Forget TV and Films, Piracy's Biggest Impact Now Belongs to Manga
The article highlights the escalating issue of manga piracy, noting a significant increase in the usage of illegal manga websites by over 300% in 2024. This surge has led to substantial financial losses for the industry, with damages exceeding 1 trillion yen (approximately $6.7 billion) in 2024. The rise in piracy is attributed to the growing global popularity of manga and anime, which has unfortunately been accompanied by an increase in unauthorized distribution channels. In response, both the Japanese government and industry stakeholders are intensifying efforts to combat piracy, including the development of AI-powered detection systems and legal actions against operators of illegal sites. These measures aim to protect creators’ rights and ensure the sustainability of the creative industry.
