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
Writer & Pop Culture Reviewer for But Why Tho?
Journalist for the Anime News Network
Occasional Podcast Guest for ChattyAF
Podcast 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)

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
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

TomoChoco Podcast
Episode 53: It's Kashimashi!

Shojo & Tell
S1:E66 - Tokyo Mew Mew (with Mercedez Clewis)

We Are Here: Lessons from the School-Living Club - Co-Host
Podcast Site

Podcasts (Japan & Japanese Culture)

Unseen Japan
May 16, 2020 Crowdcast

Work History

Current

The Anime News Network - Freelance
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?
September 2020 - Current
Manga & Anime Reviewer and Contributing Writer, Pop Culture Critic

Anime Feminist
May 2020 - Current
Contributing Editor, Contributing Writer and Reviewer, Transcription (Chatty AF)

Rotten Blossoms - Work-for-Hire/Contract
October 2020 - February 2021
Quality Assistance, Proofreading

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)

Hiatus

Fandom Post
September 2020 - February 2021
Manga & Anime Reviewer and Contributing Writer

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+)

Manga
J-Novel Club NDA – Proofreader/QA
J-Novel Club NDA – Proofreader/QA
J-Novel Club NDA – Proofreader/QA

Light Novels
Cross Infinite World
NDA – Secondary Editor and Proofreader

Video Games
NDA AAA Company
NDA Otome Title

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 News Network

Features and Editorials

Spring 2021
Zombie Land Saga: Idol Anime For Non-Idol Fans

Interviews

Spring 2021
Interview: Yasuke Director LeSean Thomas

LeSean Thomas Talks History and Heroes in Netflix's YASUKE - Youtube Video

Seasonal Anime Reviews

Spring 2021

So I'm a Spider, So What? (Crunchyroll)
13 - 14 - 15 - 16 - [17]()

Super Cub (Funimation)
1-2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - [6]()

The World Ends with You the Animation (Funimation)
1-2 - 3 - 4 - [5]()

Yasuke (Netflix)
Full Review, Ep. 1- 6

Previous Season Reviews

Idoly Pride (Funimation)
Full Review, Ep. 1 - 12

I-Chu (Crunchyroll)
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

Pretty Boy Detective Club (Funimation)
1 - 2 - 3 - 4

Super Cub (Crunchyroll)
1 - Seasonal Review (1-12)

The World Ends with You the Animation (Funimation)
1 - Seasonal Review (1-12)

Tropical-Rogue Precure (Crunchyroll)
6 - 7 - 8 - [9]() - 10

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)

Winter 20201
Gnosia (Nintendo Switch)

Fall 2020
Dimeo's Jukebox (Gameboy DMG)

Opinion Pieces

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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

Per Page - Editing
¥330 - 420 / page
$3 - $5 / page

Per Volume - Editing
¥27,500 - ¥33,000 / volume
$250 - $300 / volume

Per Page - Proofreading・QA
¥40 - ¥60 / page
$0.40 - $0.70 / page

Per Volume - Proofreading・QA
¥8,000 - ¥11,000 / volume
$75 - $100 / volume

❖ Rates are based on an average page count of 180 - 200 pages. Rate includes pages with or without text or sfx.

Light Novels / Japanese Novels

Per Page - Editing
¥330 - 420/page
$3.15 - $3.95/page

Per Volume - Editing
¥30,000 - ¥39,000 / volume
$275 - $350 / volume

Per Page - Proofreading・QA
¥330 - 420 / page
$3 - $5 / page

Per Volume - Proofreading・QA
¥11,000 - ¥15,000 / volume
$100 - $135 / volume

❖ Rates are based on an average page count of 200 - 240 pages. Rates are subject to increase for particularly long or dense novels.

Writing

Articles - 500 - 1000 words
$50/article

Articles - 1000 - 1500 words
$80/article

Articles - 1500 - 2000 words
$110/article

Blog Posts (Short)
$65/post

Blog Posts (Long)
$85/post

Media Review Article (Manga/Graphic Novels/Ect.)
$45/post

Media Review Article (Anime)
$60/post

Media Review Article (Video Games)
$80/post

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: