelle Brittain

    Creative & Business Translation

    High-quality textual translation for scripts, stage plays, and professional business media.

    I recast your written content to preserve the original creative intent while ensuring complete clarity for English-speaking readers.

    See Translation
  • Professional Japanese to English subtitling for film, anime, and documentaries - Rychelle Brittain Translations

    Audiovisual Subtitling

    Expert Japanese to English subtitling for feature films, documentaries, anime, and corporate videos.

    I combine technical timing with creative dialogue to ensure your story is punchy, natural, and perfectly synchronized with the screen.

    See Subtitling
  • Native English transcription and pre-translation services for difficult accents

    Transcription & Spotting

    Native English transcription and specialized pre-translation services for audio and video.

    Let a native speaker filter through difficult accents and stutters.
    I provide a clean, standardized English script that serves as the perfect foundation for your E>X translators.

    See Transcription
  • English script polishing and native checking for Japanese businesses and creators

    Native Check & English Script Polishing

    Professional editing for scripts, business documents, and marketing copy.

    I refine your existing English drafts to ensure they are natural, culturally accurate, and impactful for a global audience.

    See Native Check

Machines are useful tools, but only a human provides the creative spark.

Only a person can interpret nuance, context, and genuine emotion.

I am always here to explain the reasoning behind my word choices.

Let’s work together to craft the perfect translation for your project.

Get in touch.

I am always happy to take your enquiries!

We can have an initial consultation over Zoom,or if you prefer to communicate entirely via email/messaging, that is fine too.

Feel free to use the form below,or reach out to me on any of my social media accounts.