The notorious anime piracy giant, Aniwatch, has rebranded itself as “HiAnime” in the wake of escalating infamy. This strategic move comes amidst a surge in its notoriety as one of the largest unauthorized streaming platforms for anime content.
Users attempting to access the familiar Aniwatch domain were greeted with a redirection message announcing the rebranding.
The statement read, “Aniwatch is being rebranded to HiAnime. You will be redirected to the new HiAnime website in 10 seconds. Or you can also click here to go to HiAnime now.”
The rebranded site, now named HiAnime, has emerged as the successor to Aniwatch.
According to Similarweb, Aniwatch, now HiAnime, has claimed the top spot as the most accessed anime piracy site globally, boasting a staggering 136.2 million visitors in January 2024.
Notably, it ranks 16th overall in the competitive “Streaming and Online TV” category. The rebranding decision was not accompanied by an official explanation from Aniwatch.
Torrent Freak’s recent report suggests that a recent ‘dynamic+’ site blocking order in India may have been a catalyst for this transformation.
This court-ordered measure directs Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block access to specific websites, and the theory gains credibility considering India’s significant user base for Aniwatch.
The platform has faced persistent pressure from groups advocating its shutdown, with a history that includes its notorious predecessor, “Zoro.to.”
Both Aniwatch and its forerunner have found a place on the U.S. government’s list of most notorious piracy and counterfeiting markets.
The rebranding, Torrent Freak speculates, maybe a temporary measure to evade the effects of the blocking order. Despite the change, the platform’s massive size makes it challenging to escape scrutiny.
Users have reported minimal disruptions, with account details and watchlist records seamlessly transferred to HiAnime.
However, concerns have been raised about the new site’s name, HiAnime, and its potential association with an 18+ anime site. Additionally, some users have noted an increase in pop-up ads on the rebranded platform.
As debates surrounding anime piracy persist, recent controversies, including Crunchyroll’s service changes and the arrests of individuals leaking major manga publications, contribute to the ongoing discourse on the motivations behind piracy in the anime community.