Mercedez Clewis
クレウィス・メルセデス
Beginner JP - EN Translator & Localization Editor & QA/Proofreader
Staff Editor at Anime Feminist
Freelance Transcriptionist
Contributing Writer & Pop Culture Reviewer for But Why Tho?
Contributing Reviewer and Journalist for the Anime News Network
Occasional Podcast Guest for ChattyAF
Podcast Co-host for We Are Here: Lessons from the School-Living Club
Interests
hobbies
Japanese Instruments
Shamisen (3.5 years experience)
Koto (3 years experience)
Crafting
Cross Stitch
Embroidery
Weaving
Sashiko
Cultural Interests
Ohara Style of Ikebana (3 years experience; 2nd Year Assistanceship)
Plus-sized Japanese Fashion
Local Cuisine/Specialties
Yokai & Mythology
Onsen
About
Mercedez Clewis (she/they) is a Japanese to English Localization & Translation Editor, Proofreader, and QA. She also is a freelance Journalist, Pop Culture Writer, Reviewer, and Critic with articles at Siliconera, Anime Feminist, the Anime News Network and But Why Tho?. Her main body of work focuses on Japanese animation, manga and doujinshi, and Japanese SFF and Fantasy fiction.
Before finding her heart in localization and journalism, Mercedez was a member of the JET Program. She had the honor of living and working in Fukushima City, Fukushima, the southernmost prefecture of the Tohoku region of Eastern Japan. She lived in Japan from July 2016 to August 2020, where she taught thousands of students across ten different senior and junior high schools in the Nakadori region.
Currently, Mercedez is in the process of returning to her work as an EFL Teacher in Japan. This time, her adventures will take her to Kagoshima City, Kagoshima on Kyushu, where she will teach both young learners and adults as she continues to humbly serve as a bridge between America and Japan.
Education
University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri - Aug. 2014 - May 2016
MA in History with a certificate of Museum Studies with training in Archival Studies, Collections Management, and Research and Design; Two Year Graduate Research Assistanceship at the Missouri History Museum in Archives and Research & Design
Westminster College - Fulton, Missouri - Aug. 2010 - May 2014
Bachelor of Arts - History with a minor in Asian Studies; supplimental archival study and front desk management experience at the National Winston Churchill Museum.
Awards and Certificates
Goodwill Ambassador for Fukushima
I was awared the title of International Goodwill Ambassador of Fukushima Prefecture by Uchibori Masao, Govenor of Fukushima, as recognition of my service and my continued work on behalf of the prefecture.
MyTEFL
TEFL Certification (120-Hour Profession Course), Nov. 2017
Podcasts & Crowdcasts
Podcasts (Anime & Manga)
2021
Anime is Lit
---
Chatty AF - AnimeFeminist
Chatty AF 133: Akudama Drive Retrospective
Chatty AF 134: Yuri Manga Variety Hour
Chatty AF 136: Angelic Layer Watchalong – Episodes 1-7
Chatty AF 138: Angelic Layer Watchalong – Episodes 8-13
Chatty AF 139: 2021 Spring Mid-season Check-in
Chatty AF 140: Angelic Layer Watchalong – Episodes 14-19
Chatty AF 141: Angelic Layer Watchalong – Episodes 20-26
Chatty AF 142: Wonder Egg Priority Postmortem
How to Japanese
How to Japanese Podcast – S02E13 – Mercedez Clewis – Intensive Japanese Study, JET Program, Writing/Localizing
Shojo & Tell
S1:E66 - Tokyo Mew Mew (with Mercedez Clewis)
The Taiiku Podcast
[Those Snow White Notes]()
We Are Here: Lessons from the School-Living Club - Co-Host
Podcast Site
2020
BlxxkAnimePodcast
(Season 3) Episode 17: Fall 2020 Wrap-up feat. PixelatedLenses
Chatty AF - AnimeFeminist
Chatty AF 125: BNA Retrospective
Chatty AF 126: 2020 Summer Wrap Up
TomoChoco Podcast
Episode 53: It's Kashimashi!
