The True Cost of Anime and Manga Piracy
The anime and manga industry is facing a significant threat: piracy. In 2021, online piracy of Japanese entertainment, including anime, manga, and video games, caused losses of around 2 trillion yen, marking a five-fold increase from 20191. This alarming surge in piracy has been attributed to people spending more time indoors during the coronavirus pandemic and the increased use of streaming services1.
The Impact on Anime and Manga
A major portion of the losses came from anime and other video content, with an estimated loss of 906.5 billion to 1.4 trillion yen1. Manga comics and other published media were projected to have lost 395.2 billion to 831.1 billion yen1. The manga industry alone lost a total of 1.19 trillion yen (approximately US$8.76 billion) in 2021 due to piracy2.
Piracy Sites on the Rise
The number of manga piracy websites has increased, with approximately 900 websites currently in operation2. The top 10 most popular websites had an overall amount of 3.76 billion views across 2021, a 2.5-fold increase over the previous two years2. Piracy is not limited to manga alone, but also extends to spoiler sites and networks that provide spoiler videos2.
The Industry’s Response
Japan’s Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA) is leading the charge against piracy, with support from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Agency for Cultural Affairs1. Since 2021, CODA has increased its efforts to shut down pirate websites by working with cybersecurity experts and focusing on identifying the operators behind the illegal sites1.
In April 2022, CODA established the International Anti-Piracy Organization (IAPO), dedicated to tackling illegal online distribution of anime, manga, and similar copyrighted content2. The organization is comprised of copyright protection organizations from about 13 nations, joining forces to combat piracy worldwide2.
The Bottom Line: Love for the Industry
If you are a fan of the anime and manga industry and appreciate the advances in animation from studios like MAPPA, it’s crucial to be part of the solution. Paying into the industry not only supports the creators but also helps the industry flourish. By choosing legal sources for your entertainment, you are making a difference in protecting the industry you love.