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Ballonstranslator

Ballonstranslator is a Python desktop application that assists with translating comic and manga pages through text detection and recognition, machine translation, image cleanup, and translated-text editing and layout.

Explore the practical guide ↓

Independent OpenViST project profile, based on linked sources.

Ballonstranslator — OpenViST project profile in Image & Video AI.
OpenViST project illustration. See the linked sources for product details.
Understand the project

Practical overview

When it fits

Use it when translating image-based comics or manga and you want automated translation and cleanup followed by direct control over lettering and page edits.

Who it is for

  • Comic and manga translators who want machine-assisted first drafts.
  • Lettering editors who need to repair page images and adjust translated text layout.
  • Users handling batches of comic images who also want to review and edit individual pages.

Documented uses

  • Detect and recognize text in comic or manga images.
  • Translate page text and place the result using estimated original lettering attributes.
  • Remove original lettering with mask editing or repair tools.
  • Refine text content, formatting and layout, including search and replacement or Word document exchange.
Before you choose

Requirements & limits

The project is open source under GPL-3.0. Its README documents installation options for Windows, macOS and Linux; the Windows setup methods described do not support Windows 7.

  • Automatic output depends on four stages: detection, recognition, text removal and translation.
  • LLM history and glossary options apply to the LLMTranslator; other translator modules ignore them.
  • Larger LLM history budgets send more input and can increase time or local memory and GPU-memory use.
  • The README notes that Japanese-to-Chinese vertical layout still needs improvement.

Check current requirements in the official documentation. Source-based guidance does not mean OpenViST has run or independently tested this project.

Source-based practical guide

Run automatic translation on a folder of comic pages

Set up the application and start its documented one-click translation workflow.

Before you start

  • A supported desktop environment; the README provides Windows, macOS and Linux setup instructions.
  • A folder containing image files.
  • Source and target languages configured in the application.

Steps

  1. Install using the documented setup method for your operating system, or use the Windows release archive and launch script.

  2. Open the application and configure the source and target languages.

  3. Open a folder containing images and select Run.

  4. Review the translated pages and correct text or image cleanup as needed.

Expected outcome

The application processes the folder through its translation workflow and renders translated text over the page images.

Guide limitations

  • Results depend on text detection, recognition, text removal and translation performance.
  • The README says Japanese-to-Chinese vertical layout needs improvement.
  • The README advises visibly labeling machine translation in public shares unless an experienced translator has completed or reviewed the translation.
Documentation 1 ↗
Evidence and transparency

Sources & review

Official repository ↗
Source record details
Source availability
Active
Sources checked
13 October 2026
Original website title
dmMaze/BallonsTranslator · Official homepage title · retained in its source language
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