Podcasts (Japan & Japanese Culture)
2021
2020
Unseen Japan
May 16, 2020 Crowdcast
Work History
Current
The Anime News Network - Freelance Contributor
March 2021 - Current
Journalist and Daily Streaming Reviewer
J-Novel Club - Work-for-Hire/Contract
March 2021 - Current
Manga QA & Proofreader
FANTASISTA, INC. - Work-for-Hire/Contract
March 2021 - Current
Proofreader
Cross Infinite World - Work-for-Hire/Contract
October 2020 - Current
Editor
But Why Tho? - Freelance Contributor
September 2020 - Current
Manga & Anime Reviewer, Video Game Reviewer and Critic,
Book/Novel Reviewer, Japanese Pop Culture Critic
Anime Feminist
May 2020 - Current
Contributing Editor, Contributing Writer and Reviewer, Transcription (Chatty AF)
Previous
Rotten Blossoms - Work-for-Hire/Contract
October 2020 - February 2021
Quality Assistance, Proofreading
Fandom Post
September 2020 - February 2021
Manga & Anime Reviewer and Contributing Writer
Siliconera
February 2020 - April 2020
Contributing Writer, Japanese to English News Translator
JET Program
July 2016 - July 2020
Assistant English Language Teacher
Senior High School (Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture)
Project History
2021
Doujinshi
Rotten Blossoms
The Wish We Share Pt. 1 – Quality Assurance
Love Struck (15+) – Quality Assurance
Box of Passion (18+) – Quality Assurance
The Wish We Share Pt. 2 (18+) – Quality Assurance
Manga
Futekiya
Honey, Maple, and More Sugar – Proofreader/QA
J-Novel Club
Sorcerous Stabber Orphen: The Reckless Journey V4 – Proofreader/QA
JNC NDA – Proofreader/QA
JNC NDA – Proofreader/QA
JNC NDA – Proofreader/QA
JNC NDA – Proofreader/QA
JNC NDA – Proofreader/QA
JNC NDA – Proofreader/QA
JNC NDA – Proofreader/QA
JNC NDA – Proofreader/QA
JNC NDA – Proofreader/QA
JNC NDA – Proofreader/QA
JNC NDA – Proofreader/QA
Light Novels
Cross Infinite World
Akaoni: Contract with a Vampire – Secondary Editor and Proofreader
Video Games
NDA AAA Company
NDA Otome Title - NDA Route and NDA Route – Co-Editor/Secondary Editor
2020
Audio Dramas & CDs
Rotten Blossoms
Twilight Moon (18+) – Quality Assurance and Proofreading
Doujinshi
Rotten Blossoms
That is a Sensitive Place! (15+) – Quality Assurance
WINGS Concerto A (R18+) – Quality Assurance
Served on a Platter (18+) – Quality Assurance
Beautiful Flowers Have Thorns (18+) – Quality Assurance
Shalion Garden (18+) – Quality Assurance
Light Novels
Cross Infinite World
Another World’s Zombie Apocalypse Is Not My Problem! Volume 2 – Primary Editor
Anime Feminist
Seasonal Premiere Reviews
Summer 2021
Remake Our Life!
The Honor Student at Magic High School
Life Lessons with Uramichi Oniisan
Tsukimichi -Moonlit Fantasy-
The Dungeon of Black Company
Night Head 2041
Spring 2021
Koikimo
Higehiro: After Being Rejected, I Shaved and Took In a High School Runaway
Combatants Will Be Dispatched!
SEVEN KNIGHTS REVOLUTION: Hero Successor
Super Cub
Don’t Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro!
Blue Reflection Ray
BACKFLIP!!
Pretty Boy Detective Club
Yasuke
Winter 2021
Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki
I★CHU
IDOLY PRIDE
So I'm a Spider, So What?
