For decades, manga piracy has plagued the industry, posing a significant challenge to publishers worldwide. Unlike the adventurous pirates of One Piece, these are digital pirates operating on numerous websites dedicated to illicit manga distribution.
In Japan, recent years have seen a concerted effort by the manga industry to combat this issue, with publishers ramping up their defense of intellectual property rights. Now, a new report from NHK indicates that publishers are looking to expand their anti-piracy efforts globally.
The report, released this week in response to data from ABJ, an organization formed by Japanese manga publishers, sheds light on the extent of the piracy problem. According to ABJ’s data from February 2024, they have identified a staggering 1,207 piracy sites.
What’s concerning is that 913 of these sites target readers outside of Japan, catering specifically to English or Vietnamese-speaking audiences. With over 70% of these sites aimed at global readers, there is a clear need for international anti-piracy measures.
While ABJ’s efforts in Japan have shown some success, with a 25% decrease in visits to Japanese pirate sites following their injunctions, the same cannot be said for other markets. In places like Vietnam, piracy usage has surged, growing fivefold compared to the previous year.
This disparity highlights the ongoing challenge of combating piracy, likened to the mythological hydra – cut off one head, and several more emerge in its place.
In an interview with NHK, lawyer Hiroyuki Nakajima underscored the broader implications of manga piracy outside Japan. “English piracy sites attract massive traffic, with some garnering over 200 million visits per month.
Some sites even block access from Japan to avoid detection. Piracy apps are also a concern, with unsuspecting users mistaking them for official platforms,” Nakajima explained.
“The global popularity of anime and manga exacerbates the issue, resulting in significant losses for right holders. It’s crucial not only to shut down illicit sites and apps but also to pursue legal action against operators to deter future piracy and ensure fair compensation,” Nakajima emphasized.