On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, there was a significant development in the ongoing battle against manga piracy, led by prominent Japanese publishers like Shueisha and Kadokawa.
Their latest strategy seems to involve shifting focus towards targeting “scanlation” sites outside of Japan, which constitute a majority of piracy platforms.
Scanlation sites are platforms that facilitate manga piracy by taking raw scans of manga chapters, refining them digitally, and then translating and releasing them as unauthorized copies.
Popular series like My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen, and One Piece often have multiple scanlation sites distributing their content.
While the aim is to tackle the root causes of manga piracy, which naturally includes scanlation sites, it appears that there is now a deliberate effort to specifically address these platforms. This move could potentially disrupt the spoiler system as it’s known among Western fans.
NHK has released a new article about manga piracy, this time focusing on scanlation sites outside Japan. There are over 1200 manga piracy sites of which over 900 are not directed at japanese. While manga piracy is decreasing in Japan recentlydue to the closure of big sites, it…
— Manga Mogura RE (Manga & Anime News) (@MangaMoguraRE) March 26, 2024
The Western manga piracy scene seems to be facing a significant blow, especially for scanlations of beloved series like One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen.
The update originates from an article by NHK, also known as the Japan Broadcasting Association. As highlighted in the article and reiterated by user @MangaMoguraRE, the focus remains on combating manga piracy.
Every so often they try this and a few major sites get hit then new ones replace them. If they want to win they should make it easier to read manga and translated copy rather then trying to block out a market that doesn't even pay for most of the manga since it's not officially…
— Snowy Canadian (@NathanBTO) March 26, 2024
NHK’s report indicates that there are over 1200 piracy sites, with around 75% of them targeting audiences outside Japan. While Japan is affected to some extent, a considerable portion of these sites cater to international audiences.
Interestingly, piracy within Japan has reportedly decreased due to the closure of several major sites. In response, those leading the fight against manga piracy are not only shutting down illegal platforms but also exposing their operators.
However, there are arguments suggesting that the eradication of manga piracy could have unintended consequences, potentially dampening interest in anime and manga in the West.
Some argue that piracy actually generates additional revenue for the manga industry by introducing new fans. Moreover, casual fans have shared anecdotes of starting with piracy before transitioning to legal sources.
It’s important to note that this isn’t the first attempt to combat manga piracy, and historically, sites tend to resurface. This is partly due to the challenges of accessing officially translated manga in the West.
While platforms like MANGA Plus and Shonen Jump+ have improved accessibility for some series, piracy remains the primary source for many fans seeking regular Western releases.