WIXOSS DiVA(A)LIVE
Fall 2020
Iwa Kakeru! Sports Climbing Girls
Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear
Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club
TONIKAWA: Over the Moon For You
Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina
Summer 2020
Japan Sinks: 2020
Lapis Re:LiGHTs
Monster Girl Doctor
Articles
2021
Anime Feminist’s Top Picks for 2020
Anime Feminist Recommendations of Winter 2021
Anime Feminist Recommendations of Spring 2021
2020
Anime Feminist Recommendations of Summer 2020
Anime Feminist Recommendations of Fall 2020
Anime News Network
Features and Editorials
Summer 2021
Spring 2021
Zombie Land Saga: Idol Anime For Non-Idol Fans
Interviews
Summer 2021
Spring 2021
Interview: Yasuke Director LeSean Thomas
LeSean Thomas Talks History and Heroes in Netflix's YASUKE - Youtube Video
Manga & Light Novel Reviews
Summer 2021
Seasonal Anime Reviews
Summer 2021
The aquatope on white sand (Crunchyroll/VRV)
1-2 - [3]() [4]() - [5]() - [6]() - [7]() - [8]() - [9]() - [10]() - [11]() - [12]()
Kageki Shojo!! (Funimation)
1-3 - 4 - [5]() - [6]() - [7]() - [8]() - [9]() - [10]() - [11]() - [12]()
The Great Jahy Will Not Be Defeated! (Crunchyroll/VRV)
Remake Our Life! (Crunchyroll/VRV)
1-3 - 4 - [5]() - [6]() - [7]() - [8]() - [9]() - [10]() - [11]() - [12]()
Previous Season Reviews
Diary of Our Days at the Breakwater (Funimation)
[Full Review, Ep. 1 - 12]()
Dropout Idol Fruit Tart (Funimation)
[Full Review, Ep. 1 - 12]()
Tales of Symphonia(Crunchyroll/VRV)
[Full Review, Ep. 1 - 11]()
Spring 2021
So I'm a Spider, So What? (Crunchyroll)
13 - 14 - 15 - 16 - 17 - 18 - 19 - 20 - 21 - 22 - 23 - 24
Super Cub (Funimation)
1-2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12
The World Ends with You the Animation (Funimation)
1-2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12
Yasuke (Netflix)
Full Review, Ep. 1- 6
Idoly Pride (Funimation)
Full Review, Ep. 1 - 12
I-Chu (Crunchyroll)
Full Review, Ep. 1 - 12
Maesetsu: Opening Stage (Funimation)
Full Review, Ep. 1 - 12
But Why Tho?
Manga, Light Novels, Doujin, and Japanese Lit
Spring 2021
Pokemon Adventures Collector's Edition Vol. 6 (Viz Media)
‘Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Different Story Complete Omnibus Edition (Yen Press)
Yokohama Station SF (Yen On)
Ask Iwata (Viz Media)
Winter 2021
Dr.STONE Reboot: Byakuya (Viz Media)
The Emperor and I Vol. 1 (Viz Media - Digital Only)
The Girl With the Sanpaku Eyes Vol. 1 (Denpa)
Hetergenia Linguistico Vol. 1 (Yen Press)
Heterogenia Linguistico Vol. 2 (Yen Press)
Inside Mari's Body Vol. 1 (Denpa)
Pokemon Adventures Collector's Edition Vol. 4 (Viz Media)
Pokemon Adventures Collector's Edition Vol. 5 (Viz Media)
Sachi's Monstrous Appetite (Kodansha Comics)
Signs of Affection Vol. 1 (Kodansha Comics)
Strawberry Fields Once Again Vol. 1 (Yen Press)
Tamamo-chan is a Fox! Vol. 1 (Seven Seas)
Tokyo Fashion: A Comic Book (Viz Media)
Fall 2020
Disney Tsum Tsum Sushi Cookbook (Viz Media)
Seasonal Anime Reviews
Spring 2021
Let's Make a Mug Too (Crunchyroll)
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12
Pretty Boy Detective Club (Funimation)
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12
Super Cub (Crunchyroll)
1 - Seasonal Review (Ep. 1-12)
The World Ends with You the Animation (Funimation)
1 - Seasonal Review (Ep. 1-12)
Tropical-Rogue Precure (Crunchyroll)
6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16 - 17 - [18]() - [19]() - [20]()
Wonder Egg Priority
Ep: 13
Winter 2021
IDOLY PRIDE
Ep: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12
Otherside Picnic
Ep: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12
The Promised Neverland Season 2
Ep: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 5.5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11
Tropical-Rougue Pretty Cure
Ep: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5
Wonder Egg Priority
Ep: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12
Fall 2020
Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle
Ep: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12
TV & Movie Reviews
Fall 2020
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
Video Game Reviews
Spring 2021
The House in Fata Morgana (Nintendo Switch)
Atelier Mysterious Trilogy Deluxe Pack (Nintendo Switch)
World's End Club Demo (Nintendo Switch)
Winter 2021
Gnosia (Nintendo Switch)
Fall 2020
Dimeo's Jukebox (Gameboy DMG)
Opinion Pieces
---
Skills
Skills
Blogging
Creative Writing
Editing & Proofreading
International Relations
Podcasting & Podcast
Social Media
Timeline Management
Transcription (Audio & Video)
Translation (JP to EN)
Typing (Baseline: 54 wpm)
Written Communication
Program Proficencies
Canva
Google Suite: Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms
Microsoft Office: Word, Powerpoint
Social Media
Instagram
Tumblr
Twitter
Languages
Primary/L1: English (native)
Secondary/L2: Japanese (Upper Intermediate - Lower Advanced)
Secondary/L2: JSL / Japanese Sign Language (Beginner)
Tertiary/L3: Korean (No Proficiency/Absolute Beginner)
Rates
Manga (Includes R18+/Mature Media)
Per Page - Editing
¥120 - ¥160 / page
$1.10 - $1.50 / page
Per Volume - Editing
¥33000 - ¥42,000 / volume
$300 - $380 / volume
Per Page - Proofreading・QA
¥60 - ¥75 / page
$0.55 - $0.70 / page
Per Volume - Proofreading・QA
¥8,000 - ¥11,000 / volume
$75 - $100 / volume
❖ Rates includes pages with or without text or sfx.
❖ Turnaround is typically 2 to 4 business days, excluding weekends and holidays
❖ Rush work is avaliable, but will incur an additional fee for labor.
Light Novels / Japanese Novels
Per Volume - Editing
¥38,000 - ¥53,000 / volume
$350 - $480 / volume
Per Volume - Proofreading・QA
¥20,000 - ¥25,000 / volume
$180 - $220 / volume
❖ Rates are based on an average word count of 75,000 and an average page count of 250 pages. Rates are subject to increase for particularly long or dense novels.
❖ Turnaround is typically 10 to 12 business days, excluding weekends and holidays.
❖ Rush work is avaliable, but will incur an additional fee for labor.
Video Games (Otome and Visual Novels)
Per Word - Edting
$0.05 - $0.08 / English Word
Per Word - Proofreading・QA
$0.04 - $0.06 / English Word
❖ Turnaround is typically 11 to 13 weeks for text heavy visual novels and otome and 9.5 to 11 weeks otherwise
Articles & Writing
Feature Article — 1000 - 1500 words
$75 - $90/article
Articles - 1500 - 2000 words
$110 - $130/article
Media Review Article (Manga/Graphic Novels/Ect.)
$45/post
Media Review Article (Anime)
$40 - $50 /post
Media Review Article (Video Games)
$70 - $85/post
❖ Turnaround is typically 3 to 5 business days, excluding weekends and holidays.
❖ Rush work is avaliable, but will be charged at 1.75x the base fee
Contact
Please contact me at [email protected] if you have questions or want to request my resume. You can also contact me there for in further inquiries, including interview request, consulting, work opportunities, collaborative projects and more.
Additionally, please contact me via email if you have any questions regarding my rates or work calendar.
Furthermore, I am avaliable for guest and panel hosting, especially for projects and productions focused on LGBTQAI+ and Queer media, Visual Novels, Yuri and Boys' Love media, and anime and manga in general.
Additionally, if you would like to support the content I create or would like to continue to support my endevours as a writer, editor, translator, and transcriptionist, please consider gifting me a nice warm cup of Ko-fi or by donating to me via PayPal.
Additionally, you can find me at the following places: